Leadership – NALA

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

President

Saint Johns, Michigan

president@nala.org

Peonca S. Grier, CP

Vice President

Orlando, Florida

vicepresident@nala.org

Debby J. Sawyer, ACP

Secretary

Nashville, Tennessee

secretary@nala.org

Vicki L. Kasper, ACP

Treasurer

Midvale, Utah

treasurer@nala.org

Sharon D. Jones, ACP

Affiliated Associations Director

Stafford, Texas

affiliates@nala.org

Claire E. Smith, ACP

Area 1 Director

Newport News, Virginia

Lisa M. Stone, ACP

Area 2 Director

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Kristine M. Custodio Suero, ACP

Area 3 Director

San Diego, California

Jeanne M. Elliott, ACP

At Large Director

Wexford, Pennsylvania

Bridget M. Stuhr, ACP

At Large Director

Wahoo, Nebraska

Desiré D. Smith, CP

Continuing Education Council (CEC) Chair

Henderson, Kentucky

Terri Walters, ACP

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DEI) Chair

Los Angeles, California

Adrienne D. Berry, ACP

Professional Development Committee (PDC) Chair

Hoover, Alabama

Christine K. Lillo, ACP*

Certifying Board Chair

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Vanessa Finley, MBA, CAE*

CEO

Tulsa, Oklahoma

vfinley@nala.org

*indicates non-voting member

Board and Committees

Certifying Board

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

Continuing Education Council (CEC)

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)

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DEI)

Further the goals of the Corporation (NALA) 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 meaningful, open, and constructive dialogue throughout the Corporation (NALA)
Work within the Corporation (NALA) to celebrate the diversity of its members and leaders
Strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the Corporation (NALA)

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

Ethics Committee

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)

Professional Development Committee (PDC)

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); Kelly S. Elder, ACP (Past Chair); Samaria Hutchins-Spaight, ACP; 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

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