Priscilla Novak, Ph.D., MPH, PMP

​

Priscilla Novak is a researcher focused on racial and ethnic health disparities. Her areas of focus include mental health, opioid use disorder in women, and health insurance. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland where she teaches program planning and evaluation. Her research examines access to care and the uneven burden of mental and physical health problems among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Priscilla’s interests include women’s health and under-utilization of evidence-based treatments in low-income groups, even when insured. She is driven by action- oriented research with clear implications for social and health policy. She holds a doctorate in public health from the University of Maryland and a Master of Public Health from George Mason University (VA).

​

​

Bonnie Ohri, MSc Economics

​

A native Washingtonian, Bonnie Ohri has had an extensive career in public service focused on designing, implementing, and managing programs for marginalized communities. She has a strong background in primary care service delivery, health care policy, and communication/dissemination strategy. She was a former Deputy Director at the U.S. HHS Health Resources & Services Administration, where she provided oversight on the Health Center Program with the mission of providing healthcare to vulnerable populations. As a former Deputy at the US HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, she managed patient safety and quality improvement in health services delivery projects.

 

Prior to this role, she worked as a senior policy advisor at USAID on emerging health issues in Europe and Eurasia, including an assignment in Moscow; at the Office of Management and Budget on budgetary policy; at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on compliance and regulatory oversight; and at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce representing U.S. banking industry clients.

 

After moving to Hong Kong in 2019, she pivoted her career towards the non-profit industry: she became an Advisor to MindHK on mental health issues surrounding the protests in Hong Kong; was a Project Director at OneSky for all Children, an NGO focused on maternal and child issues; and joined Women in Finance Asia as the Executive Director and Board Member. Recently, Bonnie joined Management Strategists Consulting Group (MSCG) as a management consultant to provide technical assistance on health care projects. Bonnie holds a Masters in Economics from the London School of Economics.

​

Groesbeck P. Parham, MD

Honorary Consultant University of Zambia

Professor of Gynecologic Oncology: UTH-Women and Newborn Hospital, Zambia; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA

​

Dr. Parham earned his B.S. in Sociology/Anthropology from Oberlin College and M.D. from the University
of Alabama at Birmingham, where he completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He pursued
studies in female urology at the University of London, England (St. George’s Hospital) and the University
of Khartoum, Sudan, where he studied surgical techniques to repair pelvic defects in women following
genital mutilation (circumcision).

Upon completion of a gynecologic oncology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Parham
served as director of the divisions of Gynecologic Oncology at the Charles Drew University of Medicine
and Science in Los Angeles and the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock. While in
Los Angeles he established the first gynecology clinic for women living with HIV (WLHIV) in southern
California, at T.H.E. Clinic.

His expertise in scaling up cervical and breast cancer services in resource-poor global environments has
been sought by the United Nations Population Fund and World Health Organization, where he presently
serves as the Senior Clinical Expert for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in the Office of the Director
General.

As a leader in combating women’s cancers in resource-constrained global environments, he developed
an innovative program (Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Zambia) for cervical cancer screening in
which nurses were trained to use simple household vinegar and a digital camera to identify precancerous
lesions of the cervix for treatment. More than 1 million Zambian women have been screened, and the
program now functions under the Zambian Ministry of Health.

His many honors include awards from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, International Gynecologic
Cancer Society, National Medical Association, Congressional Black Caucus, United Nations, and
honorary doctorate degrees from Oberlin College and Southern Methodist University.

Expertise

- Scaling up cervical and breast cancer early detection and treatment services in sub-Saharan
Africa
- Gynecologic oncology surgical training
 
Research focus

- Cervical cancer screening using artificial intelligence technology
- Rapid transfer of surgical skills using virtual reality surgical simulation
- HIV and cervical cancer
- Collaborating with African Chiefs and Traditional Healers to promote cervical cancer prevention in
Africa

​

Thomas J. Porter, M.A.T., ABD

​

Tom Porter was born in Montgomery, Alabama, raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17, and has been a citizen of the world for over 60 years. He has served as an academician and educator in the areas of psychology, political economy, history, and culture, holding administrative and teaching positions at Ohio University, Antioch College, Howard University, and Federal City College (now UDC). He also served as Dean of African American Studies at Ohio University.

​

Other positions Porter has held include, Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia, Foreign Policy Advisor to the 1984 Jackson Presidential Campaign, Director of the Antioch Graduate School of Education, Executive Director, National Jazz Service Organization, Executive Director, National Association of Blacks in Public Broadcasting, General Manager, WPFW Pacifica Radio, and was even a Democratic Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in the 2nd District of Ohio.

​

Porter is a graduate of the prestigious Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, the University of Cincinnati, and the Antioch Graduate School of Education. He continued his studies at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and Howard University in Washington, DC. Today, Porter is retired, living in Washington, DC and is Founder and CEO of SonBoy Records.

​

​

Colber Prosper, M.S. 

​

Mr. Colber Prosper is the founder and senior consultant for Prosper & Partners, an international consulting firm that specializes in professional and organizational development. He is also the author of the book No Entry: Examining the powers that undermine our full potential. Mr. Prosper is an innovative and compassionate leader who has been recognized for his ability to educate youth and adult professionals on various topics. Colber is an experienced facilitator that has led a plethora of presentations and workshops. He has done extensive research on issues of inclusion, social justice, organizational change, middle management and higher education. He has facilitated numerous presentations, programs, workshops and trainings around these topic areas. Mr. Prosper has also provided trainings in coalition building, prevention of substance use or misuse and organizational development around the world in places such as Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Cape Town, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya and several more. His extensive background in strategic planning and implementation has made him an asset to various higher educational institutions and non-profit organizations.

 

Colber identifies as Haitian African American. He was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School and was recruited to play football at Maryville College (Go SCOTS). There at Maryville, Colber attained his Bachelor of Arts in History. He then attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Go VOLS) for his minor in Political Science and his Masters in College Student Personnel. While at the University of Tennessee,

 

Mr. Prosper was selected out of a national search to serve as a CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America) Ambassador. After he was selected he started the National Coalition Academy in 2009 and graduated from the Academy in 2011. Mr. Prosper has had the opportunity to work, study and present with leading professionals in higher education, immigration policy, political science and organizational management. He and his colleagues has presented at Harvard University. He has worked with national and international organizations such as the United Way, Pre-College Upward Bound, the Children Defense Fund, the National Urban League, NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) and CADCA.

 

Mr. Prosper also teaches at the University of the District of Columbia and the College of St. Joseph where his research is being used to engage students. Finally, Colber has a passion for people and believes that the spirit of thoughtful collaboration can enhance the lives of individuals and improve organizations.

​