Our Board
Our team is made up of believers and warriors — people who know that resilience can triumph over adversity. We are committed to standing with those who are ready to take the steps toward a brighter future, providing support, encouragement, and real solutions along the way. Together, we forge paths to success, fueled by hope, courage, and the unwavering belief that every life can be transformed.
Wuela Heceta
Wuela’s journey in community empowerment began in 2012 during mission trips to Haiti, where she witnessed firsthand the stark realities of extreme poverty alongside resilience, hope and faith. These formative experiences solidified her core belief in the inherent dignity of every individual and became the foundation for her life's work. Wuela credits her heart of service and nurturing nature to her parents, who dedicated much of their professional lives to medical mission work in foreign countries and providing food and shelter to friends and family in times of crisis. This powerful family legacy shaped her worldview from an early age, instilling values of compassion, generosity, and community responsibility that continue to guide her work today.
As a mother of two accomplished adult children—Tyson, who holds a Master's in Higher Education from Villanova University, and Braedyn, who has pursued studies in Pre-Med, Psychology, and a Master’s in Counseling—Wuela understands firsthand the importance of supportive environments for personal growth and achievement.
A 1991 graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Wuela built her career on a strong academic understanding of human behavior and development. This educational background has informed her holistic approach to community support and empowerment strategies.
Throughout her career, Wuela has intentionally pursued roles that allow her to apply her expertise to support vulnerable individuals and families. Her professional experience spans multiple dimensions of community service: advocacy for underrepresented populations, case management for families facing complex challenges, community outreach to identify and address unmet needs, non-profit management and program development. Each position has deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers to self-sufficiency and has refined her approach to creating effective interventions.
Wuela's leadership is distinguished by her firm belief that "it takes a village"—a philosophy that champions collaborative approaches to community challenges. She recognizes that sustainable change requires collective effort and shared responsibility rather than isolated interventions. The leadership of Empower and Link represents a perfect alignment of personal passion, professional experience, and practical wisdom. She leads with both heart and head—balancing compassionate understanding with strategic thinking. Under her direction, Empower and Link operates with the understanding that lack of resources and support—not lack of potential—is what frequently prevents individuals and families from achieving stability and advancement. Her vision for Empower and Link embodies the belief that with the right connections and support, individuals can overcome barriers and build fulfilling, self-determined lives.
Maureen “Mo” Barkley
Maureen "Mo" Barkley is a dedicated philanthropist and community advocate who has devoted her life to uplifting others through volunteer work and charitable initiatives. A long-time friend and mentor to Empower and Link's founder Wuela, Mo has been an inspirational figure whose values of grace, kindness, humility, integrity, and generosity have shaped the organization's core mission.
A native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Mo now divides her time between Scottsdale, Arizona and Philadephia. Throughout her life, she has committed herself to hands-on volunteering for various causes, including homeless shelters and food banks, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and empowering women. Her exceptional fundraising abilities and passionate advocacy have made her an effective spokesperson for local, national, and international initiatives.
Mo is a prominent member of the Fresh Start Women's Foundation, which transforms women's lives through education and essential resources. The foundation supports women from all backgrounds in achieving and sustaining economic independence, helping them establish household stability and launch careers in today's most in-demand fields.
Her consistent dedication to supporting marginalized communities and fighting for women's rights has established her as a role model who uses her position and influence to create meaningful change. Through her example of compassionate leadership, Mo continues to empower countless individuals and communities, embodying the values that Empower and Link strives to promote.
Mildred “Pebbles” Fish
Pebbles’ brings experience in the medical and legal fields to the Empower and Link Board of Directors. With an Associate Degree in Allied Health and an emphasis in psychology, Pebbles medical background provides valuable insight into healthcare issues, particularly for vulnerable populations. She provides an invaluable voice on the Empower and Link Board of Directors, particularly in developing services that truly meet the needs of families facing crisis, addiction, and displacement. Her experience with regulatory compliance and quality improvement can inform the organization's approach to service delivery and measurement. Pebbles has demonstrated the ability to organize community resources and fundraising efforts which will help Empower and Link build stronger community partnerships and resource networks.
Her personal experiences have shaped her unique perspective on resilience and community support: Through navigating the complex challenges of supporting family members through addiction, working directly with child protective services to ensure safety of vulnerable children, becoming a foster parent, eventually raising a "second family" of children from infancy. Pebbles has extensive experience with the foster care system that provides practical knowledge of the challenges facing families in crisis and the systemic issues that must be addressed to improve outcomes.
Mildred "Pebbles" Fish exemplifies the unique intersection of professional expertise and personal experience, making her an invaluable voice on the Empower and Link Board of Directors. Her commitment to developing services that meet the needs of families facing crisis, addiction, and displacement will help drive the organization’s mission forward.
Michael P. Lewis
Michael P. Lewis is a dedicated educational leader and passionate advocate for student success currently serving as the Principal of The Bruin Bridge, Brooke County Schools Alternative Learning Center. From an early age, Michael felt a calling to become a teacher, inspired by the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, infusing creativity and inspiration into the classroom. This early calling guided his career and transformed his commitment to education enabling him to make a profession from his passion.
With extensive experience working as a school principal in both urban and rural environments, Michael developed a strong background in curriculum development, educational leadership, and community engagement. He believes in the power of collaboration and strives to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers students, staff, and communities. His guiding ethos of “love” inspires him to approach each day with purpose, encouraging himself and others to embrace life fully and passionately. Michael has had the honor of speaking to local, state, and national organizations about the significant impact of education on innovation, community, and economic development. His insights reflect his deep commitment to leveraging education as a catalyst for positive change.
Michael graduated from Valley High School, 1979; Princeton University, 1983, Bachelor of Arts Cultural Anthropology; Frostburg State University: Bachelor of Arts Social Sciences and Teacher Education, (1986); and a Master of Education Administration Supervision, 1994). In addition, he holds a permanent Professional Administrative Certificate with endorsements for Superintendent, Supervisor, and PK-AD Principal as well as a Professional Teaching Certificate in Social Studies.
Anca Popovici
Anca Popovici is a dynamic leader whose personal journey and professional expertise uniquely position her to advance Empower and Link's mission. As a former international student-athlete who came to the United States from Romania to study and play basketball, Anca understands firsthand the transformative power of opportunity and human connection. Having navigated her own cross-cultural journey from Romania to the United States, Anca brings a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by diverse communities. Drawing on her own journey powered by meaningful connections and her experience as a team leader in collegiate athletics, Anca brings exceptional skill in building and nurturing networks. This talent will help Empower and Link forge new partnerships with funding sources, community organizations, and other stakeholders crucial to expanding its impact. Her economics background combined with practical business experience allows Anca to help bridge corporate and non-profit worlds by adapting business best practices to further Empower and Link's social mission while maintaining its values-driven approach.
Her academic foundation began at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Economics and German Studies. During her time at Penn, Anca demonstrated leadership both in the classroom and on the court, serving as co-captain of the Women's Basketball Team from 2007 to 2009. She later enhanced her business credentials with an MBA from the prestigious UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Anca's professional career spans roles at Google and various smaller companies, where she has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive growth and translate complex ideas into actionable strategies for diverse teams. Her expertise encompasses strategy, marketing, and operations across both commercial and non-profit environments. Further testament to her dedication to social impact is her significant work with Cetatea Voluntarilor, a prominent Romanian nonprofit. There, Anca played a key role in creating global fundraising campaigns, building bridges with corporations, advising on strategy, and contributing to the organization's overall operations.
Anca's commitment to "paying it forward" resonates deeply with Empower and Link's focus on fostering self-sufficiency and social well-being. Her personal experience with the life-changing power of opportunity makes her not just a strategically valuable board member, but an authentic ambassador for the organization's belief in human potential and the importance of supportive communities.
Her personal experiences have shaped her unique perspective on resilience and community support: Through navigating the complex challenges of supporting family members through addiction, working directly with child protective services to ensure safety of vulnerable children, becoming a foster parent, eventually raising a "second family" of children from infancy. Pebbles has extensive experience with the foster care system that provides practical knowledge of the challenges facing families in crisis and the systemic issues that must be addressed to improve outcomes.
Mildred "Pebbles" Fish exemplifies the unique intersection of professional expertise and personal experience, making her an invaluable voice on the Empower and Link Board of Directors. Her commitment to developing services that meet the needs of families facing crisis, addiction, and displacement will help drive the organization’s mission forward.
Angellica Scott
Anjellica Scott is the Co-founder and Executive Director of The Change Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to initiating positive change by improving quality of life that leads to a purposeful being. With a heart for service, Anjellica's community engagement began with providing winter shelters for unhoused individuals, which evolved into comprehensive approaches addressing the complex issues of addiction and homelessness.
Drawing on her extensive experience working with unhoused populations and individuals with substance use disorders, Anjellica brings specialized expertise in supporting women in recovery and conducting thorough needs assessments. Her commitment to creating sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations has guided The Change Initiative's development and impact.
Professionally, Anjellica serves as the Region 1 and 4 Director of Children's Services for StepStone Family and Youth Services in West Virginia, where she oversees Children's Wraparound Services across 18 counties. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at Concord University, further enhancing her ability to serve communities in need.
Anjellica's leadership on the Empower and Link Board of Directors strengthens our organization's capacity to create meaningful connections between resources and those who need them most.
Kim Weaver
Kim Weaver, a resident of Follansbee, WV, brings extensive business and nonprofit leadership experience to the Empower and Link Board of Directors. With a successful 23-year career in radio advertising and over two decades leading Weaver Media Group, Kim exemplifies entrepreneurial vision and strategic growth. Her leadership at the Weirton Christian Center showcases her dedication to community service, where under her guidance, the Center expanded from serving approximately 45 children to supporting around 200 annually, aged 3 to 18, along with their families. The Center offers vital services such as transportation, meals, basic necessities, and supportive programs that address comprehensive community needs.
Kim’s relentless commitment to helping families in crisis—whether securing food, emergency housing, or critical support—directly reflects the mission of Empower and Link. Her actions embody the organization’s core values of compassion, responsiveness, and collaboration. She exhausts every connection and resource to meet immediate needs, not only addressing urgent situations but also reinforcing Empower and Link’s goal of empowering individuals through access, advocacy, and community-based solutions.
Her deep involvement with the community extends through her participation in Rotary International and her Board service at A Child’s Place CASA, further strengthening her capacity to build supportive networks for vulnerable populations. Guided by her faith and inspired by Matthew 25, Kim believes in the potential of every person and is committed to walking alongside those dedicated to making positive change.
As a widow, Kim cherishes her family, including her biological son Lakin, bonus son Justin and his wife Jessenya (who made her a proud "Mima" to Alaiya), bonus daughter Breona and her husband, and she is also "Mima" to Iverson, son of Breona and her husband Paul. Her unwavering dedication to serving children and families, coupled with her strong faith and extensive network, makes her an invaluable asset to Empower and Link. Her leadership will continue to advance the organization’s mission of creating meaningful, positive community impact through compassion, advocacy, and collaborative support.