Board of Directors

Marvin F. Cockrellis a multifaceted professional with an impressive career spanning over four decades. He is a celebrated smooth jazz pianist, composer, and educator with a rich history of influencing and mentoring across multiple generations. In addition to his musical achievements, Marvin is a highly respected educator with over three decades of experience teaching instrumental music in public schools, guiding countless students into successful careers in music. Marvin holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Western Illinois University. 

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Marvin also has an entrepreneurial spirit. He is the Vice President and Chief of Staff at Leaves Speak Healthcare, Inc. He is the leader of the intergenerational band, Focus and also founder of Music Focus LLC. His passion for education led him to establish Music Focus LLC, where he continues to work with individuals from Traditionalists to Generation Alpha, helping them develop and enhance their musical talents. Marvin's experience in leadership complements his artistic endeavors, making him a well-rounded leader who brings both creativity and strategic insight to his work with our team. His ability to navigate multiple industries and his passion for mentoring others reflect his commitment to empowering individuals of all ages

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Marvin’s work aligns perfectly with the mission of Climate and Culture Changers. His dedication to bridging generational gaps through music and education is central to the nonprofit's vision of uniting communities and promoting lifelong learning. Whether performing on stage, mentoring students, or guiding others in their entrepreneurial journeys, Marvin's diverse talents and leadership make him an invaluable asset to the organization, ensuring its continued impact on enriching lives and fostering intergenerational collaboration.

Barbara Benson is the Vice President of Climate and Culture Changers and brings a wealth of experience in both business and community service. She studied at McCampbell Beauty and Barber College and took elementary education courses at Alabama State University. Barbara, a former owner of both a barbershop and cleaners, continues to manage rental properties, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit.

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Barbara possesses a unique ability to connect with family members across multiple generations. She fosters intergenerational family activities and encourages bridging cultural differences, drawing on her deep listening skills and understanding of generational perspectives.

 

Barbara is also highly engaged in her community, serving as Assistant Chair of the Board, a choir member as well as participating in the Senior Missionary Homeless/Hungry Ministry.

 

Barbara loves to travel. Her passion for travel, community service, and family connections continues to inspire her work with Climate and Culture Changers.

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With over a decade of diverse experience in the industry and a robust background in various sectors, including production, quality control, product distribution, and research and development, Courtland brings a wealth of experience to our Board of Directors. His expertise is particularly strong in innovation and cultural development, where he has played a significant role in driving progress and fostering inclusive environments.

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Courtland serves in the role of a Biomaterial Researcher at Solenis. Prior to this role, he served as a Senior Lab Technician, where he was deeply involved in innovation-based research and development. Courtland served as the President of the Multicultural Network, demonstrating his dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

 

Courtland’s academic foundation is rooted in his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Elon University, where he was an active member of the American Chemical Society. This strong scientific background, combined with his extensive industry experience and leadership training, makes him an asset to our team. Courtland’s ability to bridge technical expertise with corporate leadership ensures that he contributes effectively to the organization's mission of building collaborative and inclusive communities.

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Allayah Qualls is the Recording Secretary for Climate and Culture Changers. She works as a Division Clerk for the St. Louis County Courthouse and earned her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Maryville University in 2022. Allayah is passionate about law and social justice and plans to apply to law school for the fall 2025 semester to further pursue her career aspirations.

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Beyond her professional path, Allayah is an active community member. She serves on her church's usher board, assisting in training new members and stepping into leadership roles when needed. Her dedication to service is evident in her previous volunteer work with Climate and Culture Changers, which led to her current position as Recording Secretary. When not working or volunteering, Allayah enjoys gardening and sharing laughter with those around her.

With over 18 years of experience in business analysis and IT management, Nakeesha Tolden-Mosley brings a wealth of expertise to our Board of Directors. As a Lead Business Systems Analyst at Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare company, she has successfully driven numerous high-impact projects, including the Teradata Migration project, which significantly enhanced the performance and stability of the AWX cloud platform.

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Holding a Master of Business Administration degree, Nakeesha Tolden-Mosley excels in training new hires, consulting with product owners, and managing complex data migration and production support initiatives. Her work on the Covid-19 dashboard improved the integration between the Supplemental Data System and state registries, ensuring critical data is accurately connected.

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Proficient in customer service, leadership, and ServiceNow, Nakeesha Tolden-Mosley is passionate about streamlining operations, solving complex problems, and delivering high-quality results. She is also adept at working in remote environments, making her a versatile and valuable asset to our team.

Patricia Steward serves as the Treasurer for Climate and Culture Changers. A graduate of St. Louis University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Patricia brings over 40 years of accounting experience to the organization.

 

Throughout her career, she has held fiscal responsibility for several businesses and is known for her dedication and expertise in financial management. Patricia’s passion for her profession has inspired her to contribute her skills to Climate and Culture Changers, where she helps ensure sound financial practices.

 

In addition to her professional achievements, Patricia is actively involved in her community. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Continental Society, Inc., Leslie’s Haven, and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).

 

Patricia is known for her leadership, compassion, and commitment, Patricia loves to serve and make a difference in the organizations and communities she supports.