What does it take to lead through uncertainty with resilience and still bring others with you? In Episode 4 of Civically Grown, Martine Helou-Allen, founder and executive director of RIZE Prevention Inc., shares how early leadership experiences, mentorship, and resilience shaped her path.

Martine reflects on formative moments from middle school ropes courses and Youth in Government to being named Statesman of the Year. These experiences helped her confront fear, build confidence, and learn how to lead in ways that invite trust, collaboration, and commitment. She shares how servant leadership, authenticity, and caring for the whole person now guide her work with adolescents across South Carolina.

This conversation also dives into leading through uncertainty. Martine recounts navigating funding losses, professional transitions, and personal hardship, and how faith, vision, and conviction helped her keep her team grounded and moving forward.

At the heart of her work is a simple but powerful belief: we love young people into greatness. Martine offers a compelling call to action for adults to show up as mentors, advocates, and steady guides for the next generation.

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Guest Bio:

Martine Helou-Allen is a dynamic public health leader, entrepreneur, and

strategic relationship builder with a diverse history of turning community needs into self-sustaining initiatives and elevating regional businesses to the global marketplace. She is the Founder and Executive Director of RIZE Prevention Inc., a nonprofit she established in 2021 to effectively combat adolescent substance use and addiction. Through her visionary leadership, Martine's nonprofit has garnered the recognition and endorsement of federal and state agencies focused on public health and education, as a pioneering, school-based program provider in the field of prevention science.

Her diverse career includes serving as the Community Relations and Correspondence Director for the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, where she launched five major community programs, and 10 years in international business development and PR, helping elevate a Lebanese fashion house to the esteemed Paris Syndicate of Haute Couture Designers. 

Martine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Furman University and is active in state policy through her service on the SC Opioid Recovery Fund Board. Martine lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband, Scott, and their two sons, Sami and Michael.

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Show Host: Dr. Shaniece Criss

Dr. Aliaa Remtilla, a Harvard-trained anthropologist, executive coach, and startup founder, joins Civically Grown to share her leadership journey. The conversation explores how belonging, vulnerability, and humility shape the leaders we become.

From an awkward childhood moment wearing a volunteer badge, to navigating male-dominated professional environments, to redefining self-worth and leadership identity, Dr. Remtilla invites listeners into the honest and transformative moments that rooted her leadership journey.

Together, we explore how youth experiences, cultural identity, and intentional self-reflection contribute to a model of leadership grounded not in ego—but in impact, connection, and authentic presence.

Insights:

- How a simple volunteer badge created her first sense of belonging and shaped her confidence as a young leader

- Why awkwardness and vulnerability can be powerful entry points into leadership

- The shift from needing a title to recognizing innate worthiness

- How humility and human connection anchor her leadership style today

- The challenges of leading as a woman in male-dominated spaces—and how focusing on impact changes everything

- Why she calls herself an “impact leader"

- How mentors, role models, and networks open doors we didn’t know existed

Host: Dr. Shaniece Criss

In this episode of Civically Grown, Tom Dursina, a humanitarian program planner with the United Nations World Food Programme, takes us through his journey from his first steps in humanitarian work to leading on the ground today. He shares how action, integrity, and listening shape his leadership, the guidance he received from his mother, and the insights gained while supporting refugees. Tom also gives advice for young leaders navigating uncertainty and failure. His leadership is like a tree, rooted in making a positive impact while adapting to change.

Insights:

- Tom's early experiences in humanitarian work shaped his leadership style.

- The importance of action over feelings in leadership.

- Listening to others is crucial for effective leadership.

- Tom's mother instilled values of integrity and action in him.

- Building a refugee camp taught Tom about resilience and community.

- Uncertainty is a constant in leadership and must be accepted.

- Failure is part of the learning journey for leaders.

- Young leaders should experiment and explore their interests.

- Tom emphasizes the need to address problems directly.

- His leadership style is adaptable, like a tree that changes with the seasons.

Host: Dr. Shaniece Criss

In this episode, Dr. Kirsten Naomi Chapman shares her journey from a middle school teacher in Hawaii to a leader in community impact. She discusses her experiences in youth leadership, her role in saving band funding by engaging with local government, and her efforts to respect Hawaiian culture in educational reporting. Kirsten emphasizes the importance of deep listening and community support in leadership.

Insights:

- Kirsten Naomi Chapman began her career as a middle school teacher in Hawaii.

- She emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the classroom to the systems that shape children's lives.

- Kirsten played a key role in saving band funding by engaging with local government.

- Her youth leadership experiences included roles in student government and as a field commander in marching band.

- Kirsten highlights the significance of respecting Hawaiian culture in educational reporting.

- She advocates for deep listening and understanding in leadership.

- Kirsten's leadership style is likened to the interconnected root system of Aspen trees.

- She stresses the importance of community support and feedback in personal growth.

- Kirsten believes in the power of words and community support to empower youth.

- Her leadership journey is marked by a commitment to making systems work better for people.

Host:

Dr. Shaniece Criss

Civically Grown shares the stories of leaders whose early steps in civic engagement began in youth leadership and have grown into legacies of lasting community impact. Dr. Shaniece Criss, a former youth governor turned health scholar and public servant, hosts this podcast. It is your source for inspiration, insight, and actionable strategies that fuel your momentum and amplify your influence.

Each episode blends uplifting conversations with tools to help you overcome obstacles, strengthen your leadership, and spark meaningful change. Whether you’re looking to deepen your impact or build a lasting legacy, Civically Grown equips you to grow as a leader and empower the next generation. Join a community of passionate changemakers committed to making a difference that endures.