Board Leadership

Devon Toonen, President

Board of Directors

Devon currently serves as President for the Board of Directors. She has over 23 years in computer and healthcare technology, project management, and leadership experience. She is responsible for day-to-day operations, management, and strategic planning.

Her professional experience includes Chief Technology Officer at HealthTech Reporting, Network & Systems Administrator at United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF), and Reconciliation Database Developer in the Revenue Cycle Management Division at Dignity Health.

She is known for her volunteer service with various nonprofits and in homeless communities throughout California spanning over a decade and continues to help improve the lives of individuals and outcomes for communities.

Marisa Norton, Secretary

Board of Directors

Marisa is the Secretary for the Board of Directors. Her knowledge in the executive management and human resource fields has lent to her success in overseeing daily tasks executed by more than 100 employees.

Her passion to help communities of color stem from personal experience. She was compelled to get involved with organizing efforts to advance health equity while advocating for others.

She invests her spare time in providing volunteer support in low income communities.

Gina Linden, Treasurer

Board of Directors

Gina is the Treasure for the Board of Directors. She has worked in the health care field for 6 years with over 8 years of financial management experience. She is an entrepreneur by nature starting a small business at the age of 20 years old while navigating her way through the business world.

Her contribution to society and aspiration to reform underserved communities is carried out through her commitment to the organization’s mission.

She is a mother to three beautiful children and is currently pursuing a degree in business administration.

Clarisse Kresser, Member

Advisory Board

Clarisse is an experienced Senior Director and Manager with a demonstrated 25 year track record in forging effective teams, partnerships, and collaborations that positively impact targeted groups and at-risk populations. She has a successful history in planning, organizing, and evaluating programs. She values and appreciates diversity.

Her professional experience includes Vice President & Director of Strategic Partnerships and Student and Parent Services Director for Project GRAD Los Angeles (PGLA), and held various roles within Toastmasters International including Immediate Past District Director, District Director, and Program Quality Director.

Teresa Merriweather, Ex Officio Member

Advisory Board

Teresa is a member of the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice Human Trafficking Task Force, Community Affiliate Network member of the Woodson Center headquartered in Washington DC, seated on the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission’s Legal/Legislative subcommittee, and Lead Advisor to the Centurions Michigan Survivor Advisory Council. She is a sex trafficking survivor and travels the country providing training on Human Trafficking Awareness and dedicated to rescuing and restoring victims of human trafficking.

She is a co-author of “Rethinking Primary Prevention of Child Trafficking,” a framework published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry and distributed to organizations all over the world, and currently holds certifications in Wellness Recovery Action Plan, the study of Racism & Labor Trafficking in the U.S., and Crime Scene Technician (CSI).

“There indeed are a lot of steps that we must climb in life, but one thing that I know for sure is that through hard work, determination and dedication, a clear path to success and personal self -gratification can be fully realized.”