Meet Our Board
Felicia Smith
Founder
Felicia Smith is the Founder and Board Chair of The Climb, Inc., where she leads strategic direction for the organization, collaborating with board members to execute plans to achieve goals. For over 14 years, Felicia has risen to senior roles within the Department of Defense (DoD), holding positions such as Senior Manpower Advisor and Senior Risk Manager Staff Director. Currently, she is Deputy Office Chief in the Directorate for Global Integration.
From finance to risk management, Felicia has managed her career through tapping into endless opportunities to expand her areas of expertise.
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While in her role as a senior leader, Felicia pursued a training opportunity in coaching, which sparked a passion to do more. She realized she was a rarity, a black woman in senior leadership, and decided to focus on helping other women of color reach their career goals. In 2019, Felicia founded S.O.A.R. Coaching LLC and later founded The Climb, Inc. in 2023.
Felicia earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Tuskegee University, a Master’s degree in Government Information Leadership from National Defense University, and a second Master’s in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. Her certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP), Associate in Risk Management – Enterprise Risk Management (ARM-E), RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional for Federal Government (RIMS-CRMP-FED), and Certified Defense Financial Manager with specialty in Acquisition (CDFM-A). She is also a certified leadership coach.
Felicia is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Project Management Institute (PMI), American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Felicia is the wife of Mark Smith, the mother of Jeremiah-Mark Smith and the bonus mom of Adia Smith.
Donnell Wiggins
Operations Director
Donnell Wiggins is Operations Director for The Climb, Inc. Donnell is the Deputy Staff Director within the Office of Global Support for the Department of Defense. He is a career civil servant with over 25 years of administrative expertise and truly embodies servant leadership. As a third-generation civil servant, Donnell is committed to service and bringing the values he learned from his family to the workplace and people who also serve the country via federal service.
First entering federal service at age 16, Donnell worked summer jobs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD as a clerical assistant. It was there that he began to establish the foundation for a career in the administrative field.
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After graduating high school, he went on to secure full time employment with the NIH Clinical Center, sharpening his administrative and customer service skills. Rising up the ranks, Donnell later joined the Department of Defense in 2007 to further his career, continuing to grow and excel.
In the spirit of servant leadership, Donnell is a deacon at Zion Church and volunteers to serve and support weekly services. He is a native of southern Prince George’s County and graduated from Suitland High School where he met the love of his life, Ilahkcherri Essence. Donnell resides in Clinton, MD with his wife of 12 years and three children (Devin, Dilan, and Cherrelle).
“I decided to join The Climb because I am passionate about serving and helping others. Every point throughout my career, from my first summer job to my current position as the deputy staff director, has had a black woman mentor, coach, and/or advocate investing time and energy in my growth and development. I have made it a point to be the same mentor, coach, and advocate to others, the same that I have had throughout my career. One quote that has resonated with me is paraphrased from Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much is required.” When I learned about The Climb, I knew it was an opportunity for me to support a mission that seeks to do for others what has been done for me, for people just like the ones who helped me.”
Waveney Belle
Director of Strategy & Governance
Waveney Belle is the Director of Strategy & Governance for The Climb, Inc., where she supports efforts to expand access, community, and mentorship for aspiring leaders. With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Waveney is an enterprise transformation executive known for leading human capital strategy, organizational redesign, and talent development across Fortune 100 and 500 companies, including Citibank, Sears, USAA, and Kemper. She has guided executive teams through growth and reinvention, shaping the careers of tens of thousands of professionals through bold workforce strategies and inclusive leadership models that unlock both performance and potential.
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Her career spans senior leadership roles in Human Resources, Risk Management, and Operations, giving her the ability to lead at the intersection of people and business transformation. She founded Executive Edge Professional Services to partner with C-Suite leaders, boards, and HR professionals to navigate complex change, scale leadership impact, and activate the talent strategies that power long-term business growth.
Waveney is a lifelong champion of inclusive leadership development. She has launched enterprise DEIB initiatives, mentored emerging talent, and designed executive programs to elevate future decision-makers. Her leadership reflects a belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to rise with clarity, courage, and purpose.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University and is completing her master’s in organizational development. She is also a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and The Athena Alliance.
Waveney lives in San Antonio with her husband and son. A globe-trotter with a foodie’s heart, she finds joy in exploring local food, wine, and culture. She is on a mission with her family to visit all 50 U.S. states by 2035.
“The Climb represents everything I believe about leadership. It is about creating space, lifting up others, and building bridges for those coming behind us. I joined this board because I know firsthand the power of being mentored, seen, and championed. My career has been shaped by those who invested their time, opened doors, and believed in my potential. It is both a responsibility and a privilege to extend that same hand to others. I want to multiply access, amplify voices, and help more women of color rise with confidence and community while also giving them the opportunity to build expertise, acquire new skills, and lead with lasting impact.”
Joe Morgan
Director, Finance, Fundraising & Growth Strategy
Joe Morgan is a senior technology and operations leader with over 15 years of experience spanning
federal government service, cloud technology, and financial services. He currently serves as a Senior
Technology Lead at Freddie Mac, where he applies his deep expertise in data, operations, and
organizational strategy to support the organization’s technology mission.
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Prior to Freddie Mac, Joe held leadership roles at Amazon Web Services, serving as Business Operations Lead and Senior Business Operations Manager, where he drove key metrics, operational improvements, and cross-functional initiatives. Before entering the private sector, Joe built an extensive career with the United States Department of Defense spanning more than 12 years. His DoD service included roles as Chief of HR Analytics, Staff Director, Division Chief, and Deputy Chief of Logistics — including a deployment to Afghanistan — giving him rare expertise across workforce analytics, multi-site resource management, budgeting, and enterprise IT.
Joe holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Maryland Global Campus. His analytical background, combined with hands-on leadership across both public and private sectors, gives him a unique perspective on organizational effectiveness, data-driven decision making, and mission-driven work.
Outside of his professional life, Joe is a proud husband and father to two daughters, ages 6 and 2. He and his family are based in Maryland.
kathleen jeanty
Director of Communications
Kathleen Jeanty serves as Board Director of Communications for The Climb and is a strategic communications leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations clearly communicate what their work is achieving and why it matters. As Founder and Principal of InnerLeaf Communications, she partners with nonprofits, public-sector institutions, and global organizations to strengthen how their work is understood, trusted, and supported.
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Her expertise lies in translating complex programs, partnerships, and outcomes into communication that is clear, credible, and grounded in real impact, supporting funding, stakeholder engagement, and strategic growth. Kathleen’s experience spans public health, global development, humanitarian response, and health equity across the United States and international contexts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Babson College and a Master of Science in Health Communication from Boston University.