Board Members
Alisha Puller
Founder & Director
Alisha Puller is the Founder of Stars That Shine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young women in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. A native of Jefferson County, Alisha has always been passionate about helping others. After earning her Bachelor of Arts from Shepherd University, she discovered her purpose: to lead young women in her community toward success.
Her dedication deepened through her work with at-risk youth, where she encountered troubling statistics related to drug use, poverty, and lack of support for young women. Determined to make a difference, Alisha continued her education, earning a Certificate in Family Studies and a master's in public administration from American Public University.
Shaquita Basilleo
Board Member
Shaquita Basileo is Founder and Lead Coach of Beacon Education Group, a company that provides academic coaching, tutoring, and college admissions guidance to high school students around the country. She is also an educator and facilitator with Prisma online private school and is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Shaquita is honored to have served on the Board of Stars that Shine for the past four years and is exceedingly proud of the organization’s positive impact on the girls and young women in its community. Shaquita lives with her husband, daughter and two cats, Ollie and Fred in Falling Waters.
Stacey
Whalen-Kerble
Board Member
​Proud employee of Procter and Gamble for 33 years! Originally from Boston, Stacey moved to WV in 2017 to support the new plant here at Tabler Station. Stacey is married to her husband Scott, and they have 3 adorable fur children. She is counting down her days until retirement when she can move south to warmer weather. Stacey has been on the board of directors for Stars that Shine for less than a year. Her corporate background makes Stacey a knowledgeable and reliable member of the board.
Ronald Jones
Vice President
​Ronald has served as a dedicated board member of Stars That Shine since 2019 and is honored to support the organization as Vice President. With a background in consulting and executive coaching, he brings extensive expertise in leadership development and strategic planning to STS, championing initiatives that uplift, empower, and turn potential into promise, one star at a time.
Monique Boots
Board Member
Monique Boots hails from Pennsylvania but has spent the last nine years in Martinsburg, as a Planner II for the county. She is a strong believer, God's work does not begin and end in the church, so she actively participates and volunteers in her community. Her most rewarding engagement to date has been her work with Stars that Shine helping to bring young women from "At-Risk" to '"At-Promise".
Jackie Fearnow
Board Member
Jackie Fearnow has a lifelong passion for helping others and believes people are the foundation of any successful business. Having spent years in the DC Metro and Northern Virginia areas before settling outside Martinsburg in 2010, she brings a unique perspective from both big-city and small-town life. Currently residing there with her boyfriend Patrick, her Pit Bull Bruno, and cat Princess Diva, Jackie is also a dedicated board member of Stars That Shine, where she uses her expertise to empower young girls in her community.
Jessica Sykes
Board Member
Jessica, raised in Bridgeport, WV, is a West Virginia University graduate with a background in Communication Studies and a minor in History. An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., she served on the board of Stars That Shine for over three years and now continues to support the organization as an advisory board member, focusing on financial reporting, compliance, and ethics. In July 2020, Governor Jim Justice appointed her to the West Virginia Developmental Disability Council, where she advocates for improved services for individuals with disabilities. Jessica lives in Spring Mills with her husband and daughter, dedicated to raising Down syndrome awareness and supporting the disability community.
Carlo Puller
Board Member
Carlo Puller is a seasoned business expert with deep experience in both corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, serving as a trusted advisor to professionals nationwide. As a dedicated board member of Stars That Shine and a Senior Executive in his career, he has a proven track record in building strategic partnerships within government and private sectors. A loving husband, father of four, and new grandparent, Carlo understands the value of empowering youth and giving them the tools for success.
Tonya Burg
Board Member
Tonya Burg is a dedicated Systems Operator for the City of Martinsburg Police Department. With over 20 years of experience in the food service industry, Tonya made the rewarding transition to public service, where she finds joy in helping her community every day. Her role at the MPD aligns with her commitment to making a positive impact, a value she also brings to her work as a board member of Stars That Shine (STS). Passionate about empowering young women, Tonya believes STS embodies her core values of empathy, integrity, and finding beauty in making others feel valued and loved.
Taweh Dempster
Board Member
As the owner of M3T Business Solutions and an active member of the community, Taweh Dempster brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role on the board of Stars That Shine. Taweh is committed to fostering community growth and empowerment. His passion for making a positive impact aligns with Stars That Shine’s mission, and he is enthusiastic about supporting initiatives that create opportunities and inspire success.
Martrelle Sykes
Board Member
Martelle Sykes is a management professional with more than a decade of experience working in people and operations management. Martrelle is also a proud Retired Navy Veteran with 21 years of faithful service. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
" Smile and give back to your community..."
Mary
Statesman-Brown
Board Member
Mary S. Brown, a dedicated member of Stars That Shine, served as board secretary for seven years and now sits on the advisory board. She works as a Registrar Services Specialist II at American Public University and has served on the Telamon Board since 1999. A proud mother of two and an avid event planner, Mary resides in Martinsburg, WV, where she enjoys family time and community involvement.
Staff
​Michelle Starliper
Program Operations Coordinator
Annette Demory
​Youth Development Coordinator
Lakeya Simmons
Executive Assistant
Ambassadors
Danielle Stephenson
Danielle Stephenson is 23 years old and from Charles Town, West Virginia. She is a 2020 and 2022 graduate of Shepherd University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and her Master of Arts degree in College Student Development and Administration. She currently works in higher education with the hope of working in higher education policy.
Danielle is the current Miss Tygart Valley, which is affiliated with the Miss West Virginia and Miss America programs. Her social impact initiative is titled "G.I.V.E. Through Volunteerism" which she utilizes to promote volunteerism and positive community building to West Virginia citizens. The Miss America Organization has provided Danielle with mentors and greater self-confidence, which is why she is excited to work with the Stars That Shine program!
Antanya Hardy
Antanya Hardy is a 24 year old native of Martinsburg, West Virginia. She is a 2019 graduate of Shepherd University. At Shepherd, Antanya was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and held the positions of Risk Manager & Vice President of Operations. In her free time Antanya loves traveling, crafting, and hanging out with her lifelong sorority sisters and friends.
She has held the titles of World’s Miss Mountain State Tourism 2018, World’s Miss West Virginia Tourism 2019, World’s Miss Tourism 2020, and it the current America’s Elegant Miss - Miss West Virginia 2021/2022. Antanya’s platform is PEACE. LOVE. GIRLS. PLG has been established to help implement good mental health (peace) and positive self-esteem (love) in young girls and teenagers. Antanya is currently pursing a Maters Degree in elementary education.