Board Members
Gwendolyn B. Johnson, Executive Director, Board Member, and Founder of Parkview Community Foundation, Inc., a member of Light Of Christ United Methodist Church, attended Central Piedmont Community College, and worked for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for 9 years prior to founding Parkview.
She has received numerous awards for working with children, including: CMSOutstanding Leadership Award; Award for Learning Promote Healthy Community; Charlotte Pride Award; Torchbearers of Education (Ash-Shakeed Islamic Center); Right Moves For Youth Award; Leadership Charlotte Unsung Hero Award; Women of a New Tribe (Afro-American Cultural Center); NAACP Citizen Award; First Runner-Up for the WSOC-TV Nine Who Care Award; and Woman of Impact Purple Wing Award (Healing Vine Harbor).
She has three adopted children and is raising five grandchildren as well as working with the 36 children in the Parkview after school program.
Ralph Dougherty, Board President, former patent attorney, graduate of Colorado School of Mines in metallurgical engineering and Duquesne University Law School, US Army veteran with Corps of Engineers, a member of the Board of Directors of Carolinas Southern Piedmont Chapter of ASM International, Treasurer of the Charlotte Optimist Club, and a former member of Metrolina Business Council; is a founding member of the US Bar / Japan Patent Office Liaison Council, served as Secretary of the USBar/JPO Liaison Council for six years, and as Treasurer for 15 years; member of Myers Park United Methodist Church where he served three years on the Administrative Board.
Ralph served two terms as International Vice President of Optimist International, responsible for Optimist Clubs in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Jamaica, and South Central Texas, and also served two terms on the Board of Directors of Optimist International, and two terms on the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania; and was the 2018 recipient of the Donald Haack Award for Excellence in Community Involvement.
Tracey Y. Questell, Board Vice President, is the Executive Director of Healing Vine Harbor, Inc.; Student Counselor and Adjunct Faculty at Central Piedmont Community College. Tracey holds a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from New York University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Hampton University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and member of Mint Hill Women’s Club.
Tracey received the Unsung Hero Award for contributions to community including being the Founder of the Future Advancement Through College Orientation (FATCO) college program in New York, Founder of Healing Vine Harbor. She is also a member of Walden Psi Chi Honors Society, and a member of New Beginnings Community Church in Matthews.
Helen Richie joined the board in 2023. She helps with the Foundation’s brochure and website.
She has been active with the GFWC of North Carolina for over 30 years serving in many positions on the state executive board. She currently serves as GFWC-NC Vice President of Membership. She is active in her own club – GFWC Charlotte Woman’s Club, which she currently serves as President. And is also a past president of the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Charlotte, where she twice received the Outstanding Clubwoman Award.
She is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Communications and a minor in English. She and her husband, Dain, have owned ACI Design for over 20 years.
Robert W. Johnson, Treasurer, is the Branch Manager, Woodforest National Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. Robert joined the Parkview Board in 2023.
Robert is a US Army veteran with 554th Engineer Battalion (Construction) and is certified as an Information Technology Security Administrator.
Grace Zelen, Secretary is the Director of Children’s Ministry at Light of Christ United Methodist Church. She joined the Board in 2023. Grace was born and raised in Indian Trail, NC.
She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. She has taught the third grade in Union County, North Carolina.
Makena Bellamy is the owner and founder of Food for the Soul Catering, which she opened in 2021. She also serves as Chef at Bright Future Early Learning Center where she creates and prepares healthy meal options for infants and toddlers.
Not only is she a member of the Parkview Board since 2023, but volunteers regularly.