Meet Our President

Experts in Nonprofit Support and Social Justice

Ashley is current Executive Director for New Hope Housing located in Northern Virginia serving homeless individuals and is also former Executive Director for Community Family Life Services, a nonprofit serving women who are returning home following a period of incarceration. Ashley is part-time faculty for Catholic University’s Graduate School of Social Work and is licensed to practice Social Work in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Ashley holds a Master of Social Work from Temple University, a Master of Organizational Development from American University and a bachelors in Criminal Justice from Temple
University and has worked in the human services field for over thirty years and served six years as a probation officer in Philadelphia. Ashley is passionate and committed to representing the voice of those who feel voiceless and those living on the margins of society.

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Meet Advisory Board

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

The members of an advisory board can supplement knowledge and expertise to offer more specific help in managing different aspects of the organization.

Diane Carter

Ms. Diane Carter has worked in the social services field, specifically, HIV, substance abuse and with disenfranchised individuals for almost 20 years. She recognized the lack of gender-specific resources available to the females who were incarcerated and wanted to make a difference in their lives. From 1997 to 2003, Ms. Carter-Bryant worked as a certified nursing assistant at Miriam House, a transitional hospice for women who are HIV positive or living with AIDS. During this time, Ms. Carter-Bryant decided that she could be of better service by working in the area of education and prevention. To that end, Ms. Carter-Bryant, enrolled in school and completed her Bachelors degree in Public Health Education.

Karen Collins

Karen has more than 15 years of experience working with disenfranchised individuals and families and works to make a difference
in the lives of those who seek out help and want a better life but are unsure of how to accomplish it. Karen is a graduate of Shaw University with an Associates in Business Management, received a certificate in Medial Office Secretary and has acquired multiple certifications on her journey.
Karen is a returning citizen who has dealt with many barriers and uses her experiences to be a voice for women returning home. Karen wants women to know that the past does not define them
and that when one door closes another opens, which is often better.

Patrice Gaines

Ms. Gaines a longtime justice advocate, she has received a Soros Justice Media
Fellowship to write a series about the impact of incarceration on the Black community. She speaks at conferences and prisons around the country and for years taught women at the Charlotte, N.C. jail. In
early 2023, the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project awarded her the “Champion of Justice” award for her years of work trying to absolve eight young men of murder charges for which they served decades in
prison. As an abolitionist, she believes crime can be reduced without depending on the mass incarceration of human beings.

Cynthia Ginyard Briggs

With over twenty 20 years of executive and professional, legal and executive experience, Cynthia Ginyard Briggs brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that has helped launch small, non-profit
organizations, federal and state government to successfully exceed goals. Cynthia’ successes include establishing a basis for foundational growth and long-term sustainability industry, trades for-and non-
profit entrepreneurships and private equities. Ms. Briggs continues to be connected and involved in the community and provides her extensive experience and support to all DC residents with a particular interest in supporting the needs of women
returning home from prison or jail.

April Shepherd

April Shepherd has over a decade of diverse and dynamic experience in the realm of public service and safety. With a proven track record of community
outreach, April is a dedicated professional who drives impactful change and innovation. Before becoming an integral part of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, April served as a
highly regarded Reentry Program case manager for Community Family Life Services. In her capacity, April played a pivotal role in providing strategic performance oversight to women incarcerated in the Correctional Treatment Facility, Bureau of Prisons and Fairview Halfway House. Her ability to
navigate complex challenges with women returning to the District of Columbia and deliver results made her a standout asset to DOC and BOP.

Dr. Shatina Williams

Dr. Shatina Williams is a licensed psychologist who provides individual psychotherapy, psychological assessments, consultations, supervision, and mental health trainings. By day, she is the Chief Mental Health officer at American University where she serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Well-Being Programs and Psychological Services. , She provides trauma-informed care and coordination for those struggling with a range of mental health concerns including identity, spirituality, trauma, HIV care and management, and health behaviors. As a Certified Trauma Professional, she focuses on the interpersonal, community, and political violence impacting Black communities. She is able to provide consultations to groups and organizations working to better the everyday lived experiences of those living on the margins.