Community Advisory Board

Alyssa Stenson is a reproductive justice organizer who is passionate about abortion access, training providers in anti-racist and trauma-informed practices, and accessible and free birth control. Alyssa is currently the provider and education manager at Midwest Access Project and board member at Chicago Abortion Fund. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies from Rutgers University-Newark and Master’s degree in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. 

Amanda Stocchetti is a fundraiser at a prominent Chicago institution and a lifelong Chicagoan. She is passionate about promoting reproductive justice, health equity, health literacy, and social justice. She comes to ICAN! with an educational background in Sociology, Chinese Studies, and Women and Gender Studies. Amanda first became involved with ICAN! in 2019, when it was Juno4Me, and she is excited to watch this organization grow!

Andi Beaudouin is a graduate student at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, studying reproductive science and medicine and public health. Andi received their Bachelor’s from Loyola University Chicago where they studied molecular and cellular neuroscience and biology, with a minor in women and gender studies, chemistry, and anthropology. As a marginalized person, Andi seeks to advocate for justice and accessibility in the healthcare world. Andi is a former student organizer for Students for Reproductive Justice (SRJ), which is an anti-racist, queer-affirming, and women-affirming space that organizes for reproductive justice at Loyola. SRJ distributes condoms, dental dams, lubricants, and menstrual cups across Loyola’s campus. Hoping to expand on what SRJ offers, Andi has launched SRJ’s emergency contraceptive peer-distribution program called “EZ EC”, and now they serve as a Project Coordinator for the American Society of Emergency Contraception, supervising the regional fellows program and helping students at college campuses across the country set up EC distribution programs. As a future physician scientist, Andi firmly believes that everyone has a right to reproductive justice and reproductive freedom. In their free time, Andi likes to read, watch anime, do ceramics, and write (they’re currently working on a book!)

Linkedin: Andi Beaudouin

Dr. Stephanie Liou is a board-certified pediatrician and National Health Service Corps Scholar in Chicago who is passionate about health equity and reproductive justice. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent immigrant family inspired Dr. Liou to pursue a career in healthcare and advocate for families like hers. Currently, Dr. Liou is the Director of Pediatrics at Alivio Medical Center, an FQHC in southwest Chicago that serves a largely low-income immigrant community. She is trilingual and practices in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. (One of her favorite things to do is talk to teens about contraception!) Outside work, Dr. Liou enjoys sewing, reality TV, trying new boba places, and traveling with her partner Theo and their adorable rescue pup Tonks.

Fanny Leon is 23 years old and comes from Ecuador. She considers herself a very proactive, social, easygoing, and independent woman. Being the first in her family to immigrate to the US has shaped her into the person she is today. When she lived in Ecuador Fanny was a teacher, currently she works as a sales representative. Fanny also has experience as a factory worker and a nanny. She loves outdoor activities, some of her favorites include riding her bike and going to the beach. Fanny brings her own experience of accessing care through ICAN! to the CAB–she is thankful to share the impact that this has had on her life with others.

Instagram: Fannycita_leon

Facebook: Fanny Leon

Jennifer Wright is a parent with 1 adult child and 3 younger children. She currently works as a supervisor for Danville School District #118’s Birth to Three IGrow home visiting program. Jennifer was born and raised in Vermilion County where she currently resides and raises her family. She graduated from Danville Area Community College as well as Eastern Illinois University. Jennifer has worked in the Early Childhood field for over 20 years. She has also served in many social service agencies and positions throughout her professional career. She is very involved in her community in both a personal and professional manner. Jennifer currently serves on her region’s Birth to Five Council and coaches youth softball. Due to personal life experiences, Jennifer continues to advocate for women’s rights including reproductive health. 

Facebook: Jennifer Wright

Kerishena Metz is passionate about reproductive health, rights, and justice and believes that everyone deserves to have a choice and that everyone deserves to have options. She is currently a probation officer and lives in a diverse neighborhood. 

Instagram: kerishenametz

Facebook: Kerishena Metz

Lisset Perez Carapia is a first-generation Mexican immigrant, raised in a small rural community in West Central Illinois. She is passionate about immigrant health care, advocacy, health equity, and reproductive justice. Lisset is currently working as a research coordinator for a study whose aim is to reduce breastfeeding disparities in Black and Latine communities. She graduated from Illinois College with a Bachelor of Science and is a recent graduate of the Center of Excellence for Maternal and Child Health at University of Illinois Chicago where she received her Masters of Public Health. She is excited to learn more about ways to bring reproductive health education to underserved, rural areas.

Instagram: @liss__23

Mandy Davis is a product strategist who applies human-centered design practices to make federal government websites and services easier to use, primarily for biomedical information and healthcare projects. At 22, Mandy experienced the rarity of getting pregnant despite having an IUD. Mandy now has a very cute toddler, as well as a passion for advocating for comprehensive sexual education, birth control access, and reproductive rights. Mandy is also a budding storyteller and writer focused on topics related to unexpected motherhood and how we talk about birth control. She is a Moth StorySLAM winner and has shared her story on the Birth Hour podcast. Mandy is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Instagram: @mandy.csv

Linkedin: Mandy Davis

Michelle N. Johnson is a passionate advocate and educator on holistic care for people with chronic diseases, specifically endometriosis. Driven by her own diagnosis, Michelle takes pride in empowering people to become proactive participants in their health and wellness management. A leader in the endometriosis and chronic illness communities, Michelle is setting a new standard for how to support and educate people about living with endometriosis. Her first book, Fighting Fiercely, serves as a guide for educating, enlightening, and empowering patients and their loved ones through an endometriosis diagnosis. Michelle is a member of Disability Lead; a Patient Advocate Ambassador with the Chronic Disease Coalition; and has been featured in Prevention Magazine, The Chronic Illness Podcast, EightySixtheEndo.com, and WVON Radio.

Instagram: fightfierceendo

Facebook: FightingFiercly

Linkedin: Michelle Johnson

Norma Narsa MPH, is a passionate program manager with expertise in the social determinants of health, health literacy, and healthcare management. With strong communication, leadership, and project-management skills, Norma is committed to promoting health equity and social justice. As the Program Manager for the Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH) Incubator at the Illinois Public Health Institute, Norma champions initiatives aimed at advancing equity in data ecosystems. As an Assyrian-American professional, Norma brings a unique perspective to her work, informed by her personal experiences and cultural background. Her advocacy efforts drive systemic change and amplify marginalized voices. Norma’s passion for reproductive health is deeply rooted in a desire to ensure that all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance, have access to comprehensive healthcare services and resources. 

Linkedin: Norma Narsa

Paola Torres is a first-generation Latina, born and raised in the southwest side of Chicago. She has a background in health education, clinical and community-based navigation, program planning, and chronic disease prevention. She is currently a Senior Research Specialist at the University of Illinois Cancer Center, where she manages and supports cancer screening initiatives for uninsured and underinsured patients. Paola has extensive experience working with different stakeholders, including providers, patients, and community-based organizations, to promote existing health programs and encourage healthy lifestyle practices. She is passionate about uplifting communities and empowering individuals through accessible healthcare solutions.

LinkedIn:Paola Torres

Shalonda Carter is the mother of three beautiful girls. Her life goal is to be the best mother she can and to show her children how to empower themselves and others by living everyday life with purpose. Shalonda completed her bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. She has built her career working to support and empower new mothers and children in low-income communities and has previously worked in case management & care coordination supporting women with high-risk pregnancies. She currently serves as a volunteer doula with NDoula Community Alliance advocating for health equity with a focus on black and brown communities and as a Reproductive Life Planning Coach with the Cook County Stroger Health Dept. As a new member of the CAB, Shalonda plans to educate women and children on birth control policies to ensure they are well-informed about their rights and have the resources they need to live a healthy lifestyle and plan for happy and healthy futures.

Linkedin: Shalonda Carter

Summer Alzawawi is a Palestinian-Jordanian Public Health practitioner, currently serving as Program Director for Public Benefits Access at DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform. With a Bachelor’s in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Petra and a Master’s in Public Health from Northeastern Illinois University, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. As a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Summer specializes in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate training and educational materials related to access to public benefits, health services, and connection to resources. Summer is part of the Arab American and Muslim community, where she passionately advocates for services and resources that are culturally appropriate. Her advocacy, inspired by her Palestinian heritage, goes beyond administration, aiming to enhance awareness and access to reproductive health services. 

Valerie Alvarez is a current MPH candidate at Loyola University Chicago. She was born and raised in Southside Chicago, where her passion for health equity began. She hopes to pursue PA school after her MPH to serve medically unserved communities, such as the one she comes from. Valerie’s passions lie in healthcare accessibility, particularly in women’s health and sexual health. She is incredibly passionate about the intersection between policy and social justice, and hopes to one day inform healthcare policies while practicing compassionate clinical care! 

Yoselin Colorado is passionate about reproductive and sexual health. She works daily to support people in choices that matter the most. With 5+ years of experience in the field of health education, Yoselin works as a Reproductive Life Planning Coach at Cook County Health. Yoselin brings to her work the understanding that each person has different values, experiences, and desires. She assists people through contraception counseling sessions, community outreach, health-tech, and coaching that place the patient and extensions of the patient at the center.  With an at-large view of what reproductive health can mean to communities and people, Yoselin is driven to ensure all people have the tools, education,  advocacy, support, and resources to create a healthy life for themselves and that includes reproductive health! 

Instagram: @yosco29

Facebook: Yoselin Colorado