Our Team
Meet the dedicated board members and leaders driving our mission forward.
Angelle M. Maua
Board Member
Angelle Maua (they/she/elle) is a queer femme nonbinary leader inspired by their work with community youth. They currently serve as the Executive Assistant to the President at San Diego City College. Recognizing the urgent need for confidential and affirming spaces for BIPOC LGBTQIA+ families in San Diego, particularly among African American communities in North and Southeast San Diego Counties, Angelle founded The Gender Phluid Collective (Opens in a new window) (GPC). The organization offers support groups and services that center transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming individuals, helping them live authentically and with affirmation. Angelle has served as a facilitator for four years with the PFLAG National Black Families Support Group, former president of San Diego Black Pride, and is a community lecturer at Poway Adult School. They also serve on several community advisory boards and continue to advocate for intersectional equity and belonging across both educational and grassroots spaces.
Desiree S Smith
Board Member
Desiree S Smith is a San Diego-based community advocate and mother who transformed personal tragedy into powerful activism. After her 15-year-old son, Eric “EJ” Smith, was placed in a carotid restraint by a San Diego Police officer at Lincoln High School in 2014, Desiree became a leading voice for police reform and racial justice. Her advocacy was instrumental in ending the use of neck restraints by San Diego law enforcement, a victory achieved in 2020 after years of tireless campaigning. She was featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune’s 2020 “Phenomenal Women in Advocacy and Empowerment” series for her work in creating lasting change to protect communities of color from dangerous police practices. Through her son’s story and her unwavering commitment to justice, Desiree continues to fight for a safer, more equitable San Diego
Dr. Leopoldine Matialeu
Board Member
Dr. Leopoldine Matialeu Forde, MD is a family medicine and psychiatry physician practicing in San Diego . She grew up in Cameroon and immigrated to the United States in 2005, overcoming significant challenges including language barriers, cultural adjustment, and homelessness . She earned her medical degree from UC Davis School of Medicine and participated in the Rural PRIME program, an underserved leadership track . Dr. Matialeu Forde completed the UC San Diego Combined Family Medicine & Psychiatry Residency Program , where she served as chief resident. Her dual specialty training reflects her commitment to holistic care that addresses both mental and physical health. She currently practices at Neighborhood Healthcare in El Cajon , as well as at UC San Diego Health. Patient reviews describe her as an excellent listener who is thorough, takes time to address concerns, and has a warm demeanor. Her practice focuses on providing comprehensive care to underserved communities in the San Diego area.
Samantha Williams
Board Member
Samantha Williams, FNP Co-Founder & Executive Director, JIREH Providers Samantha is a Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of nursing and public health experience. Driven by a passion for generational healing in the Black community, she transitioned from outpatient care in 2020 to co-found JIREH Providers (Joint Initiatives for Racial Equity in Health). This nonprofit mobile clinic has since provided preventative care to over 50,000 San Diego residents, addressing critical health inequities using the 3-4-50 framework. Samantha serves on numerous county boards to ensure diversity in medical decision-making. She credits her success to her faith, her family, and the dedicated JIREH team.