DAYNA BOWEN MATTHEW, J.D., PH.D. and Professor of Law
is the dean and Harold H. Greene professor of law at the George Washington University Law School. Previously, Dean Matthew was a member of the law faculty at the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado, where she held a joint appointment with the Colorado School of Public Health and co-founded the Colorado Health Equity Project. Dean Matthew served as the senior adviser to the director of the Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and was a member of the health policy team for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation health policy fellow. She currently is a non-resident senior fellow at Brookings Institution. Before entering academia, Dean Matthew practiced as a civil litigator in Kentucky and Virginia. She holds an A.B. in economics from Harvard Radcliffe Institute, a J.D. from the University of Virginia, where she served as an editor of the Virginia Law Review, and a Ph.D. in health and behavioral sciences from the University of Colorado at Denver. Dean Matthew is the author of the book “Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care.”
is the dean and Harold H. Greene professor of law at the George Washington University Law School. Previously, Dean Matthew was a member of the law faculty at the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado, where she held a joint appointment with the Colorado School of Public Health and co-founded the Colorado Health Equity Project. Dean Matthew served as the senior adviser to the director of the Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and was a member of the health policy team for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation health policy fellow. She currently is a non-resident senior fellow at Brookings Institution. Before entering academia, Dean Matthew practiced as a civil litigator in Kentucky and Virginia. She holds an A.B. in economics from Harvard Radcliffe Institute, a J.D. from the University of Virginia, where she served as an editor of the Virginia Law Review, and a Ph.D. in health and behavioral sciences from the University of Colorado at Denver. Dean Matthew is the author of the book “Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care.”
M. Natalie Achong, MD, MHL, FACOG
A physician leader, educator and health equity champion, board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and fellow of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Achong is the Vice Chair for the American Medical Association (AMA) Minority Affairs Section and the 225th President of the Hartford County Medical Association. Dr. Achong the Immediate Past President and founding member of the Connecticut National Medical Association (NMA). The NMA is the largest and oldest organization of physicians of African descent.
Dr. Achong holds a doctorate with honors from New York University School of Medicine and a health MBA from the Brown University. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Achong is teaching faculty at Yale University and Netter Schools of Medicine. Dr. Achong is a leader in the Connecticut Medical Society (CSMS) She was the first named Health Equity and Population Health Director. She received CSMS inaugural Health Innovator Award for her transformational work to advance health equity and to improve health outcomes for communities of color and marginalized populations.
Dr. Achong is widely applauded for her clinical, academic and professional accomplishments and advocacy for the underserved and communities of color. Dr. Achong has been honored with multiple Yale University teaching awards from Yale and the National Medical Association. Dr. Achong received the alumni New York University Nia Award for her outstanding commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice through their post-graduation academic, professional, service and community engagement efforts. Dr. Achong been honored by the Women’s Section of the American Medical Association for her trailblazing work and dedication to serving patients and advancing health equity and justice.
A physician leader, educator and health equity champion, board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and fellow of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Achong is the Vice Chair for the American Medical Association (AMA) Minority Affairs Section and the 225th President of the Hartford County Medical Association. Dr. Achong the Immediate Past President and founding member of the Connecticut National Medical Association (NMA). The NMA is the largest and oldest organization of physicians of African descent.
Dr. Achong holds a doctorate with honors from New York University School of Medicine and a health MBA from the Brown University. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Achong is teaching faculty at Yale University and Netter Schools of Medicine. Dr. Achong is a leader in the Connecticut Medical Society (CSMS) She was the first named Health Equity and Population Health Director. She received CSMS inaugural Health Innovator Award for her transformational work to advance health equity and to improve health outcomes for communities of color and marginalized populations.
Dr. Achong is widely applauded for her clinical, academic and professional accomplishments and advocacy for the underserved and communities of color. Dr. Achong has been honored with multiple Yale University teaching awards from Yale and the National Medical Association. Dr. Achong received the alumni New York University Nia Award for her outstanding commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice through their post-graduation academic, professional, service and community engagement efforts. Dr. Achong been honored by the Women’s Section of the American Medical Association for her trailblazing work and dedication to serving patients and advancing health equity and justice.
Reverend Sanetta Ponton
Holds the unofficial title of "native daughter" of Englewood, NJ. Having grown up in Englewood, she is a proud graduate of the Englewood Public School District and has been blessed to receive degrees from Columbia University (BA), Harvard Law School (JD), and Duke Divinity School (M.Div.). It was in law school that God called her to ministry and she has been on a roller coaster ride with God in formal ministry ever since. She has served in Houston, TX; Durham, NC; and even as far away as Kenya. In addition, she faithfully served in her home church, First Baptist Church of Englewood, for 6 years as an Associate and later Assistant Pastor before moving to Metro. At the same time, she spent several years working with a law-related (gotta use that law degree) college prep program in New York City. Her heart beats for justice, equity in education, and to see the realization of the prayer, "thy kingdom come". Sanetta has the most fun when she's with good people, eating good food, and (preferably) while traveling somewhere that requires the use of her passport.
Holds the unofficial title of "native daughter" of Englewood, NJ. Having grown up in Englewood, she is a proud graduate of the Englewood Public School District and has been blessed to receive degrees from Columbia University (BA), Harvard Law School (JD), and Duke Divinity School (M.Div.). It was in law school that God called her to ministry and she has been on a roller coaster ride with God in formal ministry ever since. She has served in Houston, TX; Durham, NC; and even as far away as Kenya. In addition, she faithfully served in her home church, First Baptist Church of Englewood, for 6 years as an Associate and later Assistant Pastor before moving to Metro. At the same time, she spent several years working with a law-related (gotta use that law degree) college prep program in New York City. Her heart beats for justice, equity in education, and to see the realization of the prayer, "thy kingdom come". Sanetta has the most fun when she's with good people, eating good food, and (preferably) while traveling somewhere that requires the use of her passport.
MICHELLE CLIFTON-SODERSTROM Dean of Faculty and Professor of Theology & Ethics, North Park University, Chicago
Growing up in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom’s was drawn to North Park as the theological school of the denomination. But, according to Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom, the Seminary’s “ecumenical evangelical” identity supports and challenges students from all backgrounds. They will be exposed to diversity of theological ideas, student body, and denominational backgrounds. In her classes, students learn how to read, analyze, interpret, and apply a variety of theological and biblical texts to ministry. “I appreciate our holistic approach to ministerial formation including classical disciplines as well as ministry and formation,” says Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom. Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom is passionate about North Park’s mission and urban location and enjoys being involved in her students’ lives. “Our students receive a rich academic experience with a faculty who cares about them personally,” says Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom. Ordained to word and sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom serves as advisor to the denomination’s Christian Action Committee and sits on the editorial board for the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. She attends North Park Covenant Church and is an active volunteer at Peterson Elementary School.
Growing up in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom’s was drawn to North Park as the theological school of the denomination. But, according to Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom, the Seminary’s “ecumenical evangelical” identity supports and challenges students from all backgrounds. They will be exposed to diversity of theological ideas, student body, and denominational backgrounds. In her classes, students learn how to read, analyze, interpret, and apply a variety of theological and biblical texts to ministry. “I appreciate our holistic approach to ministerial formation including classical disciplines as well as ministry and formation,” says Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom. Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom is passionate about North Park’s mission and urban location and enjoys being involved in her students’ lives. “Our students receive a rich academic experience with a faculty who cares about them personally,” says Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom. Ordained to word and sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom serves as advisor to the denomination’s Christian Action Committee and sits on the editorial board for the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. She attends North Park Covenant Church and is an active volunteer at Peterson Elementary School.
Zachah German Koufalis, LMSW, MPH, CCM
Is a certified case manager, licensed social worker, and public health professional. She has over 15 years of experience across a variety of settings including, Children and Family Services, non for profit, community organizing, mental health, medical social work, manage care, and clinical programs. She completed her social work degree at the Wurzweiler school of social work in NYC, and her master’s in public health from the CUNY Graduate school of Public Health. Areas of expertise include Medicaid services, behavioral health, and clinical program development. Zachah currently works for a Medicaid managed care company, in the behavioral health clinical program department overseeing program compliance and alignments with New York State requirements.
Is a certified case manager, licensed social worker, and public health professional. She has over 15 years of experience across a variety of settings including, Children and Family Services, non for profit, community organizing, mental health, medical social work, manage care, and clinical programs. She completed her social work degree at the Wurzweiler school of social work in NYC, and her master’s in public health from the CUNY Graduate school of Public Health. Areas of expertise include Medicaid services, behavioral health, and clinical program development. Zachah currently works for a Medicaid managed care company, in the behavioral health clinical program department overseeing program compliance and alignments with New York State requirements.
Marilyn Faber BSN, RN, HN-BC, CHTP
Marilyn is the Coordinator of Parish Nursing for St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. Currently, there are 80 churches and over 200 nurses in her program. She coordinates the footwashing station at St. Vincent’s annual Medical Mission at Home where in 2019, 206 people received reverent footwashing by FCNs in her group. She is the co-chair of the Healthy Lifestyles Task Force which addresses the social determinants of health in the Greater Bridgeport Region. As part of the community health improvement plan, she works closely with several local nursing schools to provide mentorship for public health clinical by offering health screenings, education and referrals in local food pantries. Marilyn was honored by the CT Hospital Association as a Hometown Hero in 2017 and her group received the Community Service Award in 2019 for the work in food pantries. She is the onsite Coordinator for a monthly Food Distribution at the hospital. Marilyn is also Board Certified in Holistic Nursing and is a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner.
Marilyn is the Coordinator of Parish Nursing for St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. Currently, there are 80 churches and over 200 nurses in her program. She coordinates the footwashing station at St. Vincent’s annual Medical Mission at Home where in 2019, 206 people received reverent footwashing by FCNs in her group. She is the co-chair of the Healthy Lifestyles Task Force which addresses the social determinants of health in the Greater Bridgeport Region. As part of the community health improvement plan, she works closely with several local nursing schools to provide mentorship for public health clinical by offering health screenings, education and referrals in local food pantries. Marilyn was honored by the CT Hospital Association as a Hometown Hero in 2017 and her group received the Community Service Award in 2019 for the work in food pantries. She is the onsite Coordinator for a monthly Food Distribution at the hospital. Marilyn is also Board Certified in Holistic Nursing and is a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner.
Alexandria Massey, RN MPH, MBA.
Alexandria has been a nurse for 21 years. She has spent most of her career in the public health realm. Alexandria has worked in the NYC shelter system and home care for patients with disabilities and children living with HIV. The last 10 years of her career have been in Federally Qualified Health Centers, where there is an emphasis on caring for those in underserved communities and population health management. Alexandria received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina A&T State University. She received both her MPH and MBA from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.
Alexandria has been a nurse for 21 years. She has spent most of her career in the public health realm. Alexandria has worked in the NYC shelter system and home care for patients with disabilities and children living with HIV. The last 10 years of her career have been in Federally Qualified Health Centers, where there is an emphasis on caring for those in underserved communities and population health management. Alexandria received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina A&T State University. She received both her MPH and MBA from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.
Rev. Dr. David Holder
Dr. Holder is the visionary and founder of the Covenant Justice Coalition Conference. He has negotiated a church & housing development project that will build 477 apartments and 26 floors, and break ground in 2021. One-fourth of the apartments will be affordable at 55% of the average median income. As a founding member of the New Rochelle Alliance for Justice (NRAJ), a collaborative of four community churches and local construction and trade unions, NRAJ (pronounced “Enrage”) has moved local construction projects toward 50% union workers. They have recently graduated their first class thirteen new union workers through their apprentice program that identifies disenfranchised candidates for union work.
Dr. Holder is a fourth generation pastor, raised in Laurelton Queens, New York. He graduated from Talent Unlimited High School in Manhattan where he majored in voice. He was raised in the Presbyterian Church, spent his early adult years in both the Baptist Church and the Church of God In Christ, ordained in the A.M.E. Church and planted an Evangelical Covenant Church. Dr. Holder is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A. Neuroscience 1987), UCLA (M.B.A. 1991), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1995), Harvard University (Th.M. 1996), and Princeton Theological Seminary (D.Min. 2005). Dr. Holder is a board member of the Indwelling Dwellings Corporation, whose board has committed over $13 million dollars just in the last few years to create affordability in housing developments where there was none.
Dr. Holder is the visionary and founder of the Covenant Justice Coalition Conference. He has negotiated a church & housing development project that will build 477 apartments and 26 floors, and break ground in 2021. One-fourth of the apartments will be affordable at 55% of the average median income. As a founding member of the New Rochelle Alliance for Justice (NRAJ), a collaborative of four community churches and local construction and trade unions, NRAJ (pronounced “Enrage”) has moved local construction projects toward 50% union workers. They have recently graduated their first class thirteen new union workers through their apprentice program that identifies disenfranchised candidates for union work.
Dr. Holder is a fourth generation pastor, raised in Laurelton Queens, New York. He graduated from Talent Unlimited High School in Manhattan where he majored in voice. He was raised in the Presbyterian Church, spent his early adult years in both the Baptist Church and the Church of God In Christ, ordained in the A.M.E. Church and planted an Evangelical Covenant Church. Dr. Holder is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A. Neuroscience 1987), UCLA (M.B.A. 1991), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1995), Harvard University (Th.M. 1996), and Princeton Theological Seminary (D.Min. 2005). Dr. Holder is a board member of the Indwelling Dwellings Corporation, whose board has committed over $13 million dollars just in the last few years to create affordability in housing developments where there was none.
Rev. John F. Udochi
An Attorney at Law and the Training Pastor at the New York Covenant Church. He leads the Justice Institute responsible for the training curriculum for NYCC ministries. He is also a member of the Love Mercy Do Justice Team and through the Coalition Justice Conference he educates on issues of justice impacting our society. John attended Nyack College - Alliance Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of. Divinity degree. (Hons.) in Bible & Theology (Greek). He is a recipient of the Luis A. Carlo Award for scholarship, leadership, and excellence in urban ministry by the Alliance Theological Seminary. John is married with two children.
An Attorney at Law and the Training Pastor at the New York Covenant Church. He leads the Justice Institute responsible for the training curriculum for NYCC ministries. He is also a member of the Love Mercy Do Justice Team and through the Coalition Justice Conference he educates on issues of justice impacting our society. John attended Nyack College - Alliance Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of. Divinity degree. (Hons.) in Bible & Theology (Greek). He is a recipient of the Luis A. Carlo Award for scholarship, leadership, and excellence in urban ministry by the Alliance Theological Seminary. John is married with two children.