Holistic Homes Announces New Advisory Board Members
We are excited to announce the addition of two new advisory members of the Board of Directors for Holistic Homes, LLC. Their expertise and passion for our cause will greatly contribute to our mission of providing permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental health conditions.
April Lewis joins us as a dedicated wellness champion, keynote speaker, and consultant. With a wealth of experience in advocating holistic well-being, Lewis’s insights and guidance will be invaluable as we continue to prioritize the mental and physical health of our residents.
As the President and CEO of the A. Lewis Academy, Inc., Lewis is a leading force in the field of personal and professional development. With a guiding principle of “Human first, Employee second,” she has dedicated her career to empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential.
With a diverse professional background spanning over two decades, Lewis is experienced in operations, training, and technical assistance for healthcare organizations across the nation. She has consistently excelled in various leadership roles, demonstrating a deep commitment to enhancing employee well-being and organizational success.
As a Certified Executive Coach, Certified D.I.S.C Facilitator, Certified Health Coach, and Certified Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, Lewis possesses a unique blend of skills that allow her to connect with individuals in a meaningful and transformative way.
Passionate about personal and professional development, Lewis has shared her wealth of knowledge as a keynote speaker and consultant for Fortune 100 companies, healthcare organizations, and education institutions. Her dynamic speaking engagements and impactful consultations have inspired countless individuals, driving positive change and growth within organizations.
Most recently, Lewis served as the Interim Chief Operating Officer of a multi-site healthcare system based in Maryland. In this role, she successfully led and drove transformational change in a complex organization, further solidifying her reputation as a strategic and visionary leader.
Lewis is a true advocate for elevating the human experience in the workplace. Her unwavering commitment to putting humans first, recognizing their value, and empowering them to excel is the driving force behind her exceptional work.
Diana Baird N’Diaye brings experience as a visionary multidisciplinary artist, scholar, cultural activist, and mental health advocate who continues to shape and enrich the fabric of society. Her relentless dedication, groundbreaking contributions, and enduring legacy stand as a testament to her commitment to fostering creativity, understanding, inclusivity, and holistic well-being.
Recently retired from her position as Senior Curator and Cultural Heritage Specialist at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, N’Diaye currently is Creative Director of the African American Craft Alliance and a Fulbright specialist curating the United States Pavilion at the 2024 DakArt Biennale. She has served as a Family-to-Family teacher for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and as a parent disability advocate in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Her awards include the Smithsonian Secretary’s Research Prize for the 2016 co-authored book, Curatorial Conversations: Reflections on the Folklife Festival and the Americo Paredes Prize in recognition of community-centered research in the Folklore field. In 2022, N’Diaye was appointed to the American Crafts Council College of Fellows. She is also a Fellow of the American Folklore Society, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Craft.
N’Diaye maintains an active studio/design practice as a member of Prince Georges County’s Gateway/Brentwood studio. Her artwork is deeply rooted in healing practices, and she interrogates the connections between family, social, cultural identities, history, and environment.
Recently retired from her position as Senior Curator and Cultural Heritage Specialist at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, N’Diaye currently is Creative Director of the American Craft Alliance and a Fulbright specialist curating the United States Pavilion at the 2024 DakArt Biennale. She has served as a Family-to-Family teacher for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and as a parent disability advocate in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Her awards include the Smithsonian Secretary’s Research Prize for the 2016 co-authored book, Curatorial Conversations: Reflections on the Folklife Festival and the Americo Paredes Prize in recognition of community-centered research in the Folklore field. In 2022, N’Diaye was appointed to the American Crafts Council College of Fellows. She is also a Fellow of the American Folklore Society, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Craft.
N’Diaye maintains an active studio/design practice as a member of Prince Georges County’s Gateway/Brentwood studio. Her artwork is deeply rooted in healing practices, and she interrogates the connections between family social, and cultural, identities, history, environment.
Holistic Homes, LLC enthusiastically welcomes April Lewis and Diana N’Diaye to our leadership team. They will undoubtedly bring invaluable insights and guidance to our mission of providing permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental health conditions.
