Board Of Directors
Shauna Riley
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Shauna Riley is a dedicated nonprofit leader and educational support professional with a passion for community service and advocacy. As the Executive Director of The Riley Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease since 2019, she has been instrumental in setting organizational goals, securing funding, and building meaningful partnerships to support individuals affected by the disease. She has successfully coordinated community outreach efforts, fundraising events, and volunteer recruitment programs, strengthening the foundation’s impact and reach.
Before stepping into nonprofit leadership, Shauna spent nearly a decade as an educational support staff member in the Horry County School District. In this role, she provided individualized student support, developed tailored lesson plans, and assisted educators in tracking student progress. Her work emphasized fostering positive learning environments and equipping students with essential skills for academic and social success.
Shauna holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. She has also earned certifications in Nonprofit Management and Professional Grant Writing, further enhancing her ability to lead and advocate effectively. As a professional grant reviewer for the Florida Department of Health, she brings expertise in funding acquisition and program development to her work.
With a strong background in case management, community outreach, and program leadership, Shauna remains committed to driving positive change and supporting underserved populations. Her dedication to education, advocacy, and nonprofit management continues to impact lives throughout her community.
When our founder faced the heartbreaking challenges of navigating care for her son—who has the most severe form of sickle cell disease (SS)—she discovered a lack of support systems, insufficient resources, and a disconnect between funding and actual help for families. Despite reaching out to other organizations for assistance, no one responded. Instead of giving up, she took it as a sign to act.
Through personal experience, firsthand knowledge, and certification as a Sickle Cell Navigator, she built The Riley Foundation to ensure no family would face these challenges alone. Based in North Myrtle Beach, our work focuses on the local communities we know and love, like Horry, Georgetown, and Charleston counties, as well as at the state and national levels.
SANDRA MERRIAM
BOARD MEMBER
Sandra Merriam, M.Ed., is a retired middle and high school science and special education teacher. She holds two graduate degrees, one in non-traditional program development and one in curriculum development and leadership.
In addition to teaching, Sandra has invested her energy in community organizing in the areas of youth empowerment, racial equity, justice education, service learning, and parent-school communication.
She is also a national Circle of Trust© facilitator with The Center for Courage & Renewal, which exists to nurture deep integrity and relational trust, building the foundation for a more loving, equitable, and healthy world.
As a member of the Riley Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease, Sandie is interested in helping build Horry County’s understanding of Sickle Cell Disease, as well as helping build an organization of support for those who suffer from this debilitating disease.
Sheila Paganini
Board Member
Sheila is a seasoned technology leader with over 40 years of experience in high-tech industries, spanning engineering, engineering management, and program/project management. She has contributed to major organizations, including Hewlett-Packard, Palm, Intuit, Apple, Ericsson, TRW, multiple high-tech startups, and the U.S. Air Force.
With a strong foundation in software product development, Sheila brings a broad-based perspective to software engineering, ensuring pragmatic development plans that align with market needs while meeting schedule and cost objectives. Her expertise encompasses all facets of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC), from feasibility analysis and concept design to implementation, testing, documentation, and sustaining engineering.
Sheila has a proven track record of leading multiple cross-functional project teams to deliver innovative software solutions. Her technical expertise includes software application design and development, client-server systems, operating systems, and tools. She is adept at software quality assurance, alpha and beta testing, and implementing process improvements to enhance productivity.
In addition to her technical acumen, Sheila excels in program and project management, with deep experience in both Waterfall and Agile methodologies. She has successfully managed large-scale projects, overseeing planning, scheduling, execution, tracking, and reporting. Her ability to manage contractor, vendor, and offshore development teams across the United States, India, and China further underscores her global leadership capabilities.
Sheila holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Wright State University and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from UCLA. Known for her strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, she is a respected leader in the industry, driving technological advancements and fostering high-performing teams.
WHITNEY THOMPSON
BOARD MEMBER
With a passion for shaping young minds and fostering a love for learning, Whitney serves as an educator in Horry County Schools. With 8-plus years of experience in the field of education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role.
As an advocate for student-centered learning, Whitney believes in creating inclusive and engaging classroom environments where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. She is committed to cultivating critical thinking skills, nurturing creativity, and instilling a lifelong love for learning in her students.
Whitney holds an Education Specialist in Instructional Technology degree, a Master’s of Education in Instructional Technology degree, a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education degree, and an Associate’s in Science degree. She continually seeks opportunities for professional growth and development to stay abreast of the latest educational trends and best practices.
Whitney is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of her students and preparing them for success in an ever-changing world.
