Community Engagement & Research Specialist

Rev. Davanta R. Scruggs Sr. is a community strategist, researcher, and organizational leader dedicated to advancing equity, economic mobility, and neighborhood transformation. He serves as the Community Engagement and Research Specialist for the West End Opportunity Partnership, the Program Manager for Pivot to Peace at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, and the Senior Pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Across these roles, he works to build systems that unite data, community voice, and sustainable impact.

At the West End Opportunity Partnership, Rev. Scruggs leads initiatives that center on resident engagement, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and translate research into actionable strategies for inclusive investment throughout Louisville’s West End. His work bridges community insight and institutional planning to ensure that residents play a defining role in shaping neighborhood revitalization.

At Pivot to Peace, a $5 million community violence intervention initiative, he co-manages five site teams across Louisville’s highest-risk areas. He manages a staff of twenty-five, coordinates intervention strategies with hospitals and partner agencies, and uses platforms such as Bonterria Apricot and Salesforce to track outcomes and inform program improvements. His leadership enhances Louisville’s public health model for violence reduction by combining trauma-informed care, accountability, and opportunity creation.

As Senior Pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Scruggs has led a major organizational and physical transformation effort. Under his leadership, the church eliminated more than $300,000 in debt, managed $3.3 million in assets, and launched the NMZ Transformation Project, a comprehensive restoration and redevelopment plan that integrates housing, land use, and community wellness. Central to this initiative is his development of the Cyclical Congregant-Communal Land Trust, an innovative model that removes property from speculative markets, preserving affordability while promoting wealth-building among residents. His pastoral leadership informs his community work, grounding strategic initiatives in lived experience, cultural understanding, and long-term relationship building.

Rev. Scruggs holds a Master of Community Leadership from Eden Theological Seminary, where his research explored the theological and economic foundations of land trusts as tools for social equity. He is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Eden with a focus on Preaching as Organizing: From Pulpit to Pavement, examining how narrative and data-informed leadership can mobilize communities toward shared prosperity. He is also a 2025–2026 Nollau Leadership Fellow with the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries.

A native of Indianapolis, Rev. Scruggs is recognized for his ability to connect vision with execution, research with relationship, and policy with lived experience. He lives in Louisville with his wife, Cenaisha, and their two children, Davanta Jr. and Caris, and remains deeply committed to shaping communities where opportunity, equity, and belonging thrive.

Human Resource Consultant

Morgan Lewis is a seasoned Human Resources consultant and the Employee Experience Director for a leading global technology firm, where she manages strategic HR operations across multiple regions. Her focus on enhancing employee relations and operational efficiencies has made her a pivotal asset in driving business success.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, with formative years in Louisville, Kentucky, Morgan now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the founder of Morgan Creates LLC, a dynamic food and lifestyle brand that extends its reach into business consulting. Under this brand, Morgan offers specialized services such as coaching, training, talent attraction, workforce optimization, and organizational planning, strategy, and design. She has successfully helped clients streamline processes, scale operations, and set up comprehensive HR frameworks.

In addition to her consulting work, Morgan is a self-published author of cookbooks, combining her passion for culinary arts with her expertise in business and strategy. This multifaceted approach allows her to connect with a diverse audience, providing insights and guidance through both her professional services and culinary endeavors.

Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Organizational Management from Agnes Scott College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), dedicating her career to upholding the highest standards of HR excellence and business innovation.

Financial Advisor

Business/Organization Represented:
Baird Financial

Chip Sutherland began his public finance career in 2002 at Hilliard Lyons, providing investment banking and municipal advisory services. He joined Baird in 2019 after acquiring Hilliard Lyons and currently serves as a Managing Director. Throughout his career, Sutherland has led over $15 billion in issuances for a variety of municipal clients, including universities, schools, utilities, authorities, healthcare institutions, and water/sewer districts, all while prioritizing community engagement and development.

A strong advocate for community-focused initiatives, Sutherland has spearheaded numerous high-profile financings that enhance local infrastructure and services. He has served as a financial advisor to the Louisville Arena Authority/KFC Yum! Center since 2012, leading a $387 million restructuring in 2017 that upgraded the entity’s credit rating from junk to A-. His efforts have contributed to the arena’s role as a vital community asset. Additionally, he has collaborated extensively with the Louisville Metro Government on projects that benefit the city, including constructing the $300 million Omni Hotel.

Sutherland has also facilitated over $1.2 billion in issuances for the University of Kentucky, funding critical campus projects that enhance educational opportunities and community access. Most recently, he served as lead municipal advisor on UofL Health’s $411 million financing and was awarded the 2022 Bond Buyer Healthcare Deal of the Year, further demonstrating his commitment to improving community health services.

In addition to capital market bond issues, Sutherland has vast experience with non-traditional municipal financings, including direct placements, forward deliveries, and revolving credit facilities. He advises on derivatives, short-term financings, federal loan programs, variable rate products, credit enhancements, guaranteed investment contracts, rating strategies, and Public-Private Partnerships. His relationships with investment banks enable him to create custom debt solutions.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from Bellarmine University. Sutherland is licensed through FINRA as an Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative (Series 6), General Securities Representative (Series 7), registered Municipal Advisor (Series 50), and registered under the Uniform Securities Agent State Law (Series 63).

President & CEO

Laura Douglas received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville where she was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, CWENS, and Mortar Board honor societies. She received her Law Degree from the University of Louisville, becoming the first African American woman to do so, and has been a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky since 1974.

As a practicing attorney, Laura has served as in-house counsel for Standard Oil Company, Director of Community Development for the Legal Aid Society, General Counsel for the Metropolitan Sewer District, and General Counsel for the Louisville Water Company. Her professional experience also includes serving as Cabinet Secretary of the Public Protection and Regulation Cabinet for Governor Paul Patton. She was responsible for regulating Kentucky’s Public Defender system, Alcohol Beverage Control, Banking, Insurance, and the coal mining industry throughout Kentucky. Her professional experience also includes serving as the Vice President of Community Relations for LG&E and KU Energy where she was responsible for all community investments for the company.

After retirement, Laura served as co-executive Director of TARC and CEO of The Muhammad Ali Center while both organizations conducted national searches for permanent leaders.

Throughout her professional career, Laura has also served on the Boards of numerous organizations, including Leadership Louisville; Louisville Bar Association; University of Louisville Foundation; Actors Theatre; Louisville Ballet; Muhammad Ali Center, Federal Reserve Bank – St. Louis Branch; Republic Bank; Women for Women, and Metro United Way.  She has also served as a member of the Louisville Tourism Commission. She currently serves as a voluntary hearing officer for the Kentucky Bar Association where she hears and decides disciplinary cases brought against Kentucky lawyers. She serves as a member of the City’s Ethics Commission.