Leadership

Leadership

At NALA, our staff and board members each play a vital role in keeping our organization running smoothly. From representing the interests of the paralegal profession to delivering value and opportunities for our members and affiliates, our team carries NALA to the highest standard.

Board of Directors
Cheryl J. Nodarse, ACP
Cheryl J. Nodarse, ACP

President

Saint Johns, Michigan

Peonca S. Grier, CP
Peonca S. Grier, CP

Vice President

Orlando, Florida

Debby J. Sawyer, ACP
Debby J. Sawyer, ACP

Secretary

Nashville, Tennessee

Vicki L. Kasper, ACP
Vicki L. Kasper, ACP

Treasurer

Midvale, Utah

Sharon D. Jones, ACP
Sharon D. Jones, ACP

Affiliated Associations Director

Sugarland, Texas

Claire E. Smith, ACP
Claire E. Smith, ACP

Area 1 Director

Newport News, Virginia

Lisa M. Stone, ACP
Lisa M. Stone, ACP

Area 2 Director

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Kristine M. Custodio Suero, ACP
Kristine M. Custodio Suero, ACP

Area 3 Director

San Diego, California

Jeanne M. Elliott, ACP
Jeanne M. Elliott, ACP

At Large Director

Wexford, Pennsylvania

Bridget M. Stuhr, ACP
Bridget M. Stuhr, ACP

At Large Director

Wahoo, Nebraska

Desire' D. Smith, CP
Desire' D. Smith, CP

Continuing Education Council (CEC) Chair

Henderson, Kentucky

Terri Walters, ACP
Terri Walters, ACP

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DEI) Chair

Los Angeles, California

Adrienne D. Berry, ACP
Adrienne D. Berry, ACP

Professional Development Committee (PDC) Chair

Hoover, Alabama

Christine K. Lillo, ACP*
Christine K. Lillo, ACP*

Certifying Board Chair

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Vanessa Finley, MBA, CAE*
Vanessa Finley, MBA, CAE*

CEO

Tulsa, Oklahoma

*indicates non-voting member                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Board and Committees

Certifying Board Mission Statement

The NALA Certifying Board is committed to setting, improving, and evolving the professional certification standards by which paralegals demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and integrity.

Vision Statement

The premier national certification credential for paralegals.

The NALA Certifying Board for Paralegals is responsible for the content, standards, and administration of the Certified Paralegal (CP®) Program. It is composed of paralegals who have received an Advanced Paralegal Certification designation, attorneys, and paralegal educators.

In the technical areas of statistical analyses, examination construction, reliability, and validity tests, the Board contracts with a professional consulting firm offering expertise in these areas as well as in occupational research. Technical and content analyses of the Certified Paralegal Examination are conducted on an ongoing basis to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the examination with job analysis studies conducted appropriately every six years.

Members:  Christine K. Lillo, ACP (Chair); Kimberly Brown, ACP; Cathy L. Davis, ACP; Jennifer Devine, ACP; Tammy Manning Dickerson, CP; Donna Gilliland, ACP; Cyndee Harrison (Public Member); Kye Haymore, JD;  Jaye L. Koch, ACP; Tracie L. Livesay, ACP; Tom Pokladowski, JD; Lisa M. Stone, ACP (Past Chair); Jeff Watts, CP; Sarah White, ACP

  • Plan conference education sessions
  • Develop, coordinate, and facilitate continuing education programs and certification review courses
  • Produce Facts & Findings

Members: Desire D. Smith, CP (Chair); Brandy Ableman, ACP; Kendal M. Cantrell, ACP; Sarah Duggan, CP; Jennifer R. Finch, ACP; Kaila Glaros, ACP (ACP Special Committee Chair); Jeanie C. Johnson, ACP; Amy McGuigan, ACP; Jennifer F. Salisbury, CP; Kristina Schiraldi, ACP; Juanita Serrano, ACP; Brian Snow, ACP; Deana M. Waters, ACP (Past Chair)

  • Further the goals of the Corporation to encourage, support, and maintain high standards in diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Monitor diversity, equity, and inclusion trends and issues
  • Work to address diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster meaningful, open, and constructive dialog throughout the Corporation to celebrate diversity of its members and leaders
  • Work within the Corporation to celebrate the diversity of its members and leaders
  • Strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the Corporation

Members: Terri Walters, ACP (Chair); Kristine Custodio Suero (Past Chair); Dana Fischel, ACP; Krystyl Jenkins, ACP; Angela Oberle, ACP; Candace Russell, ACP

This committee shall report any violations of the Code of Ethics adopted by the Corporation to the directors for appropriate action.

Member(s): Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, ACP (Chair)

 

  • Maintain Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • Maintain Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals
  • Provide articles for Facts & Findings
  • Oversee the research and publishing of the National Utilization and Compensation Survey
  • Keep up to date on activities affecting the paralegal profession
  • Oversee the development of professional development courses

Members: Adrienne D. Berry, ACP (Chair); Nicole Eaton, CP; Kelly S. Elder, ACP (Past Chair); Melody Johnson, CP; Kristin Kadaj, ACP; Dawnne L. Linenbrink, ACP; Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, ACP (Ethics Chair); Laura B. Reaves, ACP; Maureen Washington, ACP; Caroline C. Wilkerson, ACP

NALA Staff
Vanessa (Vinnie) Finley, MBA, CAE
Vanessa (Vinnie) Finley, MBA, CAE

CEO

Mariah Williams
Mariah Williams

Director of Operations

Paula VanStraten
Paula VanStraten

Director of Projects & Executive Support

Paul Watson, CPA
Paul Watson, CPA

Controller

Melody Drew
Melody Drew

Certification Manager

Patrice Pratt
Patrice Pratt

Strategic Development & Partnerships

Cate Benge
Cate Benge

Membership Manager

Sierra Pratt
Sierra Pratt

Education Coordinator

Callie Spencer
Callie Spencer

Communications Specialist

Kelsey Johnson
Kelsey Johnson

Graphic Designer/Social Media Specialist

Sabrina Smith
Sabrina Smith

Member Services Representative - Certification Specialist

Jade Brooks
Jade Brooks

Member Services Representative - Certification

Vanessa Williamson
Vanessa Williamson

Member Services Representative - Membership

Brittney Edgehill
Brittney Edgehill

Member Services Representative - Partner Relationships