Our Story
LifeWise is a Pascagoula, Mississippi-based nonprofit with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are focused on lifting individuals, families, and communities through financial empowerment. Our team of professionals, volunteers, and partners spanning the worlds of banking, investments, insurance, and legal services are dedicated to helping people realize their dreams. Whether you are an individual looking to repair your credit for a fresh start, a single parent dreaming of buying a home for your family, or a couple nearing retirement, we’re here for you.
We believe that those with the will and desire to build a better financial future deserve the best advice, tools, and resources. No matter your background or walk of life, you deserve the same opportunities that anyone else has, and we’ll work with you to make those opportunities a reality.
From counseling programs to workshops and connection with key financial advisors and resources, LifeWise provides unrivaled services to our neighbors in South Mississippi and across the Gulf Coast region! We believe we all deserve the right to financial empowerment, LifeWise is here to support and guide you every step of that journey!
Our Founder
Diann Payne
At LifeWise, Executive Director Diann Payne is writing a new chapter of community impact that brings together her experience in the financial services industry and her service as a community leader on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Diann’s financial services career includes stints as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and as an analyst for a regional financial institution.
Her service as an advisor, leader, and community volunteer spans decades, including multiple terms on the Board of Directors of Pascagoula-based Merchants & Marine Bank and as Chapter Chair of the Southeast Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Diann has also held leadership positions with the Southeast Region Resource Council of the ARC in Birmingham, Alabama, the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies. She has volunteered as a family partner for Habitat for Humanity of the Gulf Coast and fulfilled gubernatorial appointments to multiple statewide economic development and recovery committees.
Diann Payne earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Mississippi Valley State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Board of Directors
David Allen
Attorney, Heidelberg Steinberger
Attorney David Allen has more than 40 years of widely diverse legal experience having worked with two of the world’s largest energy firms. His current practice at the Pascagoula office of Heidelberg Steinberger is concentrated in commercial real estate transactions, banking and mortgage law, estate planning and probate administration.
Paricia Coleman
Retail Operations Officer, Merchants & Marine Bank
Paricia Coleman is the Retail Operations Officer at Merchants & Marine Bank in Pascagoula, MS. A lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Paricia has over 20 years of banking and credit union experience and has proudly served the communities along the Gulf Coast throughout her financial career.
Crystal Irving
Logistics Plans Specialist, Air Force Reserve Command
Crystal Irving is a military leader currently serving in the Air Force Reserves as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the 403 WG Reserve Deployment Readiness Center. She is a Gautier, MS resident with 20 years of experience in the logistics field, and her work also spans the areas of business management and analysis, as well as human resource management
Jason Jackson
Wielding Specialist, Huntington Ingalls Industries
Jason Jackson, a lifelong resident of Moss Point, MS, is a start fab machine operator for Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula. A dedicated community servant, Jason has volunteered with multiple community groups along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including the City of Moss Point and the Jackson County Civic Action Committee.
Jerry Jackson
Chevron Products Company
Jerry Jackson recently retired after 40 years of service at Chevron’s Pascagoula, MS refinery. His expertise spans multiple disciplines including management, technology, design, engineering, and innovation, working as a contributor, supervisor, and manager in a demanding operational environment. Jerry successfully led a group of 10 first-line supervisors and more than 60 employees.
Tricia Kollath
Partner, Inspired Financial Planners, LLC
Tricia Kollath is a partner at Inspired Financial Planners, based in Ocean Springs, MS. In addition to being a Certified Financial Planner™, she is also a Certified Student Loan Professional, and a Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach. Tricia loves helping families advance toward financial independence and meet their life goals.
Bernie O'Sullivan
Mortgage Lender, Delmar Mortgage Co.
Bernie is a 40-year veteran of the banking and mortgage industries. She currently works as a Senior Loan Officer with Delmar Mortgage Co. in Pascagoula. A graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and Leadership Jackson County, Bernie is a dedicated community servant to multiple organizations.
Learn More About the Services LifeWise Offers
Our services are designed to educate and empower individuals and families to take control of their financial future with confidence. See the ways that we can help you achieve your goals in life.
