Leadership Profiles
Socially Responsible Investing
Ebony Perkins, Investor and Community Relations Manager
Ebony Perkins is a dedicated, solution-oriented social entrepreneur whose heartbeat is community. She has a demonstrated ability of working with investors and philanthropists to help them make smart and strategic decisions. As Self-Help's Investor & Community Relations Manager, Ebony helps groups and individuals invest funds in a socially responsible financial institution that supports communities of all kinds, especially those underserved by conventional lenders. Before that role, she served as the Donor Relations Manager at Central Carolina Community Foundation where she managed a system to engage and educate over 400 individuals and groups to help them achieve their charitable goals.
Ebony’s commitment to community investing is evident by her service and contributions to Women In Philanthropy, Durham Center for Senior Life, and the University of North Carolina MPA Alumni Board. Ebony was also recognized on the SRI Conference's inaugural 30 Under 30 List.
Ebony holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Claflin University as a summa cum laude graduate. She also has an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duke University.
Nuray Ozbay, Policy and Impact Investment Associate
Nuray Ozbay leads Self Help’s efforts to cultivate mission-supportive depositors and impact investors within and beyond Self-Help’s California footprint. As a global movement and relationship builder, Nuray loves working with change-makers across non-profit, corporate, and public sectors. Her expertise is in intersectional gender equality, global civil society activism, social justice, and ESG investing. Nuray currently serves as a Board Director at the UN Women San Francisco Chapter and a National Expert on Violence Against Women at the European Women’s Lobby, the largest umbrella organization of women’s associations across Europe. Before joining Self-Help, Nuray spent 11 years in the social impact sector as a researcher, consultant, and non-profit leader across Turkey and Europe, working on issues including but not limited to immigration, women’s access to economy, financial literacy & inclusion, entrepreneurship, and care economy.
Kimberly Jones, Investment Associate
Kimberly's professional career spans both the nonprofit and community development financial services sectors, with expansive senior leadership roles in arts management; business and resource development; community relations; and corporate philanthropy. Currently, she's Self-Help's Investor Relations Manager, where she helps individuals and institutions align their banking and investments with their mission, vision, and values. Kimberly has held leadership positions that advanced the missions of creative organizations and community development financial institutions seeking to make a difference in communities in their footprint. She has been a founding board member of mission driven organizations that supported the growth and development of young artists, creatives, and professionals in the nonprofit sector.
In 2015, Kimberly was selected to be a PLACES Fellow with The Funders Network, where she explored the role of philanthropy through an equity lens in low to moderate income communities. She has served as a grant/award reviewer for organizations that championed organizational excellence, community development, and environmental sustainability. Kimberly has a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota-Morris and an MA in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management from Columbia College Chicago.
Green Economy; Sustainable Society; Investing for the Environment
Melissa Malkin-Weber, Sustainability Director
Melissa has worked across a broad span of hands-on sustainability practices. At Self-Help Credit Union, she integrates the triple bottom line into the organization’s financial products, operations, and buildings portfolio. She led Self-Help to realize over $1.7 million in net present value from initiatives in this sector, including $180,000 energy savings in our own operations. Melissa previously directed the residential energy efficiency and indoor air quality research program at Advanced Energy and worked in industrial pollution prevention at RTI International. She earned her law degree from University of Michigan, and her Master's from UNC’s School of Public Health.
Shondra Tanner, Mortgage Lending
Shondra Owens Tanner brings her extensive experience and commitment to making mortgage loans for low-wealth families to her position as Self-Help's Director of Mortgage Originations, where she oversees all North Carolina home loan origination and new business development. Shondra's areas of expertise includes buying your first home, mortgage basics (documentation, closing costs, down payments), delinquency and loss mitigation (What is a forbearance and loan modification and what does that do to your credit?)
Scholarship Applications Are Open Until March 31st!
Every year, Self-Help offers $1,000 community scholarships to a recipient at each of our branches who has committed to improving their lives and their communities by furthering their education. Our 2026 applications are open until March 31st to students of all backgrounds who are planning to attend any post-secondary educational institution. This includes universities, colleges, technical schools, trade
schools, and vocational institutions.
Over the years, we have offered scholarships to students with a wide range of interests and ways of giving back to their communities. Here is a brief overview of some of the many incredible winners we’ve had over the years!
Lilianna
When offered the scholarship in 2020, Lilianna attended Valencia College in Apopka, Florida. She shared that she aspires to be a Forensic Psychologist and create awareness of mental health issues in the Latino community, specifically for young
immigrants. She was also a volunteer at the Hope Community Center.
Obiajuru
Obiajuru received a scholarship in 2022. He was attending Edward Waters University at the time as a biology major and serving as a volunteer with a range of community health care efforts. After completing his studies, he had plans to work
in the field of molecular medicine.
Shane
Shane (left) confers with a student.
After graduating from high school in 1996, Shane worked in construction and enjoyed coaching football with young kids. In 2010, he decided to go back to school, and he applied for a community scholarship in his final year at Brevard College.
Now a teacher at Brevard High School, Shane leads classes in general science and carpentry and once again coaches football.
Greta
Greta received a scholarship in 2021. At the time, she planned to attend Fordham University. She volunteered for Teen Court, Manna Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Hanger Hall Math Camps. Volunteering for Teen Court fueled her desire
to become an attorney to defend juveniles and reform the system
Crystal
Crystal received a scholarship in 2024. She was studying social work and wanted to support the unhoused population, particularly unhoused Veterans. Crystal shared about being part of a Veterans subcommittee for a coalition ending homelessness and believes in finding ways to support people who would like the chance to make a different life for themselves
.
London
London received a scholarship in 2022. He was accepted at Florida State College of Jacksonville. He wanted to obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing to work in pediatrics. He has an extensive background in community service, including volunteering
with Literacy Alliance and Habitat for Humanity.
Pouleeth
In 2020, Pouleeth was attending Queens University when she received her scholarship. She was pursuing a career in nursing in the hopes of becoming a neo-natal labor and delivery nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner. Pouleeth serves as
treasurer for the University’s Rotaract Club and has contributed her time to Operation Christmas Child and making blankets and sandwiches for people without homes.
Ava
Ava received a scholarship in 2024. She is a community organizer and a published author of the non-fiction book Tomorrow Begins Now: Teen Heroes Who Faced Down Injustice. After navigating her own challenges with disability discrimination,
she became passionate about civil rights and was working toward a degree in political science with plans to become a civil rights lawyer and filmmaker.
Congratulations to our past Community Scholars!
We believe in the power of education and its ability to provide opportunities. Thank you to our scholars for using their education to make better communities for everyone!
If you or someone you know is working toward a degree, make sure to apply by March 31st at self-help.org/scholarship.