Embrace Her Legacy is currently in an intentional and strategic board restructuring phase as we position our organization for greater impact. We are seeking passionate, purpose-driven leaders who are committed to empowering women and girls to break generational patterns and embrace legacies of love, wholeness, confidence, and wealth. If you’re interested in joining our Board of Directors, please visit our Join Our Team page to learn more and apply.
Founder & CEO/Board Chair: Maria I. Melendez
Maria I. Melendez, the visionary behind Embrace Her Legacy, is more than just a founder and CEO; she’s a catalyst for change. In addition to her pivotal role at Embrace Her Legacy, Maria also serves as the CEO of The Business Daycare, a boutique brand marketing agency dedicated to helping personal brands, entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits thrive. As a women and girls leadership advocate, bilingual speaker, author, mentor, podcast host, and brand strategist, Maria is on a mission to empower individuals to craft lives that leave an indelible mark on the world.
Maria’s influence extends far beyond her organizations, with features in prestigious publications such as FORBES, ESSENCE magazine, and Latina.com, coupled with recognition through various accolades. Her transformative impact is not only evident in her extensive speaking engagements, surpassing 100 talks, but also in her acclaimed TEDx talk titled “A Time to Heal.”
Stepping away from a high-profile career in the music business, Maria redirected her trajectory to fulfill her purpose of educating and transforming the lives of women and girls. Referred to affectionately by clients and peers as the “Inspirational Homegirl,” Maria embodies the essence of leading a purpose-driven life, inspiring others to do the same.
Hailing proudly from Brooklyn, NY, and of Afro-Latin descent, Maria holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Hofstra University and earned her Executive Master’s of Public Administration from NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service as first-generation college graduate born to immigrant parents from Central America. Her contemporary approach blends faith, transparency, authenticity, humor, and positivity, creating a powerful message of transformation that resonates globally. Maria I. Melendez is not just a leader; she’s a force, shaping the narrative of personal and leadership development for women and girls around the world.
Lindsey Kendrick: Treasurer
Lindsey is a partner at Deloitte with over 15 years of professional experience in their audit practice and serves clients in various sectors of the financial services industry including insurance, investment management, and banking and capital markets. Lindsey leads numerous cross-functional engagement teams in the audits of various public and private companies ranging in size from $2M to $68B in revenue. Lindsey has extensive experience with the accounting and reporting requirements under US GAAP and IFRS as well as in-
depth knowledge of the reporting requirements of the US Securities Exchange Commission and other regulators. In addition to serving her clients with quality and distinction, Lindsey
champions various inclusion efforts and initiatives at Deloitte. She leads the Stamford office inclusion council which brings together people from different businesses, backgrounds, and experiences to engage in common passions and interests. She also leads Deloitte’s Black & Allies Community in the Greater Tri-state area. Lindsey received her master’s degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut and is a certified public accountant. She is also a member of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She lives in Stratford, CT with her husband, Brandon, and five children.
Jasmine Esquilin: Secretary
Jasmine Esquilin is a dedicated local government professional and dance enthusiast with over five years of experience managing federally funded grant programs at both the state and local levels. She holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from SUNY Brockport. Jasmine is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and other organizations committed to addressing structural inequities, particularly among women and youth. She brings expertise in grant management, program development, community engagement, and mentorship, combining her passion for the arts and public service to foster meaningful impact and growth within the communities she serves.
Dionne Williams – Board Member
Dionne Williams is a nonprofit finance and operations executive with 20 years experience supporting mission-driven organizations in financial leadership, operational strategy, and organizational effectiveness. specializes in resource optimization, scalable systems and process design, and organizational leadership, helping organizations translate complex operational and financial challenges into practical, execution-ready solutions.
Over the course of her career, Dionne has led initiatives including organization-wide operational improvements, strategic financial planning and risk management, and the development of systems and processes that support sustainable growth and impact. She is known for data-driven decision-making, strong stakeholder partnership, and the ability to align people, strategy, and resources to achieve transformational outcomes. Dionne holds an Executive Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management and Bachelor of Science in Business, Management, and Finance and Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.
Tania Brown – Board Member
Tania Brown, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major (SGM) fondly known in the community and her business as Ms. T, is an aspirational leader, social entrepreneur, and advocate dedicated to the belief that with the right tools and access, every individual has the power to rise. With a career defined by strategic operations and a commitment to the hard right over the easy wrong, she brings a wealth of experience in training, human resources, and community advocacy to the Board of Embrace Her Legacy.Ms. T transitioned into her current ventures following two honorable, concurrent careers: over three decades of military service, retiring as a SGM with expertise in human resources, training, and operations, and more than 20 years at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, serving in the Office of Admissions and managing the Military and Veterans Services Office. Her varied roles allowed her to guide thousands of service members and students through pivotal life transitions.
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Cherie Samuels – Board Member
Cherie is a highly accomplished dual qualified lawyer, with over 13 years of experience, specialising in finance, capital markets, derivatives and corporate governance. She is admitted to practice in New York as well as England and Wales. With a focus on investment funds, asset management and financial product development, she has advised some of the largest investment banks in the world, including Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Deutsche Bank and Nomura.
As a thought leader with expertise in governance development, risk management and international regulatory frameworks, Cherie provides strategic advice to facilitate high value finance transactions as well as innovative solutions to support business growth, optimize value creation and enhance organisational success.
Cherie is passionate about increasing diversity and was the Chair and co-founder of the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Network at her prior law firm, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP. In addition to driving global engagement, she developed policies and initiatives to address racial disparities, including spearheading the publication of Ethnic Minority Pay Gap reports and designing technological systems to enhance retention and promote career progression.
Cherie holds an LL.B. law degree from King’s College London and an LL.M. in Banking, Corporate and Finance law from Fordham University in New York.
As an active diversity advocate, inspirational public speaker and leader in her field, Cherie was a founding member of the Steering Committee for the Black Solicitors Network’s Junior Lawyers Division and has been featured in the Top 30 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders List presented by the Financial Times.
Isis Billy
Advisory Board Member & Social Media Manager
Isis Billy is a passionate healthcare professional and purpose-driven creative with a Marketing degree from Lehman College. With a deep commitment to making a positive impact in her community, Isis has dedicated her career to bridging business, wellness, and social impact.
Over the past five years, she has played a vital role behind the scenes at Embrace Her Legacy, evolving from an intern to a trusted member of the Advisory Board and the organization’s Social Media Manager. Through her journey, Isis has honed her leadership, storytelling, and strategic marketing skills — using her platform to amplify messages of empowerment, personal growth, and healing for women and girls.
Her experience at Embrace Her Legacy has not only shaped her professionally but also inspired her personally, fueling her mission to help others become the best version of themselves. Isis remains committed to driving meaningful change, uplifting her community, and empowering others to embrace their purpose and power.
Interested in joining our board of directors or other volunteer opportunities? Learn more here.