Home: California to Texas. Age: Seasoned, yet youthful. Birthplace: Utah. Profession: Healthcare and nursing leadership; global health; nonprofit, philanthropy. Organization: U-VOL Foundation. Title: Founder/President. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: My best friend and husband, Minister Peter. Alma mater: California State University, Long Beach; California Baptist University.
Current project: Project WASH-leading a global health initiative through U-VOL Foundation to provide access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene to underserved communities in Africa. Recent recognition: Certificate of recognition by the District Supervisor of San Bernardino, CA for community health work to combat homelessness and food insecurity throughout the county. Latest contribution to others: Mentorship, coaching and development to nurses of color interested in entering the field of global health. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Daring to change the narrative of what global health leadership should look like and becoming a founder at a relatively young age. Hobbies: Travel, visiting national parks, experiencing new cultures and cuisines. Last book read: Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, by Tunde Oyeneyin. Recently viewed and recommended: “How unemployment became the ruby in my life” (a TedTalk by Tabitha Sindani).
Personality profile: Extroverted-introvert; strategic, futuristic, believer, achiever; connectedness. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Compassionate. Moral compass: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). How do you define a perfect friendship? One built on trust and loyalty with mutually expressed openness, compassion and constructive honesty, leaving room for the grace to make mistakes and grow. What is your greatest fear? Not fulfilling what I’ve been put on earth to do. What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. Please don’t tell my dentist! What natural talent have you neglected? Singing. Once upon time, I wanted to be a professional jazz singer. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teachers, who play many roles and wear many hats. It’s hard to put a value on their influence. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? An open mind and yummy food.
What was your first paying job? At Taco Bell. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Jesus Christ, because of the grace I’ve been given, the unconditional love I’ve received and the opportunities I’ve been entrusted with. The greatest model ever. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Know when to walk away and when to keep going. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Cultivate perseverance. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The smartphone. It’s a love/hate relationship. What is your favorite app? YouTube, for its wealth of information, instruction and entertainment. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Music and nature.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Improving the quality, ethical practice and service delivery of global health missions; advocating for nurses and nurse midwives of color to lead within the global health leadership space.
What change would you like to see in the world? Greater compassion, empathy and grace. What message do you want to send out into the world? We all have something within us that this world needs. Find out your something and share it. What widely held belief do you reject? That you need a college degree to be successful or fulfilled. What mega-trend most excites you? Digital healthcare. It’s taking healthcare access to another level that we previously didn’t know was possible.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Beauty from Ashes. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My grandmother. She was a humanitarian as well. I’d like her to see how much I turned out just like her and I'd like to thank her for the great influence she had on my life. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A doctor and a singer. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family, laughing and loving. What advice would you give your younger self? You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do, or what you’ve done, or because of the opinions of others, but simply because you are.
Personal mission: To be a beacon of God’s light. To advocate for those who cannot do so for themselves. To inspire others to serve, love, laugh and lead. Favorite quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that” (Martin Luther King, Jr).
