Dr. Stephanie Peters

Stephanie Peters, JD, LCSW, hails from New Haven, CT, where she was the youngest of seven children. Tragically, she lost both parents early in life, a profound experience that ignited her passion for social work and law. Dr. Peters is married to Chef Adrian Peters and is a devoted mother of five. Six years ago, she relocated to Macon, GA, where she has flourished as a dedicated advocate for her community. Her enduring love for family and friends continues to inspire and energize her.

Dr. Peters is committed to sharing her expertise with others through vision board workshops, running a senior wellness groups, attending speaking engagements, championing women’s rights, advocating for detained juveniles, and educating individuals about their legal rights. Over her lifetime, she has earned numerous academic accolades, including an Associate’s degree in Business Administration (1998), a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2002), a Master’s in Social Work (2005), and a Juris Doctor degree with a concentration of Family law (2019).

With over two decades of experience in social work, Dr. Peters has focused her efforts on supporting women and children. Her unwavering commitment to advocacy, motivated her to further amplifying her ability to effect meaningful change especially related to single mothers and battered women. “ In addition to her professional endeavors, she finds balance by indulging her love for global travel and continued service to her community.

In 2026, Dr. Peters retired from “Corporate America” after serving her community for the past 22 years as Clinical Social Worker. Additionally, she is the owner of a private practice, Discovering Solutions, Inc., where she provides a range of mental health and legal education services. Most recently, Dr. Peters expanded her company by opening and operating a transitional home for women and children facing domestic violence and crises.

Amanda Dean, BBA

Chief Financial Officer | Business Financial Consultant | Behavioral Health Advocate | Entrepreneur

Amanda Dean is a seasoned financial professional, entrepreneur, and nonprofit executive whose career spans more than 25 years across accounting, behavioral health administration, client accounting services, and community-centered entrepreneurship. Her work is grounded in integrity, excellence, and a faith-informed commitment to helping individuals and organizations move from survival to stability—and from stability to purpose-driven success.

Amanda currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Discovering Solutions, Inc., c/o Our Safe Place, where she oversees financial strategy, compliance, internal controls, budgeting, and sustainability planning for programs serving women and children in transitional housing. Her leadership supports trauma-informed, dignity-centered services that restore hope, structure, and opportunity for families rebuilding their lives. Amanda approaches this work as both a professional calling and a ministry of stewardship, believing that sound financial systems are essential to long-term impact.

In addition to her CFO role, Amanda works as a Business Financial Consultant and Client Accounting Specialist (2009–Present), providing bookkeeping, payroll, tax compliance, and advisory services to small businesses, nonprofits, medical practices, and service-based organizations. She is highly experienced in QuickBooks Desktop and Online, payroll platforms, sales and use tax filings, W-2 and 1099 reporting, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation, and is known for her accuracy, clarity, and ability to manage multiple clients in regulated environments.

Amanda’s professional foundation was built through long-standing accounting roles, including Acquisition Management, Inc. (1998–2009), where she supported multi-entity investment operations and assisted CPAs with audits and financial documentation over a 12-year period. She later served in public accounting as Office Manager / CPA Assistant with HITS Financial (2010–2015), managing payroll, tax filings, QuickBooks setups, tax return preparation, staff supervision, and client communications for individuals and small businesses.

Her commitment to behavioral health administration deepened through leadership roles with The Counseling & Training Center (2015–2019) and It Takes a Village Counseling Services (2019–Present), where she provides accounting, payroll, and HR support. In these roles, Amanda has worked closely with clinicians and leadership teams to ensure ethical financial practices, compliance, and operational stability; always with a heart for children, families, and adults navigating mental and emotional health challenges.

Alongside her accounting and nonprofit work, Amanda is a lifelong entrepreneur.

She is the founder and owner of Impressive Linens by Amanda (January 2010–Present), a wedding and event coordination business born from her love for celebrating life’s most meaningful moments. Weddings hold a special place in Amanda’s heart—not just as events, but as covenant milestones. Through this business, she has coordinated and designed weddings, graduations, and professional events while managing budgets, vendors, contracts, marketing, and full operational logistics.

Earlier in her entrepreneurial journey, Amanda owned After Dark Lounge, Inc. (2009–2013), a 30-and-up cultural venue featuring jazz, old-school R&B, comedy nights, ballroom dance classes, and community experiences. This venture strengthened her expertise in business operations, compliance, financial oversight, and community engagement.

A defining element of Amanda’s leadership is her transparency and testimony. Having learned powerful lessons through past financial challenges, she now champions financial literacy, accountability, and a poverty-free mindset rooted in wisdom, discipline, and faith. She is deeply passionate about helping others understand their financial worth, correct course without shame, and build sustainable success through informed decision-making and renewed mindset. Her life and work reflect a redemption narrative; proof that setbacks can become strategy and that stewardship leads to freedom.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Albany State University. She leads with compassion, clarity, and conviction, believing that when people are equipped with the right systems, support, and spiritual grounding, transformation is possible; for individuals, families, and entire communities.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

In His Grip, 





Ms. Amanda Dean

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Martila Hooks is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), and U.S. Army veteran with a Master of Science in Administration. 

She is the founder of Relax, Release & Restore Counseling, LLC, a Georgia-based private practice providing individual, couples, and family therapy. With multi-state licensure (Georgia, Connecticut, and North Carolina), she offers both in-person and telehealth.

Martila specializes in trauma-informed therapy, mood disorders, relationship counseling, substance use treatment, and veteran-focused services. Drawing from her military

background, she is deeply committed to supporting service members, veterans, and their families, and frequently assists clients with benefits documentation, Family and Medical Leave Act, (FMLA) paperwork, and care coordination.

Beyond her clinical practice, Martila serves as a board member and grant-writing lead for Discovering Solutions, Inc., a nonprofit transitional housing program in Middle Georgia supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence. She plays a key role in program development, funding strategy, regulatory compliance, and community partnerships, emphasizing a housing-first, wraparound-services model.

Known for her structured, compassionate, and action-oriented approach, Martila integrates evidence-based practices with practical tools and homework-based interventions. She is highly engaged in professional development, expanding her licensure across states, and maintaining strong ethical and regulatory standards in all aspects of her work. At the heart of her work is a commitment to restoring hope, strengthening families, and building sustainable systems of support for individuals and communities.

Taria Bryant is an experienced administrative professional with a strong background in virtual office support, operational coordination, and customer service across nonprofit, healthcare, and corporate settings. She has provided highlevel administrative assistance while consistently ensuring efficient operations, accurate data management, and exceptional client engagement.

Taria is deeply committed to serving her community and supporting organizations that create meaningful impact. Her work reflects a strong dedication to helping others, maintaining organizational excellence, and contributing to environments that uplift individuals and families. She brings professionalism, reliability, and compassion to every role, making her a valuable asset to missiondriven programs.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Information Technology with a concentration in Business Management, as well as an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Middle Georgia State College and University.