Meet Our Staff

Leadership Staff

Darlene Sowell

President & CEO

Darlene has been the President and CEO for Unleashing Potential since November 2008. She has more than 30 years of previous administrative experience in the for-profit and nonprofit arenas, most recently serving as the executive vice president of human resources, facilities and housing programs at UCAN in Chicago. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Notre Dame and a master’s in management from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Gloria Hampton

Chief Programs Officer

Gloria has 20 years of work experience in the nonprofit sector with organizations serving children, youth and families. She has worked in all capacities from directing and managing programs to providing direct service working with infants through young adults. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Washington University and a bachelor’s in human environmental sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Gloria has been with Unleashing Potential since 2012.

Verletta Cole

Vice President of Development and Marketing

Verletta joined Unleashing Potential in 2020.  She has more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector and has spent the majority of that career raising funds for local organizations.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University and has worked in all aspects of the nonprofit arena including management, administration, budgeting, program, special events, capital campaigns, annual funds, grant writing (government, corporate & foundation), cause marketing, and direct mail.

Deborah Regnaud

Vice President of Human Resources

Deborah joined Unleashing Potential in 2023 as Vice President of Human Resources.  She brings ten years of experience as a small business owner in the manufacturing sector as well as twenty years of executive-level human resources experience in manufacturing and non-profit.  She is an adjunct instructor at several universities where she teaches courses in leadership, human resources, and organizational development.  Deborah holds a PhD. from Walden University in Organizational Psychology along with an MBA and BA in Business Administration from Lindenwood University.

Program Staff

Shantell Goldsby

Director of Early Childhood Education

Shantell holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Administrative Practices.  She has spent the past 25 years working in a variety of early childhood settings.  Shantell has worked as a Parent Educator, an Early Childhood Education Consultant, and has owned and operated a Licensed Home Childcare Program.  She is currently focusing on ways to incorporate STEAM activities, techniques that support Emotional Regulation and Social Emotional Development into early learning classrooms on a daily basis.

Angela Jordan

Director of School Age Services

Angela has 20 years of work experience in the social services area with organizations serving youth, adults and families. She has worked in all capacities from directing and managing programs to providing direct service working with at risk youth. She holds a master’s degree in management from Fontbonne University and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  Angela joined UP’s team in April, 2022.

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