Helen Hammond Redding - Founder, Executive Director
Helen Hammond Redding served as Founding Board President of the Christopher D. Redding Youth Asthma Foundation from 2013 - 2019. Helen spent 41 years in the Banking industry, including 19 years with Citibank Illinois as an Area Manager and Financial Center Manager and the final 7 years preceding her retirement in June 2013 as Senior Vice President and State Director in Citi Illinois’ Community Development group. As State Director, Helen led Citi Community Development’s commitment to achieve economic empowerment and growth for underserved individuals, families and communities by expanding access to financial products and services and building sustainable business solutions and innovative partnerships. Helen managed more than fifty nonprofit relationships and administered a philanthropic budget exceeding $1.5 million for Citi in Illinois. Prior to joining Citibank in 1987, Helen spent 15 years at LaSalle National Bank in the Retail and Commercial Banking Groups.
Helen has received numerous community and business recognitions including the Black & Hispanic Achievers of Industry, the Citibank Service Excellence Award, the Human Capital Award, the Distinguished Community Leader Award, the Monsignor Jack Egan Community Service Award, the 2012 Impact Award for “Outstanding Leadership in the Financial Arena”, the 2013 Rainbow PUSH Coalition Trailblazer in Business Award, and the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Society of Mannequins “Ten Best Dressed African American Women of Chicago” Award which highlights community achievements of impeccably-dressed women. Helen has served as a Board member of the Chicago Public Schools Academy of Finance, Mercy Housing Lakefront, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, and the AKArama Foundation of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Omega Chapter. Helen has also served as a mentor for students in the Citi Foundation/UNCF Mentoring Program.
Helen is a member of The Links, Incorporated, Carrousels of Chicago Illinois, Society of Mannequins Trophy Board, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Omega Chapter. Initiated into Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated in 2007, Helen has held officer positions and served as Chairman of numerous committees. In 2009 and 2014, Helen was voted “Outstanding Soror of the Year” by Theta Omega Chapter for her service to the Sorority and to the community, and in 2010 was recognized by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Central Region with the “New Century of Leaders Award” for her exemplary leadership and service to the community. In 2016, Helen was awarded the Gisele` M. Casanova Leadership Award by Theta Omega Chapter, and went on to be named the Central Region "Runner-Up" for the Gisele` M. Casanova Leadership Award during the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated 82nd Central Regional Conference.
Helen was featured in the May 2018 issue of the DePaul University Driehaus School of Business "Business Exchange" magazine as an "Innovator for Good", together with the Christopher D. Redding Youth Asthma Foundation, for its work in educating communities about asthma management. In June 2019, Helen was recognized by the St. James Church in Elgin, Illinois as a “Woman of Purpose” for her work with the Christopher D. Redding Youth Asthma Foundation.
Helen holds an MBA in Finance from DePaul University, a BA in Business Administration from Elmhurst College, and a Certificate in Banking from the University Of Virginia Graduate School of Retail Bank Management.
Michael J. Redding, Sr. - President and Co-Founder
Michael is the Co-Founder of the Christopher D. Redding Youth Asthma Foundation. He previously served as a Manager at WOW Cable Company in Schaumburg, Illinois where he supervised 15 cable technicians. Miichael has developed a solid understanding of finance, taxes, business development, and strategic planning during his forty-year career in the business industry, which also includes more than 20 years at General Foods Corporation.
Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. Michael is actively involved in community activities and volunteerism and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.
Michael is the proud father of three sons, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Michael Redding, Jr. - Vice President and Legal Counsel
Michael Redding, Jr. serves as Associate General Counsel, The Gap, Inc. Mike is the head of commercial contracts for all of the Gap, Inc. entities.
Mike is a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and Treasurer of the Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Mike previously served as a member of the Leadership Board of the American Lung Association of Wisconsin, where he served as the Community Team Co-chair for the ALA’s annual Lung Walk.
Mike earned his undergraduate degree from Truman State University in business administration, summa cum laude, and Phi Kappa Phi. He also played varsity football at Truman State and participated in the prestigious NCAA Leadership Conference, focusing on conflict resolution issues. Mike earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School where he was a St. Thomas More Scholar, vice president of the Sports Law Society, associate editor of the Marquette Sports Law Review, and earned the Sports Law Certificate from the National Sports Law Institute. Mike is a published author, having written a scholarly article addressing the issues and pitfalls leading up to the National Football League Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations and subsequent lockout.
Outside of his practice, Mike enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with his family, coaching his kids’ teams, and golfing with friends.
Sheila Barber
Sheila is a seasoned bank professional with experience in mortgage processing, origination, compliance, business development and sales. After 10 years at Citibank, she is currently serving as Vice President, CRA Residential Loan Manager at Associated Bank in Chicago, Illinois.
Sheila has a deep commitment to community service and has served on a number of boards over the years, including Neighborhood Housing Services, Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School, and Lakeside Community Development Corporation.
Sheila is a member of Christ Universal Temple, a Mobile DJ, and a member of the Tee Timers Golf League. Sheila attended Roosevelt University and majored in Business Communications.
Barbara Sutton - Treasurer
Barbara recently served as Executive Director of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc. (EAF) which has more than $9 million in assets. EAF is the philanthropic arm of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and provides educational opportunities (scholarships) and community assistance awards. During her five years as Executive Director, the Foundation has distributed over $3.5 million to 3,000 students and community organizations around the world.
Barbara holds a BS in Business Administration and Accounting from Roosevelt University and a MBA in Finance from St. Xavier University, Chicago, Illinois. Barbara has developed an excellent understanding of finance, investments, strategic planning, grants and technology and over the years has utilized these skills to enhance the organizations with which she has worked. Barbara’s career has spanned over 40 years and includes technology, accounting and management experience. She has been employed in private industry, not- for- profit and government. Barbara has had an opportunity to grow professionally as a result of her career path working with companies such as BP Amoco for 20 years in various assignments, the Cook County Clerk’s office and the City of Chicago Comptroller’s office where she worked as Assistant Comptroller for 12 years.
Dr. Nisarg Bakshi, DO
Dr. Bakshi is a pediatrician with a special interest in asthma prevention and community health. He is originally from Ohio and moved to Chicago to complete his residency at the University of Chicago. During residency, he saw firsthand the pervasive impact of asthma on children and their families, particularly in underserved communities. He was moved by parents - like the Reddings - who lost their children to asthma, but remains inspired by their advocacy.
He is excited to join their mission to ensure that all children have access to preventive care, health education, and community resources.
Irma Toro Elliott
Irma is a highly energetic professional with an extensive background in health care sales and marketing, compliance, credit card marketing, branch management, business development and relationship management. Irma currently serves as an Agent Manager for United Healthcare with a focus in the Hispanic Market. Her focus is to educate and empower the over 65 population on Medicare through her agents and community meetings. Irma also has over 20 years of financial services industry experience in the areas of marketing, business development and branch banking. Irma currently holds her health insurance license.
With more than 20 years of community service in the Hispanic market, Irma has participated in numerous initiatives and organizations including the Jesse White College Trunk Party Committee, United Way Hispanic Initiative, St. Augustine College, Portage Park Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Business Women’s Conference and Junior Achievement. Irma is a current member of The Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Previous professional affiliations include Board member for St. Augustine College and El Puente Awards Banquet, Director and Vice President for the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, member of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, and Advisory Committee member for the Hispanic Business Women’s Conference.
Irma’s educational experience includes a Business Administration degree from Northeastern University, Six Sigma Green Belt Training, and Chicago Deming Association-Six Sigma Masters Program.
Melinda Harville, Secretary
Melinda is a highly reliable and efficient Public Health Professional with extensive community health program development and implementation experience. Melinda currently serves as Advocate Aurora Health/Team Lead, Food Farmacy Coordinator, Community Health. In this role, Melinda oversees the Community Health Department’s Healthy Living Food Farmacy Program that provides fresh produce to patients of Advocate Aurora Health. In addition, Melinda provides asthma and COPD education and healthcare navigation to patients. She trains Community Health workers and develops and maintains relationships/partnerships with community members.
Prior to her current role, Melinda served as a Community Health Worker with Advocate Physicians Partners in Chicago, Illinois. As a Certified Community Health Worker/ Trainer, Melinda educated children and adults on asthma management using motivational interviewing techniques, partnered with Day Care teachers to provide a 4-hour training on asthma, and conducted in home assessments and evaluations to identify asthma triggers. Melinda also partnered with other internal hospital departments to participate in community health fairs, coached patients to understand the appropriate use of healthcare facilities, and performed Asthma Assessments using Asthma Control Tests and Medications use.
Melinda holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Walden University, and is currently working to complete her Masters of Public Health, Walden University, in 2022. Other certifications include Certified Community Health Worker, Certified ADCES (Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) Facilitator, and Children and Adult Asthma Specialist.
Melinda has extensive volunteer experience working in the faith-based community with health awareness teams, educating them about asthma and other health conditions.
Advisory Board
Brittany M. Brisker - Technology Consultant
Brittany is employed at Accenture as a Business & Integration Arch Analyst. Passionate and results-driven with a proven track record of improving productivity and creating effective solutions for her clients’ business needs, Brittany has over 8 years of experience working with both small and large companies.
Brittany holds a BA in Education from Clark Atlanta University. In addition to her degree, she also has a background in Real Estate and Administration.
In her free time, Brittany enjoys traveling and spending time with her loved ones. Brittany is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Carl Douglas
Carl is a general insurance manager with more than 30 years’ experience in operations, accounting, and information technology. Insurance experience includes personal lines, commercial lines, reinsurance, and life and health. He also provides management consulting services to small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Carl currently serves as the owner operator of the Jordan Taylor Group, which is an Internal Revenue Service, Authorized Efile Provider, and a Registered Tax Return Preparer. Carl has achieved representation rights by voluntarily completing continuing education requirements on an annual basis. These rights allow him to represent clients in disputes, audits, and other customer service matters before the IRS.
Carl is a Gerson Lehrman Group Educator, Coleman Research Group member, Blue Chip Expert, Vista's Society of Industrial Leaders, Guidepoint Global Advisors, Zintro Expert. He is an active member of Phi Beta Sigma, Incorporated, serving on the Great Lakes Regional Board of Directors and an appointed member of the Phi Beta Sigma’s Risk Management, Finance & Budget committees. Carl serves as the CFO of Foundation MCML, a not for profit formed to provide financial support for the Sigma Beta Club which provides life skills training and opportunities for young men 8 to 18 years old to enhance their development as future leaders, and positive role models for their contemporaries.