Staff & Executive and Advisory Board
Rev. Lisa Bryson, Founder, Executive Director, Executive Board President, Mentor, & Community Advocate
Rev. Lisa Bryson is the Founder and Executive Director of Praising Through Recovery, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to long-term recovery. With over 18 years of experience in the clinical and mental health fields and more than two decades of specialized coursework in trauma, addiction, and recovery, Rev. Bryson has become a trusted leader in substance use recovery, mentorship, and faith-based community outreach. In addition to her leadership at Praising Through Recovery, Rev. Bryson serves on the Pastoral and Ministerial Leadership Team at Bridgeway Community Church, where she co-leads the Eastern European Mission Team and has directed the Addictions and Recovery Ministry. She is also a valued Advisory Board member of The Ed Lally Foundation, an organization committed to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Her dedication to service has been widely recognized. As an international missionary, she has served in Haiti, Kenya, Rwanda, Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine, where she provides resources, preaches, teaches, leads conferences, and educates communities on the importance of support groups and mentorship in fostering peer support for sustained recovery. In recognition of her impactful work, she received The Great Commission Award from Kingdom Harvest Outreach in 2011. In 2017, she was honored with a Community Service Award from the Baltimore City Club of the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc., and received a Certificate of Recognition from then-Mayor Catherine E. Pugh for her outstanding contributions to community outreach. A Mission of Transformation and Hope Rev. Bryson’s journey into human services began one year after achieving sobriety, serving as a Clinical Program Assistant at a recovery center before becoming Program Director at a women’s recovery house. For ten years, she successfully operated two recovery homes for men and women under Praising Through Recovery. She has continued her education through higher learning, and certifications, and currently advancing her studies in the Master’s program in Global Leadership at Omega Graduate School to expand her impact. Through Praising Through Recovery’s Next Level Mentorship Program, Rev. Bryson equips women with the tools needed for sustained, purpose-driven living. She also educates professional and faith-based communities on fostering inclusive environments for women in recovery from addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. Rev. Bryson remains deeply committed to advocating for stigmatized and marginalized populations and helping others persevere through adversity. She leads by example, sharing her journey and reflecting the guiding light of Jesus Christ, who transformed her path from darkness to a life dedicated to service. With the right support systems in place, long-term recovery is possible. Programs like Praising Through Recovery provide the essential mentorship, faith-based guidance, and life skills training needed to increase the odds of lifelong sobriety and personal transformation. 
James Bryson, Co-Founder & Executive Board Vice President
James Bryson is a dedicated community leader, family advocate, and seasoned machine engineer with a passion for service and excellence. As the co-founder of Praising Through Recovery, alongside his wife, Lisa, James has played a pivotal role in supporting families affected by substance addiction. His commitment to advocacy and service has earned him numerous honors, including being named the first-ever recipient of the Hope Hero Award from Praising Through Recovery. In recognition of his unwavering dedication to the community, James has received a Certificate of Recognition from the Office of Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, a Resolution from the Baltimore City Council, and recognition from Baltimore's Comptroller’s Office for his outstanding contributions. Professionally, James brings over 36 years of expertise in refrigeration and mechanical engineering, having built a distinguished career at Nestlé Ice Cream before transitioning to his current role at Clark’s Cup as a Machine Engineer. Beyond his technical expertise, James is a source of encouragement and inspiration to his colleagues, embodying leadership, integrity, and a spirit of mentorship. James' professional excellence is matched only by his deep commitment to faith, family, and community service. His unwavering dedication to his wife and family reflects his strong faith and devotion to uplifting those around him. With a heart for service and a steadfast belief in the power of hope, James continues to make a lasting impact both professionally and in the lives of those he serves. 
Mashica Winslow, Executive Board Member
Mashica Winslow is a proud graduate of both Morgan State University, with a Bachelors Degree in Music, and The University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Masters Degree in Education. From 2012 to 2019 she worked extensively as an executive director of the non-profit, Music Motivating Minds, whose outreach served an urgent demand of supplying arts education for the disenfranchised communities in Baltimore City. Mashica’s vision for the Music Motivating Minds organization was to empower and introduce the children of underserved communities to diverse cultural experiences, Art, Music, and History. Under her leadership the monthly ”Lunch and Learn” and “Music Movement” camps were created. The (M.M.M.) organization toured schools and taught music, dance, health, wholeness, and beginning business classes to prepare young minds for higher education. Mashica also lead masterclasses for high school students that focused on career choices and five year planning strategies. As an educator Mashica has served as a third grade teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System and as Site Coordinator for Sylvan Learning’s ‘Education Station’ after-school program. Presently, she leads the ‘King’s Keep Kings Club’ which is a weekly program that mentors young men between the ages of 13 and 21. Mashica is also a committee member who hosts and books talent for a monthly community concert series entitled ‘Open Mic’ celebrating the arts in Baltimore City. She also volunteers on the council of the North Valley Patient and Family Advisory Committee. Mashica is committed to being an exemplary global citizen by serving others in ways that bring about life changing experiences. She has dedicated much of her time to civic engagement and the building of strong community bonds. Volunteering and helping others is a strong passion of hers and she is excited to continue to put the needs of her community in the forefront of her life’s vision. 
Christina James, Executive Board Member & Chaplain
Christina James is a radio host and voice over professional who has connected with audiences from Dallas, TX to Baltimore, MD. Her warmth, laughter, and sincerity make every listener feel at home. A natural conversationalist both with people and with God, who happens to use a microphone from time to time. In just one conversation with Christina, it’s clear that she’s a friend who hears your heart and takes it right to the heart of Christ. 
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Brian Stephenson, Executive Board, Secretary & Treasurer
Mr. Stephenson is president and founder of Qodesh CM, a civil/structural engineering firm in Baltimore, MD. He possesses a broad civil engineer background ranging from program management and master planning to engineering design and construction management. His experience spans well over thirty-five years as a professional engineer in the built environment and over twenty-five years simultaneously as a civil engineering educator. Mr. Stephenson is a professional member of Engineers Without Borders (EWB). He has significant knowledge in sustainable design, appropriate technology, and biomimicry in structural engineering. His travels have taken him through much of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. As such, he has observed, first hand, the challenges disenfranchised communities face as they seek self-sufficiency and economic independence within a globalized marketplace. Locally, he is an active member of Bridgeway Community Church and co-lead of the Christian Jail Ministry there. 
Dr. Lisa M. Jones, Executive Board Member
Dr. Lisa is an author, educator, philanthropist, successful business woman, world renown inspirational speaker and CEO of Jones Jewels & Associates. She is the owner of a financial brokerage where she has helped countless families, churches and organizations understand financial literacy, stewardship, and planning. She has a strong passion for teaching money principles and helping families to break the generational curse of lack and struggle. Her signature workshop for churches is Stewardship the other 90% and it is taught nationwide. Dr. Lisa is also a respected coach and owner of her own leadership development company. Dr. Lisa's career has spanned 27+ years as a coach and trainer for individuals, families, government agencies, corporations, universities and churches nationwide. Her strongest desire is to inspire people with her walk, her talk, and her giving. This Woman of Purpose, is dedicated to affecting and infecting people in a way in which their lives transform from Vision to Reality. 
Sharon Gamble, Executive Board Member
Sharon Gamble, MNPM, BS is the President/CEO of ReZults Management Consulting, L.L.C. Sharon has 29 years of combined experience as a senior manager in healthcare administration, continuing education, training & development, and financial services. She is experienced in platform training, curriculum development, operational management, program and event planning, and relationship building. Sharon’s ability to establish rapport with people of all ages, cultures and philosophies allows her to assemble a diversity of people in pursuit of a common goal. Clients enjoy working with Sharon because she pays attention to detail and is ReZults oriented. Sharon’s experiences provide clients with unique insight to assist with achieving their goals and objectives. 
Carla Williamson, Executive Board Member
Carla is currently employed as an Accountant for Baltimore County Public Schools through the Office of Title I and Community Schools, focusing on developing and maintaining budgets and expenditures that are compliant with Federal Grant regulations. She has 22+ years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle management and prior authorizations and nearly 10 years as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC). Throughout her career, she has worked closely with stakeholders to integrate and implement successful organizational changes, from system upgrades to cross-functional training initiatives. She has experience in managing large teams, conducting audits, creating training materials and collaborating with external vendors to enhance operational efficiency and service quality and patient satisfaction. Her career has been dedicated to analyzing coding, billing, and collection protocols to create innovative solutions for reimbursement challenges tied to payer-specific medical policies. Carla has a proven track record of successfully developing large teams across multiple states, fostering motivation and driving consistency, while respecting and admiring the individualism of each employee. Carla is a native of southeastern Kentucky and now resides in Pikesville, Md. She is the mother of three children, Jourdain, Cydnee and Aronne. She attended Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Va as a Music Major 1982-1984 and is now attending Liberty University Online to pursue a BA in Business Administration. She serves on the Praise and Worship ministry and Choir at Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, Md. She has a passion for furniture restoration and DIY projects and has a business called Carla Can Creations. She is a Praising Through Recovery, Next Level Mentee and is doing the work to become a Next Level Mentor. As a woman of God, she strives daily to simply become a vessel God can use to pour blessings into the lives of others. 
Jim Thornton, Advisory Board
James D. Thornton is the co-founder and principal of Thorwood Real Estate Group, LLC, based in Bel Air, Maryland. In this role, he is responsible for the development of strategy and the acquisition of properties for redevelopment as multi-family units in the Baltimore Region. On an individual level, Jim has been recognized throughout his career for his success in business and his contributions to the community. He was the recipient in 1999 of the Achievement Alumni Award from his Alma Mater, Talladega College. Jim is a Life Member of the NAACP and a member of the Maryland Chapter of 100 Black Men. Jim has had the honor of sitting on the Board of Directors of Visteon Corporation, a Fortune 500 Company. He also served as Chair of the Board of Talladega College for nine years. Currently, he serves as an appointee of the Governor as a member of the Harford County Board of Education, and as Treasurer and Officer of the Baltimore Museum of Art. Jim received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Talladega College. A native of Ashford, Alabama, Jim and Lorayne reside in Bel Air, Maryland. He is the father of two sons, Anthony and Reginald (Courtney). He is also the proud grandfather of Anthony, Jr. 
Margaret Sills, Executive Board Member
Margaret Sills is a dedicated caregiver and entrepreneur, operating both a pet-sitting service and a recycled crafts business. With a background as a veterinary assistant, Margaret brings a compassionate, hands-on approach to all her endeavors. A proud graduate of Harford County Public Schools, Margaret was honored as one of Harford’s Most Beautiful People for her outstanding volunteer work. Since achieving sobriety in 2011, Margaret has been an active and passionate advocate in the recovery community. She is deeply committed to helping others on their journey to recovery and guiding them in building a meaningful relationship with their higher power. Margaret’s greatest joys in life are her daughter and grandson, and she treasures spending time with her family. In addition to her work in recovery, she is a proud member of the CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy. Margaret enjoys the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing, and remains dedicated to community service. Margaret also has a strong connection with Praising Through Recovery, where she first volunteered and later worked as an office assistant and peer support within the organization’s transitional housing program. |