LACHC - Key Persons


Bettina Lewis

Job Titles:
  • in 2006 As the Executive Assistant to the President & Chief Executive Officer
  • Interim CEO
Bettina Lewis joined the Los Angeles Christian Health Centers in 2006 as the Executive Assistant to the President & Chief Executive Officer. Her diverse skills and background are a true asset for accomplishing the goals and objective of expanding LACHC's programs and services to address the needs of the community. Bettina holds a Master of Business Administration and Certification in Health Care Management. She loves reading, spending time with her family and being an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

Cheryl Barnes - CHRO

Job Titles:
  • Director of Human Resources
Cheryl Barnes transferred from the HR Dept of the LA Mission in 2008 to become the Director of Human Resources at LACHC. Cheryl has 14 years of HR experience and is an active member of HR organizations PIHRA and SHRM. Cheryl grew up in Long Beach, CA. She graduated from Holy Innocents elementary and St. Anthony's High School. She received a B.A. and M.A. from Cal State University Long Beach. She obtained her JD from Western State University of Law in Fullerton and graduated from Angelus Bible Institute in L.A. Cheryl's son and his wife have blessed her with two granddaughters Aveline 3 ½ years old and Katarina 3 months old. Cheryl is an avid reader and spends her free time playing with her grandchildren.

Dr. Edgar Barron

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Edward Lee

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Jae Ko

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

John Hong

Job Titles:
  • Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Kenneth Towler

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Kim Mealy

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Linda Trelles

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Pastor Troy Vaughn

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Pastor

Peggy Pleasant

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Renee Smith

Job Titles:
  • Director of Advancement
Renee joined the LACHC team in the fall of 2014 and shares more than 20-years' experience in fundraising, communications and public relations. She is responsible for fundraising activities and events targeting individuals and corporate sponsors. Renee also handles all LACHC owned media, publications and press inquiries. Renee will complete a Master's in Public Relations from California Baptist University soon and holds a B.A in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University in Washington D.C. She is a wife, mother and active President of the Los Angeles Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is also a member of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles. She considers her work in fundraising and public relations a critical ministry supporting God's work.

Samuel Merritt

Job Titles:
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Physician Assistant Program

Shannon Fernando

Job Titles:
  • Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
  • FNP - Chief Innovations Officer
Shannon Fernando is a California board-certified family nurse practitioner. She joined LACHC in July 2013 and currently serves as the Chief Innovations Officer (previously as the Associate Clinical Director). As CIO, Shannon oversees and manages special clinical programs, including the street medicine teams and Hepatitis C treatment programs, Whole Person Care and clinic-wide advocacy efforts. Shannon also engages in direct patient care and assists the CMO in running the medical department, recruiting Advanced Practice Providers, managing the medical provider schedule and education, and serving as the liaison with the operations department to improve medical care flow at all sites, and supervising the Clinical Satellite Site Lead clinicians and providers. She is also the founder and president of Alabaster Mobile Clinic (a non-profit organization which provides health services and health education to impoverished rural and urban communities in Africa); and founder and chair of the LA County HCV Provider Work Group in collaboration with the Community Clinic Association of LA County.

Stacey V. Bolden-Bowers - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors

Stephen Kennedy - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
Stephen Kennedy became the Chief Financial Officer of Los Angeles Christian Health Centers in September 2019 after serving on LACHC's Board of Directors for 10 years, including three years as Chairperson. Stephen has worked for 30 years in accounting and financial management positions with public accounting, manufacturing, higher education, and homeless services organizations in Milwaukee, New York and Los Angeles. Most recently, he served for 13 years as Sr. VP & Chief Financial Officer of the Los Angeles Mission in downtown skid row. In 1986, Stephen was licensed as a CPA in Wisconsin. He earned his Bachelor of Business Arts degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wisconsin, MBA from Columbia University, and Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. For the past ten years, Stephen has also served as Assisting Priest at St. David's Anglican Church in Burbank and currently participates on the Executive Committee of the Diocese of Western Anglicans. Stephen enjoys sports, reading, movies, theater, spending time with family and friends, and serving in God's Kingdom.

T. Sukari Finley

Job Titles:
  • Secretary of the Board of Directors

Teresa Antelo

Job Titles:
  • Director of Development
  • Director of Grants Management
Ms. Antelo joined the LACHC team as the Director of Development in June of 2011 and is currently the Director of Grants Management. She was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, completed her undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley, and received her Masters in Public Health from the UCLA School of Public Health. Throughout her educational and professional career, Ms. Antelo has been drawn to work with organizations dedicated to the health and mental well-being of vulnerable populations. Her previous work experience includes Contra Costa County Department of Public Health, NexCare Collaborative, and Children's Center of the Antelope Valley. She has a strong background in program/project management and evaluation and has worked in the non-profit sector for over 16 years.

Wayne Aoki

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors