Meet Victoria McGee, Founder and President of McGee Consulting Services
Victoria McGee – A Trailblazer in Community Leadership, Justice Reform, and Advocacy
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With over 30 years of experience, Victoria McGee has dedicated her career to empowering communities, transforming lives, and driving systemic change. A dynamic leader, strategist, and mentor, she has worked extensively in criminal justice reform, community engagement, organizational leadership, and professional development. Her passion lies in creating sustainable opportunities for marginalized communities, dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, and fostering holistic support systems for individuals and families in need.
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Criminal Justice Leadership
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Victoria’s journey began in criminal justice and community corrections, where she broke barriers as a leader at Oriana House Inc., a nationally recognized community-based correctional facility. She became the first African American female Program Manager at the organization, overseeing multiple correctional programs, workforce reentry initiatives, and addiction recovery services. She played a pivotal role in establishing Ohio’s first Drug Court Program, working alongside Honorable Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer to implement a model that has been replicated in multiple counties across the nation.
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During her tenure at Oriana House, she managed programs that served over 600 individuals annually, including:
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Summit County Community-Based Correctional Facility for Men
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Cliff Skeen Community-Based Correctional Facility for Women
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Residential Correctional Centers for Women
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Her leadership extended beyond program management to policy development, evidence-based practices, and strategic planning, ensuring that individuals reentering society had access to resources, support networks, and opportunities for success. Building upon this foundation, she further honed her expertise in rehabilitation and community support through experience with the Cuyahoga County Department of Justice Affairs (Treatment Alternative to Street Crimes - T.A.S.C.). This experience provided valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities within the criminal justice system, reinforcing her commitment to transformative change.
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Community Empowerment
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As an advocate for education and family engagement, Victoria currently serves as the Senior Director for the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF). In this role, she leads wraparound support services, community partnerships, and workforce development initiatives at the I PROMISE School Family Resource Center. Her work at LJFF focuses on bridging educational gaps, eradicating generational poverty, and strengthening families by providing direct access to mental health support, career training, housing assistance, and financial literacy programs.
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Victoria is also the Founder and President of McGee Consulting Services LLC, where she works with organizations, businesses, and community leaders to:
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Develop strategic partnerships that promote equity in education, workforce development, and criminal justice reform.
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Provide leadership coaching and mentorship to professionals in nonprofit and corporate sectors.
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Design and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives tailored to community and organizational needs.
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Advocate for policy reforms that directly impact marginalized and underrepresented communities.
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A Leader Rooted in Service & Mentorship
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Victoria’s commitment to leadership and advocacy extends beyond her professional roles. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves on multiple advisory boards, including the LeBron James Family Foundation, the I Promise School Executive Leadership Committee, and the Akron Public Schools Community & Business Advisory Board. A respected former mentor for the Inaugural Savannah James (Women of Our Future) Mentoring Program, Victoria has also contributed as a facilitator and trainer in cognitive behavioral therapy, ethics, professionalism, and cultural diversity—further solidifying her expertise in transformative leadership and social impact.
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A Personal Mission of Resilience & Healing
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Victoria’s work is deeply personal. Following the loss of her beloved husband, Illya McGee, she embarked on a journey of healing and self-discovery, using her personal experiences to guide others through grief, trauma, and life transitions. Her advocacy for holistic wellness, family support, and generational healing continues to shape her mission of building stronger, more resilient communities.
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A Legacy of Impact
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Victoria McGee remains a steadfast advocate for justice, education, and community transformation. Her life’s work is driven by one core belief: that real change happens when people are empowered with the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.
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She continues pushin and pressin, pioneering new pathways toward a future where justice, opportunity, and prosperity are within reach for all.
Organization Affiliations
Board Member
• LeBron James Family Foundation (Community Advisory Board)
• D.A.L.E. Program (Community Advisory Board)
• I Promise School Executive Leadership Committee
• Akron Public School Community & Business Advisory Board
• Former Board Member University of Akron College of Applied Science and Technology (Dean's Alumni)
Member
• Community and Family Engagement Sub - Committee (LJFF - I Promise School)
• Child and Family Leadership Exchange (CFLE) Class XXII
• Christ Child Society of Akron (CCS)
• Akron St. Vincent St. Mary High School Booster Club
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Facilitator
• Ethics and Professionalism and Cultural Diversity
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Core Correctional Evidence Based Practices
Tribute to Illya McGee
My Forever “Love” is ILL-REPLACEABLE. Illya better known as ILL was Heaven Sent & God Taken. An amazing love story that ended unexpectedly and left me on a grief journey with a broken heart. I am pushin & pressin.
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Illya McGee was a legend. A man of integrity, character, a leader of men and women, a beacon in the community, as an advocate for the youth, a contagious spirit of joy, a humble and kind hearted soul who would give you the shirt off his back. Illya had a foundation of family first and lived and leaves a legacy of McGeeStrong.
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Illya was highly recruited by over 10 colleges to play basketball. Illya proudly selected the University of Akron under the leadership of Coach Bob Huggins, where he earned a Bachelors in Mass Communication with a minor in Social Work. Illya met the love of his life Vikki in the University of Akron Student Center in 1987. Illya and Vikki decided to make it official in 1988. The couple was very popular and the love between them was undeniable. They were the epitome of young black love known as the favorite UA college sweethearts. Illya and Vikki were known for the best college house parties and cookouts. It was always some good music, good food, good drinks, laughter and love. A dear college friend once said “ Aint No Party Like A Vik & Ill Party” because the party don’t stop”. Finishing up their college days entering into their professional career their lives changed for the greater good of family. Illya took custody of his younger brother Willie from Chicago in 1991. Illya and Vikki began raising Willie as their very own. Illya was excited when his mother Dale Jean and youngest brother Patrick decided to relocate from Chicago to Akron for a different life. They all lived together in a two-bedroom apartment as a blessed family for many years. The soulmates married on September 2, 1995 and to this union they were blessed with two beautiful daughters Aliyah Victoria in 1998 and Amya JaNeen 1999. Illya was a protector, provider, and King of his castle for his Queen and two Princesses. Illya loved attending any and all activities for his daughters. He watched them play at basketball games, concerts, parades, and even the cheerleading half time battles and competitions. He loved showing them the importance of family and being loved by a strong black father. Illya & Vikki were together 34 years married 26 years. The love they shared was UNMATCHED and PRICELESS!
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If Family First was a person, it is undisputable Illya McGee. When the ugliness of the drug infested streets of Chicago directly impacted the family, Illya stepped up as a teenager. As a high school student athlete, Illya took on adult responsibilities to lead the family toward stability, as he became increasingly determined to change the economics of the family.
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Illya has raised three generations of McGee’s from Chicago to Akron. His love, dedication, commitment and loyalty to family was always at the center of his core. Illya had an infectious smile and keep it real personality that would light up the room. His charisma and Chi-town swag engaged people in conversations that could quickly go from the hood to the board room.
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Illya loved to have a good old school cookout enjoying his fall off the bone ribs and famous fish fry that brought people from all over the city, dancing, laughing, trash talking and enjoying themselves. His all-time favorite holidays were March Madness, holding parties for 25 consecutive years, July 5th his birthday, and Christmas. Illya was always the life of the party and made everybody he encountered feel loved. His music playlist and jokes in the Garage or G-Rage were the all-time best. The G-Rage even made it onto ESPN during the quest to the 2016 Cleveland Cavilers Championship. If you been to the G-Rage then you already know the special memories. Illya loved family, friends and community.
Illya was the Patriarch and Rock of the McGee family. Correctional. Illya’s warm smile, work ethic, dedication, and personality placed him on a fast track for upward mobility to various positions in leadership and the first African American Vice President of Correctional Programs for Oriana House Inc., Ilya’s impact on clients and staff was AMAZING. He took pride with mentoring and modeling throughout the years with a goal of professional growth and personal development. Illya was on several statewide committees and local correctional committees. Illya worked part time as a Mentor for Urban Ounces of Prevention for over 10 years. Illya was a proud 15-year Assistant Coach for the Boys Basketball team at St. Vincent St. Mary. “Coach Ill”, how he was known as on the court, was a tenured boy’s basketball Assistant Coach, sitting in the first chair, under Coach Dru Joyce, for over 15 years. He was and is a pillar in the boy’s basketball program. Historically, Illya was a part of six State Championships as a Coach and three as a supporter and brother, as shown in the documentary “More Than A Game”. Our story is also included in the movie & book Shooting Stars.
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“Illya was the blueprint of life”. Illya was a kind spirit human that put family first in all of his decision. So many people admired Illya as a man of integrity that never switched up. He gave the best advice and always found the good in everyone. Illya lived life to the fullest with no regrets, his favorite saying was, “Be better today than I was yesterday”. He always talked about the love of his life Vikki, Aliyah and Amya. You could literally feel and see true love. Ilya’s assignment on earth ended unexpectedly way too soon for us. Oh me, oh my how I miss my Forever Love. This grief journey has been rough, unpredictable and wicked. My faith was shaken, I could not prayer, it is the grace of God, prayers from my Mother, Sister, True Sista-Girls, family and friend that carried me. I have been pushin & pressin. I believe that grief therapy helps with the healing process. I encourage you all to hold tight to your memories that will be forever in your heart and mind.
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I am turning my Pain into Purpose. Keep Pushin & Pressin!
