Take a few moments to learn about the Faith Freedom Life Team
Lucretia Bowman
executive BOARD director
Lucretia Bowman was placed in foster care at birth and did not meet her biological mother until adulthood. As a child, she endured abuse, was institutionalized in a mental hospital, and became a runaway. Believing she was invincible and searching for love and acceptance, she turned to a life of drugs and crime. This destructive path ultimately led to her banishment from the State of Ohio and incarceration in state prisons.
Her life took a transformative turn when she surrendered to Christ and embraced the process of change. Fueled by her personal journey, Lucretia founded Having the Courage to Change Ministry, establishing holistic housing programs—including The New Beginnings House, Eve House, and Ruth & Naomi House—to support women recovering from addiction, incarceration, and abuse.
Expanding her impact, Lucretia became the head of City Gospel Mission Recovery Services, leading the Exodus program for men in recovery and developing Living Hope and The Promised Land, which provide affordable, supportive housing for both men and women. After serving as the Director of Recovery Services for 27 years, she passed the baton in 2024 and now serves as the Executive Vice President of Community Engagement.
Lucretia is also the author of Breaking the Cycle of Self-Abuse, where she shares her powerful journey of transformation. A licensed pastor with over 20 years of experience, she has dedicated her life to empowering men and women to reclaim their true identity and break free from cycles of addiction, abuse, and incarceration.
She resides in Cincinnati with her husband, Charles, their two sons, two daughters, and three grandchildren.
John McCarthy
executive BOARD director
John McCarthy is a devoted husband to Julie and proud father of three, rooted in his lifelong home of Cincinnati, Ohio. With over two decades of experience in talent strategy, leadership development, and entrepreneurial growth, John helps individuals, teams, and organizations unlock their full potential through purpose-driven strategy, self-discovery, and accountable action.
Professionally, John holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Ohio University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Xavier University. Early in his career, he founded AGI Management, a consultancy specializing in talent attraction, retention, and performance management. AGI began with a focus on the hospitality industry and has since expanded to serve diverse businesses—from family-owned companies to national brands like Chick-fil-A—supporting them in developing high-performance, high-retention cultures.
As founder and president of The Purpose Promise, John has guided countless disengaged workers toward clarity, purpose, and more meaningful career paths. He is the author of five books on purposeful work and leadership and is a sought-after speaker and facilitator for leadership cohorts and experiential learning sessions.
John’s heart for service extends beyond business. He actively serves on several nonprofit boards, including The Purposed Parish, Unleash Love, and Conduit Apprenticeship Program, contributing to initiatives that strengthen communities through faith, leadership, and social impact.
When he’s not consulting or coaching leaders, you’ll find John on the sidelines coaching his kids in sports, cheering for his oldest on stage, or delighting friends and family with what he proudly calls his “extensive dadabase” of dad jokes.
Breneia (Bre) Carrier
executive BOARD director
Bre is a consultant and an accredited financial coach (AFC ®) who is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to live with financial clarity and confidence. She specializes in translating complex financial concepts into practical tools that foster stewardship, sustainability, and long-term growth.
Her work spans operational strategy, branding, and resource development, with a strong focus on creating educational materials—such as toolkits, workshops, and coaching programs—that equip people to manage their resources wisely. Bre has partnered with nonprofit organizations to expand access to financial literacy, always approaching her work with compassion and a commitment to serving others.
Guided by her faith, Bre views financial coaching as a ministry of empowerment—helping individuals and families align their resources with their values and live out their God-given purpose. She believes that financial stability is not only about numbers, but about creating space for generosity, community impact, and spiritual growth.
Key areas of expertise include:
- Financial coaching rooted in stewardship and behavior change
- Strategic planning and operational efficiency for mission-driven organizations
- Development of branded resources that educate and inspire
- Community engagement and group program facilitation
- Visual identity and messaging that reflect faith-based missions
As a faith-based nonprofit board member, Bre is committed to advancing the organization’s mission with integrity, compassion, and clarity. She brings both professional expertise and a heart for service, ensuring that initiatives strengthen communities and reflect Christ-centered values.
Bre and her husband of 25 years, Kris, have two boys and a blended family of 11 wonderful grandchildren. Originally from Kentucky, they have lived and served in Cincinnati since 2004. They enjoy spending time with family, friends and vacationing near beaches or mountains.
Nermine Banke
executive BOARD director
Nermine Banke made a career shift in 2020, from Business Consulting to Kingdom Work, following God’s path wherever He leads. Since then, she has served in various capacities and projects at Back to Back Ministries, City Gospel Mission, Friends of Winton Hills Academy Foundation, her local church, Embracing Change and most recently Faith Freedom Life.
Nermine brings 30 years of experience in business process design, systems implementation, project delivery and organizational change management. She has led teams and managed projects across a variety of industries and disciplines, ranging from technical to strategic, from structured to nuanced. She has a knack for bringing clarity to business goals, and building collaboration to develop and execute the work plan.
Originally from the great state of Michigan, Nermine has an engineering degree from Michigan State University and a masters from the UM – Dearborn, but make no mistake, she is a proud Spartan at heart. Nermine currently lives in Cincinnati with her husband and cherishes every opportunity to create new memories with their three adult children.
Briana Fulton
BOARD Secretary
Briana Fulton is a Cincinnati native whose passion for serving others shines through her work in event planning and community leadership. A Ball State University graduate, she discovered her love for bringing people together as a resident assistant—an experience that shaped her calling to create meaningful, connection-centered events.
Briana currently serves at the Cincinnati NAACP, where she plays a vital role in organizational operations and mission-driven advocacy. Her strong organizational skills and attention to detail support the NAACP’s work on behalf of underserved and underrepresented communities.
As an event planner, Briana has successfully led numerous large-scale initiatives, including a 1,500-person fundraiser that strengthened the NAACP’s visibility and financial impact. She also launched the organization’s signature Women’s Empowerment Luncheon, now in its third year, which celebrates and uplifts women across Cincinnati.
Known for her commitment to excellence, compassion, and intentional service, Briana is a trusted leader who creates spaces that foster unity, empowerment, and community transformation.
Ashley Bass
working BOARD director
Ashley was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio and is a graduate of Wright State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. In 2006 and at the age of 16, Ashley emerged in the working world as a youth mentor for the Dayton Urban League Life Program. In 2016 she began her career as a teacher of students grades K-12. Currently, she is a case manager for at risk youth, helps children and families obtain basic necessities, and works to ensure they are successful in pursuit of their education. For Ashley, the favorite aspect of being a case manager is planting seeds in students’ lives that that she knows will yield fruit. Her areas of speciality are logistics, social media and branding, and case management. In her spare time, Ashley also loves volunteering with The Dayton African American Cultural Festival (DAACF). She proudly carries the torch that “Mama Frankye” passed to her in 2016 to manifest and grow the vision of the DAACF. Ashley’s son “SJ” is the love of her life with whom she loves to spend quality time. Her hobbies include shopping, reading books, and listening to music.
Diana Smiley
working BOARD director
Diana Smiley is the proud mother of three daughters and one amazing son, and is blessed with 11 grandchildren and one great-great grandchild who brings so much joy into her life. She is a devoted member of True Victory Church of God in Christ, where her faith has carried her through. every season. She is also a widow, and her late husband was a pastor.
It was in his church that the message “healing from the inside out” first took root in her heart. During that time, she began calling herself EVE — Everyone Victorious Every time with God, a reminder of the victory we walk in when we trust Him. Within the church, she has served in many ministries. She worked in the Pastor’s Aide department, supported various groups, and helped create programs centered around mental health and overall wellness in the church community. She has also played a role in fundraising efforts to strengthen and support the ministry. God has given her a mind full of ideas and a heart that loves to serve.
If there is anything she wants people to know about her, it is this: she loves God, and her family. That foundation guides everything she does — in church, at home, and in her community.