Chris Larson

Treasurer, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

Founder, College Pathways of the Triad

Member Location: Greensboro, NC

Chris serves with Leadership LINKS because he believes strongly in God’s power to use leadership training and mentoring to impact lives for the Kingdom. He is the founder of College Pathways of the Triad in North Carolina. He holds a bachelor’s degree in statistics from Rice University and a master’s degree in Christian Education from Asbury Theological Seminary. He works as an Assistant Vice President and Actuary at Lincoln Financial Group, where his primary responsibilities include life insurance pricing and product development. He serves as an elder at Gate City Vineyard Church, where his ministry focuses have included youth ministry, small group leadership, children’s ministry, and outreach leadership. In addition, he was treasurer of the board and part of the team that helped start Hope Academy, a Christian private school serving low-income students in Greensboro’s Glenwood neighborhood. Chris and his wife Beth live in Greensboro and have two children.

Deronta Robinson

Vice President, Professional Services, GovOS

Member Location: Durham, NC

Deronta has served as a Board of Directors with Leadership LINKS, Inc from 2019-2022 following his initial appointment to the Board of Advisors from 2017-2019, and supporting the groundbreaking work as a volunteer since the organization’s inception in August 2015. He uses his gifts of leadership, work ethic, and love for education to help others reach their God-given potential. Serving and teaching fuel his passion for the work of Leadership LINKS. He is a native of South Carolina. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served seven years as an Avionics Technician. While serving in the Marine Corps, he attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems. He resides in Durham, NC with his wife, Natasha, and daughter.

Jerome Preston

Market Manager, PODS Enterprises, LLC.

Member Location: Colfax, NC

Jerome believes in Leadership LINKS because of the strong personal and leadership skills the leadership instill in the young people of the organization. He has over 24 years of corporate sales and operations experience and is currently the Operations Manager for PODS Enterprises, in Central North Carolina and Virginia. He has dedicated many years of professional development becoming an expert in wireless and wireline telecommunications. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education with an emphasis in Sports Management. He enjoys building professional relationships and learning from others. He is a former coach and mentor of elementary school-age children as the Director of the Colfax basketball program. Originally from Martinsville, VA, Jerome now resides in Colfax, NC with his wife Denise who leads the Leadership LINKS Parent Advisory Council and his daughter Kya, who is a Youth LINKS Leader in high school.

Captain LaDonna Simpson

U.S. Navy

6th Battalion Officer, United States Naval Academy

Member Location: Annapolis, MD

Within her 20 years of service to the United States Navy, Captain select Simpson has personally observed how powerful interactions with a Christ-centered community of leaders, mentors and educators can be transformative for personal development. Over the years, she has learned that leadership and management are primarily about managing personal relationships, serving others and self-awareness. She looks forward to having new leadership experiences with the Leadership LINKS Network as a member of the Board of Advisors. She is a 2001 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and holds a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. Her recent operational tours include tours as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50).

Khristi Adams

Author, Speaker, Youth Advocate

Member Location: Pottstown, PA

Jennifer Brown

Business Development Manager

Member Location: Chicago, IL

Stephanie Polk

Legal Counsel

Member Location: Upper Marlboro, MD

Johnathan Eaglin

Higher Education Admissions/Fundraising/Development

Member Location: Durham, NC

Khristi is a speaker and youth advocate. She is the author of Parable of the Brown Girl, Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way, and its middle grade version Black Girls Unbossed: Young World Changers Leading the Way. Khristi’s next book, Womanist Theology: Discovering God Through the Lens of Black Girlhood is set to be released in the summer of 2024 with Brazos Press. Khristi is the Dean of Spiritual Life & Equity and Instructor of Religious Studies at the Hill School. She is excited about joining the Leadership LINKS team because this is an organization after her heart, which is the uplift and empowerment of young Black women. She is looking forward to seeing how she can contribute towards the overall mission and vision.

Jennifer was born on the Caribbean Island of St. Croix, USVI and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. She currently serves as the Business Development Manager for a solar company after moving back to Chicago from North Carolina. She previously served as the Sr. Development & Engagement Manager at a non-profit in Cary, NC for four years. That job is where she discovered her love for non-profit work and honed in on her skill to engage people, partnerships, and raise money! From Jennifer: "I am deeply drawn to collaborate with Leadership LINKS as their mission resonates profoundly with my calling from God to assist women in uncovering their life's purpose. Leadership LINKS empowers young women in their care with the essential tools to become impactful and purpose-driven individuals within their lives, communities, and society."

Stephanie was recently appointed to the Senior Executive Service, a cadre of federal executives operating at the top levels within the office of the General Counsel. She has been a mentor for the Leadership LINKS Mentoring Program for Girls, and currently mentors with the young women’s program. She enjoys working with the like-minded Christian leaders who are dedicated to leadership development and Mentoring Across Generations. She believes it’s imperative that young women are connected to a strong network of leaders who will nurture and encourage their spiritual development so that they can serve with excellence and positively impact their communities.

Johnathan has worked in higher education for over 15 years with experiences in admissions, fundraising, and development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Saint Xavier University and is a graduate of the Living Word School of Ministry. Johnathan works as an Associate Director of Development for Stanford University, where he builds relationships with alumni and donors to raise transformative philanthropic support to advance the university’s academic and research priorities. Johnathan is thrilled to join Leadership LINKS, and continue the work of empowering girls and young women to become the next generation of leaders.