About Us
We are a group of diverse, down-to-earth, professional, community and family-oriented people who are attempting to make a difference in the world by building bridges, connecting Black Americans and Africans, planting seeds, providing education, and growing sustainable healthy communities.
Our Origin Story
In 2003, on her 30th birthday around-the-world trip, Erin traveled to Ghana and met Stephen at the Cape Coast Slave Castle during a tour. He was her tour guide. It was one of the toughest, heaviest days of her life. Standing in the slave dungeon where thousands of African people were kept before being shipped to the Americas. It was a horrific place, where thousands died and thousands more suffered. After the tour Stephen introduced Erin to some orphaned and neglected children that were working selling goods on the streets to feed themselves and not able to afford to attend school. He created an afternoon “club” to teach them about local arts and dance – giving them community and something fun to look forward to. Erin’s heart burst open that day, visiting the slave castle, meeting this dear man Stephen who was caring for these kids, and meeting the kids, many rescued from human trafficking/slavery, abused or orphaned. When she returned home from her journey she stayed in touch with Stephen (whom she now lovingly calls her African brother from another mother) and started fundraising to pay for the kids to attend school.
A few years later she met Anika and they formed the US non-profit (501c3) Learn Grow Lead. They worked with Stephen in Africa, to develop a sustainability model that would empower the local community to raise their own money and become less dependent on our US donors, that project is The Helpers Farm. Since 2003 we grew our board, impacted thousands of lives by educating children, starting the sustainable farm, and building an orphanage.
We do this work because we support the empowerment and sustainable results that The Helpers Farm provides, and because we are a team of compassionate women who can’t turn our backs. These people have become family.
Board Members
Liisa Bozinovic, Board Member
Liisa enjoys family soccer games, trips to the beach, camping and gardening. A mom of four girls, a boy and one canine, Liisa has lots to keep her busy. She is the head of Oregon Bioscience Association and, with her husband, co-founder of Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute. Liisa has enjoyed traveling the world and was excited to join Erin on a trip to Ghana in 2004 to help launch the Helpers Farm. She was moved by all of the children, their desire to get an education and their attitude that it is a privilege. She is passionate about the opportunity for organic farming to provide sustainable futures for the Helpers Foundation community in Ghana. Liisa previously worked in STEM education and workforce development for Biocom Institute and helped thousands of kids get excited about science, technology, engineering and math. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Michigan State University and a Certificate in Documentary Studies from Duke.
Erin Douglas, Board Member & Co-Founder
Erin’s passions include world travel (including Ghana, nine trips to India, and loads more), hiking with her dog Jasper, her pollinator garden, and attempting to make the world a bit brighter place through humanitarian and service work. She works for Banyan Botanicals as their Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Manager, and has a passion for using business as a force for good through the B Corp movement. She previously worked in Media Sales & Marketing with The Walt Disney Company and Event Marketing and Corporate Events with Bank of America and Discovery Networks. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications & Public Health from Northern Arizona University and is a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor.
Nakeya Fields, Advisory Board
Nakeya is a mental health entrepreneur, author, and speaker.
Nakeya is an alumna of the University of Southern California where she received a BA in Communication, a Master’s in Social Work and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare & Attendance. Nakeya is also a Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor and a certified field instructor and clinical supervisor. Nakeya is a 200 HR TT Yoga instructor, certified in trauma-informed restorative yoga and Mini Yogis Yoga for Kids yoga. She is licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. Most recently, she joined the cohort for the 2020/21 UCLA-DMH Early Childhood Fellowship.
Nakeya has over 12 years of experience in developing and running mental health-related community-focused programming. She is the Founder and Chair of the Board for The Therapeutic Play Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to build a healthier, more resilient world for those in under-resourced communities.
Nakeya is the best-selling author of “Mental Health Entrepreneur – Gain Freedom and Escape the 9-5 Grind: How To Treat Mental Illness and Monetize Your Expertise”, released In April 2018. Her second book, The “Manifest It! Action Planner: An Accountability Tool for the Powerful” will be available in 2021.
Nakeya is active in the community as the Co-Chair of the Department of Mental Health’s Black and African Heritage UsCC and is a leader in the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Steering, Planning and Community Action Teams. She is also the Chair of the Black Mental Health Task Force which seeks to empower community members of Black and African Heritage through advocacy and policy reform.
Further, Nakeya acts as a program development and staffing consultant to develop progressive health and wellness programs that incorporate creative modalities within educational, corporate and community driven organizations. She also provides in-service seminars and is available for book signings, expert panels, speaking engagements, and consultation.
Karen Z. Hardesty, Advisory Board
For the past 36 years, Karen has resided in Marin County, California working as a top-producing real estate professional.
She is involved in philanthropy benefitting children in need and our veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She also counsels cancer patients. She feels strongly about giving back and focusing on the needs of others.
Born and raised in California, Karen grew up in Pasadena, where she attended The Westridge School. After studying psychology at the University of Southern California, she settled in Newport Beach. Prior to working in real estate, Karen worked for Walt Disney Productions, both at Disneyland and the Disney Studios in Burbank. She was in charge of handling VIP tours and worked directly with Walt Disney on special projects. She also worked with the head of Guest Relations at CBS on various projects. During this time, she honed her skills in personal interaction and negotiation. After leaving the Disney organization, she worked in the securities industry at Dean Witter.
She has two adult children and a passion for photography and pets.
Anika Jackson, Board Member
Anika Jackson is a mother, community volunteer, philanthropist, and brand strategist. There has never been a time when she didn’t enjoy connecting, collaborating and creating meaningful relationships between businesses and communities, and helping brands apply those concepts to meet their goals. A woman gifted with the ability to draw excitement to an event, brand or concept, creating winning solutions and developing strategic press and marketing initiatives that lift up key partnerships and collaborations is the fuel that excites her.
Anika is founder of Anika PR, a strategic communication firm based in Los Angeles which includes a variety of beauty, entertainment, fashion, gourmet food, small business and tech clientele from Los Angeles to Jamaica. Additionally, she is the national correspondent for The Spot Magazine, highlighting women in business, as well as author of a marketing and PR column; the creative director of Women Acquiring Assets, with a column in Equity Movement Magazine and host of the podcast by the same name; and is always finding new ways to spark creativity and lift up the voices of not only her clients but other innovators as well.
Anika has gained a reputation for her philanthropic work in the community in both Houston and Los Angeles, as a founder of multiple charities as well as past chairperson and thought leader for organizations including Junior League, Learn Grow Lead, and Planned Parenthood. In addition, Anika is a founding family and was on the initial advisory council for Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Center for Family Philanthropy.
Anika resides in Redondo Beach, CA with her daughter and two golden retrievers and enjoys live music, art, reading, cooking, and traveling.
Chelsea Ialeggio, Advisory Board
A consistent top producer in Marin County, Chelsea began her real estate career in 2003. Previously, she spent nearly a decade in the financial industry, the majority of her focus in institutional equity research sales to domestic and foreign institutions in the U.S., Italy, Switzerland, and the U.K. Chelsea’s extensive research and sales experience, combined with her managerial skills demonstrated by running a successful equity sales team in London as a Managing Director with Bank of America Securities, and her personal interest in real estate, made for an easy transition into residential real estate sales. Chelsea grew up in Marin and currently lives in Mill Valley. She knows the Bay Area extremely well, not only as a long-time resident, but as a successful realtor. Having grown up in a family of top-producing real estate professionals, she constantly had exposure to the market and was presented with the highest standards of business ethics. The success that Chelsea has established in her business endeavors is based on her exceptional level of integrity and professionalism. As a client of Chelsea’s, you will always come first and she will continuously strive to give you the best experience possible in buying or selling your home. She looks forward to the opportunity of doing business with you. Chelsea has served as a Director on the Marin Board of Realtors as well as serving on several committees for the Board. She contributes a portion of each of her transactions to various charities including Home for a Home, Childrens Helper Foundation, Camp Korey, Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mill Valley Library Foundation, and City of Dreams.
Gary Maze, Advisory Board
I took the prodigal son walk to the giving side of life. During this walk I graduated from the University of Houston with a BS degree in Accounting and Finance I traveled the world all over South and Central America, The Philippines, Africa primarily guided by my own self-interest Experiencing the pains, dissatisfaction, and broken relationships of being a taker into my early 30’s finally unveiled the direction of a much better path. The longest, most difficult, and most rewarding journey anyone can ever take is only about 16 inches from your Head to your Heart. Making this shift in my life has been a gift to me and most people that come in contact with me. I have been blessed with a business that has doubled in size every year for the last 3 years. A group of genuine friends and good people in my life. A life of prosperity mentally, physically, emotionally and Spiritually. I have had the opportunity to meet the most interesting people and participate in the most interesting adventures. I also have learned that there is much more joy in giving and being a blessing to people!!! Even during current challenges, I know there will always be a silver lining and life lesson that can help someone in the future. Don’t get me wrong I am in no danger of being a Saint, I have just found a path of life that is much more rewarding, enjoyable, and relaxing.
Nealette Montgomery, Advisory Board
Nealette is an established and experienced freelance Content Creator, Creative Director and Social Media Strategist currently stationed in the Greater Houston area. She has been fortunate to work with clients on a broad spectrum. Ranging from local boutiques and retail establishments, restaurants, Yoga and Wellness studios, Podcast, Entertainment Venues, Artist, Social Clubs, and more. For her clients, she is a primary solution to their branding and or rebranding, digital, visual, and social media, creative direction and content creation. Nealette’s experience and portfolio covers but is not limited to photography and videography, digital marketing, social media management and growth, technical and creative writing.
Melissa Wyatt, Advisory Board
Melissa Wyatt is an innovative and forward-thinking serial entrepreneur, real estate developer, coach and, a mentor who has spent decades honing her skills through multiple startups. Melissa is the powerhouse behind MW Enterprises, LLC, a privately managed and diversified real estate company with holdings in excess of $7mm, headquartered in Los Angeles and focused on acquisition, development, and management of residential, multifamily, small office, and commercial properties as well as undeveloped land.
Since the ripe age of thirteen, Melissa Wyatt has led efforts to strengthen her community and advocate for the marginalized. In addition to her professional background, Melissa volunteers in many capacities which led to her founding Foundation for Second Chances in 2004. Foundation for Second Chances is a community-based organization that utilizes hands-on education, mentoring, health awareness, and community service to maximize the potential of youth. She also serves on many boards and is very active in her community. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, eating, attending sporting events, reading and traveling.
Meet Our Farm Team
The Helpers Farm team includes:
Our farm manager, Edward, whose education was funded by our programs and he now wishes to give back.
The women, Philomina & Esi, both mothers of many children, who work at the farm to support their families.
Stephen, our fearless leader, who was trafficked as a boy. He was forced to work in a restaurant earning no wages, he had no opportunity to attend school himself. His mission in life has become to see that orphaned and neglected children have the opportunity to attend school.