Meet Charnise Moore | Nonprofit Executive & Advocate for Women and Girls

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charnise Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charnise, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am the middle child of my family. So, growing up, I was the rule follower. I followed the path that I knew was right and always adhered to the recommendations of my parents. In a way, this followed me into my adult life and career. Early in my career, I entered the field of compliance; true to heart to my rule following nature. However, I still encountered times where risks were inevitable. I took a risk when deciding to move sight unseen to another region of the US to pursue a graduate degree at Brown University. After earning my master’s degree, I took a risk by moving to Little Rock, Arkansas to start my career and pursue a doctorate degree. After a decade in Arkansas, with work experience, friends, colleagues, and a community of support, I took a risk by changing companies and relocated with my husband to Lexington, Kentucky, at the height of COVID-19. One year later, my husband and I took yet another risk by relocating to Phoenix, Arizona for another work opportunity. When I consider it all in hindsight, though each of these scenarios were risks, they were also tremendous opportunities to experience and learn new cultures, new ways of thinking, and new opportunities to gain perspective from my surroundings and from others. So, today, I consider the mere opportunity to take a risk as a blessing. The opportunity to take a risk means that you have a choice, a decision, and more importantly an option. Though risks can be a blessing, they also come with responsibility. Risks require you to assess the pros and cons, the impact to others, and to almost be able to visualize the near future. It can be nerve wrecking and often lead to more questions than answers. In my personal life, the risks I have taken usually worked in my favor. In my professional life, the risks I take impact more than just myself. They impact an organization, a healthcare worker, a patient or client, and the family of an employee. I weigh these risks each time I have an opportunity to make a decision. I believe that has made me a better leader, coach, coworker, and employee.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I spent about thirteen years as a healthcare compliance professional working in medical systems and currently serve as Chief Program Officer for the Foundation for Senior Living. What sets me apart from others is my background, upbringing, and experience. I grew up as a military brat and lived in some really nice places. When my parents retired from the military, our family moved to Mississippi, where I formed roots to family, culture, and community. It was in Mississippi when I first realized that I wanted to be a public health practitioner. I knew early on that I wanted to give back to others, while also empowering them get the resources and information they needed most. Choosing public health as my field of interest was not easy or convenient. I had to justify my decision with family and even educate many on what public health was. This field of choice also pushed me to pursue the highest level of education possible. So, I am pretty proud of all that I have accomplished. It definitely wasn’t easy and there were many people at ease phase who underestimated my abilities and capacity. It was important to me to always bet on myself. My mother would also say, go accomplish the goal in your mind. The time will pass you by anyways. So, you might as well go after it. I still believe in these words today.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ohhh, I do this all the time with family and friends. A must do list would include
– A spa day (yes a whole day),
– A nice restaurant/brunch
– Quiet time to just check in with one another and really catch up on how we are doing personally and professionally,
– Sightseeing (the Grand Canyon, Prescott, etc.)
– I’d make a charcuterie board
– Candlemaking
– And maybe a little salsa dancing on a rooftop somewhere

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is an entire village who deserves a shoutout in my story. Jesus, who makes everything possible, is most important to acknowledge. I also always give credit to my family, my parents Charles & Denise Virgil, and my maternal grandmother, Etta Pearl Weston Douglas, who migrated to the US from Jamaica to create a better life for her family. On my mother’s side, I am first generation American born and I see the direct benefits of my grandmother’s risk taking every day. I also give tremendous credit and recognition to my amazing husband, Eric Moore. He is my biggest supporter and encourager. He not only helps me chase my dreams, but also reminds me of what my dreams were when I sometimes lose sight of them. He is intelligent, kind, and handsome. He has always been with me through this journey. So, it’s not just my recognition. It is ours.

Linkedin: Charnise Virgil Moore

Image Credits
Photos from my iphone, taken by me.