Vice President, Senior Director Education Innovation and Process Improvement
Octavia Thomas
Octavia Thomas is a vibrant woman with a zest for life! She is a proud grandmother and mother of 4 wonderful adult children, one of whom is an Air Force veteran. Octavia was also a military spouse, which explains her heart for service members and their families.
As Octavia serves as the Vice President and Senior Director of Education Innovation and Process Improvement for FLAIR Now, Inc, she brings with her years of experience as a tenured educator with a certification in special education, and advocacy work for diversity, equity and inclusion to help develop innovative professional learning, leadership strategies and curriculum that promotes collaboration and integration with the community. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
A believer in turning life’s bitter lemons into delicious lemonade, Octavia founded The Climb, a ministry designed to help educate, equip and empower women who have suffered various forms of loss and trauma, and acquire coping skills and resilience strategies in a safe and supportive group setting. Her messages of hope and humanity uplift and inspire those who are underrepresented and marginalized to keep climbing. In addition to these things, Octavia is an author, mentor, life coach and sought-after speaker who believes “Who says I can’t?… Nobody!” (a quote by Coach Robert Mendez), is an important mantra to live by.
In her spare time, you might find Octavia walking the beach with her pup, Zöe. She also loves the arts, theater, music, and discovering more about the world through traveling.
Director, Community Outreach and Transitional Resources
Grace Nickens
Grace is the Director of Community Outreach and Transitional Resources for FLAIR Now, Inc. She is married to her devoted husband Ralph (Nick), of 27 years. She has four adult children and two grandchildren.
Grace’s background includes community work in her local church. She serves at her local community shelters and food pantries helping those in need.
Grace enjoys giving back and serving wherever there is a need. She is known as the “neighborhood watch person”. She identifies the needs of individuals in her neighborhood and mentors them on an as-needed basis.
Some of her favorite pastimes are crocheting, knitting and spending quality time with her family.
Senior Director, Digital Marketing and Communications
Keoni Pannell
Keoni Pannell was born in Hagerstown, Maryland.
As Senior Director of Digital Marketing and Communications for FLAIR Now, Inc. she brings experience with planning and directing marketing campaigns, as well as a skill set for managing and maintaining websites and using social media channels to conduct digital marketing.
She is a gifted graphic designer who loves optimizing content for website/social media platforms. She is a life learner with a desire to stay on the cutting edge of change in the field of social media marketing.
Keoni is the founder of Carefree Campaign, a self-care ministry for young women ages 18-35. She also loves traveling and meeting new people.
Director, Accounting and Fundraising
Jessica Scott
Jessica Scott is most focused on making a positive difference in our world. Jessica and her family moved to Hagerstown in 1994 for work and her dedication and commitment to the community are what have kept her here.
For over 25 years, she has worked in the nonprofit sector. Jessica has just begun a position as the Associate Director of Housing Services for Goodwill after serving as the Program Director of Habitat for Humanity for 10 years.
She volunteers with several organizations and nonprofits in our community and in addition to Flair Now, Inc., she serves on the boards of the Washington County Arts Council, Maryland Theater, Tolson’s Chapel, and the Advisory Council of the Washington County Commission on Aging. She is a Trustee and active member of Zion Baptist Church.
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Jessica is also a 2016 Class 29 graduate of Leadership Washington County. Jessica believes in the core values that a strong sense of community plays in the development of our future generations. For this reason, she believes that her calling is to serve the community in whatever way God leads. As a wife, mother of 7, grandmother of 10, daughter, sister, aunt, and girlfriend, Jessica strives to be a passionate leader with a genuine commitment to community empowerment and she is certain that our future world depends on it.
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I have always believed in the individual and collective power of women; those who build each other up, strengthen our families and communities and stand together to make change. Our words and actions will empower generations to come.
Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Financial Services
Deanna Mason
Deanna Mason brings over 20 years of Financial Services expertise to the Flair Now team. Most recently, she has been assisting the community in the Family Investment Division of the Department of Social Services, with assistance programs. Born and raised in Washington County, Deanna is a graduate of Hagerstown Community College.
Deanna’s corporate experience began with Citibank and CitiMortgage in customer service and training. She entered the insurance industry working for Erie and Nationwide Insurance. Throughout it all, Deanna has maintained a passion for service and has been dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and youth whenever possible.
The time she covets most is spent with her four incredible children, raised on baseball, softball, and soccer fields but just as talented in orchestra and gaming. With love and the values of treating the janitor the same as any CEO. Deanna has a strong passion for people and wants to help change the lives of everyone.
Vice President of Development
Faith Sleater
Faith Sleater is the Vice President of Development at FLAIR Now, Inc. She has been happily married to her devoted husband, Scott, for 37 years and is a proud mother of two adult children and grandmother to three wonderful grandchildren.
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With a background in Early Childhood Education, Faith has dedicated much of her career to working with special needs children in both Maryland and New York. In addition, Faith is a certified Life Coach, offering guidance and support to help others reach their full potential. Her passion for community engagement is reflected in her extensive volunteer work, particularly in youth leadership roles within her local church. She has also served as a Girl Scout Co-leader over the years.
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Known for her warm and inviting personality, Faith enjoys meeting new people and loves to break the ice with thoughtful questions that help others feel at ease. Her genuine kindness and ability to connect with others make her someone who easily turns strangers into friends.
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Faith retired from the Wappingers School District in New York and relocated to Utah in 2020. Outside of work, Faith stays active by bowling in a women's league and is starting to explore the game of golf. She also enjoys caring for her beloved puppy, Taffy.
Director, Photography and Transformational Imagery
Julie Zeger-Paul
Hello, my name is Julie Zeger-Paul. I was born and raised in Hagerstown, Maryland. I am married to my loving husband, Bernard and we have a daughter, Ava Rose.
After graduating from North Hagerstown High School, I attended Shippensburg University for a year and then stumbled upon the modeling industry. Once I tipped my toe in, I was hooked. I then went on to have a 30 plus year career as a fashion model. I was lucky enough to travel the world working on continents as far as Australia and nearest locations such as New York City. I have had the great fortune to work with the best creative talents in the business. Then, about 5 years ago, I decided to take a photography class at our local Hagerstown Community college. I wanted to see what it felt like being on the other side of the camera. I fell in love with it.
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Since then, I have become a proud business owner of Julie Zeger Photography. I shoot primarily lifestyle, personal branding, and headshots. I bring my knowledge of being a fashion model and all those years being on sets and learning from all the creatives that make up a photoshoot to each job. My goal is to make my clients feel like a celebrity for the day! This starts with getting their hair and makeup done, listening to their favorite music, picking out what they are going to wear, and then getting pictures taken that makes them feel beautiful and will help take their business to the next level.
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I recently was awarded the Hot List Winner 2023 for best photographer in the Hagerstown Magazine. This was a true honor to be recognized by other business owners in the county.
Dreams should be chased and not ignored. Only we have the power to live them. No one can take them away from you. So, in the next 5 years, I see myself traveling around the world shooting beautiful portraits, working for Travel and Leisure Magazine and hey, why not, the cover of Vogue!!
Brand Manager
Amecha De'Sha
Amecha De'Sha is more than just a creative professional, she is a resourceful solution to your branding needs. As a Brand Strategist, Stylist, and Spoken Word Artist from Atlanta, Ga, she understands that the answer to a successful brand is not solely in the bank, but in the resource. Amecha has been utilizing her expertise for over 10 years in branding, graphic/web design, event planning, guest speaking, and performing throughout the United States.
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Amecha is a certified professional in Digital Marketing and E-commerce, providing branding and event solutions for a diverse range of clients, including family and friends, community businesses, non-profit organizations, screenwriters, indie artists, and celebrities. Her events range from intimate settings to large audiences of 50-500 people.
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Beyond branding, Amecha has hosted her own Spoken Word events and performed at various cafes and venues in Atlanta, including the Great APACHE XL. With her unique blend of creativity and resourcefulness, Amecha De'Sha is the answer to all your branding needs.
Director of Community Outreach
Aitza Haddad
I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. In 2007, I earned my BA in Political Science from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and went on to obtain my JD from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico Law School in 2010. Following my passion for law and human rights, I pursued an LLM in Comparative Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where I received a Book Award for my contributions to human rights. During this time, I also became an Associate Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.
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In 2012, I moved to Maryland to pursue a PhD in Communication, Culture, and Media Studies at Howard University in Washington, DC, completing my degree in 2016 after defending my dissertation. Along the way, I earned certificates in International Studies and College and University Faculty Preparation. I am currently pursuing a second PhD in International Psychology, enriching my interdisciplinary approach to law, communication, and human rights.
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Teaching has been my passion since 2013, when I first served as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Strategic, Legal, and Management Communication Program and as a Faculty Professor in the Annenberg Honors Program at Howard University. Since then, I have taught in diverse educational settings, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses. My work extends beyond teaching to include research, having served as a Researcher at the Howard Media Group, Free Press, and the Hispanic Media Coalition. Currently, I focus on directing Friendly Law, a nonprofit I founded to empower individuals through legal education and advocacy. I am also a proud wife and a loving mother of three boys.
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Previously, I served as the Administrative Director of the Governor’s Commissions on Hispanic Affairs and Caribbean Affairs in Maryland, as well as on the Maryland Commission on Hispanic Affairs and the Washington County Judicial Nominating Commission. While these roles enriched my perspective, I have since returned to academia, community activism, and public service to focus on empowering marginalized communities and fostering interdisciplinary solutions to complex social issues.
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My heart lies in human rights, and my research interests span the intersections of law, psychology, communication, and technology. I am deeply committed to advancing diversity, equality, civil rights, public interest, and policy. My work seeks to integrate legal and mental health support to provide individuals from all backgrounds with the tools they need to thrive.
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Through my teaching, advocacy, and research, I aim to inspire meaningful dialogue and action to create a more just and equitable society. Whether in the classroom, in the community, or through policy, I am dedicated to making a positive impact and fostering environments where everyone can flourish.