Maxwell’s Playbook has a BOSS group of leaders who always say “yes” and dive in to help us create the best experiences for all MP Women! They generate ideas, help with special events, marketing and more! I’m excited to introduce the first group to you here. When you read their stories, you see why they are so special!
Deborah Claire
A self proclaimed “Change Maker” and “Kindness Warrior”, Deborah Claire strives to have a positive impact on family, friends, colleagues and community.
As a Founder and CEO of a global sustainable brand, an Economic Development Professional, and currently a Director of Equity and Outreach for a local elected politician she believes everything we do, can create a positive impact.
Deborah helped create the first USDA organic standards for personal care products. She received a “Woman of Distinction Award” from United Way honoring women with exceptional leadership qualities in business and community. Deborah has created numerous corporate giving and community outreach partnerships, she leads with the philosophy that beauty is everywhere and kindness can change generations.
A native of the San Francisco Bay area (but now a resident of Washington, D.C.), Deborah brings a west coast vibe to Maxwell’s Playbook!
Deborah is grateful to be a part of the Maxwell’s Playbook team, where empowering women who have a passion for authentic living is paramount.
Courtney Cothran-Fenner
From the time Courtney Cothran- Fenner was a youngster, she was always teaching something to her sisters and cousins. So, it’s no surprise that she’s found a career calling as an educator. When asked what she does, she says that she works to “improve the lives of the marginalized through teaching and writing like a boss.” That’s evident in her role as a teacher at Maret School in Washington, D.C., where was recently named Director of Equity & Inclusion.
Courtney also taught at The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem, a public all-girls school in New York City. She is the author of “Kollege Knowledge: A Grrl’s Guide to Surviving the First Year”, written to help girls – particularly those who are first generation college-bound women of color – navigate the college environment.
Recently Courtney founded Brontosaurus Consulting, which offers a customized racial equity workshop experience designed to give businesses the capacity to become equitable and anti-racist spaces.
When she takes off her cape, Courtney enjoys baking and experimenting with recipes. She also likes to travel, especially to her beloved Hawaii when she drives her mother crazy with night flights over the ocean.
Jewell Green
MP: In full disclosure, I’ve known Jewell Green since we were kids. We had cousins who were married to each other, and she and I would see each other at their kids’ birthday parties. Fast forward, over 40 years ago, I married her brother. We became sister-in-loves, and the rest is history.
A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Jewell is the owner of Posh Couture. She has curated wardrobes her entire life, but in 2006 her hobby lead to a business journey. As the industry continues to evolve, she is committed to serving the best in fashion and customer service.
Over the last decade, she has styled businesswomen, athletes, bridal parties and everyone in between. Jewell is a believer in classic fashion over trendy fashion, but understands the importance of both.
“Every woman has a uniform that she believes is her most powerful arsenal. I love helping them find it.”
Jewell lives in Virginia with her husband of 35 years, Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green. They have three adult children and are “Lovey and Pop Pop” to seven granddaughters. She like to spend her free time traveling and visiting boutiques (now virtually) …her sport of choice.
Jewell and her husband have contributed to many causes over the years. including Christmas with Washington’s football team which they created over 30 years ago. Over 200 under served children from community organizations throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area are invited to attend an evening of fun with current players from the Washington football team, representatives from the business community and other special guests. Children enjoy a special night full of gifts, entertainment, autograph sessions with current players and a special surprise towards the end of the evening – the ability to select and fill a huge sack with as many toys and books as they want from a “secret toy room.”
Kelly Lottahall
Kelly Lottahall is an illustrator specializing in creating three dimensional figures and scenes using upcycled materials that range from fabric to pieces of jewelry. She studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and graduated with a BA in Fashion Merchandising. She began her career on a styling and design track; since then however, she embraced her art niche and creativity. Kelly says that she’s happy to be a part of Maxwell’s Playbook! “I truly hope to contribute the lessons I’ve learned from my journey, and encourage other women on their journeys as well!”
Kelly’s work is featured in Freed Magazine, Issue V, The Quarantine Issue.
Lillian Schoeppler
A single mom originally from Brooklyn, NY, Lillian Schoeppler and her son moved to Northern, Virginia in 2008.
MP: Tell us about moving from Brooklyn, NY to the Northern Virginia suburbs!
LS: Actually, I am a product of an interracial marriage, my mother is Puerto Rican and my father was a German American. Even though my story truly began in the Bronx where I was born. I don’t really associate too much with the Bronx because Brooklyn has my heart forever.
In 2008, my son and I made a move to the Manassas area of Northern Virginia, away from everyone I know and love. I immediately experienced a real culture shock and had a serious reality check when I moved out here. The people are very different and it’s a much slower pace of living compared to Brooklyn. For the first time ever I began to feel what it was like to be a single mother. Living in New York, I shared custody with my son’s father so, I never felt like a single mom, plus I had so much support from my family and friends. It was tough in the early years with having to juggle working and his schedule plus keeping him in extracurricular activities. I tip my hat to the single moms out here. After my father passed away in 2008, my mom moved here to live with us.
In 2017, my son moved back to NY to attend college, so now just my mom and I live in Centreville.
MP: What do you do now or is there something that you’ve done in the past, that was really cool?
LS: Throughout my career as an Executive Assistant, I have been fortunate to work in a broad spectrum of industries that range from healthcare, to internet safety at a non-profit, to small and large businesses in technology and hospitality.
Over the last three years, I have been on a journey of personal discovery. I realized that because I had my son in my early twenties that I grew up with him in a way and was focused on being the best mom I could be. Living in Brooklyn with the hustle and survival mentality didn’t really allow me to focus on myself and my dreams. Honestly, looking back, I didn’t have time to dream because I was so busy with raising a child in a co-parent relationship, working full-time and attending college in the evenings.
It wasn’t until 2017, when I walked away from my corporate job, the 9-5 lifestyle that I was used to living, and the money I was used to making, to start defining what mattered to me. I’m still on that path and it hasn’t been an easy journey. I can honestly say that I am not mad that I took the step of faith to discover myself and to put me first for once in my life. I have learned so much about myself in the last three years. For example, from the skillsets that I developed as an Executive Assistant and Operations Manager, I have learned to reconnect with my creative gifts that I had put aside.
Recently, I decided to start my own virtual assistant business, The Virtual Executive Squad where is use my skills, talents and creative gifts and those of others, to provide top level assistance to busy executives.
I am also the author of a lifestyle blog, Love A Lil.
MP: What is your passion or favorite thing to do that’s NOT work?
LS: I love to read, especially books on personal development. I am currently reading The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. I have a huge fascination with the human mind right now and so I am super obsessed with neuroscience. One of my passions is cooking, I love to cook and host events for family and friends who come by to taste my latest creations, and have a good time!
MP: Who or what inspires you and why?
LS: I have two ladies in my life that inspire me the most. First is my mother who is one of 15 siblings from the island of Puerto Rico. Her family was very poor and they had to learn how to make food from the scraps that they could find in a very creative and delicious way. My mother endured negative experiences coming into my father’s family and community where I grew up because of their interracial marriage. Throughout it all she has been able to maintain an attitude of love and happiness, and finds moments for laughter in everything. I extremely grateful for every day that I get to learn something new about who she is and her life’s experiences.
The second is my aunt Karen, who is like a mother figure to me and has impacted me in so many ways that I could never fully explain. Growing up, I wanted to spend every weekend with her because she always made it an adventure. She taught me to love to travel and explore new foods even when they looked weird. She would say, “Don’t judge things based on their looks, try it.” And you know, about 99.5% of the weird things she’s had me try I still love today. She has shown me how to be confident, speak up for what is contrary to my beliefs, and has always supported me in everything that I do. She gives the best advice and always offers a listening ear.
MP: Tell us about something that’s on your bucket list.
LS: Here’s what I currently have:
- To visit Europe – Paris, France, Italy, Germany… all of it.
- Drive a Nascar
- Help build a house with Habitat for Humanity
Growing up in New York, Lillian was exposed to so many kinds of people and had many kinds of experiences that make her the strong woman she is today. One of those experiences was having friends go in and out of the prison system as teenagers. She says, “I remember thinking I wanted to help them, but didn’t know how. I thought I would become a lawyer or psychologist to help them to learn to make better life decisions. And so, it’s not a surprise that during my self-discovery, my passion for helping prisoners was reignited.”
Since 2018, Lillian has been volunteering as a Justice Ambassador for Prison Fellowship, a Christian organization whose mission is to see all affected by crime reconciled to God, their families, and their communities.
Tonya Sharpe
A proud North Carolinian by birth but looking for bigger adventures, Tonya Sharpe moved to Northern Virginia for work and has loved living here for the past 23 years.
MP: What’s one of the coolest things that you’ve done?
TS: I was fortunate enough to attend a few parties (Christmas and the BET party) at the White House during the Obama Administration, and was able to bring my mother, sister and some close friends.
MP: What is your passion or favorite thing to do that’s NOT work?
TS: I love going to new restaurants with friends and having long conversations over a meal.
MP: Who or what inspires you and why?
TS: I am inspired by Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, and the work they have done for all women in the world. Their focus on educating young women is so empowering and is changing the world! When women are educated, they change the world.
MP: What’s on your bucket list?
TS: A safari in South Africa!
Tonya has a huge heart for others and tirelessly supports St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families which is Hyattsville, MD. St. Ann’s services include support for teen moms and their babies, transitional housing, life skills, education and employment counseling.
Tracey Leverett
Tracy Leverett hails from Indiana but has lived in six different states. For the past 16 years she’s lived in Ashburn, VA, which she says is the longest that she’s lived anywhere!
MP: Tell us about something that you do (or have done) that was really cool.
TL: I am energized by working with people to solve problems and find more efficient ways to work. I aspire to listen to people and meet their needs, treating them with kindness and respect. My experience covers a variety of industries and positions ranging from telecommunications, marketing consulting, sports, and construction/commercial real estate, client services, logistics, sales, and estate planning. I love learning and developing new skills while contributing as a leader and integral part of a team.
One of my favorite jobs, apart from being a mom, was working for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Golf Ministry. I loved the people and the mission of sharing God’s love with people who love golf. It was also great because living and working in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL was like living in a beautiful resort!
MP: What do you like to do beyond work?
TL: My passion is spending time with family and friends and getting to know people better. I love conversation. Having conversations around doing fun activities like going to a winery, site seeing, outdoor activities makes it all the more fun!
MP: Who or what inspires you and why?
TL: My Lord Jesus inspires me to be my best for him and his glory. He gave his life for me. He is my best friend. He gives me peace that passes all understanding. My other inspiration is being around people who are working toward being the best they can be. I have been fortunate to have an incredibly long list of people that have loved me, inspired me, encouraged me and set an example of the “pursuit of progress.”
MP: What’s on your bucket list?
TL: I have always wanted to visit Australia and New Zealand.
MP: What would we be surprised to know about you?
TL: I love British detective shows!
Tracey is “honored to be part of the Marketing Committee for Loudoun Cares, a nonprofit organization based in Leesburg, VA that connects those who serve with those in need to build a stronger community. Loudoun Cares is two-fold. One part of Loudoun Cares staffs a Connect Line to connect residents in need with local nonprofits and agencies that can assist with a variety of health and human services. It also works closely with over 25 faith-based organizations to secure emergency financial aid for qualifying residents. Part two is the Volunteer Center, an online platform connecting resident and corporate volunteers with local nonprofits in need of volunteers.
