Grounded Soles Foundation

Sam Cambridge — Founder, Board Chair & Executive Director

Sam Cambridge is the founder of Grounded Soles Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to removing barriers to education, employment, and economic stability by providing essential footwear to children and families in North Atlanta. With 24 years of progressive leadership experience at Verizon across risk management, compliance, and operations, Sam brings strategic insight and operational expertise to mission-driven work. She holds a Master's degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor's degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida.

Sam is an active member of the Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. As a single parent to a multi-sport athlete at Denmark High School, she witnessed firsthand how inadequate footwear creates barriers to sports participation, confidence, and opportunity — an experience that became the catalyst for founding Grounded Soles.

Since establishing the foundation, Sam has built strategic partnerships with organizations like Big Peach Running Co., developed comprehensive operational infrastructure, and created scalable program models designed to serve families with dignity and sustainability. She leads with authenticity, strategic rigor, and an unwavering belief that access to something as fundamental as footwear should never stand between a child and their potential.

Rochelle D. Jones, SPHR — Vice Chair

As Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Grounded Soles Foundation, Rochelle D. Jones, SPHR, brings a mission-driven approach to breaking cycles of hardship. She leverages her extensive leadership background to help the foundation remove barriers to education and economic opportunity by providing essential footwear to families in need. As the founder of The HR Strategy Studio, an HR firm providing strategic HR support and advisory to businesses across multiple industries, Rochelle brings over 25 years of HR and leadership experience from a Fortune 30 organization, where she served as a transformational executive influencing a $450M labor budget. She has a proven track record of leading large teams and high-impact initiatives, including AI-driven people analytics and retention strategies that delivered $2.5M in annual savings. Her unique blend of corporate leadership and community advocacy is central to advancing the Grounded Soles Foundation's mission.

Candice Crook — Secretary

Candice Crook is a retired Master Cosmetologist whose 24-year career left a lasting mark on the beauty industry. Known for her artistry, leadership, and dedication to elevating the client experience, she built a reputation rooted in skill and genuine connection. Her professional journey included seven years in management with L'Oréal, where she strengthened her expertise in professional haircare and guided teams with clarity and purpose.

As the former owner of two successful salons, Candice created spaces that blended creativity, education, and trust. Her work helped shape the careers of other stylists and brought confidence and transformation to countless clients over the years.

Now enjoying life beyond the salon, Candice embraces her roles as a wife and mother of two. She continues to express her creativity through crafting and hands-on projects, carrying the same artistic spirit that defined her career into the hobbies she loves today.

Sonja Wise — Treasurer

Sonja Wise brings over 25 years of distinguished service in law enforcement, along with extensive leadership and governance experience supporting mission-driven organizations. She has served on multiple boards and advisory committees, including the Tampa Police Memorial Board, the Tampa Police Black History Board, the Ivy Enrichment Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc., the Advisory Committee for the RISE Foundation of Tampa Police, and the Gamma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Throughout her career, Sonja has demonstrated a strong commitment to service, community engagement, and organizational excellence. Her leadership experience reflects a passion for strengthening communities, honoring service, and supporting initiatives that create meaningful and lasting impact. Through her involvement with Grounded Soles Foundation, she continues to contribute her expertise, leadership, and dedication to advancing its mission and expanding its reach.

Chantell LaMark — Board Member, Procurement & Contracts

Chantell LaMark serves as Procurement Chair for Grounded Soles Foundation, bringing over a decade of executive procurement, contracts, and vendor management leadership experience across federal, higher education, and commercial sectors. Throughout her career, she has led high-value portfolios, negotiated complex agreements, and designed systems that strengthen operational integrity and financial stewardship. At Grounded Soles Foundation, Chantell supports strategic partnership development, resource alignment, and funding strategy to help expand the organization's impact. She is passionate about ensuring that financial and in-kind contributions are stewarded with excellence and aligned to the foundation's mission of removing barriers to education, employment, and economic stability. Chantell is also the founder of RenewedHER Procurement Group, where she helps organizations reposition procurement as a strategic driver of enterprise value. Her commitment to leadership, service, and community impact reflects her belief that access, opportunity, and dignity should never be limited by circumstance.