WE ARE SOUTH CAROLINA
WE ARE
PALMETTO PROJECT
PALMETTO PROJECT PEOPLE
Palmetto Project is committed to building and supporting a
culture that acknowledges the benefits of unique lived experiences and prioritizes a sense of belonging for our organization and for South Carolina. Our team is reflective and representative of the Palmetto State, with a range of perspectives and personal histories.
OUR TEAM
Aaron Polkey
President & CEO
Aaron was born and raised in the Wagener Terrace neighborhood of downtown Charleston, and is of proud Gullah-Geechee descent. After matriculating through the public schools, he earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina Joseph Rice School of Law. He has 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney and nonprofit leader, and lived and worked in our nation's capital for 15 years before returning home to lead Palmetto Project in 2024.
Andrea Bell-Campbell
Vice President
Healthy Communities
Andrea is a lifelong South Carolinian with roots in the Pee Dee. Andrea has been part of Palmetto Project for 12 years. She is a licensed health insurance agent and leads our health insurance brokerage, Insure SC. She is focused on building healthy communities across the Palmetto State.
Anne Marie Maertens
Vice President
Strategy, Engagement, & Impact
Anne Marie ("Annie") joined Palmetto Project in 2024 after more than two decades of leading initiatives and organizations focused on family strengthening and the social determinants of health. An Upstate resident, she supports Aaron in developing our vision and the strategy to achieve it, and leads the philanthropic efforts to grow our impact statewide.
Anna Gray
Associate Director
Thriving Families &
Statewide Impact
Originally from North Carolina, Anna joined Palmetto Project in 2023 to support our philanthropic efforts and thriving families programs. With a history of nonprofit administration, she is leading the return of Families Helping Families in the Lowcountry for the 2025 holiday season.
Jeffrey Fleming
Executive Vice President
Jeffrey began his career supporting the important work of nonprofits in New Jersey, but has been devoted to enhancing lives in Charleston and the Palmetto State for more than 30 years. He joined Palmetto Project in 1998, and today, manages organizational functions, finances, and fiscal sponsorships.
Nell Killoy
Vice President
Thriving Families
Nell joined Palmetto Project in 1998, and ever since, has been making the Midlands better. She spearheads new ideas -- like our Hurricane Helene response -- with passion. Nell leads our initiatives and team that helps families thrive through programs like Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and our signature Families Helping Families programs for back-to-school success & holiday assistance.
Chris Williams
Vice President
Transformative Innovations
A South Carolina native, Chris joined Palmetto Project in 2022 to manage our vaccination program. With a passion for healthcare, conservation, and people, Chris supports our Insure SC work with Andrea and leads our Transformative Innovations team. He will oversee The Frontage Project.
LeOndrea Linen
Finance Director
As a Lowcountry native, LeOndrea supports our financial operations and helps ensure the checks and balances of our fiscally-sponsored programs with a keen eye for detail and commitment to transparency.
THRIVING FAMILIES