Board Members and Staff

Barbara A. Price, CEO

Founder & CEO, Christian Business Women’s Network International, Inc. Managing Broker, Price Realty Group & Commercial Advisors, LLC. Barbara A. Price is a faith-based entrepreneur, speaker, and mentor with over 30 years of experience in business and ministry. She is the Founder of CBWNI, a national organization that equips women through mentorship, career development, and spiritual growth. Barbara holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University and served 22 years as an Accountant before entering the real estate industry, where she’s thrived for nearly two decades. As the Managing Broker of Price Realty Group & Commercial Advisors, LLC, she supports residential and commercial clients across the Atlanta Metro area. Barbara is also a pastor’s wife, Praise & Worship leader, and intercessor whose work is deeply rooted in biblical principles. Through signature initiatives like CBWNI D.O.V.E.s and the upcoming Grace & Elegance Debutante Ball, she continues to inspire and uplift the next generation of women leaders.

Staff

Melanie Alim Faison, COO

Melanie is a results-driven Chief Operating Officer with extensive experience managing daily operations, financial performance, staff supervision, and program oversight for Christian Business Women’s Network International (CBWNI.) She is adept at strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Melanie has successfully enhanced service delivery, secured funding, and maintained high program quality standards. She is skilled in developing and implementing effective operational policies, managing budgets, overseeing human resources, and driving organizational growth. She has the proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, develop innovative solutions, and ensure the organization's mission and goals are achieved.

Tanicia Prioleau, Director of Communications and Engagement

As the Director of Communications and Engagement at the Christian Business Women Network International (CBWNI), Tanicia Prioleau spearheads the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies to significantly amplify the visibility and impact of the organization's mission and programs. She manages CBWNI's brand identity, crafting compelling stories to showcase the organization's work and overseeing the creation of impactful marketing materials. Tanicia is pivotal in implementing communication tactics to enhance member engagement and expand CBWNI's reach, ensuring a strong and influential presence across all channels.

LaTika Tillis, CFO

Experienced Financial Services professional (16 years) with a demonstrated history of partnering with a team of financial advisors to assist with growing their business by creating and monitoring processes and providing oversight and management of staff. LaTika is trained in all aspects of the financial planning and life, disability and long term care insurance process. It is important to LaTika that she provides an exceptional client experience. She also has experience in creating and monitoring systems to increase efficiencies and provide strategic planning. Above all else, LaTika serves the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to make sure she displays His character in every facet of my life. She began my walk with the Lord as a young woman in college trying to navigate the landscape of a lifestyle that tells you it is all about you, but through her relationship with the Lord, she has been given a servant’s heart and seeks to serve those that He would put in her path. As a wife and mother of 3 beautiful young ladies, she is able to demonstrate servanthood in an even clearer way. It is only by the Holy Ghost that she is learning how to navigate the complexities that come with co-managing a household and balancing life in the corporate world. When things around her seem to be out of control, she always knows that she has a Father that she can lean on for peace if I just rest in Him.

Board Members

Sylvester James, Board President

Currently serving as a Management & Program Analyst at the Department of Veterans Affairs since January 2022, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as President of the Board of Directors for CBWNI. In his current position, he oversees a team of over 300 customer service representatives across three regions, managing a robust opertation that handles over 1 million calls annually. His leadership extends to the Veterans Experience Office, where he is responsible for multi-channel technology and enterprise customer contact centers, ensuring efficient and effective service recovery and hotline operations. Sylvester's ability to lead and manage complex business environments, coupled with his proven track record in program oversight and workforce management, makes him an ideal fit to guide and support the mission of CBWNI. His experience in managing diverse teams and his dedication to improving customer experiences align perfectly with the values and objectives of the organization, ensuring that it can continue to thrive and support its members effectively.

Felicia Simmons, Board Vice President

Christian since September 1995, a wife, mother of 3, and CBWNI Board Vice President. I have over 20 years of professional transportation experience in logistics & operations and have held the role as general manager for 10 years. Demonstrated drive in real estate helping clients meet their home ownership goals for the past 9 years. Additionally, I am a Co-owner in Simmons Global Solutions LLC which was founded with the goal of providing jobs to families through operating a trucking business.

Naeemah Ricketts, Board Secretary

Naeemah Ricketts, a Christian and intercessor prayer warrior who loves her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, has the pleasure of serving as the Board Secretary for Christian Business Women's Network International, Inc. (CBWNI). Likewise, she serves as Board Secretary for Queen Academy, Inc a nonprofit organization that provides Christian mentoring to girls in foster care and alternative schools. Additionally, she serves as Board Treasurer for Shiloh Christian Academy. Naeemah has a heart for people especially for the young people to see them find their identity in Christ which is why the Lord called her to the field of education to serve in urban school settings. For the past 9 years, she has served as a Founding Assistant Principal of Instruction and Compliance at a turnaround elementary school in Atlanta, GA. Prior to this, she served as a Special Education and English Language Arts teacher in middle and elementary school. Being a former Division I collegiate athlete, Naeemah also coached coed middle school volleyball and division III women's college basketball. Aside from her work and service in the school system, Naeemah is a Travel Advisor, Real Estate Investor and Excess Fund Recovery Agent. She enjoys traveling to various countries and seeing different and new parts of the world, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and spending time with her little sisters and young people to pour into them and to expose them to new experiences.

Cindi Sayles, Board Treasurer

Christian for 6 years, I desire to fulfill the calling God has placed on my life by serving and leading others into His kingdom, as well as achieve everything I set out to accomplish with excellence. I graduated with a Bachelor in Computer Science and minor in Applied Statistics and Data Analysis. Currently working as a Senior Software Engineer at AT&T, achieved my MBA at Point University, CBWNI Board Treasurer, and operating as a co-founder of The Industrious Women’s Network nonprofit where we assist college women in career development.