Sharm Brantley is a seasoned Strategist, Accountant, Tax Expert, and Entrepreneur with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Kean University. As a Certified Coach and Certified Non-Profit Accounting Professional (CNAP), she combines her expertise in tax strategy, accounting, and business development to empower businesses and individuals to achieve their goals.
Drawing on her experience as a former CPA firm partner, COO and founder of Level Up Strategies, LLC, Sharm delivers purpose-driven solutions that optimize processes, strengthen posture, and drive profitability. Her firm has supported clients managing a combined asset portfolio exceeding $93 million.
An active community leader, Sharm serves on several boards and municipal committees, lending her voice and expertise to advance opportunities for all, promote economic growth, and improve housing accessibility.
Married to her husband of nearly 30 years, Sharm is the proud mother of six and 'Gigi' to two grandsons. She enjoys traveling, motorcycles, billiards, live theater, hot coffee, and fresh flowers, bringing energy and authenticity to every aspect of her life.
When Dr. Lee discovered her passion for accounting and working with numbers she began her career in bookkeeping. Shortly after, she earned her Certified Bookkeeper designation through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
Recognizing her love for the field, she pursued a Doctorate in Business Administration with a specialization in accounting, graduating from Capella University in February 2024. Her research and capstone project focused on auditing internal controls to ensure compliance with audit standards. As an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Lee takes pride in helping clients ethically minimize their tax liabilities.
Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis with her husband and indulging in her love for seafood—especially lobster and king crab legs, her absolute favorites!
Mare Glenn has over thirty years of experience leading high-level programs, projects and initiatives for McCormick & Company. She spent ten years in IT managing the delivery of SAP across a global organization and has twenty years in the business in Finance and Shared Services.
She was recently the head of the Robotics Process Automation Center of Excellence (COE) at McCormick & Company where she leads of team of five Automation Developers using UiPath Studio. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1991 and is licensed to practice in Maryland and in North Carolina, and she has over twenty years of experience with individual tax preparation and filing.
Outside of the office, her passion for music runs deep, she loves to travel, is a professional photographer and enjoys skydiving.
Meena Ransom is a dynamic professional with expertise in business operations, revenue generation, and process improvement. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology, along with a minor in International Studies, giving her a unique ability to connect with people and create effective strategies.
At Level Up Strategies, Meena is inspired by the organization’s impact on the communities it serves. She thrives on collaboration, tackling challenges, and crafting innovative solutions with the precision and creativity of a puzzle master.
Outside of work, Meena enjoys spending time with her family, cheering them on at sporting events, and unwinding with a cup of coffee and her favorite Chicago-style thin crust pizza!
Terry joined Level Up-Strategies in April of 2021.
He graduated from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia with a bachelor's degree in English, earned his master’s degree in African American World Studies from the University of Iowa and his PhD in English from Georgia State University in Atlanta.
Terry provides client-specific grant writing services for our clients. In addition, he works with clients across a range of business strategy needs.
Terry sees words like individual keys. The right combination of words can unlock any door. For him, writing a grant is about telling the story of an organization and the impact they are having. One organization, one grant at a time, Terry believes he can help change the world.
When not in the office, Terry is an avid cyclist and outdoorsman who loves spending time with his wife and two children.
Dawson joined Level Up Strategies in 2022, after graduating from Montreat College with a BS in Christian Ministries. Starting as an Office Administrator, Dawson quickly demonstrated his dedication and skills, leading to his transition to the role of Grants Strategist in the summer of 2023.
In his role as Grants Strategist, Dawson enjoys walking alongside non-profit clients, helping them achieve their goals of serving the community's underserved populations. His expertise in grant coordination and genuine care for client success make him an invaluable asset to the team.
When not at the office, Dawson is an avid outdoorsman, often found fishing with friends or hiking and kayaking with his wife. Originally from Old Fort, NC, Dawson's love for the mountains reflects his deep connection to his home and inspires his work and personal life."
Kirk joined Level Up Strategies in June 2024, following his graduation from Furman University with a BA in accounting in 2022. Prior to that, he gained valuable experience working at a small public accounting firm for two years.
As a Staff Accountant, Kirk is passionate about providing accounting services to both non-profit and for-profit small business clients. His expertise helps them effectively manage their financial records and achieve their organizational goals.
Outside of work, Kirk maintains an active lifestyle by hitting the gym, exploring hiking trails, and enjoying beach outings. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, he spent his high school years in Cary, North Carolina. Kirk’s ultimate goal is to obtain his CPA license.
Jessica finds joy in making things run smoother, faster, and with way fewer manual steps. As a Data Intelligence Analyst, she is always on the lookout for ways to streamline workflows and eliminate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more creative and impactful work.
When Jessica isn’t knee-deep in code, you’ll find her cuddling up with a cat and book or trying out a new recipe. She believes in working smarter, not harder—and that includes figuring out how to automate bathroom cleaning (still a work in progress).
Also, if you ever need a teammate for trivia night, Jessica’s your person—she may not know all of the answers, but she’s a great cheerleader!
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