President/Board Chair

Robert Lewis

Robert Lewis has more than 25 years of professional experience working in philanthropy and the nonprofit human and social services sector in various capacities.  He is currently a Community Benefits Program Manager for L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan.  Prior to L.A. Care, Robert served as Principal Consultant for NEX-Impact, a management consulting group that provides relevant and culturally competent capacity building and technical assistance services to nonprofit organizations and helps social investors better engage and support nonprofits. In this role, he led the company in providing high quality, culturally competent services to small and mid-sized nonprofits ranging across areas such as, but not limited to: organizational capacity assessments, strategic resource development, board/leadership development, strategic planning, and retreat facilitation. Prior to NEX-Impact, Robert led the California Community Foundation’s (CCF) landmark BLOOM Initiative, a five-year, $5 million initiative with the goal of re-directing Black male youth who have been involved with the L.A. County probation system toward improved employment and educational opportunities. In this role, Robert oversaw the initiative’s strategic activities, tracked progress on desired outcomes, identified and managed relationships with grantee partners, identified partnerships with other strategic partners and served as the primary liaison with key community stakeholders. Robert also managed various grantmaking portfolios including but not limited to: youth aged out of foster care, low-income older adults and adults with developmental disabilities. Before joining CCF in 2008, he was a project director for a juvenile offender re-entry program at Prototypes and served as a senior program manager for the Permanence and Safety – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (PS-MAPP) training program at The Community College Foundation (TCCF).

Robert received a bachelor’s in sociology from Occidental College and a master’s in social work with a concentration in administration and management from Howard University. Robert serves on the Board of Advisors for Goodwill Southern California. He is a former board member for Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, a former program committee member for the African-American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI), and a former KCET Community Advisory Board (CAB) member.

Robert brings various perspectives to his work: investor, “no box” critical thinker, service provider, concerned citizen, and lifelong L.A. resident.  These qualities position him as a unique and compelling voice across various L.A. communities, and beyond.

Board Member

Michael Raeford

Michael Raeford has more than 15 years experience in internet company management experience. Michael began his career as an investment analyst with Sloan Financial Group, one of the largest black-owned investment firms in the country. In this role, his portfolio included technology stocks in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Shortly after leaving the investment industry, Michael co-founded and led the technology and product development of three start-up companies: eGames Group – online games (sold to Myspace in 2002), SkillJam – online games (sold to Liberty Media in 2004), and Mood Media – in-store music (IPO’ed on London Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2008). Michael and his partners operate and invest in high growth sectors and currently manage a portfolio of companies which they have started across various industries including social & mobile games (Engage Play), elder care services (LiveWell), and healthcare staffing (ATC West). Michael is also Founder and Chairman of 7Touch Group, which manages a portfolio of web and mobile applications. He serves on the board of the Student African -American Brotherhood (SAAB) and Generosity Water. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from North Carolina Central University.

Board Member

Marvin Boateng

Marvin Boateng is the Program Manager/Loan Officer for the Economic Development Collaborative- Ventura County (EDCVC), an organization that provides technical assistance and access to capital to small businesses in Ventura and Santa Barbara County. Marvin is in charge of lending and oversees eight small business loan funds. Over the past four years, Marvin has assisted more than 150 businesses to access more than $25 million in capital, creating more than 1,000 jobs and 200 child care slots in high priority areas in Ventura County. In 2013, Marvin was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times “40 under 40” for his passion for public service. Before working for the EDCVC, Marvin was a Branch Manager/Emerging Leadership Trainer in the US Bank San Fernando Valley InStore District. As a Branch Manager, Marvin achieved top awards such as Branch of the Year Finalist (2011), Pinnacle (2011, 2010) and Annual Star of Excellence (2010). Other civic engagement duties include President of the Sampa Community Educational Project, an organization that builds schools in Sampa, Ghana. Marvin is also Treasurer and Board Member for the Mayme Clayton Library and Museum in Culver City, a museum with the 2nd largest collection of African American Memorabilia in the United States. Marvin is an African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI) and a certified Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP). Marvin earned a double bachelor’s in African American Studies and Economics from California State University, Northridge and a master’s in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from California Lutheran University.

Board Member

Damon Haley

Damon Haley is a seasoned Strategic and Creative Thought Partner with more than 25 years experience in the sports, entertainment and consumer products sectors. Damon has mastered the art of designing, developing and implementing campaigns that appeal to consumers, sponsors, clients, partners and investors, all the while attracting targeted audiences and promoting the brand as well as delivering millions in impressions and revenues. Damon has operated his own ‘communication solution’ agency for several years, where he focused on launching new products, consumer activations, theatrical film releases, affinity programs and sports experiences. His portfolio of clients included Nike Inc, PepsiCo Inc and Time Warner, Viacom and Turner Broadcasting Family of Brands and Networks spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Prior to his entrepreneurial pursuits, he served as Sports Director at TroikaTV, Marketing Manager for Nike’s Western Region and rose through the ranks at Chevron in its Treasury, Overseas, Corporate Planning and Investment Strategy Groups. Damon earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Michigan.

Board Member

Reverend Kelvin Sauls

Reverend Kelvin Sauls is a faith-based community activist and international social and economic justice advocate. He is the former Senior Pastor at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, CA. Reverend Sauls brings years of experience in, and passion for multi-generational congregational vitalization for meaningful community transformation. Being born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, his work focuses on the intersection of social justice from South Los Angeles to South Johannesburg. He is an intentional bridge-builder for cross-cultural and multi-ethnic congregational development in racially diverse communities. Hence, his vision has been to reposition Holman as a hub of hope and healing, and a center for wellness and wholeness for local, regional and international communities. In his 20 years of ordained ministry, he has served both local churches and general agencies in the United Methodist Church. Prior to his appointment to Holman, he served as Executive Director for New Ministries in the California-Pacific Conference, Assistant General Secretary for Congregational Development & Racial Ethnic Ministries at the General Board of Global Ministries in New York, and Director for Congregational Transformation at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, TN. Reverend Sauls is the co-founder of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), the Priority Africa Network (PAN) and the South Los Angeles Transition Age Youth, Foster Care and Homeless Collaborative. He serves as the co-convener of Justice Not Jails, a program of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. As part of his passion to end homelessness in the City and County of Los Angeles, he serves as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA). He lives out his passion for the prevention of, and intervention around HIV/AIDS and STIs by serving on the Board of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Whether behind the pulpit or on the pavement, in the streets of protests, or the suites of power, Reverend Sauls is a prophetic, collaborative, and catalytic leader committed to realizing a more just, fair, and beloved world house.

Vice President/Secretary

Melanie Mack

Melanie Mack is an innovative entrepreneur, strategic thought partner, multimillion dollar fundraiser, motivational speaker, public relations specialist, author and radio show host. She’s an Emmy award winning television development executive having worked for Warner Bros., Paramount Studios and was part of the original launch team for fX Networks before launching her own companies and raising $1.5 million in seed capital to fund an urban portal with software partner, Load Media. For more than 10 years, she has worked in fund development for several nonprofit organizations, including Weingart Center Association, Union Rescue Mission, New Directions for Veterans, and Food on Foot. She is currently Director of Development for Angels Gate Cultural Center, an organization that brings art and culture to the community through interactive classes, gallery exhibits, professional artists’ studios, art education programs in the schools, and cultural events. Melanie also runs Power of the Single Mom, a boutique firm that provides professional development and networking opportunities for single working mothers and women in need of tools, inspiration and career support. She is a contributing writer for Forbes, an African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI), member of City Club, executive board member for The Don Cornelius Foundation, advisory board member for the California Women’s Conference, Angels Gate Park, and Girls, Inc. of Greater Los Angeles.

Tiana Sanchez

Tiana Sanchez is CEO and Founder of TSI, LLC a Woman-Owned Small Business preparing leaders to achieve next-level results in employee engagement. Her company currently manages a portfolio of clients with a combined net worth of over $100M. For over a decade, Tiana has served as Corporate Trainer and Business Consultant to top leaders in both the public and private sectors across the U.S. She is a #1 best-selling author, producer and host of a global podcast that inspires thousands of people in more than 26 countries.  Awarded the “Women of Distinction Award” in 2018 for her commitment to women, community issues, and public service, Tiana has served as a Board Member for EmpowHer Institute and as a Panel Judge for the Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge (YEC) Pitch Contest sponsored by Union Bank.

Tiana sustained an impressive and long-standing career in the Retail and Financial industries where she served on the Strategic Planning team for a Teacher’s Credit Union. After eight years in the financial industry, devoid of capital, Tiana audaciously launched her company in 2011. Named 2018 “Best Executive Coaching Program” by HR.com, her company improves business performance through Leadership Development and Executive Coaching for leading brands like Mercedes Benz, Activision, and BuzzFeed. Tiana’s books Undefeatable and The Upside of Failure can be found on Amazon.com.