Board of Directors

Monica Brown, MD, MPH
Founder/Executive Director

Dr. Monica Brown attended college, medical school, and graduate school in the University of Texas system. Dr. Brown has completed residencies in Emergency Medicine and Occupational Medicine. Dr. Brown is also actively involved in leadership positions within other medical organizations. In addition to this, she participates in international medical missions in various countries. Dr. Brown is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She has held several leadership positions in the sorority.

Karin Martin Howard
Board member

Karin Martin Howard retired after 43 years as an educator and secondary school administrator.  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Technology. Counseling and vocational educational credentials allowed her to counsel and prepare students for the workforce. She is a member Park Windsor Baptist Church, co-chairing several ministries and a proud Cultural Pearl in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She also has the honor of being a charter member of Gamma Kappa Undergraduate Chapter, at California State University Long Beach.

Jeremy D. Nelson
Board member

Jeremy D. Nelson currently serves as the Regional Operational Manager of the PacTrans Federal Credit Union. With over 10 years of credit union experience, Jeremy is adept in team leadership, business development and revenue generation. He is a powerful force in the workplace. He uses his positive attitude to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Jeremy graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Jeremy is a devoted Christian and is fully committed to the ministry of his local church. He volunteers his time to assist his ministry in serving essential needs to the community. Jeremy loves spending quality time with his family. He is very influential and an asset to society.

Raquel Paige
Board member

Raquel Paige is a registered nurse who has worked in pediatrics since 2002. She is a 2002 graduate from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) and a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN). Currently, she is studying to become a wound and ostomy nurse so she can provide education on wound and skin care to pediatric patients and their families. She has been a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. since 2000 and currently serves as the president of the Culver City Alumnae Chapter. She is from Los Angeles by way of Boston who loves to dance, relax at the beach and spend time with family and friends.

Karen Sadewater, LMFT, Psy. D. in Marital and Family Therapy
Board president

Karen Sadewater is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist. Karen’s pronouns are She, Her, Hers. Karen attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, where, in 2015, she graduated with a Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy. She currently holds a position as an Associate Clinical Director at an inpatient facility for adolescents. Part-time, Karen is a mental health therapist for families, couples and individuals in a private practice setting. Karen has a passion for helping others through volunteering. In addition to this, she volunteers as a Board of Managers’ member for Youth Institute, YMCA; where she is able to service her community in a different capacity. Karen enjoys traveling, spending time with friends/family, concerts and football. Karen is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Betty Smith
Board member

Betty Smith, a native of Louisiana attended Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana State University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Healthcare Administration as well as a Master of Science from Texas Southern University. She is presently working on a Doctoral degree in Healthcare Management. She retired after serving 23 years in Harris Health Systems (formerly the Harris County Hospital District) and in June 2021 after 30 years of service as an adjunct professor retired the Houston Community College Systems.  She is the owner of a first aid, CPR and AED training service in Houston, Texas and a co-founder of the Gabriel Home Healthcare Services. She serves the president of the women’s ministry at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Houston.

Allison Stradford
Board member

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6 NIV) Allison Stradford is an educator, consultant, event coordinator, missionary, minister, and a life coach. She has a passion for education, helping and empowering people, at home and abroad. Pastor Allison has spent the past 3 decades, educating people through ministry, serving as a missionary and sojourner to countries in Africa, India, and Jamaica, and as an advocate for the least fortunate. In addition, she has conducted workshops and training for evangelism, church leadership and youth, in over 15 states. In her spare time, she enjoys learning new hobbies, and creating things and events that would celebrate, educate, and empower women, seniors, and children. Allison is the founder of Shabach Creations, WECS (Women Empowering and Celebrating Sisterhood), and Shabach Christian Academy. Allison has earned an Associates of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Los Angeles Southwest College, Bachelors and Masters of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Masters of Arts degree in Christian Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education. She is also a proud mother to an amazing son, Aydin and a United States Navy veteran. Allison currently serves as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. Her mantra is “God won’t take you, where his Grace can’t keep you.”