Our Team

Leann Rhodes-Ickes is the Founder and Executive Director of Tides of Grace, where her passion for serving others has helped grow a vision of kindness and compassion into an organization supporting individuals and families throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction, Leann began her professional career as an elementary school teacher before transitioning into corporate training, leadership, mentoring, and entrepreneurship. She is also a two time published author and travel advisor, experiences that have strengthened her ability to connect with people, build relationships, lead teams, and turn ideas into action.

For Leann, Tides of Grace is about much more than providing resources—it is about creating a community where people feel seen, supported, and cared for during both everyday challenges and some of life’s most difficult moments. She especially loves bringing people together through Tides of Grace’s outreach events and watching volunteers, businesses, organizations, and community members work side by side to make a difference. Leann lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with her husband, John, and is a proud mom to Madison and JP. Through Tides of Grace, she hopes to continue building meaningful partnerships, expanding services across the Shore, and creating a lasting culture of kindness where no one has to face life’s storms alone.

Patrick Murphy brings decades of nonprofit financial leadership and a lifelong connection to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to the Tides of Grace Board. Born in Vienna, Maryland, and a Kent Island resident since 2000, Patrick proudly considers himself an Eastern Shore boy at heart with a passion for serving those in need. His extensive nonprofit career began in the 1980s as Controller for the Industrial Union Department, AFL-CIO, followed by leadership roles in finance and administration with the Educational Research Service and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. He later served as Director of Finance for the Academy Art Museum in Easton and Compass Hospice in Centreville, bringing a wealth of financial and nonprofit experience to his role as Treasurer of Tides of Grace.

For Patrick, serving with Tides of Grace has provided a sense of compassion, connection, and fulfillment unlike anything he has experienced with another organization. He believes deeply in the power of helping others and encourages anyone who needs a reminder of the good in their community to experience the love that comes from serving alongside others at a Tides of Grace event. Outside of his Board service, Patrick is the proud father of Chris, Heather, and Paige, and grandfather to two granddaughters. And, as Patrick would be quick to tell you, his faithful black Lab, Bailey, may just understand him better than the rest of the family. Through his service, Patrick continues to share his professional expertise, Eastern Shore roots, and heart for helping others with the communities Tides of Grace serves.

Catherine “Cathy” Windfield-Jones brings more than 35 years of professional experience in employee benefits, Medicare, regulatory compliance, and the group insurance industry to the Tides of Grace Board. Before retiring in 2021, Cathy spent 13 years with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where she provided compliance guidance to electric cooperatives on federal regulations affecting employee benefit plans. Her extensive career also included work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and the insurance industry. A lifelong volunteer, Cathy has also been a member of Beta Chi National Sorority, a philanthropic nonprofit organization, for more than 22 years, supporting fundraising efforts for national and local charitable causes.

Cathy began volunteering with Tides of Grace as a way to give back to her community and now serves as Board Secretary, using her professional and life experiences to help strengthen programs and plan meaningful events for Eastern Shore residents. The Pop-Up Boutique and Christmas Magic Toy Drive are especially close to her heart because of the joy and support they provide to children and families who may otherwise go without. Cathy and her husband have called Kent Island home since 2022, and their daughter is also a familiar face volunteering at Tides of Grace events. Through her Board service, Cathy hopes to help Tides of Grace continue expanding its reach across the Eastern Shore while bringing new ideas and fun, meaningful opportunities to the communities we serve.

Tatianna Adrian brings 18 years of professional experience in Human Resources to the Tides of Grace Board, along with a lifelong passion for helping others. Her commitment to service began at a young age through volunteering, mentoring, and missionary work and has continued throughout her life in many different ways. Today, Tatianna serves as a foster parent for older teens in Talbot County and remains actively involved in her local community, including assisting with the planning of Centreville’s Maryland Crafted and Centreville Day events.

Tatianna’s journey with Tides of Grace began at just the right time. After working two jobs for 19 years, she finally found herself with weekends free and knew she wanted to use that time to volunteer and serve her community. One of the first opportunities she discovered was a Tides of Grace clothing drive. She jumped in wherever she was needed, including assisting with translations, and immediately felt at home with the organization’s hands-on approach to helping others. As Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair, Tatianna is especially passionate about ensuring vulnerable individuals and families—including children, struggling parents, Spanish-speaking families, and others who may face barriers to accessing support—know they are seen, welcomed, and included. She believes kindness reaches beyond words and that even a small act of support can ease a family’s burden during a difficult time. Outside of Tides of Grace, Tatianna is a foster parent to two older teens and enjoys reading, sewing, video games, tabletop role-playing games with friends, and bringing her creativity to life through cosplay. Through her Board service, Tatianna hopes to help create pathways that are truly people-focused, ensuring every person who encounters Tides of Grace knows that they belong and are always welcome.

Michelle Brushwood brings a professional background in management and project coordination, along with a strong commitment to community service, to the Tides of Grace Board. She has been actively involved with local organizations and has volunteered at events throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Michelle was first introduced to Tides of Grace through volunteering, where she was inspired by the organization’s hands-on approach and the kindness and compassion at the heart of its mission. What began as volunteering grew into a deeper commitment to the organization, eventually leading her to serve on the Board.

In addition to her role as a Board Member, Michelle serves as Event & Logistics Coordinator, helping oversee the many details that go into planning and successfully carrying out Tides of Grace events. While she finds it difficult to choose a favorite program, Michelle appreciates that each event serves the community in a different and meaningful way. For her, seeing the smiles of those served and knowing that Tides of Grace has made a positive difference is one of the most rewarding parts of being involved. Outside of Tides of Grace, Michelle enjoys gardening, reading, working out, and spending time with her family. Through her Board service, she hopes to help Tides of Grace continue to grow, reach more people throughout the Eastern Shore, and make an even greater impact while staying true to its mission of supporting the Shore through kindness and compassion.

Debra Karambellas brings a lifetime of leadership, service, and commitment to others to the Tides of Grace Board. A retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, Debra proudly served for 34 years and is also retired from federal service. She currently works with the Maryland State Approving Agency, where she supports education and training opportunities for Veterans. Education, community involvement, and giving back have remained important throughout her life, and she brings that same spirit of service to her role with Tides of Grace.

Debra was drawn to Tides of Grace because of its hands-on commitment to helping local individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult circumstances. She is especially passionate about supporting families facing emergency needs and seeing the difference the J29 Crisis Room makes for hundreds of people throughout the community. As Fundraising Committee Chair, Debra also enjoys bringing individuals, businesses, and community partners together to support the mission and help ensure Tides of Grace has the resources needed to continue serving and growing. Outside of Tides of Grace, Debra treasures time with her husband, John, their two children, Justin and Amalia, their spouses, Stacy and Derrick, and their three grandchildren, Remy, Rowen, and Caelyn. She also enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with friends, being near the water, and life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Through her Board service, Debra hopes to help Tides of Grace continue to grow, build long-term financial sustainability, and remain a trusted place where local families know they can turn when they need a helping hand.

John Ickes plays an important behind-the-scenes role at Tides of Grace, helping bring the organization’s events to life through production, operations, and technical support. With a particular passion for audio and visual production, John oversees sound systems and equipment at many Tides of Grace events, helping ensure that music, announcements, entertainment, and special programming run smoothly from start to finish. Whether setting up equipment, troubleshooting a technical need, or lending a hand wherever it is needed, John enjoys being part of the team that turns an event plan into an experience for the community.

As the husband of Founder and Executive Director Leann Rhodes-Ickes, John has had a front-row seat to the growth of Tides of Grace and has supported the organization in countless ways along the journey. While much of his work happens behind the scenes, he enjoys using his interests and skills to support the mission and create welcoming, fun, and memorable events for Eastern Shore families. For John, being part of Tides of Grace is an opportunity to support the people he loves while using what he enjoys doing to help serve the community.

Heather Jo King brings a strong background in leadership, service, and nonprofit management to the Tides of Grace. A proud United States Navy veteran, Heather served as a First Class Petty Officer before retiring from the Navy in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. As Tides of Grace’s Data Analyst, Heather helps track and document the organization’s impact, including the number of individuals served, community events held, and services provided—helping transform the work happening throughout the Eastern Shore into measurable stories of impact.

Heather’s connection to Tides of Grace is also deeply personal. Founder and Executive Director Leann Rhodes-Ickes is her best friend, but it was the organization’s grassroots approach to meeting real needs that made Heather want to become personally involved. Having grown up in a community similar to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, she understands the importance of neighbors stepping up to care for one another. While Heather enjoys being part of all of Tides of Grace’s programs, the Christmas Magic Toy Drive holds a special place in her heart. She believes every child deserves the excitement of waking up on Christmas morning knowing they were not forgotten, while parents deserve the joy of seeing their children happy without the heartbreak of being unable to provide. Heather lives in Anne Arundel County with her husband, Colonious, and their German Shorthaired Pointer, Bronx. Through her service, she hopes to help Tides of Grace continue demonstrating the true scope of its impact while ensuring people throughout the community feel loved, valued, and supported.

Ashley Durant brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience and a deeply rooted connection to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to her role with Tides of Grace. A former pediatric emergency room nurse, Ashley now works as a holistic wellness nurse in private practice. Born and raised on the Eastern Shore, she has spent much of her life giving back through volunteer service both locally and in other communities. Her healthcare background, compassion for others, and ability to support people during challenging moments bring a valuable perspective to the Tides of Grace team.

Ashley was drawn to Tides of Grace after seeing its mission of kindness and compassion put into action—not just at special events, but every day and whenever a need arose. Having experienced unexpected challenges in her own life, she understands how quickly circumstances can change and how meaningful it can be to have someone step forward with compassion and support. That connection makes her work with Tides of Grace especially personal. As Crisis Center Coordinator, Ashley is particularly passionate about the J29 Crisis Room and its ability to meet immediate, tangible needs—from food, diapers, hygiene products, and everyday essentials to providing comfort and support following homelessness, job loss, house fires, and other unexpected hardships. She also has a special place in her heart for programs serving children and Veterans. Outside of Tides of Grace, Ashley enjoys gardening, reading, camping, laughing with her two girls, spending time with the people she loves, and even squeezing in a game of Fortnite with her husband after the kids are in bed. Through her service, Ashley hopes every person who turns to Tides of Grace leaves feeling seen, valued, supported, and hopeful, while helping the organization grow sustainably so that kindness and compassion can continue creating lasting change throughout the Eastern Shore.

Mia Cranford brings extensive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, community engagement, and relationship-building to her role with Tides of Grace. Before founding Mia Cranford Consulting, she served as Director of Development for both Talbot Hospice and For All Seasons and previously worked as Chief Marketing Officer for What’s Up? Magazine. Throughout her career, Mia has focused on connecting generous individuals, businesses, and community partners with causes that strengthen and support Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Mia was drawn to Tides of Grace because of the personal and immediate way the organization responds when someone in the community is facing a difficult time. She values Tides of Grace’s commitment to meeting people where they are, responding without judgment, and providing help in a way that preserves dignity and offers hope. The J29 Crisis Room and Tides of Grace’s emergency response efforts are especially close to her heart because they provide practical necessities while also reminding people that they are not alone. As Development Consultant, Mia helps build the relationships, partnerships, and resources that allow this work to continue and grow. Outside of Tides of Grace, Mia and her husband, Bill, are proud to call the Eastern Shore home. Family is at the center of her life, including their three sons, Will, Jim, and Jackson, and their wives. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and staying involved in the community. Through her work with Tides of Grace, Mia hopes to help build the sustainable support and relationships needed to ensure that no one in our community has to face a crisis alone.

Kevin Caldwell brings extensive experience in business strategy, financial planning, and organizational growth to his work with Tides of Grace. He is the founder of Islands East Financial Solutions, a strategic business consulting firm that helps businesses and nonprofit organizations strengthen operations, improve financial performance, and plan for sustainable growth. Kevin is also the founder of Islands East Advisors, a financial planning and wealth management firm focused on helping small business owners, full-time liveaboard boaters, and other professionals align their financial resources with their goals and confidently navigate important financial decisions.

As a longtime supporter, strategic advisor, and community partner of Tides of Grace, Kevin has generously shared his expertise, ideas, connections, and time to help strengthen the organization and expand its reach. His impact can be seen most notably through the Tides of Grace Beach Bash, the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. The concept for the Beach Bash originated from an idea Kevin developed in collaboration with Tides of Grace leadership, with a vision of creating an event that would bring the community together while generating critical support for the organization’s mission. He continues to play an active role in the event’s growth and success while also providing strategic guidance, fundraising ideas, and community outreach support throughout the year. Kevin’s partnership reflects his commitment to strengthening the Eastern Shore and helping Tides of Grace build a sustainable foundation from which it can continue supporting the community through kindness and compassion.