GOVERNANCE

Our Commitment to Transparency

Begin Within Foundation is committed to operating with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Our Board of Directors provides strategic oversight to ensure that every decision supports our mission of empowering individuals through wellness, healing, education, and community programs. This page provides information about our leadership, governing documents, and organizational policies.

OUR TEAM

OUR FOUNDER / PRESIDENT

Niki Harper

OUR SECRETARY

Chantez Harper

THE BOARD MEMBERS

Wendy Harper

Cerrie Barnes

Kimika Jackson

OUR TREASURER

Jerameen Bulay

KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR TEAM

OUR FOUNDER / PRESIDENT

Niki Harper

As a Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist (QBHS) and Certified Peer Recovery Supporter (CPRS), Niki has worked alongside individuals and families navigating mental health challenges, addiction, incarceration, and major life transitions. Drawing from both lived experience and professional expertise, she founded Begin Within Foundation to expand access to emotional wellness resources, mentorship, and practical life support within underserved communities.

OUR SECRETARY

Chantez Harper

THE BOARD MEMBERS

Wendy Harper

Niki Harper is the Founder, President, and Board Chair of Begin Within Foundation. With more than 30 years of experience in leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and community service, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals overcome adversity and build healthier, purpose-driven lives. Her professional background spans behavioral health support, peer recovery, program development, public speaking, and community outreach.

Niki is also the author of Close Your Eyes So You Can See and creator of the Begin Within personal development journal series. Through her leadership, she is committed to building a sustainable organization that empowers individuals, strengthens families, and creates lasting community impact through healing, education, and hope-centered programs.

Chantez L. Harper serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for Begin Within Foundation. She brings more than a decade of experience in leadership, operations management, and service delivery through her work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Canteen Service. Her professional background includes team leadership, program coordination, caregiving, and community engagement.

Throughout her career, Chantez has developed a strong reputation for organization, reliability, and compassionate service. Her experience supporting veterans and families has strengthened her commitment to helping individuals access opportunities that improve their quality of life. She is especially passionate about initiatives that promote education, wellness, and support for underserved communities.

As a board member, Chantez believes meaningful change begins by investing in people. She is committed to supporting the Foundation’s mission by strengthening community partnerships, expanding outreach efforts, and helping create programs that empower individuals and families to thrive. Her dedication to service and personal growth makes her a valuable member of the organization’s leadership team.

Wendy Harper serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Begin Within Foundation. Her professional background spans human services, behavioral support, domestic violence advocacy, and the beauty industry, reflecting a lifelong commitment to helping others through compassion, advocacy, and empowerment.

As a Residential Specialist, Wendy provides direct support to individuals by assisting with activities of daily living and implementing behavioral and developmental support plans that promote independence and quality of life. She also served as a Senior Recruiter with The National Domestic Violence Hotline, where she helped identify and recruit professionals dedicated to supporting survivors and strengthening trauma-informed services nationwide.

In addition to her work in human services, Wendy has more than 11 years of experience as a natural hair specialist, using her skills to help clients build confidence and self-esteem. She joined Begin Within Foundation because she believes healing begins from within and that every person deserves access to support, encouragement, and opportunities for growth. Through her board service, she is committed to helping expand programs that restore hope, strengthen families, and create lasting positive change in the community.

Cerrie Barnes

Cerrie Barnes, MBA, serves on the Board of Directors for Begin Within Foundation, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in federal contracting, financial operations, and nonprofit management. As a Contracting Officer with the U.S. Department of Defense, she oversees complex acquisition and contracting processes while ensuring accountability, compliance, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Her professional background also includes more than a decade with JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she developed expertise in financial operations, customer service, and organizational leadership.

Beyond her federal career, Cerrie is the founder of A Sister's Hand Housing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women and women veterans as they transition back into society after incarceration. Through her leadership, she has worked to create opportunities for healing, stability, and long-term independence for individuals rebuilding their lives.

Cerrie is deeply committed to community service and believes lasting transformation begins with compassion, opportunity, and support. As a board member, she contributes strategic leadership and nonprofit governance experience to help strengthen Begin Within Foundation's programs, expand community partnerships, and advance sustainable initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact.

Kimika Jackson

Kimika Jackson serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Begin Within Foundation. She is a behavioral health professional, recovery advocate, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve lasting wellness through compassionate, person-centered care. As the founder of Empowering Health and Wellness, Kimika provides behavioral health services, peer recovery support, chemical dependency counseling, and case management while advocating for holistic approaches to healing and personal growth.

With expertise in behavioral health, crisis intervention, recovery coaching, and community resource navigation, Kimika has helped individuals overcome barriers to recovery and develop the skills needed to build healthier, more fulfilling lives. Her work is rooted in the belief that every person deserves access to hope, support, and opportunities for transformation.

As a member of the Begin Within Foundation Board of Directors, Kimika brings valuable experience in behavioral health and community wellness to help guide the organization's mission. She is passionate about expanding access to mental wellness resources, strengthening community partnerships, and supporting programs that empower individuals and families to heal, grow, and thrive.

OUR TREASURER

Jerameen Bulay

With training and internship experience in finance and accounting, including serving as an Accounting Assistant supporting Abbott Laboratories through an accounting firm in the Philippines, Jerameen has developed a strong foundation in financial documentation, reporting, and compliance. In her role as Treasurer, she is committed to strengthening the Foundation's financial planning, maintaining accurate records, and supporting sound governance practices that promote long-term sustainability.

Jerameen Bulay serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Begin Within Foundation, providing financial oversight and supporting the organization's commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship. As Executive Assistant to the Foundation's Founder and President, she works closely with the organization's leadership to help coordinate operations, maintain organizational records, and support strategic initiatives that advance the Foundation's mission.

Jerameen's passion for nonprofit service is deeply personal. As a young person, she benefited from the support of a community foundation in the Philippines, an experience that shaped her appreciation for organizations that invest in the lives of others. She also spent four years leading seminars that helped prepare young people for adulthood by developing their values, mindset, and personal growth. Inspired by the opportunity to give back, she is dedicated to helping Begin Within Foundation expand its impact while ensuring the organization remains financially strong and well-positioned to serve individuals and families in need for years to come.