The Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) is proud to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the board in January, each brings a strong record of leadership, a commitment to service, and a shared passion for strengthening communities across South Mississippi.
Christian Hartley, Cadence Bank
Christian Hartley, a lifelong Gulf Coast resident, brings more than two decades of banking experience to the GCCF Board of Directors, along with a reputation for values-based leadership and a deep commitment to community involvement. She currently serves as president, Pascagoula, for Cadence Bank, where she has built her career from the ground up, beginning as a teller and advancing through roles including loan officer, branch manager and market president.
Hartley’s dedication to service is reflected in her extensive nonprofit and civic involvement. Her board service includes United Way of Jackson, George and Greene Counties; Home of Grace; Community Action of South Mississippi; Community Care Network; and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, among others.
Reflecting on her new role, Hartley said, “Serving on this board is an honor and an opportunity to practice meaningful stewardship. We get to support initiatives that strengthen and serve our communities today, while building a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Mary Martha Henson, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation
After spending a decade on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., working with Mississippi members of the U.S. House and Senate, Mary Martha Henson returned to the Gulf Coast seven years ago with her husband, bringing her professional experience home to the state where her roots run deep.
Henson currently serves as deputy director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, where she blends her background in public service with a strong focus on collaboration, economic growth and community engagement. As a woman leader in South Mississippi, she values shared purpose and the power of working together to create lasting impact. Her membership in GCCF’s GivHer Circle reflects her belief that when women unite in philanthropy, their collective impact extends far beyond individual efforts.
“It is an honor to serve on the GCCF Board of Directors and support an organization that invests so deeply in people, organizations and the future of our region,” Henson said.
Chris Rhodes, Coast Electric Power Association
Chris Rhodes became president and chief executive officer of Coast Electric Power Association and CoastConnect in June 2025, following the retirement of Ron Barnes, who recently concluded his service on the GCCF Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Coast Electric, Rhodes served as CEO of Southern Pine Electric Cooperative beginning in 2020. His career within Mississippi’s cooperative system spans roles in plant engineering and management, external affairs, economic development initiatives, and legislative engagement, including service with Cooperative Energy in Hattiesburg.
As he joins the GCCF Board of Directors, Rhodes expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the Foundation’s mission and impact across the region.
“I’m honored to join the Board of Directors of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and to support its mission of strengthening our communities,” he said. “I look forward to working alongside fellow board members and community leaders to help create lasting opportunities and a strong future for the Gulf Coast for generations to come.”