Our Board of Directors
Harbor of Hope exists to ensure that every person, regardless of their financial circumstances, has access to essential and excellent mental health services and support. Proudly providing mental health resources to the greater Charleston, SC community.
Jacquie Atkins - Executive director
As the driving force behind Harbor of Hope, Jacquie Atkins, MS, LPC, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the realm of mental health advocacy. With a steadfast commitment to fostering positive change, she tirelessly leads our organization towards a future where mental well-being is prioritized and accessible for all. Jacquie holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and a Master of Psychology in Clinical Counseling and has spent over 11 years dedicated to the cause of mental health in the nonprofit sector. Her diverse skill set in psychology and nonprofit management has equipped her with the tools to navigate the intricate landscape of mental health initiatives. Under her visionary leadership, Harbor of Hope has emerged as a trailblazer in the mental health sector. She has spearheaded innovative programs and initiatives that address the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues. Driven by a deeply rooted personal commitment to mental health, Jacquie understands the urgency of the issues at hand. She brings not only professional expertise but also a compassionate understanding of the struggles faced by individuals dealing with mental health challenges. Atkins states, "As an advocate for mental health, I am fueled by the belief that everyone deserves access to quality support and resources. Together, we can create a world where mental well-being is prioritized, stigma is dismantled, and every individual can lead a fulfilling life." Jacquie invites you to join Harbor of Hope on this transformative journey towards better mental health for all.
Kathy Abraham
Kathy Abraham is the principal at Kathryn M. Abraham, CPA, a boutique accounting firm in West Ashley. Her career spans more than 30 years of varied experience in public accounting, financial management, business leadership and corporate strategy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Baldwin Wallace
University, an M.B.A. in Finance from Case Western Reserve University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Kathy's prior corporate work experience included various roles of increasing responsibility with BFGoodrich, Director of Compliance & Reporting
for Telxon and Project Controller for Lincoln Electric. Kathy is involved in her community, recently fulfilling a two-year term as the Sr. Warden of Old St. Andrew's Parish Church. Her free time is spent enjoying the Lowcountry and traveling with friends and her 5 sons.
Chris Wells
Chris holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of South Carolina. Chris is also a co-facilitator of Created for Connection marriage workshops and co-host of The Blocked Podcast.
Chris is a native Charlestonian, living here with his wife, Sandi, of eighteen years and their three boys. He enjoys the time they spend together, whether it is watching or coaching kids sporting events, gatherings with neighbors and friends, or traveling to new and exciting places. Chris and Sandi also lead a church small group in their home.
The mission of seeing everyone have access to mental health care is important to Chris. Growing up in a lower socio-economic area of Charleston, Chris’ family did not have financial access to mental health care. Unfortunately, this is still the story for many in the Charleston area, and with the financial strain on families greater today than ever, many still go without needed mental health care. As a board member of Harbor of Hope, Chris wants to see that access available to everyone in need.
Emily Steele
Emily Steele is a native of Charleston, SC and has worked with a variety of local nonprofit organizations in her professional career. She earned her MBA from Charleston Southern University in 2019, while working full-time as the practice manager at a nonprofit, mental health counseling center. During her time here, she witnessed exponential growth, not only in the population of the tri-county area, but in the increased need for affordable mental health and emotional wellbeing resources.
Working in mental health during a global pandemic, Emily learned that we all carry heavy burdens and continually face increasing stressors that make those burdens feel even heavier. This is why it is so instrumental to have someone help us lighten our loads and to walk alongside us in our healing process. Emily truly believes that the more we are known and seen by others, the more we can step into our beloved identities and begin to heal our broken heartedness. This is why she is so passionate about serving on the Harbor of Hope Board of Directors: to play even just a small role in helping others find the beauty in their mess. And by supporting a cause like Harbor of Hope, she believes that the restoration of oneself, pays back tenfold in every relationship we have in our lives. This strengthens our marriages, our friendships, our workplaces and the family unit as a whole.
Emily resides in North Charleston and loves spending time with her big Italian family, specifically her nine nieces and nephews. She enjoys spending long days at the beach with a good book in hand and loves to write, when time allows. She loves baseball (Go Braves) and supports all things Gamecocks!
Jeni Rone Becker
I am thrilled to join the board of directors for Harbor of Hope, soon to become a beacon of support and care for the mental health community in our tri-county area. With over 30 years of dedicated service in non-profit work, I have been deeply involved in advocating for and supporting mental health initiatives.
My background in non-profit and small business development has equipped me with a unique perspective on how to launch and sustain impactful programs effectively. I am passionate about ensuring everyone in our community has access to the mental health services they need, regardless of their financial resources or location preferences.
At Harbor of Hope, I am excited to contribute my expertise towards making mental health services more accessible and inclusive. Together with our dedicated team, I am confident we can create a lasting impact and become a trusted resource for those seeking support and healing.
I look forward to working collaboratively with fellow board members, stakeholders, and community partners to make Harbor of Hope a cornerstone of mental health care in our community.
