Sonia Selwin is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the People Empowerment Alliance for Creativity and Education (PEACE).
She has worked in varied positions: Assistant Professor, Unit Leader, Internal Quality Verifier, and Program Manager in the Business Department, over 16 years in India and Bahrain. Her area of interest includes grant writing, innovation, entrepreneurship, STEM education, development of educational institutions, empowerment of women, youth, low income individuals, disabled & minorities.
Her interest in women entrepreneurship emerged when she was pursuing her Bachelors in Business Administration and started a sari business to pay her college tuition. After completing MBA, she registered for masters of Philosophy where she conducted a research on measuring empowerment indexes to develop women entrepreneurs. Her Ph.D. research was on the empowerment of women entrepreneurs through Micro-enterprises in India.
Currently, Sonia Selwin is a Post Doctoral Researcher in Leadership at Andrews University, Michigan. She is involved in researches related to women in Church, STEM education and entrepreneurship.
Selwin Peter Gnanasigamani
Vice President, Finance
Selwin Peter Selvakumar Gnanasigamani is the Co-Founder of the 'People Empowerment
Alliance for Creativity & Education'(PEACE). He is an organized and responsible professional
with a history of working under high-pressure situations, reputed for effective team management,
quality office administration, accounts management, solid multitasking, and time management
skills. He has a very important role in the strategic planning and development of the non-profit
PEACE. He has an MBA in Marketing and a Diploma in Medical Lab Technology.
He served as the administrative assistant for the Defense attaché of Rwanda where he prepared
documents, maintained databases, attended orientation and training program on DCAS 2.0 that
helped to make diplomatic clearance for the Rwandan President and Prime Minister’s visits to
the U.S. Selwin also has experience handling Presidential Motorcade with the United States
secret services and worked with the U.S Police (Washington Union Station), SoD protocol to
secure diplomatic landing and overflight clearance. He assisted in providing total security of
delegates through DCAS (Diplomat Clearance Application System), and acted as a liaison
between the embassy and OFM through e-gov, a service of the OFM.
Previously, he was the General Manager of Winson Marketers in India which imported and
exported leather goods and granite. Additionally, he was involved in printing and marketing
school notebooks. He is highly skilled in developing business proposals, organizing the delivery
of products to clients, planning yearly budgets, and management of the employees. To add to his
credit, he also served as an Accountant in an Adventist School.
Selwin is passionate about volunteering in church activities and has been in charge of Audio-
Visual Management and telecasting church services online. He has exceptional skills in setting
up and connecting equipment for the church programs to go live on youtube and Facebook. He
possesses extensive knowledge of lighting systems, miking systems, audiovisual equipment, and
components. Moreover, he has a strong troubleshooting ability and is experienced in setting up
simple to complex arrangements, with a highly detailed focus. His dedication to the church is
highly commendable.
Dr. Jay Brand
Board of Director
Dr. Jay Brand served as Chair of the Department of Psychology and Social Work at La Sierra University. As Associate Professor of Psychology, he helped develop PhD and PsyD programs at Loma Linda University, both now accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Dr. Brand also served as Corporate Ergonomist, Organizational Behavior Specialist, and Cognitive Psychologist for Haworth, an international supplier of office work environments.
As a professional writer, editor, and speaker, Dr. Brand has published research on Christianity & cognitive science, the philosophy of science & research methods, APA style, office and workplace ergonomics, collaboration, and creativity & innovation. His current research focuses on organizational development, sustainability, leadership and organizational dynamics. He is also writing a book, "A Personal Journey from Science to Faith."
Dr. Brand teaches courses in Organizational Design & Behavior, Organizational Development,
Creativity & Innovation, and Academic/Analytical Writing. He participates in writing/editing
doctoral research, mentoring Leadership & Higher Education doctoral and masters participants,
peer-reviewed journal editing; consulting on learning & memory, research methods, statistics,
innovation/growth strategy, and aligning workplace strategy with organizational strategy &
business goals.
He enjoys translating peer-reviewed, scientific research into applied implications that address
practical issues and solve real-world problems; is comfortable integrating global, corporate
realities with academic priorities, and interested in defining user-centered design problems and
providing research-based solutions.
His specialties include blending science with design to define and solve human-centered
problems; creativity & innovation, research design/methods, subjective measurement, writing &
editing, organizational development, change management, evidence-based design, human factors
and ergonomics.
Anthea Washington is a dedicated and motivated professional possessing
over 19 years of experience in higher educational institutions in India,
Dubai, and Muscat and has enjoyed teaching diversified students, part-
time learners, and specific target groups. She has rich teaching experience
in areas such as Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurship, Business
Communication, Business Studies, HRM, Business Management, and
professional development courses. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Resource
Management and an MBA in Education Management.
She also has worked for five years in an NGO that has given her a depth
of knowledge in writing project proposals and preparing & delivering short courses on family
life management, environmental concerns, health, and hygiene for different target groups such as
women, children, and youth.
Currently, she is working in a reputable university in Coimbatore, India as a Professor in the
Department of Management Studies. She continues her passion for blogging
at http://www.questmeraki.com, a personal blog where she writes her thoughts on various
academic and general topics, with a particular focus on research questionnaires, research topics,
and so on. She is also pursuing B.Th. in Discipleship & Ministry to prepare herself to serve the
Lord Almighty.
Sean Robinson
Board of Director, Chair, Religious Department
Sean Robinson is the Director of Development, PGTS, and Association at the Chesapeake Conference.
Before serving at the Chesapeake Conference, Pastor Sean served at the NAD, Texico Conference as
association secretary, Texico Conference senior pastor in West Texas, and ADRA Albania Country.
Kathy Ron Johnson
Board of Director
Kathy Roy Johnson served at a disability rights advocate for over 38 years. She began as a Research
Assistant to Senator Harrison Williams, (D-N.J.) who at the time was the Chairman of the Senate Labor
and Human Resources Committee. She was responsible for legislative efforts concerning the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now IDEA), and
the Developmental Disabilities Act.
From there, Kathy worked as a Policy Associate for United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc. (UCPA) in the
Washington Office. Ms. Johnson lobbied on behalf of UCPA for seven years in the areas of Budget and
Appropriations, Education of Children with Disabilities, Employment for Persons with Disabilities and
Civil Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Within each of these areas she monitored all legislation,
attended Congressional hearings and worked with the Consortium of Citizens with Developmental
Disabilities to assure the passage of UCPA’s legislative agenda.
In 1985 Kathy went to work for the National Council on Disability, a small Federal Agency. Initially, her
work at NCD focused primarily on legislative efforts impacting children with disabilities, including the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Later in Ms. Johnson’s tenure with NCD, she worked
on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The pinnacle of her career came working for the
passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act which originated with the Council. She attended
numerous hearings and was responsible for keeping the Council appraised as this landmark legislation
wound its way through Congress.
The remainder of Kathy’s career was spent at the U.S. Access Board. There she represented the Access
Board at Congressional hearings and was responsible for preparing testimony and responding to
Congressional letters. She set up hearings for the Board on regulatory matters under its jurisdiction
including the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment,
transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology. Finally,
Kathy was instrumental in setting up the annual out-of-town meetings whereby Board members
explored various accessibility issues at the State and local level. She retired in May of 2015.
Kathy received a B.A. in Psychology in 1973 SALISBURY STATE COLLEGE, SALISBURY, MD. She is featured
in the 1973 Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Kathy currently chairs the Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church’s Disability Action Team (DAT). She
frequently write meditations for Sligo’s blog. Ms. Johnson loves to read and has her nose in a good book
most evenings. She enjoys writing and wrote a novel, Capitol in Crisis, was published in the fall of 2020.
Kathy and her husband Ed love to travel.
Michael Daley
Board of Director
Yet to Receive.
Dr. Veena Alfred
Board of Director
Through every turn in life, Veena’s life is a testament to the fact that the Lord has been by her
side. An interest in languages motivated her to study Sanskrit which culminated in a PhD in
Comparative Linguistics. The first-born to a newly converted Rajput family from Rajasthan,
India, she was influenced by her father’s zeal (being the first of his family to convert to
Adventism) and life-long passion to serve. This academic success led her to serve as a Professor
at Spicer Memorial University, Pune.
Driven by circumstances, Veena started a new life in the U.S. – from the bottom of the ladder in
eldercare which has led to the vision and purpose for her life. Dr. Veena Alfred has turned that
vision into being the Founder & CEO of AlfredHouse Eldercare (boutique assisted living
facilities). Additionally, Veena is an active member and leader of the Southern Asian Seventh-
Day Adventist Church and has translated ‘It Is Written’ study guides in
Hindi.
A Certified Dementia Practitioner, Veena has many professional highlights, but her heart is also
in her work with non-profit organizations like Visions for Africa and Manavar providing
educational assistance/opportunity for over 1,000 children. She states, “My best for the Highest.”
Veena is blessed with 3 sons and 3 grandsons and has a deep love for Indian Classical Music.
Sharon Hamel
Board of Director, Chair, Religious Department
Sharon Hamel joins our team with years of experience as a musical arts performer and educator.
She is dedicated to discipleship through music, healing, and the arts. Since 1991, Sharon Hamel
has worked as a music educator in both public and private school settings. She currently teaches
at the Amigos Dual-Language Immersion School in Cambridge, MA. She has also taught music
at Greater Boston Academy, the Chelsea, and the Boston Public Schools. She also performs on
the violin and clarinet, and coordinates community, church and arts events in the Boston area.
She holds a Masters in Music Education from Gordon College, a Masters in Creative Arts in
Learning from Lesley University, and is currently a candidate for the PhD in Leadership at
Andrews University with a research focus on Curriculum design and the impact of music on
healing. Integrating the magic and healing power of music and the arts into curriculum design,
Sharon develops innovative, multi-arts curricula for her students. She brings multiple
generational groups together through festivals, concerts, and workshops to experience the
creative and healing processes of music and art.
Sharon believes personal artistic expression and voice is a gift from God to be used to transform
ourselves, others and our communities to be able to see, hear, and allow the Almighty to do good
works through us. Participating in arts experiences such as singing, visual arts, drama, poetry,
story, dance are powerful for moving out of the bondage of poor health and addiction into a life
of health, fellowship, and dependence on God.
Her personal ministry is to share the gospel through musical and artistic exploration building on
the foundations of community, family, and spiritual values. Sharon supports people to move past
fears and isolation into a life of love and active contribution to community. Sharon aims to share
her faith journey and her experiences in following the 12-Steps of addiction recovery in order to
empower and give hope and inspiration to others. She has seen miracles in her lives as she learns
to depend and walk in the power of God.
Sharon’s conviction is expressed in Acts 17:28 “For in Him we live and move and have our
being.”
Dr. Manisha Deepak
Board of Director
Manisha Raikar is a native of Karnataka, India. She is currently pursuing active
career in the field of Medicine in USA.
Growing up, she has worked in various charitable foundations as volunteer. She
has the credit of starting a volunteer blood bank and motivating medical
students to donate blood. She has actively participated and supervised national
pulse polio immunization program. She has conducted several health-care
surveys, conducted school health check-ups and seminars to educate the
people with poor access to health care.
Her leadership skills were demonstrated early on in her career. She was elected
as the class representative during the second year of medical school. After
graduating from medical school, she followed her husband and enrolled in one
of the rural residency training programs in United States, thus continuing her
dedication for the care of poor and underserved population. During her residency
training, she has led clinical research to improvise care for diabetic patients.
