About
A team built for leadership.
A national HBCU leadership network.
Champions Leadership Network operates through campus chapters to develop student leaders, strengthen campus engagement, and open doors to professional opportunity.
Founder
Meet Lisa Casimie.

Founder & Visionary
Lisa Casimie
Athletic Academic Advisor & Student Development Professional
Built Like Champions.
Lisa Casimie is an Athletic Academic Advisor and student development professional dedicated to mentorship, leadership development, and student success within higher education and HBCU communities. As a former international student-athlete, she developed firsthand insight into the challenges students face while navigating academics, leadership responsibilities, cultural transitions, and career preparation.
Throughout her professional experience in athletic advising and student support services, Lisa has worked closely with student-athletes, university departments, and campus leadership initiatives to promote academic accountability, mentorship, professional growth, and student engagement. Her work has focused on helping students develop leadership skills, build confidence, and create pathways for long-term personal and professional success.
Lisa is the founder of Champions Leadership Network, an athletics-inspired mentorship and leadership initiative designed to empower students through teamwork, service, professionalism, and community impact. Through the organization, she aims to create opportunities for leadership development, workforce readiness, mentorship, and campus engagement across HBCU campuses and beyond.
Her long-term vision is to establish a nationally recognized leadership network that develops future leaders, strengthens student support systems, and creates meaningful educational and professional opportunities for students nationwide.
Leadership & Board
The team behind the mission.
Led by Executive Director & Founder Lisa Casimie, alongside a board of athletics, academic, and education leaders guiding CLN's mission and national growth.
Board Officers

Brodderick Tucker
Board Chair
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Brodderick Tucker brings more than a decade of experience in athletics administration, compliance, and student-athlete development to the Champions Leadership Network Board of Directors. He currently serves as the Director of Athletics at Bluefield State University, where he provides strategic leadership focused on academic excellence, competitive success, and student development. Throughout his career, Tucker has held leadership positions at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Grambling State University, strengthening compliance operations and enhancing student support initiatives.
As Board Chair, Tucker provides overall governance leadership for CLN and works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to establish strategic priorities, ensure organizational accountability, and support long-term growth. He leads board meetings, oversees governance initiatives, and helps guide the organization's national expansion efforts while ensuring CLN remains mission-driven and sustainable.

Malone Silver
Vice Chair
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Malone Silver serves as the Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance at Jackson State University, where he oversees academic support and compliance initiatives for student-athletes. Prior to joining Jackson State, he served in academic support roles at the University of South Carolina and Prairie View A&M University, where he helped foster academic achievement and student success among collegiate athletes.
As Vice Chair, Silver supports the Board Chair in advancing the organization's strategic goals and assumes leadership responsibilities in the Chair's absence. He also provides oversight and guidance for CLN's student leadership initiatives, mentorship programs, and professional development efforts. His experience in student success and leadership development strengthens CLN's commitment to preparing students for lifelong achievement.

Shanice Akins-Posey
Secretary
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Shanice Akins-Posey serves as the Secretary of Champions Leadership Network (CLN), where she has played a key role in the organization's development since its inception. She assisted in building the foundation of CLN and designed the organization's official logo, helping establish its visual identity and brand. Through her creativity, leadership, and dedication, Shanice continues to support CLN's mission of empowering and developing future leaders.
Professionally, Shanice is an Academic Advisor at the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University (TCU), where she provides comprehensive academic advising, degree planning, and student success support for undergraduate business students. With a strong background in education and student development, she is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals while fostering personal growth, leadership, and long-term success. Her commitment to service, collaboration, and excellence makes her an invaluable asset to both TCU and Champions Leadership Network.

Dr. Leonard Williams
Treasurer
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Dr. Leonard Williams, Jr. is an accomplished educator, administrator, and community leader with extensive experience in higher education, public administration, workforce development, and community development. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in leadership, sport management, and higher education administration. Dr. Williams holds a Ph.D. in Educational and Foundational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University, and recently completed a Master of Business Administration at UAPB. Throughout his distinguished career, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including Department Chair, Neighborhood Improvement Administrator, Assistant County Administrator, and Land Use Planning Director.
As Treasurer of Champions Leadership Network (CLN), Dr. Williams provides financial oversight and strategic guidance to ensure the organization's long-term sustainability and growth. His expertise in administration, grant management, and program development supports CLN's mission of developing student leaders through mentorship, professionalism, and community engagement. A passionate advocate for student success and workforce development, Dr. Williams currently leads the development of UAPB's eSports Innovation Program and Laboratory and remains committed to preparing future leaders who will create meaningful change within their communities.
Board Directors

Dr. William Torrence
Director of Education & Assessment
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Dr. William Torrence is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with extensive experience in higher education, educational research, and program development. His scholarship focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs that enhance student learning and institutional effectiveness. He has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator on several grant-funded initiatives that support student success and educator preparation.
As Director of Education & Assessment, Dr. Torrence leads the development of assessment strategies and evaluation processes that measure CLN's effectiveness and impact. He provides expertise in program evaluation, outcomes assessment, and data-informed decision-making to ensure that CLN delivers high-quality, evidence-based leadership programming and demonstrates measurable outcomes to stakeholders, sponsors, and grant funders.
Organizational Structure
One network. Many chapters.
Parent Organization
Champions Leadership Network
The national umbrella that defines the program, brand, and standards. Designed to expand to additional HBCUs and campuses over time.
Founding Chapter
Inaugural HBCU Chapter
Founded through a pilot HBCU initiative, our inaugural campus chapter sets the standard for the chapters that follow as we expand nationwide.
Why This Program Matters
Many students enter college needing mentorship, leadership opportunities, and community connection.
Champions Leadership Network bridges that gap by combining athletics culture, peer leadership, mentorship, and campus support into a structured and impactful leadership experience — preparing members not just for campus life, but for the careers that follow.
Business Structure
Built for impact, ready to grow.
Primary Structure
Nonprofit Organization
A nonprofit structure aligns with mentorship, education, leadership development, and community engagement initiatives — opening the door to sponsorships, grants, donations, and university partnerships.
Future Expansion
LLC for ventures
An LLC may later be formed to support merchandise, conferences, media, branding, and event-related business opportunities — fueling the mission while protecting the nonprofit core.
Long-Term Goals
The road ahead.
- 01Expand to additional HBCUs
- 02Develop scholarship opportunities
- 03Host leadership conferences
- 04Build internship partnerships
- 05Create mentorship programs for high school students
- 06Establish a nationally recognized HBCU leadership network
"Built Like Champions."
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