Board of Directors
Martel Okonji
Board Chair
Martel Okonji has over 15 years in education, social justice, public health, community organizing, and welfare. Throughout his career, he has worked to dismantle inequitable policies, liberate and heal communities, and engage in national systems change. Throughout Martel’s career he has worked to elect Senator Ami Bera in District 7, founded the Black History Celebration at the Los Angeles LGBT Center while he developed new programming focused on healing-centered engagement at the Youth Center on Highland. Martel’s passion and impact were recognized by State, County, and local legislators in June 2017 at LA City Hall as a Leader of Change in the California and Los Angeles Community.
Martel utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to his work having a BA in Sociology and Queer Studies, a MA in Education, and currently completing a Ph.D. and MA in Leadership and Change. Martel is a LA County Commissioner for Supervisor Kuehl District 3, Consultant with national organizations and projects, Director of Innovation at Safe Place for Youth, and an Adjunct Faculty at Antioch University all while being a father to baby girl.
Dr. Andrea Humphrey
Board Of Directors
Andrea or Dr. Dre, as she is playfully called, is a dynamic, humorous and down to earth Author, Speaker, Coach, Pastor and Leadership Specialist. Not only does she function as CEO of her own executive development company, I.Q. Training Inc., but she also serves as Lead Pastor and visionary of H.O.P.E.’s House International Ministries. The intersection of the marketplace and ministry is where she feels right at home, this businesswoman/entrepreneur is impacting lives daily as the President & CEO of the Hope Community Development Center in Granada Hills. Graced with an unusual capacity to see greatness in people, she is always in pursuit of practical ways to help transform lives spiritually, mentally, financially, emotionally and physically.
Using her financial management skills that she honed during her 20 years at the Walt Disney Company and in MBA School, she supports the financial growth of SHP . Her experience as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager at Disney helped her understand cultural differences and how to use storytelling as a means to communicate differences and bridge gaps. As a successful church-planter she teaches how to establish and maintain a local church. Her two books, More Than Just His Wife, (It’s Time to Come out of the Shadows) and Transformed for Purpose have impacted people all over the globe but none more importantly than her joy, her two daughters, Lauryn and Sydney.
Krystal Sims
Board Of Directors
Krystal Sims is a highly accomplished and versatile professional in the non-profit social services industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and Family Consumer Sciences with a focus on Family Studies from California State University, Northridge, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than ten years of experience in homeless services. With extensive experience in various fields, including homeless services, human resources, healthcare, and higher education, Krystal is skilled at developing and implementing programs and procedures that align with organizational culture, values, and vision while promoting system change and professional growth.
Krystal currently serves as the Director of Recruitment and Onboarding and is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team at LA Family Housing, a leading non-profit organization specializing in homeless services and real estate development. During the pandemic year of 2020, Krystal’s inclusive and analytical recruitment strategies led to a 51% increase in her agency’s workforce. Her passion for talent acquisition, social services, and connecting individuals with opportunities is palpable. In her free time, Krystal enjoys expanding her knowledge of financial investments and real estate investing and sharing that knowledge with others.
