Board of Directors
Dedicated leaders committed to governance, accountability, and advancing the mission of L.A.S.H. Foundation.
Current Leadership
Sai El
Board Chair
Saifullah Amun serves as Board Chair, providing strategic leadership and governance oversight to ensure the organization remains aligned with its mission and long-term vision. He brings a strong background in nonprofit leadership, supporting organizations in building sustainable programs and impactful community initiatives. Mr. Amun studied Business Management at Cypress College and has extensive experience in information technology and project management. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed complex operations — including overseeing multi-million-dollar grants and implementing systems that improve organizational efficiency and accountability.
- ›Nonprofit Governance
- ›Information Technology
- ›Project Management
- ›Grant Oversight
- ›Business Management – Cypress College
Badia Shephard
Founder & Executive Director
Leads strategic direction and daily operations of the L.A.S.H. Foundation. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience and a personal journey that fuels her passion, Badia is dedicated to ending homelessness and empowering vulnerable communities through housing, workforce development, and community partnerships.
- ›Founder & CEO, Lending A Supporting Hand (L.A.S.H.) Foundation
- ›Nonprofit Leader with 20+ Years of Experience
- ›Bowie State University – Criminal & Social Justice Studies
- ›Advocate for Women, Families, and Veteran Communities
- ›Strategic Partnerships with National and Community-Based Organizations
Kim Bryant
Board Treasurer
Kim Bryant brings a strong blend of financial expertise, operational insight, and strategic business development to the Board of Directors. With a degree in Business Administration and an extensive background in accounting and finance, she has built a reputation for precision, professionalism, and results-driven leadership. As a Business Developer at Bethel Regency Homes, LLC, she leverages her experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and organizational management to drive sustainable growth and community-focused partnerships.
- ›Business Administration Degree
- ›Accounting & Financial Reporting
- ›Payroll Processing & Budgeting
- ›Business Developer, Bethel Regency Homes, LLC
- ›Strategic Business Development
Maurnie Edwards
Board Member · Program & Clinical Services Committee Lead
Maurnie Edwards brings decades of experience in the mental health field, having served in multiple leadership and administrative capacities since 1988. Her background includes working with high-risk and high-utilizer populations, as well as serving as a public conservator appointed by the courts to oversee and manage critical aspects of clients' lives within the mental health system. She has specialized in training development, policy implementation, compliance oversight, contracts monitoring, and community agency accountability — successfully overseeing multi-million-dollar program allocations, including monitoring agencies managing over $8 million in funding across four-year operational periods. As Program & Clinical Services Committee Lead, Maurnie helps shape the Foundation's trauma-informed care approach, advises on case management protocols, and supports the development of effective wraparound service frameworks that prioritize accountability, dignity, stability, and long-term client success.
- ›Mental Health Leadership since 1988
- ›Court-Appointed Public Conservator
- ›Training Development & Policy Implementation
- ›Compliance Oversight & Contracts Monitoring
- ›Multi-Million Dollar Program Oversight ($8M+)
- ›Trauma-Informed Care & Wraparound Services
- ›Community Agency Accountability
Henry Mayanja
Board Member · Finance, Operations & Compliance Committee Lead
Henry Mayanja brings a powerful combination of engineering discipline, operational leadership, and systems management expertise to the Foundation. With an accomplished career spanning multi-site operations leadership at Amazon, systems and IT management at ITT Control Tech, and his current role as Senior Director of Operations at Crissair, Henry has consistently demonstrated the ability to build scalable, efficient, and accountable operational infrastructures. His leadership helps strengthen the organization's internal controls, data management systems, operational workflows, and grant compliance processes — ensuring programs are built with both integrity and measurable impact.
- ›Senior Director of Operations, Crissair
- ›Multi-Site Operations Leadership, Amazon
- ›Systems & IT Management, ITT Control Tech
- ›Process Improvement & Compliance Oversight
- ›Systems Integration & Grant Compliance
- ›Organizational Infrastructure & Scalability
Alan Haile
Board Member · Housing & Accessibility Committee Lead
Alan Haile is an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, advocate, and community leader whose life and career reflect resilience, leadership, innovation, and service. As a blind professional, Alan has transformed challenges into opportunities, building a remarkable legacy across business, technology, housing, construction, transportation, finance, food service, and disability advocacy. With decades of executive leadership experience, Alan has successfully served in roles including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer for multiple organizations. He has led strategic growth initiatives, managed complex operations, negotiated contracts, and developed profitable business ventures generating millions of dollars in sales across diverse industries including assistive technology, construction services, transportation, catering, lottery retail, merchant services, and financial services. As Housing & Accessibility Committee Lead, Alan helps guide the Foundation's efforts in accessible facility planning, equitable housing development, housing navigation services, and strategic housing partnerships. He earned a Master's Degree in Information Technology from the University of Maryland, a Bachelor's Degree in Communications Management from Howard University, and an Associate Degree in Technical Production Management. He has also served as a state and federal advocate for the blind and former Chairman of the Assistive Technology Finance Committee for the State of Maryland through gubernatorial appointment. Alan's story is a testament to perseverance, faith, leadership, and purpose — demonstrating that disability does not define limitations, but can become a powerful platform for impact and transformational leadership.
- ›Disability Advocacy & Accessibility
- ›Real Estate & Housing Navigation
- ›Equitable & Barrier-Free Housing Solutions
- ›Accessible Facility Planning
- ›Strategic Housing Partnerships
- ›Operations & Executive Leadership (CEO, COO, CFO)
- ›Business Development & Community Engagement
- ›M.S. Information Technology — University of Maryland
- ›B.S. Communications Management — Howard University
- ›PMP · ADA Specialist · Real Estate Agent · Insurance Broker
- ›State & Federal Advocate for the Blind
Z Jackson
Community Partnerships & Housing Operations Advisor
Z Jackson brings extensive hands-on experience in housing advocacy, community partnerships, and supportive housing operations through his work with Love Our Humanity Housing — an organization committed to "Building Hope. Building Homes." His dedication to creating safe, affordable, and inclusive housing solutions aligns closely with the mission of LASH Foundation. Through his community-centered approach, Z has cultivated valuable partnerships and developed practical housing solutions for individuals and families facing housing insecurity. As LASH Foundation launches The LASH Haven and strengthens its long-term housing navigation efforts, Z serves as a strategic advisor helping bridge relationships between community organizations, housing providers, and support networks.
- ›Housing Advocacy & Supportive Housing Operations
- ›Love Our Humanity Housing — "Building Hope. Building Homes."
- ›Community Partnerships & Strategic Collaboration
- ›Client Engagement & Housing Program Development
- ›People-First Housing Solutions
L.A.S.H. Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
EIN: 92-2857641
All board members are covered under the organization's Directors & Officers (D&O) liability insurance policy.
Governance & Responsibilities
Strategic Oversight
Board members set the long-term vision and strategic direction for the foundation.
Financial Stewardship
Ensuring responsible use of all donor contributions and organizational funds.
Program Accountability
Reviewing program outcomes and ensuring services align with the foundation's mission.
Community Representation
Advocating for the communities we serve in policy and civic conversations.