Lana S. Johnson
Founder & CEO/Account Manager/Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Executive Consulting, Operations Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, Marketing Strategy and Automations
Lana considers herself the Olivia Pope of the VA world. She is the founder and head gladiator in charge at VA Gladiators. Lana created VA Gladiators to work with C-Suite executives, Nonprofits, and small businesses; to handle marketing, administrative, and organizational tasks that overwhelm them so they can increase productivity and can focus on what matters most.
Before VA Gladiators, Lana was giving away all her time for free to FOUR different organizations, and then she met her mentor who helped her change all that and she never looked back!
Lana believes most service providers' biggest challenge, in addition to growing their client base, is keeping the first thing first, so her team will help you overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed and give you peace of mind.
Lana studied Psychology at Texas Woman’s University and has over 20 years of extensive customer service, office administration, email marketing, and CRM training! She is also an EOS™ Ready EA, Keap Certified Partner, A CustomerHub Ninja, and a Honeybook Educator working on a Project Management certification.
When Lana is not calming chaos, she enjoys reading, servant leadership, and spending time with her family.
Jennis Watson
Online Business Manager/Account Manager/Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Nonprofit Expert, Business Management, Performance Acceleration
Jennis enables incisive responsiveness from our Account and Project Managers, maintains attentive operational oversight, and ensures unparalleled service delivery for our clients year after year.
She is also our resident nonprofit industry expert with more than 15 years of experience alleviating the burdens of overextended staff and board members while also accelerating their achievements. As a nonprofit administrator, Jennis has grown adept at leading people, raising millions in funding from a variety of sources, and solving problems from fresh perspectives.
Jennis is diligent, enterprising, and versatile. She delivers consistent results regardless of the simplicity or complexity of the job. Her expertise encompasses a spectrum of domains, including strategic planning, management, finance, operations, programming, human resources, and nonprofit advancement.
She holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration (Truett McConnell University) and English (University of Georgia), and she went on to expand her expertise through graduate study in Nonprofit Management (Northeastern University). In support of the work she has done with both nonprofit and for-profit businesses alike, she further earned a bookkeeping certificate (Stony Brook University). Her interests and thirst for learning also led her to pursue a graduate degree in Biblical Literature (Alliance Theological Seminary).
When Jennis is not keeping an eye on internal operations at VA Gladiators, you can find her setting out on jaunts and escapades with her two children or embracing the entrepreneurial spirit as the owner of a nonprofit consulting firm that specializes in empowering start-ups and small organizations.
Crystal Whitley
Performance & Operations Coordinator/Account Manager/Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Business Management, Strategic Planning, Communications, Logistics
Crystal excels in creating consistency from chaos. From basic administrative tasks, Think Tanks, and goal setting, to creating SOP’s for your business, Crystal uses her previous experience as a business manager and small business owner, to increase efficiency and overcome objectives. Through direct communication and strategic efforts, she will work hard to find operational functionality and create a manageable structure for any client endeavor.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism-Broadcast News and has been awarded an IRE award for Investigative Journalism. Crystal now uses her journalism experience as a contributor to several non-profit organizations focused on Judicial Reform and Reentry Programs for inmates of the Texas penal system.
When Crystal is not managing chaos for others, she spends her time exploring the road less traveled in her Jeep with her husband, 4-year-old daughter, and lovable pup. She enjoys giving back to the community through emergency relief efforts as well as resource matching.
Tina McDowell
Virtual Assistant/Website Developer and Maintainer
Special Skills: Digital Creator, Brand Stylist, Photographer
Tina is a talented website designer passionate about crafting stunning, user-friendly digital experiences. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she excels at transforming clients' visions into visually appealing and functional websites that drive engagement and conversions. Tina's creative eye for design, combined with her technical expertise, allows her to create websites that not only look great but also perform flawlessly across devices. She stays current with the latest web design trends and best practices to ensure that her clients receive cutting-edge solutions tailored to their unique needs.
When Tina is not designing websites, Tina enjoys spending time with her family, trying out new restaurants, and contributing to her 501(c)(3) company, Jus Us Girlz Empowerment Network, to women in the community. Her dedication to her craft, attention to detail, and commitment to client satisfaction make her the go-to choice for businesses seeking exceptional website design services.
Amanda Clark
Virtual Assistant/Copywriter
Special Skills: Marketing Strategist, Copywriting, SquareSpace Development
Amanda works to offer solutions for small businesses and nonprofits to tell their story, streamline their processes, and grow their business through support from their community. She believes that many business leaders feel the pressure to be everywhere with their message, but being strategic with where to invest marketing resources can both relieve the pressure and lead to more effective communications with their audience.
She has worked with a variety of organizations to help them build their dream; from hyper-local arts nonprofits engaging their communities onstage, behind-the-scenes, and in the audience to specialty stores selling everything from tasty treats to high-end art pieces.
Amanda is a certified Nonprofit Communications Director and “jane-of-all-trades” who has experience in developing marketing strategy, building websites, creating project management systems, and writing content.
She holds Bachelor of Science degrees, with honors, in both Advertising and Acting from Ball State University.
When Amanda is not supporting clients, she can often be found helping run a local community theatre, tasting wine in the Willamette Valley, or venturing on a hike in Oregon’s beautiful forests.
Anastasia Nela
Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Nonprofit Sector, Event Management, Customer Service
Anastasia works with ambitious entrepreneurs to help them manage their growing businesses by taking care of specific tasks so they can focus on the big picture. She believes that working together with an expert like herself is the most efficient way to get work done. She enjoys seeing her clients realize they have extra time to do more of what they love for their business.
She has many years of experience in the nonprofit sector with a great deal of emphasis on youth work and volunteer management. She is a trained professional with extensive experience in customer service and multiple customer service software such as SalesForce.
Anastasia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and she speaks Arabic, English, and Swahili.
When Anastasia is not supporting clients she loves spending time with her baby and other family members and loves braiding hair.
Shmara Punch
Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Project Management, Visioning, Communications
Shmara Punch has strong organizational and communication skills that have been a key component of her success as a project management professional for fifteen years. She believes if there is a gap, she has the tools and skills needed to fill it.
Shmara has a passion to see small businesses, start-ups, and nonprofit organizations be successful in their day-to-day operations. She uses her skills to connect the dots and relieve the pressure, so that the client can focus on the mission and vision given to them.
Shmara has worked at a broad spectrum of business and organizations; from small non-profits to a Fortune 500 company, where she led several major projects that were completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the Abilene Christian University.
When Shmara is not assisting clients, she is teaching dance to local youth, teaching Zumba classes, and enjoying her time discovering new adventures with her family.
Nicklaud Domingo
Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Graphic Design, Social Media Management, Web Development
Nicklaud works with business owners and coaches to help with their administrative tasks that cause them headaches, as well as editing the posts they need for their social media accounts and even managing those accounts.
Nicklaud believes that the way she takes care of her clients is the same way they will take care of her. She also believes that excellence should always be part of her output for her clients.
Nicklaud has worked with six-figure coaches and business owners, providing excellence in creatives and editing, social media management, and executive assistance. She has extensive experience with multiple software tools used for project management, editing, scheduling, and organization, including ClickUp, Go High Level, Capcut, and Canva.
When Nicklaud is not working with her clients, she watches K-drama and plays badminton.
Nicklaud holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Laguna University.
Moss Balfour
Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Bookkeeping, Data Entry, Research
Moss works with large and small businesses to increase efficiency and take care of all the small tasks so the leaders can focus on the big decisions. They believe that filing and forms should not be something that hinders a business, but something that should be easy and user-friendly.
Moss' career has spanned multiple industries, which allows them to pull from a variety of experience: customer service, hospitality, higher education, financial management, and more. While working as an Articulation Analyst with a Community College, Moss revamped the filing system for the Admissions and Records office to make filing easier and more efficient, and also less time-consuming when current and former students requested files. While working with a retail cash cage, Moss did the same. They created digital user-friendly forms to streamline cashier variance tracking, equipment management, and key logging.
Moss is a trained office administration professional that has received awards for: significant contributions to the workplace, initiative in assisting colleagues, doing the right thing, and being an outstanding employee.
Moss holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Piano Performance from Our Lady of the Lake University.
When Moss is not busy working hard for clients, they are helping others further their computer skills, making music, and painting.
Neema Griffin
Virtual Assistant
Special Skills: Film Production Support and Logistics, Social Media Management
Neema Griffin is a creative assistant who supports visionary leaders and organizations with high-level coordination, thoughtful communication, and strong execution across projects, events, and digital media.
She has worked alongside an award-winning journalist and National Geographic Explorer during her book tour, supporting everything from scheduling and travel to social media and brand storytelling.
Holding a degree in documentary filmmaking from Spelman College, and having a passion for clear, impactful communication, Neema brings care, adaptability, and a sharp creative eye to every team she supports.
Alicia Wilson
Service Expert
Special Skills: Operations Coordination, Data Management, Communications Administration
Alicia Wilson is a Service Expert who works with clients to help make their daily lives easier through organization, communication, and reliable support.
Alicia believes that good service starts with being dependable, approachable, and willing to help wherever she is needed. She enjoys creating a welcoming environment and making sure tasks are handled clearly and efficiently.
Alicia has experience in office administration, customer service, event support, inventory tracking, scheduling, and communicating with students, staff, faculty, and visitors. She has also supported departmental operations by managing vehicle sign-out records, organizing files, preparing event materials, tracking supplies, and assisting with daily office needs.
Alicia has a background in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology from New Mexico State University, with hands-on experience in fieldwork, conservation projects, student mentorship, and professional organization involvement.
When Alicia is not helping clients, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about wildlife and conservation, and being involved in her community.