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Meet Our
Board of Directors

Rev. Sandra Brown
Pronouns: she/her
For 30 years, Rev. Brown has served as pastor of congregations in North and Northeast Philadelphia, and currently is the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Bensalem. She has volunteered with The Maternity Care Coalition, Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Rebuild (POWER), and numerous other community organizations. She has also served on various committees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including Social Ministry, Worship, Committee of Deans, Synod Council.
Rev. Brown currently serves as the Board Chair.
For 30 years, Rev. Brown has served as pastor of congregations in North and Northeast Philadelphia, and currently is the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Bensalem. She has volunteered with The Maternity Care Coalition, Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Rebuild (POWER), and numerous other community organizations. She has also served on various committees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including Social Ministry, Worship, Committee of Deans, Synod Council.
Rev. Brown currently serves as the Board Chair.

Everett Gillison, Esq
Pronouns: he/him
Everett Gillison is a proven leader and seasoned public servant (which includes government and non-profit management) with a track record of
significantly enhancing projects within the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Everett graduated from Syracuse University College of Law. Now, he is an experienced Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the criminal justice and law enforcement industry, including serving as
Mayor Michael Nutter's Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. He is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Crisis Management, Government, Emergency Management, and Volunteer Management.
Everett currently serves as the Board Secretary.
Everett Gillison is a proven leader and seasoned public servant (which includes government and non-profit management) with a track record of
significantly enhancing projects within the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Everett graduated from Syracuse University College of Law. Now, he is an experienced Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the criminal justice and law enforcement industry, including serving as
Mayor Michael Nutter's Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. He is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Crisis Management, Government, Emergency Management, and Volunteer Management.
Everett currently serves as the Board Secretary.

Kevin Carsley
Pronouns: he/him
Kevin Carsley grew up in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia. He received his Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Holy Family University and is currently a data analyst at one of the world’s largest investment companies.
Kevin enjoys spending time with his kids and watching the Philly sports teams.
Kevin currently serves as the Board Treasurer.
Kevin Carsley grew up in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia. He received his Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Holy Family University and is currently a data analyst at one of the world’s largest investment companies.
Kevin enjoys spending time with his kids and watching the Philly sports teams.
Kevin currently serves as the Board Treasurer.

Rev. Patricia Neale
Pronouns: she/her
Rev. Patricia Neale has served as the Executive Director of Feast of Justice since it was founded in 2007, while she was serving at host church St. John’s Lutheran Church (Mayfair) as Associate Pastor.
She has a Masters in Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia with an urban concentration, as well as an MS from University of Texas and a BS from the University of Virginia from her first career as a biomedical engineer. Pr. Tricia serves on the board of directors for the Northeast Services Team.
She is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but has lived in Rhawnhurst since 2007 with her husband, David, who teaches high school in Philadelphia, and their three sons. When not at Feast of Justice, she enjoys running, cooking vegetarian food, reading, and her large Italian family.
Rev. Patricia Neale has served as the Executive Director of Feast of Justice since it was founded in 2007, while she was serving at host church St. John’s Lutheran Church (Mayfair) as Associate Pastor.
She has a Masters in Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia with an urban concentration, as well as an MS from University of Texas and a BS from the University of Virginia from her first career as a biomedical engineer. Pr. Tricia serves on the board of directors for the Northeast Services Team.
She is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but has lived in Rhawnhurst since 2007 with her husband, David, who teaches high school in Philadelphia, and their three sons. When not at Feast of Justice, she enjoys running, cooking vegetarian food, reading, and her large Italian family.

Mary Jones
Pronouns: she/her
Mary Jones is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and an actively involved volunteer at Feast of Justice.
She grew up in Buffalo NY and graduated with a degree in Music Ed from SUNY Buffalo. She is certified in Elem. Ed, having first taught in Lutheran and Episcopal schools and recently retired from the Philadelphia Public school system.
She has been an active church member her entire life, involved in worship life and music programs.
Mary Jones is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and an actively involved volunteer at Feast of Justice.
She grew up in Buffalo NY and graduated with a degree in Music Ed from SUNY Buffalo. She is certified in Elem. Ed, having first taught in Lutheran and Episcopal schools and recently retired from the Philadelphia Public school system.
She has been an active church member her entire life, involved in worship life and music programs.

Keith Xiao
Pronouns: he/him
Keith Xiao is the founder and executive director of the Northeast Philadelphia Development Corporation, a non-profit aimed at helping unite the Asian and American communities in Northeast Philadelphia. He also holds a role as the Asian Outreach Coordinator for the 6th District. Keith is also a board member of the Riverfront North Partnership.
Keith Xiao is the founder and executive director of the Northeast Philadelphia Development Corporation, a non-profit aimed at helping unite the Asian and American communities in Northeast Philadelphia. He also holds a role as the Asian Outreach Coordinator for the 6th District. Keith is also a board member of the Riverfront North Partnership.

Jada Dove
Pronouns: she/her
Jada Dove received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from UNC Charlotte. Upon graduation, she started working at the American Heart Association in January 2022 as a Health Strategies Coordinator. Jada has played a vital role in the Eastern States Community Impact Team to improve strategies and processes to be successful in our work. Some significant projects Jada has worked on in this role to highlight are the TBP Watch Party, NE Interfaith Consortium, Mother Cabrini Grant Foundation, Saving my Heart Sister, and HEARTCorps.
Jada received her Masters in Public Health from Temple University in May 2023. She is an active member of the Omega Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Through Jada’s collaborative efforts and taking the initiative on various projects, she was promoted to the Community Impact Director, Health Equity for the Greater Philadelphia region under the Bank of America Collaboration of Equitable Health Initiative. In this role, she directly addressed health equity regarding hypertension and heart disease in the Philadelphia region by partnering with health clinics and community-based organizations.
As a passionate and service minded individual, Jada now serves as the permanent Community Impact Director as of March 2024. In this role, Jada serves community and clinical organizations to implement public health interventions around improving blood pressure, increasing nutrition security, preventing tobacco and vaping cessation, community readiness, and lastly maternal health. By keeping the community at the center of her work, Jada strives for sustainability in her collaborative partnerships everyday.
She is from Kernersville, NC, and likes to travel, try different foods, and spend time with family and friends in her spare time.
Jada Dove received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from UNC Charlotte. Upon graduation, she started working at the American Heart Association in January 2022 as a Health Strategies Coordinator. Jada has played a vital role in the Eastern States Community Impact Team to improve strategies and processes to be successful in our work. Some significant projects Jada has worked on in this role to highlight are the TBP Watch Party, NE Interfaith Consortium, Mother Cabrini Grant Foundation, Saving my Heart Sister, and HEARTCorps.
Jada received her Masters in Public Health from Temple University in May 2023. She is an active member of the Omega Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Through Jada’s collaborative efforts and taking the initiative on various projects, she was promoted to the Community Impact Director, Health Equity for the Greater Philadelphia region under the Bank of America Collaboration of Equitable Health Initiative. In this role, she directly addressed health equity regarding hypertension and heart disease in the Philadelphia region by partnering with health clinics and community-based organizations.
As a passionate and service minded individual, Jada now serves as the permanent Community Impact Director as of March 2024. In this role, Jada serves community and clinical organizations to implement public health interventions around improving blood pressure, increasing nutrition security, preventing tobacco and vaping cessation, community readiness, and lastly maternal health. By keeping the community at the center of her work, Jada strives for sustainability in her collaborative partnerships everyday.
She is from Kernersville, NC, and likes to travel, try different foods, and spend time with family and friends in her spare time.

Philip Kuhl
Pronouns: he/him
Philip Kuhl is a proven leader of technical teams with more than 20 years of biopharmaceutical manufacturing experience from process development to the manufacturing floor. His specialties include biological and vaccines, line operations management, process development, international technology transfer, and plant startup experience. He is also Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified.
Philip Kuhl is a proven leader of technical teams with more than 20 years of biopharmaceutical manufacturing experience from process development to the manufacturing floor. His specialties include biological and vaccines, line operations management, process development, international technology transfer, and plant startup experience. He is also Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified.

Deise Rodrigues, PhD
Pronouns: she/her
Deise Rodrigues is the City of Philadelphia Director of Language Access Programs at the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA). She is responsible for directing and carrying out all activities related to the Language Access Program including day-to-day operations, training, and monitoring compliance. This program provides professional interpretation and translation in over 180 languages throughout city departments including Health, Police, Water, Licensing and Inspections, and Revenue, among others.
Deise works to ensure that ALL Philadelphians who speak languages beyond English can meaningfully access and participate in programs and services from the City. She provides language access consulting, training, services, and resources city-wide. Before, Deise Rodrigues was a Volunteer Partnerships Coordinator with the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service/City of Philadelphia. She previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA focusing on the Natural Disaster Preparedness of Latinx communities. She trained in volunteer mobilization and resource development. In the City of Philadelphia, she oversaw the Service Enterprise program by training and coaching Service Enterprise cohorts. She also managed the Mayor’s Volunteer Corps portal regarding volunteer opportunities. She earned her Ph.D. in History from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil). As part of her Ph.D., she was a Visiting Student Research Collaborator (VSRC) at Princeton University.
Born and raised in Brazil—the largest country in Latin America, surrounded by a rich historical culture and with a diverse population comprising many races and ethnic groups- Deise has an in-depth understanding of transcultural competence. Impatience to reduce global poverty, she is passionate about justice and education.
Deise Rodrigues is the City of Philadelphia Director of Language Access Programs at the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA). She is responsible for directing and carrying out all activities related to the Language Access Program including day-to-day operations, training, and monitoring compliance. This program provides professional interpretation and translation in over 180 languages throughout city departments including Health, Police, Water, Licensing and Inspections, and Revenue, among others.
Deise works to ensure that ALL Philadelphians who speak languages beyond English can meaningfully access and participate in programs and services from the City. She provides language access consulting, training, services, and resources city-wide. Before, Deise Rodrigues was a Volunteer Partnerships Coordinator with the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service/City of Philadelphia. She previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA focusing on the Natural Disaster Preparedness of Latinx communities. She trained in volunteer mobilization and resource development. In the City of Philadelphia, she oversaw the Service Enterprise program by training and coaching Service Enterprise cohorts. She also managed the Mayor’s Volunteer Corps portal regarding volunteer opportunities. She earned her Ph.D. in History from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil). As part of her Ph.D., she was a Visiting Student Research Collaborator (VSRC) at Princeton University.
Born and raised in Brazil—the largest country in Latin America, surrounded by a rich historical culture and with a diverse population comprising many races and ethnic groups- Deise has an in-depth understanding of transcultural competence. Impatience to reduce global poverty, she is passionate about justice and education.

Nancy Komada, PhD
Pronouns: she/her
Dr. Nancy Komada, a first generation commuter student, went to college and never left. She has worked in higher education for many years in student success and student life with all populations from first year traditional age students through to the senior year cohort, advising continuing adult learners, graduate students and advising doctoral candidates.
Dr. Nancy, as she is known by her students, has a passion for retaining underprivileged students from a broad diversity of backgrounds, through graduation, thus transforming not only families unfamiliar with higher education, but entire communities.
Her dissertation entitled "First Generation College Students and Resiliency" (defended in 2002) was one of the first, if not the first, study that targeted and named first generation college students and their challenges in this unfamiliar yet life-changing setting.
After four decades in various roles, almost exclusively lifting up students, Dr. Nancy will leave her full time role in September 2025 and pivot to a part time consulting role supporting parenting students through the process of higher education with the ultimate goal of degree attainment. She looks forward to using her skills on the board at the Feast of Justice and enjoys volunteering here very much.
Dr. Nancy Komada, a first generation commuter student, went to college and never left. She has worked in higher education for many years in student success and student life with all populations from first year traditional age students through to the senior year cohort, advising continuing adult learners, graduate students and advising doctoral candidates.
Dr. Nancy, as she is known by her students, has a passion for retaining underprivileged students from a broad diversity of backgrounds, through graduation, thus transforming not only families unfamiliar with higher education, but entire communities.
Her dissertation entitled "First Generation College Students and Resiliency" (defended in 2002) was one of the first, if not the first, study that targeted and named first generation college students and their challenges in this unfamiliar yet life-changing setting.
After four decades in various roles, almost exclusively lifting up students, Dr. Nancy will leave her full time role in September 2025 and pivot to a part time consulting role supporting parenting students through the process of higher education with the ultimate goal of degree attainment. She looks forward to using her skills on the board at the Feast of Justice and enjoys volunteering here very much.
Page last updated: 08/20/2025
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