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Staff

CEO/President

Gregory Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Gregory Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Gregory Johnson, a passionate philanthropist and esteemed community organizer, has been recently appointed as the CEO and President of the Foundation for the Mid South. Hailing proudly from Mississippi, Greg is committed to forging innovative pathways towards improved wages, savings, education, and entrepreneurship in underserved communities. He accomplishes this by fostering effective partnerships with private, public, and social sector organizations.

Greg’s previous positions include managing director of equity and economic opportunity at The Rockefeller Foundation, program officer at the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock, and Manager of VIP relationships, corporate responsibility, and philanthropy in a corporate social responsibility office that supported access to clean water and higher education.

During his tenure as part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Mississippi and New Orleans team, Greg managed a diverse portfolio of nearly 140 grants amounting to over $90 million. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Greg was awarded Philanthropist of the Year at the Young, Gifted & Empowered Awards in February 2020. Furthermore, C-Suite Quarterly acknowledged him as a NextGen 10 in Philanthropy, Art, and Culture in 2021.

Greg’s impact has resonated far and wide, leading to features in esteemed publications such as Forbes, CBS News, Newsweek, USA Today, and Black Enterprise. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to transformative change have solidified his reputation as a dynamic leader in the philanthropic sector.

Senior Leadership Team

Kimberly M. McMillan

Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly M. McMillan

Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly M. McMillan served as the Chief Financial Officer at the Foundation for the Mid South for 11 years before leaving in 2020. She returned to the organization in January 2023 as the chief financial officer. She is responsible for efficiently managing approximately $22 million in assets. Kimberly boasts over 30 years of experience in non-profit management, with a particular focus on accounting, finance, community development lending, and wealth building. She holds a BSBA degree in accounting and an MBA from Mississippi College. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous boards and committees aimed at promoting minority entrepreneurship, wealth building, and leadership.

Kimberly is married to Lee McMillan. They have three children: Crystal, Nicolette, and Alexis. They are active members of New Hope Baptist Church.

Ebonee Johnikin

Chief Strategy Officer

Ebonee Johnikin

Chief Strategy Officer

Ebonee Johnikin is a communications leader with expertise in corporate, interpersonal, and organizational communication. As Communications Director for the Foundation for the Mid South, she develops and implements strategies that amplify the organization’s mission across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Her work strengthens brand visibility, engages diverse audiences, and builds meaningful connections between nonprofits, partners, and the communities they serve.

With experience in corporate, nonprofit, and community-based settings, Ebonee specializes in strategic messaging, content development, media relations, and brand storytelling. She is skilled at transforming complex ideas into clear and compelling narratives that inspire action through multi-channel campaigns, thought leadership content, and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Passionate about equity, community-driven solutions, and capacity building, Ebonee approaches every project with strategy, creativity, and empathy. Her ability to align organizational goals with authentic storytelling has established her as a trusted voice in advancing missions that create lasting impact.

Dr. Meshelle Rawls

VP of People & Culture

Dr. Meshelle Rawls

VP of People & Culture

Dr. Meshelle Rawls serves as Vice President of People & Culture at the Foundation for the Mid South. Since joining the organization in 1997, she has contributed to strengthening internal operations, supporting staff development, and helping align personnel practices with the Foundation’s mission to advance racial, social, and economic equity across the Mid South. In her role, Dr. Rawls oversees office operations and leads core human resources functions, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance processes, compliance, and personnel policy administration. She works to support effective systems that promote accountability, collaboration, and a positive workplace environment. Dr. Rawls is an active member of the Capital Area Human Resource Association (CAHRA), a graduate of Leadership Jackson, and a Southeastern Council of Foundations Hull Fellow. She has been recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as a Distinguished Leading Business Woman and was named a Top Ten Finalist for Businesswoman of the Year. A dedicated community volunteer, Dr. Rawls is a Life Member of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association and serves on its Board of Directors as Financial Secretary. She is a former President of the JSU Madison County Alumni Chapter and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, the American Heart Association, Women for Progress, Inc., and the Junior Auxiliary of Madison County. She also serves on several nonprofit and community-based boards. Dr. Rawls earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Jackson State University, a Master of Science degree from Belhaven University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Jackson State University. She is married to Dwight W. Rawls.

Cassio Batteast

VP for Programs

Cassio Batteast

VP for Programs

Cassio Batteast is a native of Charleston, Mississippi. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. He also attended Jackson State University, where he received his Master of Arts degree in Urban & Regional Planning (Community Development). Cassio brings a host of advanced interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work closely with a wide range of constituents and has been involved in successfully developing programs and strategic partnerships with educational institutions, faith-based organizations, local governments, and other community/nonprofit organizations. Cassio Batteast has dedicated his career to working with and for disadvantaged youth, families, and communities across the State of Mississippi and its neighboring areas. Cassio Batteast formerly served as the Bank on Fellow/Economic Mobility Director for the United Way of Capital Area. He has extensive leadership experience and skills in program administration and development, non-profit management, fundraising, partnership integration, and marketing. He is actively involved in his community through a number of organizations, including the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s Strengthening Families, Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance, Leadership & Sustainability for Black Male Achievement, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Fund, National Juvenile Justice Network & People Advocacy Institute. Cassio Batteast is a member of the Jackson Workforce Leadership Academy Class of 2020-21, one of several Workforce Leadership Academies in localities across North America.

Finance Team

Leo Richard

Senior Staff Accountant

Leo Richard

Senior Staff Accountant

Leo Richard currently serves as Senior Staff Accountant for the Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, he worked for Samac Technology & Networking Solutions Co, Inc. With over 35 years of experience in both corporate and nonprofit accounting, he specializes in providing tax planning and consulting services to individuals and businesses. He is also knowledgeable in financial statement preparation, budgeting, and cash flow management.

Leo is a resident of Richland who actively participates in his community. He is a dedicated member of New Jerusalem Church and has a BBA degree in accounting from Mississippi State University. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and working on his farm, where he raises cows and goats. He also cherishes spending time with his wife, Sarah, and his sons, Kenneth, and Joshua.

Kimberly Crisler

Staff Accountant

Kimberly Crisler

Staff Accountant

Kimberly Crisler is an accounting professional with more than 35 years of experience spanning audit, tax, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Professional Accounting (BPA) degree from Mississippi State University in 1989. Her career includes three years in audit and tax, twenty-six years in nonprofit accounting, and seven years in the for-profit sector. Kimberly brings deep expertise in financial reporting, compliance, and operational support, with a consistent focus on accuracy, accountability, and continuous process improvement. Known for her professionalism and collaborative approach, Kimberly is a trusted resource who supports organizational efficiency, transparency, and sound financial stewardship.

Program Team

George Stewart

Education Program Officer

George Stewart

Education Program Officer

George was introduced to education advocacy through his acceptance into the National Education Association (NEA) Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI). Since completing the program, George has become the president of the Jackson Association of Educators, the largest local educator association in the state of Mississippi. As president, George has led advocacy efforts that resulted in the largest educator pay raise in Mississippi history, led organizing campaigns that focused on safe drinking water in the city of Jackson and surrounding areas, and supported educators by leading in the organizing and facilitation of the Jackson Association of Educators Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI).

As a strong advocate for public education, he has collaborated with state legislators in writing and introducing education legislation in the Mississippi House of Representatives. As a huge supporter of community schools and education equity, George was a representative on the OUR JPS Community Schools Planning Team and the Mississippi NAACP Education Committee. George also supports families by serving as board president of Mississippi Families as Allies, the only state organization run for families by families. He is an alum of The Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, founded by Congressman Bennie Thompson, and an alum of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute Advocacy and Campaign Institute.

Stewart has also partnered and facilitated programs with community organizations such as Springboard to Opportunities, which works with lower-income families to provide educational resources for students, and Mississippi Public Broadcasting's Parents Are Teachers Too (PATT) program, which provides parents with tools and strategies to help families learn together at home.

Finally, George is a husband and father of two beautiful children attending Hinds County School District.

2026 Summer Interns

Adam Tolliver

Communications Intern

Adam Tolliver

Communications Intern

Adam Tolliver is a Communications Intern at the Foundation for the Mid South, where he supports efforts to elevate the organization’s visibility and engagement across digital and community platforms. A rising sophomore at Howard University, Adam is majoring in Strategic Communications with a concentration in Advertising. He brings a forward-thinking mindset and a passion for impactful storytelling to his work with the Foundation.

In his role, Adam contributes to the development of marketing strategies, social media campaigns, and creative outreach initiatives that help amplify the Foundation’s mission. With a strong foundation in strategic thinking, a creative outlook, and a solid grasp of technology, he is particularly interested in exploring how data analytics and digital media can drive meaningful engagement and lasting change.

Adam’s internship reflects his commitment to public service, equity, and innovation. Through his contributions, he hopes to support the Foundation’s goals while continuing to grow as a communicator and change maker.

Faysal Ahmed Imran

Research Intern

Faysal Ahmed Imran

Research Intern

Faysal Ahmed Imran serves as a Research Intern at the Foundation for the Mid South, where he focuses on analyzing health data across Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana to identify disparities and inform strategies that promote community well-being. Faysal is a Graduate Researcher in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Jackson State University. He holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Daffodil International University and previously served as an Assistant Professor in Bangladesh, where he helped advance public health education and research. His research interests span infectious disease outbreaks, behavioral health, and community-level public health practices. He has authored peer-reviewed publications and brings both academic depth and practical experience to his work. At the Foundation, Faysal is committed to leveraging data-driven insights to support equitable health outcomes and broaden our understanding of public health challenges in the Mid South. His passion for research and dedication to public service continue to drive his contributions to the field—both regionally and globally.

We are in the business of improving lives in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

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601.355.8167

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