President
Charis is the current President of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. She has served as President since January 1, 2019.
In addition to her role on the board, Charis is a Credit Analyst who has worked in the Financial Services industry for many years. Prior to woking as Credit Analyst Charis was a business owner in Jackson, Ms. Charis holds a MBA from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a Bachelor's Degree from Jackson State University.
Charis Creighton-Louis
Tarrita Spicer
Vice President & Student Liaison Chair
Tarrita is the Vice President of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. She has served ths role for two years.
In addition to her role on the board, Tarrita Spicer is a wife and mother born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Graduated from Roosevelt in 1997, DMACC in 2006 with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and 2010 from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor's in Business Management. An Administrative Assistant for the State of Iowa, Executive Director of Future Youth, LLC, since 2009, facilitates a program for middle and high school girls called Believing in Beauty that meets weekly during the school year, currently pursuing a Lingerie Patent and Product launch
Paula Bell
Strategist & Committees Chair
Paula Bell is the Past President of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. She has served ths role for many years and enjoys leading a group of exceptional individuals bring out the vision of the scholarship fund but also the vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In addition to her role on the board, Paula is a Manager, Business Analyst mentor and coach and leadership and development mentor and coach known for consistently producing exceptional work, providing guidance to aspiring business analysts (including those that just want to sharpen their skills) and leaders, as well as, providing creative and strategic ways to build relationships. With 20+ years in project roles to include business analyst, requirements manager, technical writer, project manager, developer, test lead and implementation lead),Paula has experience in a variety of industries to include media, courts, carpet manufacturing, banking and mortgage. Paula has had the opportunity to speak on a variety of topics to include business analysis, project management, relationship building, diversity, leadership and career development and software methodology to name a few.
Mayra DeCatalan
Finance Chair
Marya DeCatalan is the Finance Chair of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. She has served ths role for many years and enjoys leading a group of exceptional individuals bring out the vision of the scholarship fund but also the vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In addition to her role on the board, Mayra de Catalan was born in El Salvador, and moved to Des Moines, IA in the summer of 1992. Mayra has a passion for helping others and enjoys helping organizations concentrated on children, education and career development. Mayra has been married for nearly nine years, and loves being involved with her community. For the past nine years Mayra has worked in the financial industry; currently working as a risk consultant. Mayra also teaches college level statistics. She has a Bachelor‘s Degree in Actuarial Science, a Master’s Degree in Management, and course work Master’s Degree in Statistics. Mayra enjoys her work, and loves to use her leadership skills to help the Des Moines, IA community. In addition to her daily duties, Mayra is President of Latin Connection Iowa, Founder and President of the Marco Fagoada Memorial Scholarship, Treasurer of Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund, Inc, Treasurer of the Warren Morrow Memorial Scholarship, and previous Director of Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage. It makes her very happy to learn together we can help our local community. She believes working as a team not only helps us give hope to younger generations, but also inspires our next great leaders.
Matoya Woods
Community Relations Chair
Matoya Woods is the Community Relations Chair of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. Her role is to build relationships with our schoolsl and universities as well as corporations and businesses in Iowa.
Secretary
is the Secretary and Marketing Chair of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund. Her role is administration and creating a marketing strategy that we will execute on to promote the MLK Scholarship fund.