Meet our Team
Dr. Tamu Green
Founder and CEO
Dr. Tamu Green
Dr. Tamu Green is a developmental psychologist and thought leader who brings expertise and lived experience in communities facing inequities in her pursuit of social justice through institutional and systems change. For nearly 30 years, she has been engaged in power building efforts that synergize resources, facilitate equity-oriented decision making, and turn advocacy into outcomes. Dr. Green is the CEO of the Equity and Wellness Institute, where she works collaboratively with a talented team of consultants to assess and meet a wide variety of clients’ and communities’ needs.
Dr. Green's Full Biography
Danielle Hawthorne
Director of Strategic Learning Initiatives
Danielle Hawthorne
Danielle Hawthorne is an experienced Organizational leader, Speaker, Facilitator and Program Manager committed to helping companies and organizations reach their full potential. Danielle’s passion for social justice and the liberation of BIPOC communities is deeply rooted in her belief in their inherent dignity, value and humanity. In leadership roles for more than fifteen years, Danielle has been the catalyst for business and program growth. She is a passionate speaker with a unique talent for connecting with her audience through captivating stories, vulnerability, and solutions to real-life challenges. Ms. Hawthorne earned a Bachelors degree from Loyola Marymount University in African American Studies.
Christina Borbely
Director of Policy and Impact
Christina Borbely
Christina Borbely, PhD, (“borbay”) is a developmental psychologist who served as Project Director of SAMHSA’s Project AWARE, Healthy Transitions, and ReCAST Training and Technical Assistance Center and as Project Director of the Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC). She currently leads local and state initiatives that advance cohesive systems of behavioral health support. She is a Senior TTA Advisor for the Southeast MHTTC’s School Mental Health team, including eight state-level Project AWARE grantees, and is the Senior TTA Advisor for Alaska Project AWARE. Christina supports the training and professional development of Santa Cruz County California’s behavioral health services agency and community partners, and advises for Marin County California’s Health and Human Services and County Office of Education youth wellness initiatives.
Beth Waitkus
Senior Project Manager
Beth Waitkus
Beth Waitkus is passionate about advancing organizations, movements, and ecosystems rooted in justice, wellbeing, and connection - especially for individuals and communities most impacted by systemic inequities. At EqWI, she supports all aspects of project management, drawing on her expertise in organization development and communications—including strategic/racial equity action planning, data collection and synthesis, group facilitation, and community building. Her approach is shaped by experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including her role as Founder and former Executive Director of the Insight Garden Program (now Land Together), which brings nature-based programming and reentry support to people in prison. Beth holds an M.S. in Organization Development from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and a B.S. in Political Science from Tufts University.
Jillyan Sylvia McKinney
Senior Advisor
Jillyan Sylvia McKinney
Jillyan Sylvia McKinney is an educator and thought leader with an extensive background in anti-racist advocacy, facilitation of professional development, project management, and community outreach. Jillyan's passion and drive for social justice derive from her family and their experiences with racism and discrimination. Jillyan holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with a Minor in History and a Masters of Education with a concentration on Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy. As the Senior Director of Projects and Operations, she provides leadership and guidance to the team while pursuing the Equity and Wellness Institute's mission to advance racial equity and community wellness.
Jacque Serrano
Jacque Serrano, MSW, is an equity-focused child welfare and education leader with over 15 years of experience advocating for foster and homeless youth. A former foster youth and person who experienced homelessness, Jacque brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work, with deep knowledge of the unique barriers faced by these populations. She serves as a guiding light for youth and families, helping them navigate complex systems while working to transform those very systems through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and data-driven reforms. Jacque holds a Master’s in Social Work with a focus on Child Welfare from CSU, Sacramento, and has led initiatives across nonprofit, county, state, and education sectors. Her leadership has shaped statewide policy, advanced federal compliance, and strengthened cross-agency collaboration.
Judah Sanders
Judah Sanders’ faith journey has fueled his passion for diversity, inclusion, equity, and wellness. As an Ordained Minister, Judah has served the Sacramento Region in full-time ministry since 2014. Judah’s intersectional identity and his degrees in Communication and Theology help inform the way he participates in building a world where all people are free and safe. Judah specializes in coaching, training and community healing for the Equity and Wellness Institute.
Aliyah Middleton
Aliyah Middleton is a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology at UC Davis with over a decade of research experience. As a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar, Aliyah is committed to using research to build a culture of health. Combined with their academic prowess, Aliyah is well-versed in project management approaches and grounded in holistic health as a certified reiki therapist. Aliyah brings strong research, project management, and wellness skills to the Equity and Wellness Institute.
Angela Louie Howard
Angela Louie Howard has over 25 years of experience developing and supervising programs throughout the Bay Area. She has worked in government agencies, education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Angela founded Lotus Bloom, a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and intergenerational Family Resource Center in Oakland, CA. Through her leadership as Executive Director, Lotus Bloom has expanded centers to serve three high-risk neighborhoods throughout Oakland. She enjoys training and facilitating Learning Groups and Networks to deepen their understanding of community engagement, outreach, and culturally responsive programming. Angela is tri-lingual, an immigrant, and a survivor of violence. Angela earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University Monterey Bay, and a master’s degree in public administration from City University of New York, Baruch College.
Linda Guo McQuade
Linda Guo McQuade is a management consultant with 15 plus years of professional experience in government contracting specializing in program evaluation, data analytics, and business transformation. She is passionate about technology innovation, health equity, and whole health wellness from her medical background and experience working with vulnerable and underserved populations. She publishes blog posts and shares industry insights and white papers for related topics on her business website (CAHIR.ai). Her project work with EqWI provides innovative data solutions and program assessment contract support. Linda holds an MD degree from Georgetown University and an MBA degree in data analytics from the University of South Florida.