Hardy Spoehr, Chair:
Hardy Spoehr, a long-time community worker and advocate in Hawai`i who has been a part of SHIRE since 2000 and its “Out of Many, One” initiative. Recently retired, he served as the leader and guiding light of Papa Ola Lokahi, the Native Hawaiian Health Board. He has had extensive involvement with other Pacific Islander communities throughout his life.
Marsha Edwards, esq., Vice Chair:
Marsha Edwards has practiced law in the District of Columbia for over three decades. She has been a volunteer and advocate in the pursuit for better healthcare in Black and underserved populations for the past two and a half decades. She has been involved with SHIRE as an advisor and supporter since 1997.
Dr. William W. Ellis, PhD, Treasurer:
Dr. Ellis is a seasoned public policy analyst who has served as a senior official in both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government, in research positions in corporations, and in tenured professorships in research universities. Now semi-retired, he serves as a volunteer at Pacific Crest, a highly innovative pedagogical corporation, in community work for Emmanuel-Brinklow SDA Church, and on the program committee of Historic Takoma.
Ruth Perot, Secretary:
Since 1997, Ruth Perot has served as the Executive Director/CEO of SHIRE. Her other professional experiences include providing consultation to a wide range of nonprofit and corporate entities. A veteran of the Civil Rights movement, she has been committed to community engagement and advocacy throughout her professional career.
Dave Baldridge:
A 35-year Indian elder advocate, Dave continues as executive director of IA2—the International Association for Indigenous Aging. He was a Co-Founder of “Out of Many, One”, a multicultural initiative pioneered by SHIRE and continues to serve as a contact and source of guidance regarding American Indian communities.
Leroy Harris, Jr.:
Mr. Harris is a retired Naval Officer and CEO of HITmethods Inc. (HITmethods.com) and Harris Quality Consulting, LLC. He has over 30 combined years of strong leadership, healthcare, and professional expertise in countries around the world involving influential military, commercial, and government projects in the global Healthcare and health technology arena.
Joyce Hunter:
Joyce Hunter is the CEO of Vulcan Enterprises, LLC. She is the former Deputy CIO/Acting CIO of the US Department of Agriculture appointed by President Obama. Ms. Hunter is the Founder and President of the Open Data STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Agriculture and Math) summer camps for underserved and underrepresented youth.
Sheila L. Thorne:
Sheila Thorne has been a marketing communications professional and cross-cultural educator for more than two decades. She is President and CEO of Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group LLC. A former senior executive in five of the nation’s preeminent marketing, advertising and communications companies, Miss Thorne has guided her team of seasoned marketing and media professionals of color in her own company since 2003.
Wayne Wells, MD:
Dr. Wells is a Family Practitioner and CEO of Global Health Compass and a Fellow with the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians with sub-specialties in Physician Advisory and Case Management. He is involved in remote learning of physicians and universities and served in pandemic and disaster management training and prevention programs for the U.S. Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine.