DR. NANAEFU AFOH-MANIN: FOUNDER, SHARED HARVEST FUND INC.

Dr. NanaEfua B. Afoh-Manin is an emergency doctor, public health practitioner, entrepreneur, and a champion for health equity. After earning her bachelor’s degree at UCLA, she obtained her medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Nana went on to complete her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she reached the position of Research Chief. Dr. Nana held a fellowship at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health where she additionally received a master’s degree in Global Public

Health. After gaining the knowledge and experience to go where she was needed, Dr. Nana has dedicated her career to raising awareness about the social determinants of health in refugee, urban, and disaster settings. As a co-founder of Shared Harvest Fund and the founder of SHF’s myCovidMDTM initiative, Dr. Nana has renewed her commitment to serving the underserved and underrepresented.

TANISHA SAUNDERS: RESIDENT COORDINATOR, SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH

Tanisha Saunders has been recognized as a community leader for using her skills to empower others while advocating locally, state-wide and nationally around issues that are close to her past. She has worked as a community organizer with the National Foster Youth Institute and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, a servant leader with the Children’s Defense Fund, and recently served as one of the Foster Youth Voice Representatives for the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Tanisha has also completed fellowships in the office of LA City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority focusing on ending homelessness through community capacity building. Her advocacy efforts have been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, Teen Vogue, Spectrum News: In Focus, Dominguez Hills Today Magazine, and other media outlets. She currently works for Safe Place for Youth supporting youth experiencing homelessness and serves as the chair for the organization’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee.

LAUREN TROSCLAIR DUNCAN: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HEALING CALIFORNIA

Lauren N. Trosclair Duncan is the Director of World Relief-Southern California and prior to her position at World Relief, she was the Red Cross Director of their Service to the Armed Forces and Veterans (SAFV) and International Services covering all of Los Angeles County. Lauren hales from a several generation Military Family, with her father being a decorated Korean War Veteran, spouse to a 22 year recently retired Army Veteran, and sister to a Navy Veteran.

Her commitment and passion to support service members and their families is evident through her work with the military communities. Lauren also spends her time serving as is Co-Chair of the University of Southern California (USC) Center for Innovation-Women Veteran Working Group and Chairs the Spouses and Family Members Working Group

EBONE SMITH: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WE ARE R.I.S.E.

Ebone Smith is an elementary school teacher, and founder of WE ARE R.I.S.E. Inc. Girls’ Mentorship Program in South Los Angeles. Through her nonprofit, Ebone organizes and facilitates culturally informed workshops for young girls of color that focus on strengthening social-emotional development, positive self-esteem, academic wellness, and life skills.