Over the span of 24 years, David A. Northern, Sr. has established a distinguished career in federal housing assistance programs including urban planning and policy development. As Executive Director/CEO, David is responsible for administrative and professional oversight in planning, directing, and coordinating the Housing Authority of Champaign County’s (HACC) varied and complex Housing and Community Development Programs while ensuring compliance with HUD regulations.

Tylvia is celebrating 10 years of federal service and began her career as a Systems Engineer for the United States Navy. She attributes her success to her alma mater, Jackson State University, and several internships she completed as an undergraduate student.

Rajka Milanovic Galbraith, MD, IFMCP, ABFM, ABIHM is a Functional Medicine Practitioner in Naperville offering Holistic treatment of the individual, not just the disease. Dr. Rajka will provide you with the tools and information YOU NEED to optimize every facet of your health.

Summer Jackson: Communications Expert 

Summer Jackson is a segment producer and reporter on WCIU-TV Chicago’s Morning Weekday Morning Show, You & Me This Morning. She has worked as a news and entertainment reporter/producer/host/anchor at various network television stations across the country, including some in Danville, Ill., Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La., Atlanta, Ga. and Chicago.

Jackie “Marini” graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Grambling State University. She pursued endeavors as a scientist but longed to explore her creative side. Her deep-rooted skills in retail business management come to life and eventually, the doors of Melodrama Boutique opened December 19, 2002. Melodrama is one of Houston’s premiere high fashion women’s clothing and accessories boutiqueJackie “Marini” serves on the U of Houston Department of Consumer and Science Technology Advisory Board. She lectures annually to college students of the U of Houston and TSU universities on entrepreneurship and the benefits and obstacles of starting a business.

Austin Kaplan is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Kaplan Law Firm.

Austin is an employment law and civil rights attorney and litigator serving clients in Austin, Texas, and surrounding communities. Austin represents individuals in a wide range of employment and civil rights matters, including claims for breach of employment contract, breach of non-compete agreements, discrimination, overtime violations, wage and hour violations, whistleblower retaliation, FMLA violations, and marriage equality matters. Austin spends most of his days litigating cases for the Firm’s clients in state and federal court.

Austin Kaplan is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Kaplan Law Firm.

Austin is an employment law and civil rights attorney and litigator serving clients in Austin, Texas, and surrounding communities. Austin represents individuals in a wide range of employment and civil rights matters, including claims for breach of employment contract, breach of non-compete agreements, discrimination, overtime violations, wage and hour violations, whistleblower retaliation, FMLA violations, and marriage equality matters. Austin spends most of his days litigating cases for the Firm’s clients in state and federal court.

Antoinette “Toni” Hubbard recently retired as Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion after 10 years with Trinity Health at their system headquarters in Livonia, Michigan. Toni is presently an officer of the board of directors for Mercy Education Project, a program dedicated to helping women and girls achieve academic success. She led the strategic plan development to address diversity and inclusion in the workplace, in the community, and the equitable delivery of health care. She graduated from the University of Houston and received a Certificate of Diversity Management in Health Care from Georgetown University.

Nichelle A. Poindexter is Vice President of Membership for the Greater Houston Partnership. Her mission is to serve, support, and help membership grow. Characterized as a “connector”, she has been acknowledged for her leadership skills and ability to attract and build strategic partnerships and alliances with individuals at all levels of a corporate organization.

Prior to joining the Partnership in 2018, Nichelle worked for 15 years in the music and entertainment industry, serving in a number of senior-level business development, account management, and marketing roles for Music World Entertainment (Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child), Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group.

Whether serving at the Partnership, on nonprofit boards, or community organizations focused on opportunities for all, education, or the arts, Nichelle shares a committed vision to improve the lives of others.

Nichelle graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with dual degrees in communications and business and completed board leadership training as a member of the United Way Project Blueprint Class XXXVII.

Nichelle has lived and worked in multiple cities including Dallas, New York City, Los Angeles, now residing in East Downtown Houston where she and her husband own a small business and enjoy live entertainment, museums, and sporting events.

Podcast of three female attorneys who discuss life, law, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.