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.
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.
Tennisha Reyes
Chief Financial Advisor
Tennisha Reyes is a dynamic banking leader, entrepreneur, financial professional, and community advocate with a passion for empowering individuals and families through education, opportunity, and intentional planning.
With more than 13 years of experience in the banking industry, Tennisha has built her career around leadership, relationship development, financial education, and helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals.
She currently serves in banking leadership as a Retail Market Manager II, where she leads teams, develops talent, strengthens client relationships, and supports the growth of businesses and communities.
Beyond banking, Tennisha has expanded her passion for financial empowerment into the insurance and financial services industry. As a licensed life insurance professional, she is committed to educating families about life insurance, estate planning, wealth protection, and the importance of creating a legacy that extends beyond a lifetime. She is especially passionate about closing the financial knowledge gap and making information that can change generations easier to understand and access.
Tennisha is also deeply committed to developing others. Through insurance education and exam preparation, she helps aspiring professionals gain the knowledge, confidence, and tools necessary to enter the industry and build successful careers of their own.
Her commitment to service extends throughout her community. As a board member of the Optimist International of the North Strand, Tennisha supports initiatives focused on youth development, education, recognition, and community outreach. She also dedicates time to financial literacy efforts and believes that introducing young people to financial concepts early can positively influence their futures.
Originally from Northern California and now rooted in South Carolina, Tennisha is a proud mother of three who considers family, faith, purpose, and legacy central to everything she does. Her experiences as a mother, leader, entrepreneur, and mentor have strengthened her belief that success is not simply measured by what you accomplish for yourself, but by how many people are better because you chose to serve, educate, and empower them.
Tennisha continues to build a life centered around purpose—developing people, strengthening communities, educating families, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
Her mission is simple: educate people, empower families, develop leaders, and leave a legacy that outlives her.
