CEO

Denise is a seasoned public health leader, researcher, and nonprofit executive with more than two decades of experience advancing health equity and community-centered solutions. Her work sites at the intersection of public health, digital equity and systems change, with a particular focus on improving access, usability and trust in health information. A doctoral scholar in public health, she brings rigorous research, policy analysis, and implementation expertise to her leadership, pairing evidence-based frameworks with lived experience and community insight. Know for her strategic vision and calm, values-driven leadership, she has led organizations through growth, transition, and innovation while centering dignity, inclusion, and impact. She is also a writer, speaker and thought partner committed to reframing narratives around health impacts.

Board Chair

Kendel A. Paulsen is a seasoned coach and facilitator with over 30 years of diverse experience across government, corporate, and non-profit sectors. She has successfully built and managed both a non-profit and a for-profit business, showcasing her strong entrepreneurial skills and ability to navigate complex business landscapes. As a certified professional coach, Kendel has accumulated over 1,000 hours of coaching with 135 clients, providing personalized guidance to help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. She earned her ICF Accredited Coaching Certification in 2021, reflecting her commitment to coaching excellence and professional development. Kendel is also the co-host of the podcast "Coffee and Wine with Niamh Mitchel and Kendel Paulsen," where she shares valuable insights with a broad audience. Kendel specializes in leadership development, emotional intelligence, career coaching, and conflict resolution. She utilizes various assessment tools, including Myers-Briggs and Gallup-Clifton Strengthsfinder, to help clients identify and achieve their career goals. Known for her positive attitude and empathetic approach, she fosters a supportive coaching environment that encourages personal growth and resilience. Currently, Kendel serves as the owner of Women’s Empowerment Coaching and Consulting, LLC, where she has coached numerous clients, including executives and entrepreneurs. She also works as a Career and Professional Development Care Coach at BetterUp and conducts leadership coaching and facilitation at Forum. Her extensive involvement in community service includes roles such as Vice-Chair of the Governance Committee for the National Women’s Health Network and Chair of the Board of Trustees for Brain Injury Services. Kendel holds a BA from the University of Mary Washington and an MA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She has furthered her education with various certifications, including the Conscious Living Mastery Certification and courses from Yale University and Duke University.

Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair

Michael wrote his first book following a 40-year career as an accounting professional, nonprofit executive, and community leader. His background includes extensive experience with nonprofit organizations, where he has served as an executive, consultant, and board member across various sectors, including social services, education, healthcare, and national advocacy. The populations served by these organizations have included children and adults with developmental disabilities, low-income families, and other marginalized communities. Michael specializes in board training, financial and risk management, and advising CEOs on board relations and governance. He has served on six nonprofit boards—several times as chair—and notably led one board through a complex five-year merger and integration process. A Certified Public Accountant licensed in Virginia, Michael is deeply grounded in accounting and financial strategy, having worked closely with CEOs and boards to strengthen performance, improve planning, and manage organizational growth. He is also a member of the Leadership Greater Washington Class of 2005. Michael began his career in the 1980s in the commercial sector, working at international accounting firms Touche Ross and Price Waterhouse, and later serving as Controller for two private companies in the communications and financial services sectors. In the early 1990s, he joined MCI Telecommunications’ Consumer Markets division in a strategic finance role, where he supported key initiatives, including 1-800 MUSIC NOW, 1-800-COLLECT, and 10-10-321, as well as airline and loyalty partnerships. In 1998, Michael shifted his focus to the nonprofit sector, serving as Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Executive Officer of the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute, an organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. During this time, he began serving on nonprofit boards and continues to do so. After leaving the Kennedy Institute, Michael entered the professional services sector, working with three accounting firms specializing in nonprofit clients. He spent five years at a local minority-owned firm, followed by a regional firm that later merged with BDO USA. At BDO, Michael served for over 11 years—eight of them as Partner/Principal—before stepping down in 2024 to pursue writing and freelance consulting.

Development Committee Chair

Andrew has an extensive background in development operations, most recently as vice president of development operations at the Akilah Foundation for Women as it began a goal of dramatically scaling its unique educational program in Rwanda into Asia and North East Africa, and as Senior Director of Development at the George Washington University, where he was a significant contributor to GW’s $1B Making History Campaign.

Andrew holds a BSBM from the University of Phoenix with course work in Organizational Performance Improvement at George Washington University. A certified and active Reiki practitioner, he was raised in the United Kingdom and lived for five years in Okinawa, Japan. He currently resides in Northern Virginia with his husband Tom and their Jack Russel Terrier, Lucy.

Secretary

Programs and Services Chair

Dr. Joyvina Evans is Chair of the online Master of Health Administration program and an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University. She earned a Ph.D. in Public Health, a Master of Public Health, Master of Administration, and Bachelor of Business. She completed the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) Summer Intensive and CHER Scholar programs sponsored by California State University-Long Beach and the Leading Emerging and Diverse Scientists to Success (LEADS) Fellowship in Translational Research sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Clinical Research Education and Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Due to lived experiences and family history, she is passionate about health equity, health literacy, and women's reproductive health.  Dr. Evans is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, American Public Health Association, and Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration.

Advisor

Alexis Amankwanor, MPH is a co-founder of REPRA Healthand a public health professional and researcher specializing in maternal and child health. With a career spanning Ghana, Nigeria, and the United States, she has held impactful roles with leading institutions such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and March of Dimes.

Alexis has led health programs and research initiatives across West Africa, serving as a Research Lead on multi-country projects focused on system strengthening and patient-centered care. Her work includes the development of clinical bundles, quality measures, and hospital implementation guidelines that have informed service delivery across diverse health systems.

At REPRA Health, Alexis channels her commitment to health equity by harnessing culturally grounded innovation to challenge conventional approaches to reproductive and maternal care, from menstruation through gestation. She has also pioneered the design of trauma-informed simulation-based trainings for hospitals, ensuring providers are equipped to deliver emotionally intelligent, inclusive care.

Passionate about the intersection of public health and emerging technology, Alexis is exploring the use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality to improve the emotional, physical, and social well-being of communities globally.

Board Member, Finance Committee