Meet the Team
The Xquisite Pearls of Purpose Corporation team is a dedicated group of leaders and mentors committed to uplifting communities through service, support, and purpose-driven programs. Together, we bring diverse strengths and a shared passion for creating meaningful impact.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paula Harris is the Senior Vice President of Community Affairs for the Houston Astros and also serves as the Executive Director of the Astros Foundation. Paula enjoyed a 33-year career with Schlumberger. Paula started as a field engineer logging wells in the Gulf of Mexico. The position she held when she retired was designing and implementing strategic ESG programming to ensure Schlumberger was a respected partner in the communities in which we work across the globe. Paula serves on the board of Chart Industries (GTLS) and Hunting PLC (HTG). She also served as Board Chair of the Petroleum Club of Houston and the Texas A&M Black Former Students board. Paula currently serves as Board Secretary for the Children’s Museum of Houston. She has been profiled in Black Engineer, Graduating Engineer, and Money Magazine. Paula has received numerous recognitions, including: Black Engineer’s 50 Who make a Difference Key Women in Energy Greater Houston Women’s Chamber -Woman of Distinction Texas Executive Women Award United Nations Global Citizenship Award Texas A&M Aggie Impact Award Houston Business Journal Lifetime Legacy Award Women of Color in Technology Award Paula is a highly requested global speaker on topics such as Women in Energy, Energy Education, STEM, Coding in Schools, and Navigating the Energy Transition. Paula’s memberships include: Executive Leadership Council National Society of Black Engineers The Links, Incorporated, Society of Petroleum Engineers American Leadership Forum Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Paula has previously served as an elected official on the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees. She was an integral part of developing theories of action, promoting strategy STEM planning, and developing and managing the district’s $1.6-billion-dollar budget. Her emphasis was on increasing the academic achievement of the 215,000 children in the district. During her 8 years (2 terms) on the HISD Board of Trustees, Paula served as board president and vice president, and HISD was recognized twice by the White House under her leadership. She is currently the Board President of the Energized for STEM Charter School. She is an author, and her first book is titled, For Sister: The Guide for Professional Black Women. Her publishing company, MadisonHouse Publishing also published her children’s book, When I Grow UP, I Want to Be an Engineer. This book has been translated into 4 languages and over 100,000 copies of this popular book have been distributed globally to school systems and STEM organizations. Paula’s passion is introducing children and especially girls around the globe to STEM education with a focus on coding and robotics. The book and her workshops are global initiatives to ensure that children from all walks of life can get exposed to and excited about STEM. Paula is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. She has also obtained a master’s in Educational Technology Design from Abilene Christian and certification in Sustainable Leadership from Cambridge University. Paula and her husband Dwayne own DPM Investments. They are also the proud parents of Madison Serelia Harris.
Paula McCann Harris
Board President
Bre Sparkman is an accomplished accounting and finance executive with more than 15 years of experience spanning financial reporting, technical accounting, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and strategic financial leadership. Throughout her career, she has built a strong record of navigating complex financial matters, leading high-performing teams, and helping organizations strengthen their financial operations during periods of growth and transformation.
Bre spent 15 years with EY, where she advanced into senior leadership and gained extensive experience working with organizations across the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Her work included advising clients on complex transactions, IPO readiness, financial reporting, technical accounting matters, and other significant business initiatives. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Financial Reporting at Caliber, where she provided leadership across external reporting, technical accounting, and corporate accounting functions for a large, multi-entity organization.
A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Bre earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Science in Finance from Mays Business School. Her commitment to leadership and service was also evident throughout her collegiate experience, where she was actively involved in campus and community organizations and served as Treasurer of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
Bre’s professional journey reflects a dedication to excellence, integrity, and purposeful leadership. Whether guiding teams, supporting organizations through pivotal transitions, or serving her community, she continues to value opportunities to use her experience and talents to make a meaningful impact.
Bré Sparkman Sharp
Finance Lead
Adora is a proud initiate of the Xi Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Fall 2003. During her time at Texas A&M University, she served as Parliamentarian and Chapter President and was selected as an Alpha Kappa Alpha Leadership Fellow. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with University and Foundation Honors. Her experience at Xi Psi shaped her leadership, her conviction, and her commitment to service. These values continue to guide her work in corporate leadership, her public sector contributions supporting the Minister of Finance in Nigeria, and her current efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand equitable, high quality care across the United States. Adora remains deeply committed to giving back to Xi Psi and supporting the next generation of women in the chapter. She lives in Richmond, Texas and is an active member of the Chi Omicron Omega Chapter.
Adora Asonye, JD, MBA
Board Secretary
Leadership Team
Jacqueline (Jackie) Caviel is a 38-year life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Ms. Caviel was initiated into the Xi Psi Chapter, at Texas A&M University in the Fall of 1987. She is currently a member of Mu Kappa Omega chapter where she has served as President, 2nd Vice President, Hodegos, Grammateus, Philactor and Member at Large just to name a few. During her presidency in Mu Kappa Omega chapter, she reinstated the visionary nonprofit, Julia F. Thompson, Inc., the philanthropic arm of Mu Kappa Omega. Under her leadership, the initial governance of the organization was established. She was the first to serve as the Chairman of the Board (2005-2006). While serving on this nonprofit, Ms. Caviel has led the Scholarship committee for over 5 years, the Pink on the Green® Committee for over 3 years and served and met the financial goals of the organization. Ms. Caviel formerly served as the Southeast Texas Cluster Coordinator, under the direction of the 25th South Central Regional Director, Soror Katina M. Semien Smothers, where she is the liaison to 22 chapters and 2 interest groups. During this tenure, she led the chapters with the planning and executive of the 2018 Boule which was held in Houston. She is very proud that the first 4 letter chapter in the region came from her cluster, Alpha Alpha Eta Omega, Cypress. Additionally, Ms. Caviel served as the Regional VSG Liaison, under the direction of the 26th South Central Regional Director, Soror Joya T. Hayes where she supported and assisted the former directorate members in the region.
Her commitment to advancing her knowledge of Alpha Kappa Alpha rests in her leadership. She has attended 12 Boules, 27 Regional Conferences, 5 Leadership Seminars, 18 SETX Clusters, presided over 4 SETX Clusters, served under 5 Regional Directors, chaired 4 regional programs, co-chaired 2 international events, and Chaired or Co-chaired well over 60 programs in Mu Kappa Omega.
Beyond her service to the sorority, Ms. Caviel is a member of the Houston Area Urban League, the NAACP, Houston Area Guild, the Friends of Emancipation Park Conservancy, just to name a few. Ms. Caviel has dedicated her time, efforts and finances in the support of the missions of each of the organizations. As a result, Ms. Caviel has been the recipient of countless community awards in recognition of her efforts. Professionally, Ms. Caviel is a 1989 and 2002 graduate of Texas A&M University at College Station where she received both her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and her Master’s Business Administration with a concentration of management. Ms. Caviel has over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications field where she has served as Project Deployment Manager. She has deployed many renditions of technology throughout the continental United States as well as abroad. Ms. Caviel comes from a long list of legacy Alpha Kappa Alpha women. She has 3 aunts and 12 cousins who are members of this great organization.
Jacqueline Caviel
Executive Director & Ex Officio Board Member
Lesia Crumpton, PhD, MBA
Ex Officio Board Member
Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young is a transformational executive whose 30-year career integrates strategic leadership, technology, engineering, and governance to drive measurable growth and institutional excellence. She serves as a Section Head within the Technology, Innovation & Partnerships Directorate of the National Science Foundation a $9 billion federal enterprise, with direct oversight of more than $200 million in strategic investments advancing artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and digital health. In this role, she drives national initiatives that strengthen U.S. competitiveness and foster collaboration across government, academia, and industry. Previously, as President and CEO of Texas Southern University, Dr. Crumpton-Young led operations with an annual budget exceeding $400 million and an institutional economic impact surpassing $1 billion across the region. She oversaw more than 10,000 students, faculty, and staff, driving 135 percent organizational growth, 40 percent enrollment increases, and 100 percent R&D revenue growth while strengthening governance, accountability, and financial performance. Drawing on a distinguished record across multiple universities, she has led complex academic, research, and administrative portfolios—strengthening institutional performance, digital transformation, and fiscal discipline across diverse environments. As a former equipment engineer at Northern Telecom and full professor of engineering and business, she blends technical depth with executive insight to elevate enterprise performance, culture, and stakeholder value. Dr. Crumpton-Young has authored more than one hundred publications focused on engineering, leadership, and innovation in complex organizations, earning national recognition including the Houston Business Journal Visionary Award, STEM Innovators Award, and Outstanding Women of Color in Science and Technology Award. A seasoned boardroom leader, she has worked extensively with boards of regents, trustees, and Commercial National Advisory Boards—translating strategy into policy, strengthening fiduciary oversight, and advancing governance excellence. Her board service includes the U.S. Army Science Board, NSF Congressional Oversight Committee, ASME Foundation Board, United Way Board, and IAB Advisors Inc. Dr. Crumpton-Young’s combination of national science leadership, CEO and C-suite experience, technology innovation, and financial governance expertise positions her as a high-impact director for organizations in education, technology, health care, advanced manufacturing, and financial services.
Keesha Dillard, MBA
Treasurer
Keesha is an accomplished real estate professional with a unique blend of experience in the luxury beauty and real estate industries. As a former National Account Director for Yves Saint Laurent Beauty at LOréal USA, she developed exceptional sales, marketing, and customer service skills. With a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Texas A&M University, Keesha excels in leadership, negotiation, and communication, ensuring that her clients receive top-notch service. Residing in Rockwall, Texas, Keesha’s deep community connections enrich her client-first approach to real estate. She works with Coldwell Banker, where her passion for market trends and home design enables her to deliver outstanding results. Keesha has earned the prestigious Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation, reflecting her advanced real estate knowledge and unwavering commitment to her clients. Beyond her professional achievements, Keesha has been a dedicated Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member for over 35 years, actively contributing to the Omega Alpha Omega Chapter in Dallas. She is also the First Vice President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Dallas, Metropolitan Chapter. These roles highlight her commitment to community service and exemplify her leadership skills, reinforcing her dedication to empowering her community beyond the realm of real estate. Keesha truly embodies the spirit of excellence in everything she does.
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Lauren Chapman, MEd
Marketing Officer
Lauren K. Chapman is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and a School Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Houston. Her track record blends clinical practice, education, and community programming leadership to support the well-being and success of youth and families across Texas. Her work focuses on understanding how cultural identity, family dynamics, and life experiences shape development, and she applies this lens in her counseling practice to help adolescents, emerging adults, and women navigate trauma, identity formation, anxiety, grief, and relational challenges using evidence-based approaches. Lauren’s background includes time as an award-winning educator in Houston ISD, and now a counselor at Psychology Works in Pearland, TX. Her academic and service achievements have been recognized through honors such as the Outstanding Graduate Inspire Service Award from the University of Houston and Texas A&M University’s distinguished Buck Weirus Spirit Award, reflecting her longstanding dedication to leadership, service, and scholarship. In Fall 2019, Lauren was initiated into the Xi Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® at Texas A&M University. Her values of sisterhood, scholarship, and service continue to shape her commitment to community advancement. As Executive Director of Programs for The Crown Within, Inc., Lauren leads initiatives that promote confidence, leadership, cultural pride, and emotional wellness among girls of color across Texas. Across all her roles, Lauren is guided by a clear mission: to expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and equip individuals and communities with the tools they need to thrive with confidence and purpose.
Tonya Driver, PhD
Secretary
Dr. Tonya M. Driver is an educator, strategist, practitioner, and community-minded leader with nearly 30 years of experience supporting the growth and development of individuals, teams, and organizations. Her professional background spans higher education, professional coaching, nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and human development, where she has devoted her work to helping people realize their potential and create meaningful impact. As a college instructor and student affairs professional, Dr. Driver has facilitated learning on leadership, adult learning, training, organizational development and served as department head.Her academic preparation includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Adult Education & Human Resource Development, as well as graduate and undergraduate degrees in education and business. Dr. Driver is also the founder of The Community Creed LLC, through which she designs learning experiences and development plans that build leadership capacity, strengthen emotional intelligence, and cultivate personal and professional growth. She holds multiple certifications and credentials, which inform her identity-centered, strengths-based and holistic approach. In addition to her professional work, Dr. Driver co-leads Creed for Achieving Brilliance, a nonprofit committed to empowering youth in rural communities by fostering their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Through this mission-driven work, she helps young people explore their interests, identify their strengths, and envision future pathways where they can thrive. Deeply engaged in service, Dr. Driver is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has held leadership roles at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She currently serves as the Chairman of the City of Bryan Community Development Committee and has previously served on the Bryan Independent School District Community Engagement Committee. Above all, Dr. Driver is a woman of faith, a committed community advocate, and a devoted wife and mother of four.
Patricia Hollis McGruder, Esq.
Patricia Hollis McGruder, Esq., currently serves as an arbitrator, hearing examiner, hearing officer, and mediator. As the principal of FMS Dispute Resolution Services, Patricia has built a practice grounded in fairness, neutrality, and excellence. She has successfully mediated and arbitrated a wide range of matters, including employment, consumer, education, and government-related disputes, and is known for her thoughtful analysis and well-reasoned decision-making. She is actively involved in numerous national arbitration and mediation panels, including the American Arbitration Association (Labor and Consumer), Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Texas Education Agency (Labor and Special Education), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition, Patricia contributes to the next generation of legal professionals as an Adjunct Professor in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Texas A&M University School of Law. With more than 20 years of experience resolving complex disputes in both the public and private sectors, Patricia’s professional background includes serving as a Senior Attorney with the National Labor Relations Board, along with leadership roles in human resources
and employment management. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and was initiated in March 1993 in the Xi Psi Chapter on the campus of Texas A&M University. She is a founding board member of the Ivy & Pearl Foundation, which partners with the Rho Phi Omega Chapter to serve the Bryan/College Station community. She earned her Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law and both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sociology from Texas A&M University. She is married to Edward D. McGruder, D.V.M, Ph.D., and they are the proud parents of Donovan and Chandler.
Community Program Chair
Yoshida J. Kirkwood is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and has held several leadership roles in the organization. She is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience and a wellness speaker. She also enjoys helping organizations improve processes, governing documents, and understanding parliamentary procedure as a Registered Parliamentarian. My affiliation with the Xquisite Pearls of Purpose is rooted in a steadfast commitment to advancing philanthropic initiatives through strategic charitable giving. I firmly believe that by consolidating our collective resources, we significantly amplify our capacity to effect positive, sustainable change and empower the next generation of leaders. Through this organization, we have the opportunity to build a legacy of service in the College Station & Bryan communities.
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