Mary-Ann Andrews
President
Board Member
Board Member
(775) 786-5515
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Biography for Mary-Ann Andrews
Mary-Ann Andrews serves as President of NBCC. Mary-Ann is V.P. of Operations/Business Development for Sage International, Inc., a Reno-based firm that “breeds entrepreneurs” by developing business strategies and incorporating businesses in all 50 states. She is also President & CEO of Odyssey’s Yve-Ning Bags, LLC. She holds a B.S. in Business/Marketing, earned her MBA from University of Phoenix, and obtained her Paralegal Certification from UCLA Extension. For over 25 years, Mary-Ann worked in the legal profession as a law office administrator, public relations manager, and paralegal. She was also a Certified Life Underwriter and Investment Advisor for five years, employed by one of the nation’s oldest and largest insurance companies.
Prior to joining the Sage team, Mary-Ann was V.P. of Marketing and Attorney/Advisor Services for a Reno-based estate planning firm, during which time she earned the designation of Certified Estate Planning Professional (CEPP), and taught Basic Estate Planning classes to CPAs, financial planners and attorneys throughout the U.S. For four years, she served as President of the Sacramento CA Legal Professionals Association, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and support the legal community. Mary-Ann is a member of the American Business Women’s Association and Professional Saleswomen of Nevada, She is a member of United Way Board of Directors and the Washoe County School District Advisory Board. NBCC and Sage International are members of the United Way Financial Stability Partnership.
Mary-Ann has three children and five grandchildren who “light up” her life and affectionately call her “Nana.”
Julia T. Brown, Esq.
Board Member
(415) 636-2290
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JULIA T. BROWN, ESQ
VP, CRA Officer
Charles Schwab Bank
Board Member
Julia T. Brown joined Charles Schwab Bank, in 2003, and is responsible for developing, and implementing the Bank's CRA strategy, including managing the existing CRA Plan for the Bank in Reno, NV, and developing a new, nationwide strategy for helping to meet the credit needs of targeted communities.
Prior to joining Schwab, Ms. Brown was with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)for ten years where she worked with community groups, local government, and other federal agencies to ensure National Bank adherence to various laws and regulations related to compliance, fair lending, and community development. Julia is a citizen of the Creek and Seminole Indian Nations of Oklahoma. While at the OCC, she also served as Native American Specialist, working with banks and tribal governments to develop financial and lending services and economic development in tribal communities.
Ms. Brown has had more than 30 years of experience in the community and economic development field. This includes but is not limited to establishing and working with non profit community based organizations, as well as local, county and state government agencies. As such, she has extensive experience overseeing the administration of federal grants, including those from HUD, Department of Labor, Department of Education, U.S. Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Commerce (including the Economic Development Administration, and the Minority Business Development Agency), and the Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
EDIE VAUNN
Executive Vice President
Board Member
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Edie Vaunn
VP - Member Service
Edie Vaunn serves as Vice President of Member Services of the Nevada Black Chamber of Commerce. Edie has worked at Sierra Pacific Power Company, in various Customer Service related areas, since 1997. Edie is a licensed Aesthetician and currently owns three businesses with her husband, Bobby Vaunn: Beauty & Style Salon, Edie’s Beauty Secrets, and Sweet Confections (located inside Circus Circus Hotel and Casino). Edie is a member of the Reno/Sparks NAACP and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club. She is the Founder and President of The Roses of Reno Chapter of The Red Hat Society, which focuses on hosting charity and community events. Edie was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, and deeply values her Southern roots.
ELAINE M. BRANNON
Vice President, Member Services
Board Member
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Elaine M. Brannon serves as Vice President of Member Services for NBCC. Elaine hails from the Chicago area and spent her teen and young adult years in the St. Louis area. As the wife of U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Troy E. Brannon, she has lived in various parts of the country. Elaine has strong Christian and family values as the ultimate wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, girlfriend, and human service professional. She echoes the principles of one of her role models, Mary Kay Ash: “God first, family second, and career third”.
With a B.S. in Social Work, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, and a Masters Degree in Social Work, Elaine has worked in various fields of social work practice for over 20 years. Elaine is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Red Hat Society, the Northern Nevada Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., and president of the Reno/Sparks Nevada Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.
In addition to volunteering for various local and national agencies, Elaine is Director of Revivals Health & Wellness Council. Revivals is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization whose mission is to ensure that Northern Nevada residents are made aware of existing health services. This mission is accomplished by distributing health education materials at various events, assisting target organizations in their fundraising efforts, establishing venues for agencies to promote health education, providing financial supplements associated with health screening and treatments, and by celebrating wellness.
JASON KLEINHENZ
Vice President, Public Relations
Board Member
Jason Kleinhenz serves as Vice President of Public Relations for the NBCC. Born in New Jersey, Jason spent most of childhood in Florida. He has been married for over seven years, with four children, and has lived in the Reno area for four years.
Jason is a Small Business and Group Benefits Specialist with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., and an Account Executive with Central Payment Corporation. Jason’s passion and focus is the growth and protection of families and businesses, and enables his clients to access quality legal advice nationwide for all needs from phone consultations to document reviews to identity protection. Jason is also an Account Executive with Central Payment Corporation.
PATRICE A. BOYAKINS
Secretary/Treasurer
Board Member
Patrice A. Boyakins serves as Secretary/Treasurer of NBCC. She is Director of Operations at Rivendel Independent Living, Inc., a community-based independent living program for disadvantaged young adults 18 years and over. For over three years, Patrice was the Marketing Assistant for Sage International, Inc., a Reno-based firm that “breeds entrepreneurs” by developing business strategies and incorporating businesses in all 50 states. She also served as a Resident Advisor for Sierra Nevada Job Corp assisting youth in reaching their educational or vocational goals. She is a Nevada native and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the Univ. of Nevada, Reno, and a Masters in Science Psychology from University of Phoenix.
Since 2004, Patrice has been an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and active in community service organizations, including Safe Embrace, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Mentoring, Inc. and various church programs that benefit youth in the Reno/Sparks community. She served as Director of Education/Curriculum for S.A.L.T.–Saving a Life Together and is presently the Youth Director at Rehoboth Holy Temple Church of God in Christ.
TIFFINEY R. BRADLEY
Communications/Marketing Coordinator
Board Member
Tiffiney R. Bradley serves as Communications & Marketing Coordinator for NBCC. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the NBCC youth division and strengthening alliances with like chambers in neighboring cities, Lake Tahoe, as well as Sacramento, California. After obtaining a Masters in Communications from Missouri State University in 2000, Tiffiney began her career at Johns Hopkins Univ. as Assistant Director of Residential Life. While residing in Baltimore, she volunteered for four years in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.
In May 2005, Tiffiney relocated to So. California where she worked with developmentally-disabled youth. She also wrote four books: Shine, Inspirations, Predominately White, and All My Life I Had to Write. She continued her career at Univ. of Nevada, Reno as Resident Director. Tiffiney currently works at Sage International, Inc. as Communications and Marketing Coordinator. For 14 years, Tiffiney has been a licensed minister serving in Accra, Ghana, Malaysia, Singapore, and Amsterdam. Most recently she serves at Greater Light Christian Center as a leader in the “Queen’s Court Ministry” which focuses on the needs of women, and is the co-coordinator of the Singles Ministry.
