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Meet Our
Board of Directors
Cheryl Lafferty
Pronouns: she/her
Cheryl is a life-long resident of Northeast Philadelphia and a member and congregational Deacon at Redemption Lutheran Church. After co-founding a local youth non-profit called Rhawnhurst Turning Point, she now works as the Chief of Staff at Philadelphia Academies, Inc., a 50-year old non-profit bringing career connected education to underserved students. Outside of work she enjoys traveling with her husband, binge watching Netflix, and participating in triathlons.
Cheryl currently serves as Board Chair.
Cheryl is a life-long resident of Northeast Philadelphia and a member and congregational Deacon at Redemption Lutheran Church. After co-founding a local youth non-profit called Rhawnhurst Turning Point, she now works as the Chief of Staff at Philadelphia Academies, Inc., a 50-year old non-profit bringing career connected education to underserved students. Outside of work she enjoys traveling with her husband, binge watching Netflix, and participating in triathlons.
Cheryl currently serves as Board Chair.
Carolyn Edwards
Pronouns: she/her
Carolyn is employed as a Project Coordinator with an international company which manufactures and installs automated doors. She has previous work experience as an Operations Manager, Regional Trainer and Sales Manager.
In her free time, Carolyn enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, baking, sewing and cheering on the Philadelphia sports teams. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Shippensburg University and is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Northeast Philadelphia.
Carolyn serves as the Board Secretary.
Carolyn is employed as a Project Coordinator with an international company which manufactures and installs automated doors. She has previous work experience as an Operations Manager, Regional Trainer and Sales Manager.
In her free time, Carolyn enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, baking, sewing and cheering on the Philadelphia sports teams. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Shippensburg University and is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Northeast Philadelphia.
Carolyn serves as the Board Secretary.
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.
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. 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, and is a member of the city’s Anti-Hunger committee of the Food Policy Advisory Council.
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, and is a member of the city’s Anti-Hunger committee of the Food Policy Advisory Council.
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 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 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.
Everett Gillison
Kevin Carsley
Pronouns: he/him
Kevin 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 serves as the Board Treasurer.
Kevin 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 serves as the Board Treasurer.
Keith Xiao
Pronouns: he/him
Keith 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 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.
Phillip Kuhl
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.
Page last updated: 07/15/2024
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