BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cheryl A. Pemberton-Graves, Chairperson
Professionally, Cheryl A. Pemberton-Graves has over twenty years of diverse experience that includes experience in the political arena, providing consulting services to community development corporations throughout the country, with Local Initiatives Support Corporation, managing operational audits, of multi-million dollar public/private/nonprofit organizations with the New York City Comptroller’s Office; and establishing non profit organizations in Brooklyn and Manhattan. She is currently the Chief Volunteer Officer at Lighthouse Guild. Cheryl Pemberton-Graves received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from SUNY @ Albany and received her Master of Public Administration from Bernard Baruch College and is a National Urban Fellow. She can be reached at cpemberton@fivepearlsfoundation.org.
Ralph Davis,Treasurer/Secretary
Mr. Davis has had an extensive career as an accountant and financial analyst in both corporate and nonprofit organizations. He has worked as an Assistant Controller of Cancer Care Inc., Mr. Davis has also been a consultant to various non-profit such Women In Need. Mr. Davis has held Senior Finance positions at NBC Cable Networks and News Corporation. As a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Davis has served in many positions including Chapter President, Chapter Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Audit Committee Chairman of Epsilon Sigma, has also served as the Eastern Regional Treasurer of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Davis holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the New York Institute of Technology. He can be reached at rdavis@fivepearlsfoundation.org.
Sharon LaDay, Vice Chair
Ms. LaDay is the Director of Corporate Strategy & Development at Wimba Inc.; where she works on a variety of transactions in all stages, including partnering and M&A, from deal sourcing and processing to closing. Her career has also included experience in competitive intelligence for EMC and product marketing for Symantec. In addition to the Five Pearls Foundation, Ms. LaDay is an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. where serves as president of Sigma Nu Zeta Chapter. Ms. LaDay also serves as a trustee for the Helene Fuld College of Nursing in New York City. Ms. LaDay graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and from Columbia Business School with a Masters in Business Administration She can be reached at sladay@fivepearlsfoundation.org.
Sultana R. Ahmed
Ms. Ahmed is currently a Senior Analyst at American Express, where she is engaged in innovative marketing developments and strategic growth initiatives within the US Conusumer Services organization. Her career at American Express also included a stint as a Financial Analyst supporting regional pricing organizations in the Global Commercial Card business where she provided consultative pricing support to promote accuracy in P&L margins in client deals. Prior to her experience at American Express, Ms. Ahmed worked at JPMorgan Chase in the Treasury & Securities Finance group for several years,managing top-tier broker dealer relationships and developing risk reporting tools to identify critical insights across the international securities lending portfolio. Ms. Ahmed holds joint Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in economics (finance concentration) from CUNY-Queens College and The City College of New York. She also holds advanced graduate certification in Financial Analysis, Banking, and Finance from New York University. She can be reached at sahmed@fivepearlsfoundation.org.
Lenice Nelson, Ex officio
Ms. Nelson is a proud and committed educator working in the Heart of Harlem as an Assistant Principal in District 5. She has over 20 years of experience working at all levels in public education. Ms. Nelson obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from University at Buffalo, a Master of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Long Island University, Advanced Certification SA/SBL from College of Saint Rose and a recent graduate of ALPAP (Advanced Leadership Program for Aspiring Principals). Ms. Nelson enjoys active membership in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Associate Jewels and the Parliamentarians of Metro New York. A Charter member of the Sigma Nu Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in Harlem, NY, Ms. Nelson proudly serves as the current President.
