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MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

Executive Director
Joyre Montgomery

Joyre Montgomery is the founder of Intentional Healing Foundation. Joyre has had a passion for the helping field since childhood. Her energy was always pulled in the direction to serve others. Early in her career, there was a huge mental health stigma that caused a lot of people to be hesitant to receive mental health services and those that did were met with inconsistent treatment providers. During adulthood her passion for the field blossomed into the creation of two mental health businesses. In 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, Joyre Montgomery opened Intentional Healing Empowerment Center. Now with a reduced stigma and increased need, Mrs. Montgomery’s team realized the transportation, affordability, and time constraint barriers that people faced when seeking mental health services. To combat these obstacles, Joyre created the Foundation, offering virtual, reduced/pro bono to client, and flexible mental health and wellness services.

Staff Director

Justin Sims

Justin gives a warm welcome to our potential clients and funders while managing the day to day operations of the foundation. Justin has been in the service industry for more than a decade through various different titles such as mentoring through career firefighter, life coaching, sports coaching, barbering and executive assistant at the Empowerment Center. His goal is to help individuals make progress in their lives to attain greater fulfillment. At Intentional Healing, Justin strives to stay motivated by fulfilling his purpose, which is empowering others.

Director
Evelyn Sims

Mrs. Evelyn Sims is an experienced education and social work professional with a rich background in implementing policies and practices to enhance learning opportunities for students and educators. With 19 years of experience as a Specialist in Education in Instructional Leaders and 22 years as a School Social Worker in Hamilton County Schools, she possesses a strong foundation in educational leadership and social service support.Her educational qualifications include a Master's Degree from Tennessee Technological University and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In addition to her academic achievements, Mrs. Sims has served as a Field Instructor for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she provided instruction and leadership to social work students, facilitating the integration of practicum learning with the broader perspective of the social work profession. Furthermore, her role as the Director of Social Services at NHC Healthcare Facility demonstrates her ability to provide and direct counseling and social services to residents and their families. She has extensive experience in coordinating intake, admission, and discharge procedures, evaluating prospective residents' applications, and participating in interdisciplinary team meetings to provide comprehensive care. Mrs. Sims' diverse background highlights her proficiency in mentoring educators, implementing instructional strategies aligned with state regulations, and working collaboratively with families and students from diverse backgrounds. Her strong interpersonal communication skills, coupled with her dedication to human success, make her a valuable asset in any educational and/or social work setting.

Treasurer
Ebony Sims

Ebony Sims has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  She has been an accounting professional for 15 years now.  She has served in various roles throughout her career ranging from Corporate Accounting Manager, Certified Tax Professional, and for the past 7 years utilizing her knowledge as an Accounting and Production Manager in the non-profit industry. She has a passion for helping individuals and small businesses stay informed of their financial position to be able to make well-informed decisions.  Ebony is compassionate for the community in its entirety.  Realizing that knowledge is power and relationships are key, we as a community must realize the significance of mental health awareness and its direct correlation to our entire well-being. 

Officer of Mental Health and Marketing Director
Elizabeth Mountz

Elizabeth Mountz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a decade of experience in the field including foster care, community mental health, psychiatric inpatient, and private practice. Elizabeth is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and is passionate about utilizing Trauma-Informed Yoga as a treatment modality for mental health. Elizabeth believes that mental health resources should be inclusive and accessible to everyone. Mrs. Mountz owns Iris Embodiment Center, an organization that focuses on bringing yoga and somatic healing practices to her local and online communities.

Officer of Community Outreach
Shayla Maddox

Shayla Maddox has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. As the Lead Processing Tech at a small technology company in Chattanooga, she efficiently manages tasks. Alongside her corporate career, she owns The Party Popperz Company, a small business providing event services and party rentals for various occasions including but not limited to events held for the Foundation. A philanthropist at heart, she actively supports her community through initiatives like sponsoring back-to-school drives, Christmas toy drives, and contributing to local programs benefiting children. Shayla is excited to be a part of the Intentional Healing Foundation nonprofit organization, furthering her commitment to community involvement and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Chief Administrative Officer
Nathaniel Love

Nathaniel, originally from Chattanooga, TN, is an alumnus of Hixson High School. Following his high school graduation, Nathaniel embarked on a distinguished 14-year career in the United States Marine Corps, immediately entering recruit training. Throughout his tenure, he held various roles, including telecommunications supervisor, martial arts instructor, recruiter, network chief, and substance abuse counselor. Nathaniel also played a significant part in three separate operations during the global war on terrorism, demonstrating his commitment to serving his country. After retiring from the Marines in 2023, Nathaniel pursued further education, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is currently planning to enhance his qualifications by pursuing an MBA at UTC this coming summer. Nathaniel’s life story is a testament to his dedication to his country, his commitment to personal growth, and his deep familial bonds.

Jessica Thrasher       

Jessica received a bachelor’s from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in psychology with a minor in sociology. She also, obtained her master’s degree from Capella University where she majored in Human Behavior. She has served in the mental health field for 16 years working in various nonprofit and/or community health settings such as Helen Ross McNabb Center, Omni Visions and Orange Grove Center in Chattanooga, TN just to name a few. She is passionate about mental health and being an advocate for promoting, raising awareness, and eliminating any stigmas that surround seeking help. Having the ability to empower other people’s lives through her day-to-day work and cultivate resilience in healing and restoring the well-being of individuals is her passion. She is currently in public health within the Hamilton County Government. Jessica believes your living environment is very vital to your over wellness, which led to becoming a proprietor. Ms. Thrasher has owned over 14 properties in the Chattanooga area and started her journey into building homes.

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