Johnetta Renee Baymon was born the third child of the late Bishop JP Morgan of Dumas Arkansas and the late Zelda Bernice Crater of Pine Bluff Arkansas on January 11, 1960. In October 1983, Johnetta married Mark Anthony Baymon. In September of 1994, Johnetta and her husband, Pastor Mark Baymon, founded the Deliverance Center Ministries in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts.
In 1998, God gave her the vision to establish the Royal Heritage Women's Institute, which is a foundation dedicated to the practical and spiritual education of women. She stresses the importance of women understanding their Queenship in the body of Christ.
In 2006, she founded Heart to Heart Women's Fellowship, which is a faith based community organization geared towards equipping women with the resources to complete their ultimate God given purpose. Already serving as a licensed Missionary in the C.O.G.I.C., she was installed as Co-pastor of Deliverance Center C.O.G.I.C. in March of 1999.
She has served as District Missionary of the Latter Rain N.E. District under Superintendent Hubert L. Powell for Connecticut Second Jurisdiction, and she is currently the District Missionary of the Holy Faith District of the Massachusetts First Jurisdiction of the churches of God in Christ as well as Chairperson of the District Missionary Unit.
She co-founded the Faith Based Health Alliance, a coalition which helps churches to create and sustain health ministries. She is the 2009 recipient of 2 National Founders Affiliate Awards from the American Heart & Stroke Association. She co-founded and coordinated for several years the Springfield Food Policy Obesity Conference, the first Obesity Conference in Western Massachusetts.
She was the 2012 recipient of the Directors Award from the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services. She is a bona fide 3rd generation PK (preacher's kid) and she has been in the ministry for over 24 years. Her unique presentation of the Gospel has enabled her to minister to many denominations and organizations. She has been sought after as a, teacher, leader, and counselor.
The Baymons head a community-oriented ministry with a heart for the fallen. They are blazing new trails, endeavoring to enlarge ministry facilities which would adequately accommodate their God-given vision: to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of people throughout the city of Springfield and its surrounding areas.
The Baymons are the proud parents of Aaron Jason Baymon, Mark Anthony Baymon Jr., and Christopher Ryan Baymon, Bria T. Jones, and Brandon Chauncey Grady. They have 3 Daughter in-laws Chrystel, Jennifer, Neesie and one son in law Vernon. The B are also the proud grandparents of 19 amazing grand-children.
Doctor Gloria Caballero Roca has been an academic, educator, researcher and activist for more than two decades. Cuban born, raised and educated in Havana, her global experience throughout her career took her to explore topics on translation, Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean studies, Women´s and Gender and Gender and Diversity studies. With two Ph.D.’s, two MA´s degrees, her mission in education has been to form sophisticated critical thinkers who can recognize our interdependency and connectedness among ourselves and with Mother Earth. Her publications and international talks focus on the intersectionality of diaspora, anti-imperialism, social justice and transnational experience. Dr. Caballero Roca was a 2021 Mayoral Candidate for the City of Holyoke.
Rachel is the Co-Executive Director of the (NELCWIT), the sexual and domestic violence crisis center serving Franklin County and the North Quabbin. Prior to joining NELCWIT, she was a researcher and program manager for the London-based Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium, studying livelihoods and service delivery in South Sudan, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, and led gender mainstreaming efforts for the 8-country consortium. She also worked as a freelance researcher and consultant for international and local nonprofits, and managed political campaigns for a State Representative candidate in 2018 and the successful local ballot initiative to make Greenfield a Safe City in 2019. Rachel serves on the board of Asylum Access, a global refugee rights organization based in Oakland, CA. She holds dual Master's degrees in urban & environmental policy & planning and international affairs from Tufts University and its Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy. She currently lives in Greenfield with her pitbull mix, Lionel Richie.
Kim Lee is an experienced builder of collaborative relationships that support strong, inclusive and productive communities. As a leader in several nonprofit organizations, Kim has advocated for the populations served through constant policy influence at the local, community and state level, leading to effective government/non-profit relationships and satisfied customers. During a career spanning three decades, Kim has demonstrated consistent achievement in managing resources, building strategic corporate, state and nonprofit alliances, identifying and tapping new revenue sources, and working to implement innovative solutions delivered through non-profit businesses. Along the way she has built extensive relationships with her peers in non-profit and for-profit organizations, with municipal and state government officials, and with local and regional media. Kim began her career as a communication specialist and found her niche in the non-profit sector, where she has held a variety of senior and executive positions in Marketing, Advancement and Development. She is currently Vice President of Development for MHA, Inc. (Mental Health Association) providing a broad range of high quality, community-oriented human services to 400 adolescents, adults, and their families each year. Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Westfield State College. Kim is married to Kevin Lee and they have two teenage daughters.
Amanda Lesnick is the Vice President of Support Services at Gándara Mental Health Center. Gándara is a large multi-service non-profit organization headquartered in Springfield, MA serving under-resourced and underserved communities throughout Massachusetts, with service hubs in Brockton, Holyoke, Northampton, and Springfield, MA. The mission of Gándara Center is “to promote the well-being of Hispanics, African-Americans and other culturally diverse populations through innovative, culturally competent behavioral health, prevention, and educational services.” The agency is committed to responding to the changing needs of those we serve; promoting self-determination and informed consent; fully respecting the human dignity and diversity of all individuals; ensuring the health and safety of clients and staff; supporting professional development; and working collaboratively with community partners, government agencies, private funders, and other stakeholders.
As Vice President of Support Services, Amanda provides strategic, mission focused leadership of the Prevention and Community Services Division whose programs and initiatives are primarily focused on delivering preventative, community-based services designed to strengthen protective factors around social determinants of health. Prior to her Vice President role she led the Grants and Contract Management department where she gained extensive experience identifying and securing diverse funding, new program development and implementation, and contract management. Amanda has a BA from UMASS Amherst with a concentration in Non-profit Management.
In addition to Amanda’s professional experience, she also brings valuable lived experience. Amanda is in long term recovery; has lived experience of chronic homelessness, poverty, and childhood abuse. She is passionate about breaking the stigma around these issues and leverages these experiences to bring a perspective to an issue or conversation that might not otherwise be included.
Luz Z. Lopez was born and raised in Springfield, MA. She has worked in healthcare and in the community since her internships at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical High School in the 1990s. Luz has held various positions within Greater Springfield Senior Services and other organizations in addition to serving as a SHINE (Serving the health informational needs of elders) counselor, receiving a Bachelors in Psychology from Westfield State University and a Certificate in Aging from Boston University School of Social Work. Luz has worked as a community organizer with success in building membership-based teams as well as hosting several large events. Luz cofounded MetroCare of Springfield Adult Foster Care and Group Adult Foster Care, MetroCare of Springfield HomeCare and Preferred Behavioral Health.
She currently serves as a CBAC (Baystate Medical Center Community Benefits Advisory Committee) member, on the CHNA (Community Health Needs Assessment Steering Committee), the Public Health Institute of Western MA board as well as most recently on the BeHealthy Partnership Joint Operating Committee (JOC).
In 2022, Luz cofounded Breaking Oppression. Breaking Oppression is a non-profit organization driving change through awareness, education and empowerment. Luz is the mother of two amazing children! She enjoys spending time with her family and identifying solutions to address the needs of the community.
Sarah Morgan is Vice President of Human Resources at Health New England. Providing strategic leadership and employment law advice to the Human Resource team, including Employee Relations, Compensation program oversight, visioning and goal-setting, revising job descriptions for HR vacancies, HR Business Partner support to Finance team leaders, and project management of key HR initiatives. Sarah Graduated as Juris Doctor in 2017 from Western New England University School of Law. Sarah has been serving on the PHIWM Governance and Partnership Committee for over a year.
Geoff came to United Way of Hampshire County in the fall of 2017, serving in the Community Investment role before being asked to take over as Interim Executive Director of the newly merged United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region in the spring of 2022. He began the role of full Executive Director in the fall of that same year. UWFH is the only flexible funding and convening organization specifically attuned to the needs of Franklin and Hampshire Counties and the North Quabbin Region. They partner with and fund over 50 programs of nonprofit agencies tackling the greatest needs in our region in relation to Economic Security, Health & Safety, and Children & Youth. Geoff is a transplant from Saint Louis, Missouri, via New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio with a BA in Art History. Outside of work, Geoff loves hiking and is working on the New England’s 100 Highest and 4000 Footers lists. He has also been known to play in local punk and garage bands, on occasion.
Ms. Amale Neary is the Chief Financial Officer at Center for Human Development, Inc. (CHD) in Springfield. CHD is the largest non-profit human services provider in Western Ma, supporting 22,000+ individuals annually in over 80 programs throughout Hampshire, Hamden, Franklin and Berkshire Counties and Western CT. She joined CHD in February 2014 after 24 years at Berkshire Healthcare Systems, an affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems in Pittsfield, serving in finance and operations senior leadership positions.
Ms. Neary is a graduate of Bentley University (formerly Bentley College) and received her Master’s in Business Administration from The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts. She is mother to Dr. Tara Neary and Mr. Zachary Neary and is presently an “empty nester” in Pittsfield with her husband Christopher and her loyal dachshund Greta.
Lizzy Ortiz has been employed at Community Care Cooperative, ACO, C3 for the past two years, holding the position of Senior Community Health Worker and Care Coordinator. She completed her education at Milton College in 2014, a journey that spanned several years due to the challenges of being a single mother and life's hardships.
Over the years, Lizzy has had the privilege of working with various state and local agencies, including Peck Middle School in Holyoke. Through her experiences, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and skills while forming strong relationships with numerous social service agencies and colleagues. Her passion and dedication shine through her daily work, where she remains committed to empowering individuals and families on issues such as housing, health disparities, civic engagement, community involvement, and community organizing.
Lizzy is a proud resident of Springfield, MA, where she has resided for the past 30 years. Lizzy is a Latina woman who is very proud of her Puerto Rican culture. She is bilingual and bicultural. She is the mother of two sons, Melvin and Elvis, and recently became a grandmother to a baby boy. Lizzy has cultivated a network of friends and colleagues, affectionately referred to as her BFFs, and she expresses deep gratitude for the connections she has made throughout her years of service in this field.
Knowledgeable, talented and visionary senior planning leader with vast experience thoughtfully and successfully guiding regional planning and community development at the city and county levels. Recognized for expert ability to create a holistic and compelling shared vision; anticipate challenges and creatively leverage opportunities; analyze complex issues, find creative solutions, and develop relevant and impactful policy. Demonstrated ability to successfully manage complex projects, programs and operations; communicate forthrightly yet effectively and navigate sensitive political relationships; facilitate consensus and commitment among competing stakeholders; and lead diverse teams to success.
Director, Behavioral Health at Trinity Health of New England. She’s spent her professional career working in behavioral health, starting at the Gandara Center in 2013, after earning her doctorate in clinical psychology in Puerto Rico. There, she worked with the Latinx population in Springfield’s North End. She joined the staff of the former Providence Hospital (then an affiliate of Mercy Medical Center) in 2016, and was named to several leadership positions, serving as clinical supervisor of the Clinical Stabilization Unit, director of Clinical Programming and Social Work, and director of the Clinical Assessment Center and Ambulatory programs
Rodriguez, a mother of two, is also active in the community, serving as a member of the Western Mass. Area Board for the Department of Mental Health; as a parent member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for East Longmeadow Public Schools; and as a leadership member of the Hampden County Addiction Taskforce.
Doug Salvador, MD, MPH, leads the Department of Healthcare Quality at Baystate Health. He collaborates with colleagues throughout the system to promote a learning health system, develop strategy for quality and patient safety, and coordinates health care for the community. Using his training in medicine, engineering, and epidemiology, Dr. Salvador is focused on the redesign of healthcare delivery systems, diagnostic error, undergraduate and postgraduate education of quality and safety, and fostering a culture of patient safety.
A graduate of the Johns Hopkins University (Biomedical Engineering) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Salvador trained in infectious diseases at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He practiced as a hospital epidemiologist after receiving a Masters in Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. His post-graduate training includes Patient Safety Officer Training from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and service on the board of examiners for the Baldrige National Quality Program.
Ms. Steinhauer serves as ED of VIM Berkshires. Along with the standard ED responsibilities, she also acts as director of medical services- coordinating patient care across all medical service areas as well as providing acute and chronic care. In 2016 Ilana helped launch- BASIC, Berkshire Area Support of the Immigrant Community, a group who works to ensure Berkshire county is a place the immigrant community can thrive. She is also a Board Member of Southern Berkshire Rural Health Network, and Berkshire Taconic’s Eagle Fund. With an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and BS and MS degrees in nursing from Simmons College, Ms. Steinhauer began her career as a nurse with The Medical Group/Harvard Vanguard Associates-Beverly, MA, later returning there as a nurse practitioner. Ms. Steinhauer is bi-lingual in Spanish.
Prior to joining the Westfield State community in July 2021, she served as dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Massachusetts Boston.
President Thompson has also held leadership positions in public policy. In Baltimore City, Maryland she served as director of occupational medicine and safety and developed programs and policies to promote the health of the city workforce, including the implementation of policies for HIV prevention and substance use and abuse. At the state level, she served as special secretary of children, youth and families, where she developed programs and policies to improve quality of care for vulnerable populations of children.
President Thompson has published more than 100 articles, books, book chapters, and abstracts. She has secured over $70 million in sponsored grants and contracts, and capital campaign and new construction funding. She has received numerous awards, was an invited participant in the White House Conference on Childcare and has served on numerous boards and commissions.
Dr. Thompson earned BSN and MSN degrees at Wayne State University, and masters and doctoral degrees in public health from Johns Hopkins University. She was recently awarded an honorary doctorate degree in nursing from Northern Michigan University.
Anni Zhu is an urban planner and former educator who loves bringing people together to solve tough problems. Currently, she serves as Chief of Staff for Way Finders, an affordable housing nonprofit in western Massachusetts, where she leads policy and advocacy efforts and manages strategic planning and special projects.
Previously, she worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), starting as Special Assistant to the President and progressing to serve as Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO. At the MTA, she worked closely with the Chairman & CEO in setting priorities for the senior leadership team and managing staff to deliver on these goals, while handling day-to-day operational issues that arose. A major focus included managing the agency's operational response to COVID-19, while driving financial savings initiatives to address pandemic-related revenue losses. She also worked on the approval and launch of the agency's 2020-2024 Capital Program and the roll-out of the OMNY contactless fare payment system.
Anni started her planning career at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as a Leadership Fellow, where she worked at JFK Airport and in the Executive Director's office on projects including Gateway and LaGuardia Redevelopment. She is a graduate of Cornell Planning and NYU, a member of the NYU Rudin Center's Emerging Leaders in Transportation 2018 cohort, and a member of City & State's 2019 NYC 40 Under 40.