Our Board Members

Mary Brown-Walker

President

Mary Brown-Walker is the CEO of GreenBax Health Solutions LLC, a medical service corporation which manages contingency contracts for patients in the greater Chicagoland area. Dr. Brown-Walker is a practicing Nurse Practitioner and community leader for 20+ years. As an Albert Schweitzer Fellow for life, she has performed extensive work to improve healthcare access for individuals negatively impacted by social determinants of health. Dr. Brown-Walker is a graduate of DePaul University and hold a Doctorate in Health Administration from University of Phoenix.

Vauna Hernandez

Vice President

Vauna Hernandez, PHR, NCRS, CPRS has over 20 years of Operations, Human Resources and Transitional Housing Experience. In 2000 Vauna left corporate recruiting to follow her passion to work in transitional housing.  She started that career at one of the largest state licensed recovery homes in the Chicagoland area. There she served as the Intake Coordinator, the Program Manager for Pride housing, the IDOC programs and finally a women’s facility on the Northwest side. Vauna provides solutions for organizations by building infrastructure through technology, compliance and people.

In 2017 Vauna launched StartUp HR where her specialty is consulting with startup companies and small to midsize businesses.  Ms. Hernandez has consulted with licensed recovery homes, sober houses, tech companies, dental offices, construction companies, non-profit organizations and social enterprises in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Vauna’s focus in on building organizations that provide opportunities for underserved communities and the people who live in them. “There is no greater satisfaction in life than to offer opportunities to someone and watch their lives transform. We are not meant to live in the world alone, we all need each other, and each of us could use a little bit of help that will push us over those barriers and allow us to succeed.”

Vauna holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR), National Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS) and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credentials.  Vauna leads the Fentanyl Workgroup in partnership with the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force - Prevention Partnership, Inc., and is a member of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) Relationship and Advocacy Committees. She also serves on the Bethel New Life Board’s Executive and Finance Committees and the Road Foundations as Board Vice President.

Ayhesha Pryor

Treasurer

Ayhesha Pryor is a Certified Clinical Nurse Leader who is passionate about preventative health practices and partnering with individuals/families/communities to seek ways to improve health outcomes. Ms. Pryor has worked as a Nurse Consultant for My Wellness Community/My Health Method by creating health content, strategizing ways to best meet the client where they are, and providing in person health counseling. In addition Ms. Pryor is a nationally certified School Nurse that has spent the last 4 years partnering with students/families in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Andrea lawson

Secretary

Percy Giles

Member

RUSSELL LOVE

Member

Russell Love, is a Chicago native from the westside. Russell has a 27-year history of addiction using heroin and cocaine. After approximately 11 years of in and out of incarceration, he made the decision to stay out of prison and begin his journey on the road to recovery. He now celebrates over nine years of sobriety supported by encouraging others through his work as a primary counselor at Above and Beyond Recovery Center, always carrying the message of hope and the promise of freedom from active addiction. He is very active in the fellowship and has served as a Group Service Representative, Group Chairperson, and Newsletter Chairperson in Recovery. He takes pride in his current role as a student at Kennedy King College, seeking an Associate Degree in Addiction Counseling/Social Service. His passion is to continue to serve those in need throughout the greater Chicagoland.