Tracy Arrington
Founder & President

Tracy Arrington has always had a gift for providing hair care services. Her mother, Mary Dewberry, recognized this gift early in life, and she purchased Tracy her first pressing comb, hot stove, and hot curlers when she was in the 9th grade. At the age of 14, when she was just starting high school, Tracy began providing hair care services from her bedroom.

While attending Murray Wright High School, Tracy studied cosmetology as a trade. Even her teachers recognized her gift and encouraged her to pursue her passion. Having competed in and won school competitions, Tracy knew that she had discovered her career path and part of her life’s purpose.

After high school, despite having failed the Michigan State Board test twice before obtaining her license, Tracy never looked back from pursuing her goals. She has been servicing clients for over three decades, and she’s just as passionate today about her craft and the health of her clients’ hair as she was from day one. She continues to seek higher education by attending some of the best hair care training institutions in the country, including Dudley University (Greensboro, NC, Vidal Sassoon (Santa Monica, CA), and Like The River Academy (Atlanta, GA).

Tracy is also the proud Founder and President of Healthy Hair Matters Foundation (HHMF), a youth program she began in 2015 for teen girls in Metro Detroit. Through HHMF she’s able to give back to the community by providing life skills training, mentorship, scholarships, and free hair care services for young ladies. Her trade, gift, and love for doing hair just keeps on giving.

Tracy is happily married to her best friend and greatest supporter, William Arrington III.

Wendy Duren
Program Director/Interim Vice President

Wendy brings her infectious personality, passion for people, and her heart for giving back and serving to Healthy Hair Matters Foundation.

Wendy has been employed in the pharmaceutical industry for over 19 years and has a successful career in sales with Pfizer, Inc. She believes in a healthy lifestyle – mentally, emotionally and physically.

Wendy began her career in marketing and sales as a Territory Manager with Ford Motor Company. She worked with dealerships on process improvements and dealer efficiency. She later took a position with Sprint PCS, where she successfully assisted in the launch of the cellular footprint in the Detroit market.

While attending Southfield High School, Wendy was an active member of the Del-Teens, which gave her a true appreciation for giving back and community service. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Wayne State University and an MBA from Michigan State University.

After completing graduate school, Wendy became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Inkster Alumnae Chapter. She resides in Canton, Michigan and is the proud mother of Madison Grace. Along with her service to HHMF, Wendy also continues to give back to the community and other children as a member of Jack and Jill, Inc. – Ypsilanti Chapter.

Willa J. Williams
Accountant

Willa J. Williams enjoys serving others in the areas of personal finance and wealth building. Her goal is to provide financial education and guidance on how to manage money confidently, while enjoying life and living abundantly. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor, Financial Coach, and co-founder of Trinity Financial Coaching, LLC.

As a finance professional, it is Willa’s desire to empower clients with the knowledge and guidance they need to identify and change behaviors which negatively affect their personal finances.

Willa was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Occupational and Environmental Health from Wayne State University. She has always had a passion for the fields of Finance and Environmental Science and continues to serve in both areas today – professionally in personal finance as a Financial Coach, and as a volunteer in the environmental community at Henry Ford Health Systems in Detroit. With a heart for service she surrenders herself to be used by God to teach, guide and provide hope while serving alongside her husband at New Beginnings Community Church of Detroit.

LaDonna Neal
Treasurer

LaDonna is a Fund Accounting Manager with FIS Global. She was recently deployed to FIS Global after spending 18 years with Comerica Bank. LaDonna manages a team of 12 people and is responsible for all aspects of day to day accounting for more than 63 institutional funds, provides guidance on compliance and risk management topics, including audits, risk and regulatory assessments, regulatory compliance, and analytics and reporting. She is an accomplished, performance-driven business professional with direct experience in a variety of areas, such as: Risk Management, Business Continuity, Project Management, Vendor Management and Operations Management. LaDonna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Walsh College and a Master’s degree in International Administration from Central Michigan University.

Dorrian L. McGhee
Director of Volunteering

Dorrian brings more than 20 years of communications experience to HHMF. She served as The Skillman Foundation’s Communications Manager for six years, where she was lead editor and chief project manager for all of the foundation’s publications, board books, and grantee relations. She also served on the team responsible for planning the foundation’s branding and strategic communications efforts, including the foundation’s website and other social media tools.

Prior to joining The Skillman Foundation, Dorrian managed and edited Letters to the Editor for the Detroit Free Press for 14 years. Currently, Dorrian is employed with Wayne State University’s School of Social Work. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Michigan State University and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. She resides in Detroit with her son, Jordan.

Velda Williams-Hill
Secretary

Velda brings more than 30 years of clerical experience to HHMF. Velda was educated in Detroit Public Schools and graduated with honors. After completing 2½ years of college at Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University, she opted for a trade and branched out into computer operations. She took training courses through the Comprehensive Youth Training and Community Involvement Program (CYTCIP), a partnership with New Detroit, Inc. She graduated third in her class and soon after began first clerical job with Allstate Insurance Company.

Throughout her career, Velda has worked in various clerical capacities for IBM, National Bank of Detroit (Chase Bank), Wayne State University, and American Arbitration Association (AAA). She currently works in the finance department of a local municipal office. In 2001, Velda launched her own virtual assistant company and enjoys using her talents to also pursue her entrepreneurial goals.

Stephanie L. Jones
Marketing Director

Stephanie L. Jones is passionate about two things – giving back to the community and working in the field of marketing. While pursuing a dual degree in marketing and business administration from the University of Michigan, it was discovered that she had a rare heart condition that caused her to undergo bypass surgery in her twenties. She considers herself a true survivor. Unable to return to U of M and to her corporate career with AT&T, she found a love for advocacy and helping other people, particularly teen girls and survivors of sexual assault. She is the author of a two times Amazon #1 best-selling book on healing from sexual assault and a highly sought-after speaker.

Stephanie has worked with many organizations around the country, appeared as a guest expert for several media outlets, and received multiple awards for her advocacy and community service work. She also serves on the board of Impact 100 Oakland County, a philanthropic organization helping residents in her community. Stephanie enjoys spending time at her church, reading the Bible and personal development books, and being with her two favorite people in the world – her husband, Robert Jr., and their son, Robert III.