ICAN!’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) ensures that community voices, needs, and concerns are elevated in every aspect of ICAN!’s work to advance contraceptive equity statewide.
The CAB brings together 15 members representing the diversity of our communities and holds expertise in health education, health equity, social work, and grassroots organizing.
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 made her grow into the person she is today. Fanny was a teacher in Ecuador. In the US, she worked in factories and as a nanny. She currently works as a sales representative. Fanny enjoys riding her bike, going to the beach and loves the beach and activities outdoors. 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.
Yoselin is a health educator with 7+ years of experience in reproductive health and sexual health. She is passionate about health justice, health literacy, prevention and health education for all people. She is excited to be part of ICAN! and contribute to bridging health and social inequalities.
Geah is a Healthcare Administration student at University of St. Francis, where she serves as Student Government President and President of the Asian-American Student Association. She is in the Honors Program and is a scholar recipient. Geah also works as a Pharmacy Technician, bartends at AMC, and dog sits. Outside of work and school, she loves drawing, shopping, traveling, going to concerts, taking care of her plants and puppy, reading, and working out. Upon finishing her Healthcare Administration degree, Geah wants to become an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner, manage a Women’s Health clinic and continue advocating for reproductive health and education.
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.
Kaila is currently working in Southern Illinois as a community health specialist at a local nonprofit healthcare organization. Her daily tasks include teaching 7th graders in the community about puberty and teen pregnancy prevention. She also works on educating the community through coalition work. Kaila has a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and enjoys learning as much as she can about types of birth control and other aspects of reproductive health. She is also passionate about fighting for widely available birth control access and education.
Dr. Han-Yu Stephanie Liou (she/her/ella) is a primary care pediatrician who is passionate about advocacy, health equity, and reproductive justice. She was raised in a low-income, single-parent immigrant household, and is proud to be a National Health Service Corps Scholar serving the South-West side of Chicago. She has received national awards for her advocacy work from the US Public Health Service, the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education), and the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics). Outside of ICAN!, she serves as a Local School Council member and is Vice-Chair of the Health Justice and Equity Impact Area for Doctors For America. She also enjoys sewing, food, HGTV, and going on adventures with her partner and their energetic pup Tonks.
Kerishena Metz is a graduate of Bradley University and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice as well as a Master’s of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Kerishena is passionate about serving the community and helping others and has dedicated her career to community-based work. She is excited about discussing, advocating for, and improving access to contraceptives and reproductive health. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and being a part of a local bookclub
Amanda is a lifelong Chicagoan passionate about promoting reproductive justice, health equity, and social justice. She comes to ICAN! with an educational background in Sociology, Chinese Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Amanda also has professional experience in nonprofits, particularly in development. She first became involved with ICAN! in 2019, when it was Juno4Me, and she is excited to watch this organization grow! When she is not working, Amanda loves to read, cook, bake, spend time with her dog, and explore the city.
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 Research Specialist at the University of Illinois Cancer Center where she manages and supports breast health programs for uninsured and underinsured patients. Paola has extensive experience working with different stakeholders, including grassroot community-based organizations, to promote existing programs and encourage healthy lifestyle practices. Paola earned a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in Health Education & Promotion and Health Planning & Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Public Health.
Aitanna Nadala is an experienced Emergency Medical Technician, Research Assistant and an Undergraduate Student studying Neuroscience at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Passionate about sexual health and reproductive justice, she enjoys advocating for ICAN! and informing individuals about reproductive resources. In her free time, Aitanna loves experimenting with different Filipino dishes and enjoys the occasional rock climbing and boxing adrenaline rush.
