The Civic Impact Academy Advisory Board
The Advisory board is made up of local leaders and changemakers who provide strategic input on the direction of our program curriculum and theory of change for our intended audiences.
Advisory board members have experience in building coalitions, political awareness, local government policy, understanding community engagement ecosystems, equity-based leadership and many wide-reaching community endeavours.
John Walton III, MPA
Through its Economic Development Office, Mecklenburg County houses a BDI program, committed to providing minorities, women, and small businesses equal opportunity to professional services contracts. Through his work as a Business Diversity and Inclusion Compliance Officer, John lends his talents to bridge the gap to access to women, minorities and small businesses.
Gina Esquivel
Gina Esquivel is a career professional with more than 25+ years of experience. A leader in over 300+ change initiatives for social impact. Network builder, leading more than 60 collaboration projects for social impact. Master facilitator and public speaker, reaching more than 10,000 audiences. Experienced in project management, thrilled to manage thriving teams. An early adopter, curious innovator, applying data and research to generate solutions. Experienced in the fields of poverty, public health, social justice, housing, education, racial inclusion, and media production. Esquivel is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Civic Canvas which supports businesses and nonprofits to design strategies for higher social impact.
April Harley
April N. Harley is a proud Howard University alumn and a fundraising professional with leadership experience in both national and local fundraising. Over a five year time span, she raised $15 million for the equivalent of a mid-to-large size non-profit organization, working for two Presidential campaigns and related entities. She has a track record of developing and implementing strategies that exceed organizational goals in solicitation and cultivation of major gifts.
Kelly R. Little
Kelly R. Little is a Transformational Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Strategist who partners with executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders to elevate personal, professional, and organizational performance.
In local government, Little led numerous department initiatives, including Responsible Fatherhood, Mom as Gateway not Gatekeeper, and Veterans Military Network. Little also implemented the vision to achieve overall goals of “Strengthening Families!” and raised stakeholders’ awareness of the unique challenges Veterans face across the state of North Carolina.
Amy Farrell
As the Executive Director with Generation Nation, an agency working to develop the new generation of civic leaders, Amy lends her talents as an innovative leader, a social entrepreneur, who among other things is experienced in nonprofit leadership, program development, K-12 education, civic literacy, public affairs, and business management. She is a connector who effectively builds, leverages and supports relationships among organizations, people, and ideas.