Dr. Knitasha Washington, DHA, FACHE, is a nationally recognized leader in health systems change, driving healthcare transformation through quality, safety, and equity. As Founder and CEO of ATW Health Solutions, she pioneers initiatives that enhance mental health access, integrate behavioral health into care systems, and empower communities. ATW Health Solutions is federally recognized for its innovative approach to patient empowerment, working with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on quality and safety improvements.

Dr. Washington’s leadership has strengthened behavioral health coordination and expanded mental health access, shaping national policy through roles with the CMS, National Quality Forum, and NAHSE. She serves on the boards of Grand Prairie Behavioral Health Services and Southland Care Coordination Partners, strengthening behavioral health access and care integration. A legislative champion, she helped shape Illinois HB5014, a landmark in community-based stroke education and behavioral health integration, ensuring equitable, high-quality mental health care for all.

Nicholas Keith Chambers, known as “Nick” or “Keith,” is a Springfield, Illinois native. He has been married to Teawana Cole-Chambers for 30 years, and they have two sons. The family resides in Frankfort, Illinois, and are active members of Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson.

In 2022, Keith became Deputy Village Administrator for Matteson, leading economic development, downtown revitalization, and mental health initiatives. With 35+ years of experience, he has held senior positions under five Illinois Governors and two Cook County Board Presidents. He also served 17 years as a Trustee for South Holland, becoming the second African American in that role.

A four-time gubernatorial appointee, Keith has received multiple awards for community service and leadership. He holds degrees from University of Illinois-Springfield and Governors State University and is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. member. In 2018, he pursued ministry at McCormick Seminary.

Anjenita Davis is a community advocate, political strategist, and education leader with more than 15 years of experience supporting children, families, and communities. She currently serves as Chief of Staff to Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin and is the Founder of ACGC Consulting, where her work focuses on helping individuals and families become informed, organized, and prepared to navigate complex systems.

Throughout her career, Anjenita has worked at the intersection of education, mental health, child and family advocacy, and public policy. Her leadership has included managing more than $8 million in grant funding to expand mental health access and support school counselors, as well as developing more than 100 partnerships across education, mental health, government, and community organizations. Her professional experience includes leadership and service with Chicago Public Schools, La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center, By The Hand Club for Kids, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Anjenita also serves as Chair of the Local School Council at Mount Greenwood Elementary School, where she works alongside parents, educators, and community members to support student achievement, school accountability, and the overall well-being of students and families.

Anjenita earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from DePaul University and a Master of Arts in Political Science from Northeastern Illinois University. Her work is grounded in a commitment to ensuring that families have access to the information, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Cynthia Butler is a distinguished public servant who has served the Village of Richton Park Board for over 26 years, holding the esteemed position of Senior Trustee since her election in April 1999. With a remarkable 31-year career at CNA Insurance culminating in her appointment as Application Development Director, Cynthia has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a devoted wife, nurturing mother of two adult sons, and cherished grandmother to two grandsons and one granddaughter. Cynthia’s civic engagement includes her roles as Treasurer for the Friends of the Richton Park Library, the League of Women Voters of Park Forest Area, and the Rich Township Democratic Organization, as well as Vice-President of the Lakewood Homeowners Association. Her commitment to community is further reflected in her active involvement at Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson, Illinois, where she contributes to the Security and Victory Community Coalition ministries.

Amelia Flemming is the District Director for Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin and Founder of Creating Civil Community Leaders (CCCL). She has spent over 37 years in the Southland area, advocating for civic engagement, education, and social equity. With a B.A. in Psychology, Amelia is dedicated to mental health and family well-being. She provides family and couples therapy through faith-based services at her church and is pursuing a Master’s in Family and Marriage Counseling at Governors State University. A 33-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Justice, she served as an Intelligence Research Specialist for the ATF Crime Gun Unit in Chicago. She is a Housing and Human Relations Commissioner and a dedicated mentor for youth leadership programs. Her philanthropic efforts include leading women’s wellness fairs, resource drives, and mentoring initiatives, strengthening families and communities across the Southland.

Dr. Twin D. Green is a mental health expert and advocate for civic and social justice, dedicated to serving vulnerable populations. She is the Founder, President, and CEO of The Link & Option Center, Inc., a 30-year State of Illinois Certified Community Mental Health Center accredited by the Joint Commission. Inspired by her son’s challenges, Dr. Green has spent 40+ years championing youth and families in South Suburban Cook County.

She holds a Ph.D. in Human Services Counselor Education & Supervision (Rhema University) and is a Doctoral candidate in Healthcare Administration (Walden University). She specializes in family reunification and therapeutic care and serves on multiple boards, including the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois.

Dr. Green is also a member of the League of Women Voters, Rotary International, and City Club of Chicago, continuously working to strengthen community resources and mental health advocacy.

Dr. Tonya S. Roberson, PhD, MPH, DTR, is a Community Psychologist and the Executive Director of Community Engagement, Research, and Science at the Henrietta Lacks House in Chicago. She also serves as a University Lecturer and Community Engagement Manager at Governors State University’s College of Health and Human Services and is the CEO and Founder of Helping Communities Help Themselves. With a deep commitment to health equity, disease prevention, and community empowerment, Dr. Roberson’s work focuses on biomedical research, culturally tailored health initiatives, and addressing social determinants of health disparities in urban Black communities. A trusted leader in Chicagoland, the Southland region, and beyond, she is dedicated to community organizing, advocacy, and equipping individuals with the tools to take control of their health. Through her transformative leadership, she continues to shape sustainable, community-driven solutions for improved public health.

Howard Orlando Robinson Sr., a dedicated public servant and military leader, currently serves as Chief of Staff for State Senator Michael E. Hastings, representing Illinois’ 19th Senate District. A former State Command Sergeant Major in the Illinois National Guard, Robinson has a distinguished career that began at the Cook County Bureau of Health Services. He earned a Master of Health Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Public Administration from Governors State University, where he also served as an Adjunct Professor in Healthcare Policy and Politics and Epidemiology. Robinson is deeply involved in community service as a board member for Grand Prairie Behavioral Health Services and a Library Trustee in Olympia Fields. He is also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. A passionate advocate for public service, Robinson enjoys traveling, fishing, and dedicating time to his family, including his wife of 40 years and their ten grandchildren.

Gloria Wright, a compassionate Counselor and Wellness Consultant, brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare coaching and advocating for at-risk female hospital patients and community-based client recovery care. She leverages her experience and knowledge to partner with organizations in reducing health disparities and improving overall well-being in under served communities. Gloria’s deep understanding of women’s health and its significance to families and communities makes her a vital asset in promoting holistic wellness and health equity.

Elizabeth “Liz” LaRoy, LCSW is the Manager of Behavioral Health Social Services for Advocate Health Care and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, substance use treatment, and healthcare leadership. She has led numerous initiatives focused on improving access to care, enhancing patient outcomes, and integrating evidence-based behavioral health services across hospital and community settings. Liz is passionate about advancing mental health awareness and equitable access to treatment and is honored to serve on Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin’s Mental Health Advisory Committee, helping shape policies and initiatives that support the mental wellbeing of Illinois communities.

Dr. David Rivers, LSW is a behavioral health systems leader, therapist, consultant, mentor, and community advocate with more than 18 years of experience working at the intersection of mental health, trauma, violence prevention, community development, and justice reform.

What distinguishes Dr. Rivers’ leadership is his ability to bring people and systems together. Throughout his career, he has worked across behavioral healthcare, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government, faith communities, and grassroots organizations—helping translate complex behavioral-health challenges into practical strategies that communities and institutions can understand and implement.

Dr. Rivers currently serves as Clinical Director for LiveFree Illinois and leads Helping Hands of Hope Counseling Services. His work includes behavioral-health program development, trauma-informed care, clinical consultation, mentorship, workforce development, grant and funding strategy, training, public speaking, and organizational consulting. His experience also includes leading hospital-based trauma and violence-intervention efforts across multiple Chicago Level I trauma settings, providing clinical leadership within a 52-bed psychiatric environment, and directing youth safety, violence-prevention, and community-health initiatives.

His leadership philosophy is grounded in a simple belief: people closest to a problem must have a meaningful voice in developing its solution. That philosophy has shaped his work with residents, returning citizens, young people, clinicians, organizational leaders, faith communities, hospitals, and public officials.

Dr. Rivers also brings lived experience to this work. As someone who is justice impacted and has transformed adversity into education, service, and leadership, he understands both the human consequences of systems that fail people and the possibilities that emerge when people receive meaningful opportunities, support, and access to care.

He earned his Doctor of Education from Governors State University and his Master of Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University. His professional work is ultimately connected by one purpose: building bridges between people, communities, and systems so that mental and behavioral health support becomes more coordinated, accessible, responsive, and human.

Anastacia Sams, MA, LMFT, is the Founder and CEO of HealingWorks® and Co-founder of A Soulful Love, wellness and leadership ventures that help high-achieving professionals, couples, and organizations move from survival mode into sustainable success. A licensed therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor with over a decade of clinical experience across corporate, government, and community settings, she brings both clinical depth and organizational strategy to the systems that shape community well-being.

Through HealingWorks®, Anastacia advances a model of well-being grounded in community, authenticity, and cultural wisdom, operationalized through her proprietary E.A.S.E.™ framework, which moves individuals and organizations from survival strategies toward sustainable, self-directed leadership. Through A Soulful Love, she equips couples to build lasting, intentional marriages rooted in emotional wellness. Across both ventures, her work strengthens connection, resilience, and leadership capacity in the people and institutions she serves.