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Team and Board

Our Team

Meet the team behind Greenville First Steps. Our dedicated staff is small but mighty, working daily to create strong systems of support for Greenville’s youngest learners.

Derek Lewis

Executive Director

Derek joined Greenville First Steps in 2008 as executive director after serving as director of youth and teen services with the YMCA of Greenville. Derek served as a Trustee of the Greenville County School Board from 2014-2022. He also sits on a variety of community boards, including Greater Good Greenville, Communities in Schools SC, and the SC Children's Theatre.

In addition, he serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the South Carolina Joint Citizens and Legislature Committee on Children. Derek was part of Leadership Greenville Class 36 as well as a member of Leadership South Carolina. He is also a member of the South Carolina Education Policy Fellowship program (2011) and was named one of Greenville’s Best and Brightest 35 and Under (2009). Derek is married to Hedrick Lewis, a 4k teacher with Greenville County Schools, and they live in Greenville with their son, William.

Beth Jamieson

Strategic Operations Director

Beth is responsible for moving Greenville First Steps forward, supporting the program staff, and communicating our mission to the public, including promoting School Readiness, Parenting Services, and Early Literacy Strategies.

She serves on the Development and Endowment board at Greenville Tech Charter High School and has previously served on the Little Steps board of directors, Livewell Early Childhood Workgroup, and the United Way Request for Proposal evaluation panel. A graduate of Clemson University, Beth worked for YMCA Camp Greenville prior to joining Greenville First Steps. She and her son, David, live in Greenville

Nicole Sheppard

Program Director

Nicole coordinates the parenting programs at Greenville First Steps, including HIPPY-Upstate, Triple P, Nurturing Parenting, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Family Connects-Greenville. Before joining the organization, she spent more than 18 years providing clinical and educational services at a local nonprofit, with a focus on supporting families affected by trauma and advocating for survivors of domestic violence.

Nicole earned her degree in Sociology and Social Work from the University of South Carolina–Columbia. She currently serves as Board Secretary for The Parenting Place and volunteers as a summer camp counselor at the Greenville Police Department’s annual Officer Allen Jacobs Summer Camp, as well as the 13th Judicial Circuit’s Juvenile Arbitration Program. A Greenville native, Nicole lives with her husband, Tom, and their three cats, Lily, Pepper, and Maggie.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors includes parents, educators, nonprofit leaders, and business professionals who share our vision for a more equitable and prepared Greenville County.

DeeDee Washington

Chair, Anderson University

Carrie Silver

Vice Chair, USC Upstate

Travis Wharton

Community Member

Kelly Byers

Travelers Rest City Council

Steve Hudson

Community Member

Cynthia Langley

SHARE Head Start

Lauren Luneckas

The Children's Museum of the Upstate

Corey McDowell

YMCA of Greenville

Ned Moore

Greenville DSS

LaVonda Paul

Small Impressions

Emily Pettigrew

Community Foundation of Greenville

Jennifer Pinkerman

Greenville County Library Carrie Silver, USC Upstate

Susan Stevens

Greenville County Schools

Samantha Tucker

Peace Center

Shannon Grant

Department of Public Health

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Greenville First Steps is the county’s leading convener and connector in early childhood development—driving real impact by empowering families, supporting providers, and coordinating systems behind the scenes.

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Contact Us

Email

info@greenvillefirststeps.org

Phone

864-248-4757

Address

700 N Pleasantburg Drive Greenville, SC 29607

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