(NORCROSS, GA)— HealthMPowers today announced the appointment of three new board members: Crystal Lazarus, Nafesa Walters-Smith, Pharm.D. MBA, BCPS, and Yolanda Reid-Wheeler.
“I am beyond excited to welcome these exceptional individuals to the HealthMPowers board,” said Jennifer L. Owens, President and CEO, HealthMPowers. “Their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to children and health equity align perfectly with our mission. With their support, we are better equipped to address the root causes of preventable chronic diseases, providing children with the tools they need for a healthier and brighter future.”
“I eagerly anticipate the invaluable contributions that our new members will bring to HealthMPowers,” said Keith Perkey, HealthMPowers Board Chair. “Collectively, the board remains dedicated to inspiring positive habits that will impact children’s lives for years to come.”
Introducing the New Board Members
Crystal Lazarus
Goodwill of North Georgia
Senior Director of Planning & Strategy
Crystal Lazarus is a Senior Director of Planning & Strategy at Goodwill of North Georgia. She served as the Controller for HealthMPowers, a nonprofit, promoting healthy habits to build a better future for all children. She has an extensive career working in various financial leadership capacities at Georgia EMA/ Homeland Security, Atlanta Regional Commission, Emory University, and Union City Government. Crystal has managed hundreds of millions of dollars by implementing transparency, innovation, and best practices to comply with GAAP, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and other ordinances/regulations. Her educational endeavors include a Master’s degree in Government and Nonprofit Accounting from Rutgers University, a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from Georgia State University, a Finance Officer Certification from the University of Georgia and other certifications. Crystal currently serves as the President of a chartered stock group and a volunteer tax preparer for the IRS. Crystal was instrumental in helping her former employer earn the coveted Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting from the GFOA
Nafesa Walters-Smith Pharm.D, MBA, BCPS
OptumRx
Senior Director, Clinical Consulting
Nafesa received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Florida A & M University and Masters in Business Administration, with a focus in Healthcare, from University of St. Thomas. Her professional experiences span several avenues, including managed care pharmacy practice residency, pharmacy benefit management, pharmacy consulting and ambulatory patient care services. Dr. Walters-Smith is a member of several civic and professional organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. Nafesa’s volunteer service has focused on the younger members of our society via local community efforts and formally with Cradles to Crayons and Project Sunshine. She has served on non-profit and pharmacy benefit advisory boards; and provided a multitude of continuing education lectures. Dr. Walters-Smith has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist.
Yolanda Reid-Wheeler
Henry County Public Schools
Intervention Specialist
Yolanda, a native of Atlanta Georgia is a consultant, educator, counselor, therapist, behavior specialist, life coach, and health advocate who has served in these professional capacities for 30 years. She has provided services as lead therapist, counselor, and recovery specialist for Charter Behavior Health, St. Jude’s Recovery Center, Young Adult Guidance Center, and Griffin Recovery Center. As the GA Department of Education District Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Coordinator Yolanda Reid Wheeler oversees 40 schools in Henry County, implementing and sustaining School Climate – Positive Behavior Interventions and Support with fidelity. In her educational prowess, she finds that the most lasting gift anyone could ever receive is an education.
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About HealthMPowers
HealthMPowers promotes healthy habits to build a better future for children. By integrating nutrition education and physical activity into schools, early care centers, and out of school time sites, the settings where children spend their time, we create a culture that supports lifelong healthy lifestyle choices for children, families, and communities. To learn more about how you can build a healthier future for children, visit HealthMPowers.org.
