Staff

Shell Knox Berry is the President and CEO of the Community Foundation for the CSRA. Shell joined the Community Foundation in 2015 and since that time, she, her team of professional staff, and the Board have strengthened its mission to engage, inform, and inspire donors and nonprofits to build a stronger and more vibrant community. Under her leadership, the organization has grown from just over $60 million in assets to over $175 million, has received $164 million in charitable gifts, has made over $130 million in grants to a wide array of charitable needs and has added more than $47 million in net value through its investment portfolio.

Shell has professional skills in non-profit management, finance, and business; however, it is her passion and vision for her community that makes her work for the Community Foundation impactful. Her professional background includes development for the Atlanta Ballet, investment banking for Bank of America Securities in Chicago and Atlanta, and ownership of a retail business.

She has served her community through significant volunteer and leadership roles throughout her adult life. Currently, she serves as chair of the HUB Augusta Collaborative Board of Directors, is a member of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, Augusta Tomorrow Board of Directors, Union Presbyterian Seminary Board of Trustees, and the steering committee of the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance. Shell was a member of the Leadership Augusta Class of 2018, the Leadership Georgia Class of 2011 and is an elder at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church. She has a BA in communications from Wake Forest University and a Masters of Management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She lives in Augusta, Georgia with her husband, Reab Berry, Jr., and are parents to three children, Reab, Mac and Wyckie.

Elizabeth Woodward Finch is the Vice President of Finance.  She is a Certificated Public Accountant (CPA) and a Fellow in Charitable Estate Planning (FCEP).   Prior to joining the Community Foundation for the CSRA in January 2021, Elizabeth was a Principal in the Assurance and Advisory Group of Elliott Davis, LLC, a national top 40 accounting and consulting firm. Her 18 year tenure in public accounting included significant experience with not-for-profits. She is a graduate of Leadership Augusta (Class of 2010) and has served as the Treasurer and a Board Member. Elizabeth was a recipient of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce 2012 Top 10 in 10 Award. She has served the community through significant professional and volunteer roles with organizations throughout the CSRA. Elizabeth holds a BBA in Accounting from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia and a Masters in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. She is an Augusta native and currently resides in Evans with her husband, Doug, and their three daughters.

Born in Richmond, Indiana, Rebecca moved to Ohio at an early age. Ohio is where she obtained her State Certification in Early Childhood Education and worked in the field as a teacher and as a Center Assistant Director. Soon after, Rebecca moved to Augusta, Georgia and found her passion in the nonprofit industry while working with Augusta Urban Ministries. She stayed with Augusta Urban Ministries for ten years before working for their parent corporation, Action Ministries in Atlanta. Rebecca couldn’t stay away from Augusta for long and returned to serve in various roles with The Salvation Army, Kroc Center, and Phinizy Center of Water Sciences before finding her home with the Community Foundation for the CSRA in 2017. Through her tireless work in the nonprofit industry, Rebecca was named top AmeriCorps Supervisor for the state of Georgia as well as receiving honors as NFP’s Outstanding Fundraiser. Her years of experience have made her an expert in volunteer development and nonprofit management. Rebecca has been married for 40 years, has two grown children and six grandchildren that keep her laughing with their many adventures.

Matthew Nelson is the Director of Development and Fundholder Services at the Community Foundation for the CSRA. From 2001-2021, Matt served as a minister for churches in North Carolina, Metro Atlanta, and the CSRA. Matt marries his passion for intentional service with community development, utilizing his skills in relationship management and executive leadership. Matt holds a Bachelors of Science in Building Construction and Contracting from Georgia Southern University and a Masters of Divinity from Duke University. Professionally, Matt received a Ministry Entrepreneurship Certification from American University and the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, attended the Young Clergy Leadership Forum at the General Board of Church and Society, and holds certifications in church development and coaching. Personally, Matt enjoys playing golf, watching Duke basketball, and brewing beer at home. Matt is an Augusta native with a high school volleyball star daughter and college son pursuing studies to be an attorney.

Lasima Turmon is an Augusta native and has worked within the nonprofit community in the CSRA for over 14 years as volunteer, staff and board member. She first worked with the CFCSRA on a grant review panel. This experience gives Lasima a dynamic perspective to inform her role here at the Community Foundation. Lasima boasts a wealth of grants knowledge and expertise to include grant writing, program design/implementation and compliance/administration. Prior to joining our team, Lasima worked with Augusta Housing & Community Development, administering Federal grant funds to reduce poverty and homelessness in Augusta and has practical experience through direct service delivery. In addition to her extensive background in housing and human services, Lasima also has a knack for communicating difficult topics to the public in a way that is understanding and impactful. In her free time, Lasima enjoys time with her children, reading and traveling.

Lyndsey has held varied finance positions in the United States and overseas. She and her husband have had the opportunity to live in diverse locations around the world with his job in the United States Air Force. Prior to joining the Community Foundation for the CSRA, Lyndsey was part of the Reports & Analysis division of the 51^st Security Forces Squadron at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. Preceding this job, she worked in assurances at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Helsinki, Finland, as part of an engagement team for a multinational client. Lyndsey also has over ten years of experience in accounting and office management for CPA firms in Colorado, California, and Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Business and Public Policy from the University of Maryland and an MBA in Accounting from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Growing up in an Army family and an Air Force spouse for over 20 years, Lyndsey is excited to finally plant roots as her and her husband settle in Augusta.

Erin, a North Carolina native, earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Meredith College and played a vital role on the college’s soccer team. Erin’s career took a meaningful turn when she joined the Community Foundation six years ago. As a member of the program team, she supports the many granting opportunities and oversees multiple scholarship initiatives that benefit local students. When asked what she enjoys most about working at the Foundation she states, “Everyone you meet is committed to building and strengthening relationships to improve the community around them. I love that the Community Foundation unites people and resources to support the valuable programs our community offers.”

Charis McHeard knew she wanted to work in the non-profit sector from a young age. She is from New York State and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International History from SUNY Empire State and a Master of Arts in Community Outreach from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Prior to working for the Community Foundation, Charis worked as the Outreach and Fundraising Specialist for Christ Community Health Services of Augusta. Charis volunteers as a Sunday School teacher and “buddy” in her church’s Hand in Hand ministry. She teaches craft classes to senior citizens and enjoys doing graphic design. When asked what her favorite thing about the CSRA is, Charis replied, “I love the incredible number of nonprofit organizations we have here. Our area has so many needs, and rather than turn a blind eye, our community has stepped up and pulled together to meet these needs. I have never lived in an area with such an amazing heart for those in need!”