Board – willforhope

Board

John Hudson

On July 5, 2016, John received a phone call while on the golf course with his youngest son informing him that his younger brother Will had died by suicide. It changed his life forever. John, along with his sister Kate is one of the founders of the Will for Hope Foundation and currently serves as President and Treasurer. John lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife Julie and their two sons, Jack and Henry. John is a practicing attorney and is driven to help others avoid the same tragedy that became his family’s reality seven years ago. Through Will for Hope, John strives to live out Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Kate (Hudson) Monk

Kate is co-founder and current Vice-President of the Will for Hope Foundation. As twin sister to Will, she grew up with a constant playmate, supporter, and competitor by her side. Both Kate and Will enjoyed many years of competitive tennis together growing up at the beach. Kate lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Michael and three children Mary Kate, John, and Elizabeth. She is actively involved in her children’s schools and she and her family are active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. Through Will for Hope, Kate along with her older brother, John, are committed to helping those who struggle with mental health as well as their families find hope, healing, and a community of support.

Jim Feldman

Jim graduated from the University of Rochester in New York with a degree in Political Science in 1992. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University in 1995. He is admitted to practice in both New York and South Carolina. He moved to Horry County SC in 1996. In 1997 Jim opened his own law practice and has worked in this field ever since. Jim has held past area civic positions including President of the Grand Strand Optimist Club, Member of the Waccamaw Sertoma Club, Chairman of the

Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Myrtle Beach, Member of the Quality and Drainage Commission for the City of Conway, and presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alano Club of Myrtle Beach. He continues to be an active Member of the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors, having served on its Legislative Committee in the past. Jim is a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand, was President of his high school class and is a proud Eagle Scout.

Macon Lovelace

Macon Lovelace brings 17 years of experience in the South Carolina commercial real estate market to Trinity Partners. As Partner, Macon focuses on brokerage and development out of the firm’s Columbia office. Formerly a Senior Broker with a statewide brokerage company, its overall top producer in 2013 and 2018, and its top leasing agent in 2017, Macon brings a diverse background in commercial real estate, banking (commercial lending), and property development. He is an accomplished producer known for his financial acumen and holistic approach to each transaction. Macon has been consistently recognized for his professional excellence and was recognized in 2020 for the top selling individual broker in South Carolina by the Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston Business Monthly publications. He has been awarded the Central Carolina Realtor’s Association Circle of Excellence for 2007-2010. In 2012-2020 he was recognized by Costar as one of the area’s top brokers based on overall transaction value. He is currently the Board Chair for the Sisters of Charity Foundation, on the Executive Board of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Public Policy Committee, and a member of the Advisory Board of First Reliance Bank. Macon is the Past President of the Leadership Columbia Alumni Association, Former Board Chair of City Year Columbia, and a graduate of Leadership South Carolina and Leadership Columbia. Macon graduated from Wofford College, cum laude, with a degree in International Business, and he attended the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Macon and his wife have two children. He enjoys anything outdoors, playing golf and traveling.

Rebecca Dickey

Rebecca Dickey is a mom of 2, wife of 15 years and suffers from treatment resistant depression. She spent 17 years in Corporate Consulting and now has her own consulting business focusing on bookkeeping and health and wellness. She is passionate about telling her story in hopes of helping others navigate their own mental illnesses.

Laura Jordan

Laura is a Christian, wife of 21 years, mom of two teenage girls, practicing attorney, and avid traveler. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with High Honors in English in 1997, and then earned her Juris Doctor summa cum laude in 2000 from the University of Alabama School of Law. She is licensed to practice in both South Carolina and Alabama and has split her legal career between government service to two federal judges and private practice in Alabama, and now, South Carolina. For the last 12 years, she has practiced with the Columbia office of Gallivan, White, and Boyd, focusing on complex, high-stakes legal matters that require unique or extensive risk management, research, and strategy. In addition to various memberships in legal organizations, she is an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, is certified as a Master Naturalist of the Midlands of South Carolina and serves with her husband as PTSO President for their daughters’ high school. Laura’s interest in mental health began with her own post-pregnancy struggles, and she is passionate about supporting others impacted by mental illness after watching family members grapple with the suicide of a loved one, OCD, and anxiety and depression.

Hatton Gravely

Coming soon…

Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: It is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken”.

C.S. Lewis

TAKE A STAND

Ask others to stop promoting stigma and using hurtful language. Keep in mind the best way to stop others from promoting stigma is to educate them about mental health and to let them know how their words and actions hurt others.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Learn about mental health issues and the devastating effects of stigma. Ask someone who has openly shared about their mental health issues what their experience is like. Knowledge is a powerful tool for dispelling myths and stereotypes. Share your knowledge.

BE AN ALLY

Think of a friend or family member you have been concerned about. Call them to see how they are feeling. If someone you know exhibits sudden changes in behavior or is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out to them and make every effort to ensure that they get help.

END THE SILENCE

If you have been feeling down, stressed, or anxious, call or meet with a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you are feeling. Remember that when you speak about your experience with mental illness, you give others permission to share their experiences.