Anya Gordon oversees the Faith and Health Partnerships department Advocate Health in Wisconsin. In partnership, Anya and her team provide faith leaders and communities with the necessary tools to help individuals and families in need. Anya believes an essential approach to improving healthcare is building community relationships. She aims to offer a ministry of presence to support those in difficult situations. She believes that the connection between faith and health is crucial and strives to make the Faith and Health Companionship series accessible to all, drawing on her own experiences and training qualifications.

With more than 2 decades of mental health experience, Felicia Houston is a sought-after Speaker/Trainer. Her passion lies in inspiring people to make Self-Care a priority. One of her favorite quotes is “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, it is an act of political warfare." Felicia is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who enjoys serving as the Faith & Mental Health Specialist with Advocate Aurora Health.

Suzanne Martinez is Coordinator for Congregational Outreach for the Office for Government and Community Relations for Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Condell, and Sherman Hospital. Suzanne supports the area churches with Health and Wellness education seminars, for physical, mental, and social well-being. In collaboration with the churches, Suzanne develops and initiates new programs and activities which strengthen partnerships between Advocate Health Care and congregations, all the while supporting health and wellness of body, mind and spirit, a “holistic” approach to caring for the whole person.

Lashondria Purnell, affectionately known as Shonie, is a community referral source and Faith Community Nurse with Advocate Health Care. In her role, Purnell focuses on community members’ overall health and well-being, emotional wellness, while also providing spiritual care. Along with her nursing degree, Shonie also has a Master’s of Art in Psychology and has completed training courses in trauma recovery, inner healing, emotional integration, mental health first aid and social and emotional intelligence. Purnell relishes her role as a faith community nurse, a vocation she describes as a “a holistic approach to nursing.” 

Cornelius C. Clark Sr. is the Faith Community Liaison with Advocate Health in Chicago, where he developed a faith-based hub-and-spoke network on the South Side, partnering with congregations and community organizations to advance mental health awareness, health equity, and trauma-informed care. He serves as Associate Pastor at New Life Covenant Church Southeast and on the local board of the American Clergy Leadership Conference, supporting interfaith collaboration across Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities. He holds a B.S. in Integrated Ministry from Moody Bible Institute and is pursuing an M.T.S. at Moody Theological Seminary, focusing on liberation theology and faith-based health equity.

Guided by a deep belief in the power of collaboration and restorative leadership, Henrieta Ribeiro, MA, empowers nonprofit and faith-based organizations to unlock their fullest potential. A seasoned program, workshop, and retreat developer, she brings the rigor of a family systems perspective to every partnership—aligning teams, nurturing leaders, and engaging communities of all sizes. As a marriage and family therapist, certified church consultant, and experienced facilitator, Henrieta Ribeiro equips leaders, educates teams, and guides visionary planning and conflict resolution. Her work strengthens collaboration, restores trust, and helps organizations sustain healthy, high-performing teams. Henrieta’s experience spans ministries and teams across diverse contexts, including Stephen Ministry, women’s groups, leadership teams, and committees. A Restorative Justice practitioner and trainer, she specializes in restorative circles and conflict facilitation—bridging healing and organizational growth to create durable, positive change.