Meet Our Board
2026 Blue Apple Board of Directors
Maudra Brown
President
Maudra Brown is a public health strategist, facilitator, and systems-level thinker who serves as Board President of Blue Apple Battle, the flagship initiative of Blue Apple Village. With more than a decade of experience in public health policy, hospital and government strategy, and community engagement, she brings evidence-informed leadership to youth prevention work.
Maudra’s professional background spans Community Assessments, Hospital Audits, Implementation Strategies, and cross-sector collaboration with hospitals, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations. She is known for translating complex policy and prevention science into practical, accessible tools for families and communities.
As Board President, she guides Blue Apple Battle’s strategic direction, ensuring that its high-energy, youth-centered experiences are grounded in protective factor research, early prevention principles, and structured family dialogue. Her leadership reflects a commitment to strengthening communication between parents and youth, advancing critical thinking skills, and building community environments that support healthy decision-making.
Maudra leads with clarity, accountability, and a long-term vision for sustainable, prevention-focused impact.
Chekita Legette
Secretary
Chekita Legette is a board-certified nurse practitioner with 21 years of nursing experience, including 8 years in advanced practice. Her career has spanned multiple areas of healthcare, though her true passion lies in infectious disease, where she is known for delivering compassionate, evidence-based care that makes a meaningful difference in her patients' lives.
Outside of her clinical work, Chekita is a proud mother to her college-aged son. She loves traveling, reading, and spending time with the people she cares about most. She brings that same warmth and dedication to Blue Apple Battle, driven by a genuine commitment to being a positive example for youth and supporting their growth in every way she can.
Abby Vereen
Treasurer
Abby Vereen is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she earned her degree in marketing. She has spent the past five years building a career in real estate, driven by a genuine passion for helping people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
Abby brings a sharp eye for marketing, social media strategy, and creative design to the Blue Apple Battle board, helping shape how the organization's mission connects with families and the broader Columbia community. Her love for building brands and telling compelling stories makes her a natural fit for growing Blue Apple Battle's presence and impact.
Nancy Benitez
Board Member
Nancy is an experienced administrative professional and bilingual translator who has worked across both private and nonprofit sectors within the behavioral health field. During her time with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), she played a key role in coordinating services for the state’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program.
She brings a strong foundation in customer service, shaped by her work with local small businesses, and is known for her ability to communicate effectively and build connections across diverse communities and service systems.
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STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
Colonel (Ret.) Howard W. “Mac” McMillan
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
Colonel (Ret.) McMillan brings more than 29 years of decorated military service and 22 additional years of senior federal civilian leadership to the Blue Apple Battle Strategic Advisory Board. A Distinguished Military Graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (Class of 1970), he commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade levels across multiple assignments including serving as Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His academic contributions include graduate study at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a published case study from the U.S. Army War College.
A faculty member at the United States Military Academy at West Point and a key architect of the Army Communities of Excellence initiative, COL (Ret.) McMillan built a career defined by translating visionary leadership into measurable results. In federal civilian service, he rose to the Senior Executive level, leading nationally significant programs including DHS’s E-Verify program; which enrolled over 635,000 employers and serving as Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer of the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, where his leadership earned the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary’s Partnership Award.
An inductee in both the U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame and the NC A&T State University ROTC Hall of Fame, COL (Ret.) McMillan is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, and numerous additional honors. His enduring investment in the next generation is reflected in the COL. Howard “Mac” McMillan ROTC Endowed Scholarship, established at his alma mater. His character and service embody the values of Duty, Honor, and Country and align directly with Blue Apple Battle’s mission to build resilient, purpose-driven youth.
Daniel Kadar
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
Daniel Kadar is a Columbia, SC-based financial services leader with more than 25 years of experience in mortgage lending, business development, and organizational leadership. As Branch Manager at Assurance Financial since 2016, he oversees branch operations, team development, regulatory compliance, and community partnership consistently delivering results while mentoring the next generation of financial professionals. His career spans senior roles at BB&T Corporation, where he managed 14 retail branches and more than 100 employees, and Mortgage Options, Inc., where he built a mortgage business from the ground up to generate $10 –12 million annually in closed loan volume.
A recognized community leader, Daniel served for approximately six years on the Board of the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA), including two years as Board Chair providing governance oversight, financial stewardship, and executive leadership on behalf of a statewide advocacy organization. His board service reflects the same values that draw him to Blue Apple Battle: a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, building strong communities, and investing in the well-being of South Carolina families.
Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from the University of South Carolina. A licensed private pilot, he brings to the advisory board a practitioner’s understanding of risk management, high-stakes decision-making, and the kind of clear-headed judgment that youth programs need to model and teach. His financial expertise, governance experience, and deep roots in the Columbia community make him an invaluable strategic partner for Blue Apple Battle.
Dewanna Looper
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
Dewana Looper is a South Carolina attorney whose career spans more than two decades of legal practice, principled advocacy, and deep civic engagement. A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she earned her degree cum laude and was inducted into the Order of the Coif, an honor reserved for the top 10% of the graduating class. Dewana brings both legal rigor and a sharp understanding of the real-world consequences facing working families to the Blue Apple Battle Strategic Advisory Board.
After spending nearly, a decade defending businesses and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation matters, Dewana made a deliberate shift in 2017, joining Atkins Law Firm to represent injured workers and individuals navigating complex legal systems at their most vulnerable. This career pivot reflects a foundational commitment to equity and access: ensuring that those least equipped to advocate for themselves have a skilled voice in their corner. She is also the recipient of the Knox Haynsworth Scholarship for excellence in employment and labor law and sharpened her legal writing as a member of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Journal during her time at USC Law.
A recognized leader in her professional community, Dewana serves as Immediate Past President of the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association and remains an active member of Injured Workers’ Advocates. Her leadership in these roles reflects both her mastery of a highly specialized area of law and her investment in advancing the profession with integrity and purpose.
A native of Great Falls, South Carolina, Dewana’s roots in a working-class, textile-industry community give her firsthand insight into the social pressures, economic stress, and family dynamics that shape the environments in which young people make critical decisions. Her legal acuity, advocacy experience, and understanding of systemic vulnerability make her a valued and purpose-driven voice on the Blue Apple Battle Strategic Advisory Board one whose perspective strengthens the organization’s commitment to equipping youth with the knowledge and skills to navigate life’s most consequential choices.