Board of Directors

Ira Murray is the associate director of research and development at the Vanderbilt University Initiative for Race Research and Justice, focusing on race, racism, and society. He collaborates with communities to develop tools addressing racial justice. A former nonprofit executive in Jackson, Mississippi, Murray served as CEO of United Way of the Capital Area, Inc. He has worked with several HBCUs and is a third-generation graduate with a bachelor’s from Florida A&M, a master’s from Vanderbilt, and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. Murray is a native of South Carolina.

Carter Smith is the Founder of Profit Smart, bringing over 15 years of experience from Fortune 500 companies and owning a small business. His expertise in operations and finance equips clients with tailored financial strategies for various organizational sizes and structures. Carter founded Profit Smart to engage more deeply with clients. He holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi and an MBA, Magna Cum Laude, from Mississippi State University. Carter is a certified public accountant, a certified valuation analyst, and an associate member of the American Bar Association. He resides in Jackson, Mississippi, with his wife and four children.

Kelly Butler is Senior Advisor to ReadingUniverse.org, a project of the Barksdale Reading Institute (BRI), where she was CEO. Under her leadership, BRI significantly contributed to Mississippi’s rise in NAEP reading scores (2019, 2022). Reading Universe, housed at PBS’s WETA, supports evidence-based literacy practices for educators. Kelly initiated the Reading Universe concept and authored three statewide studies on teacher preparation for early literacy, leading to The Path Forward initiative. She also advises the Mississippi Reading Panel, the Mississippi Reading Clinic, the Southeast Region’s Education Laboratory, and the Education Advocacy Center. Kelly holds a Master’s in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

Nakimuli specializes in employment law and commercial litigation, advising clients on workplace compliance, employee handbooks, and legal risk reduction. She conducts internal investigations, advises on terminations, and guides employers through reorganizations. Nakimuli collaborates with clients on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, offering training programs to foster inclusive workplaces and reduce harassment claims. She represents clients in litigation before the EEOC and defends employers in cases involving Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and more. With experience in industries like manufacturing and education, Nakimuli also advises on COVID-19-related issues. She is licensed in Mississippi and Tennessee and teaches Employment Law at Mississippi College School of Law.

Elliott Flaggs is a principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs’ Jackson, Mississippi, office, advocating for clients in state and municipal government, business development, and public relations. Previously, he served as special assistant attorney general and legislative liaison for Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. Elliott holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Mississippi State University and graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is active in the Mississippi Bar Association and several community organizations, including The First Tee of Central Mississippi. Elliott has been recognized for his leadership and community service, including being named one of Mississippi’s Top 50 Most Influential People. He and his daughter, Lianne Marie, reside in Jackson.

Salin Geevarghese is the President & CEO of SGG Insight, LLC, providing consulting services to public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) and founding Director of the Mixed-Income Strategic Alliance. From 2014 to 2017, Salin served as HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of International and Philanthropic Innovation under President Obama, where he led efforts in sustainable urbanization and cross-sector partnerships. He has held leadership roles at the Annie E. Casey Foundation and The Harwood Institute, focusing on community and economic development policy and innovation.