Board Members
Joan Ohawa
Founder and Director
Joan has been in the medical field since 2004. She was raised in a small town in Kenya, and currently resides in Atlanta, GA, where she practices as a licensed Nurse Practitioner. She enjoys volunteering her services in homeless shelters and area free clinics. She believes in helping those in need and the power of empowerment through education. Inspired to make a meaningful and impactful difference, she created Health and Empowerment Foundation as a channel to have a bigger effect. Joan is a creative at heart and enjoys upbeat music, dancing with family and friends. Her personality can be summed as adventurous, a social butterfly and an extrovert.
Delana Gardner
Advocacy Director
Dr. DeLana Gardner DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC is a dual board-certified professional in Family Medicine and Psychiatry, with roots in a vibrant Seventh Day-Adventist education. Her career spans diverse roles, from shaping minds at Frontier University in Versailles, Kentucky, to providing healthcare globally through the Health & Empowerment Foundation. Earning her Family Practice Degree in 2013 and a prestigious doctorate in 2017, she now specializes in family medicine and psychiatric mental health. Dr. Gardner’s unwavering commitment to excellence is encapsulated in Androzzo’s (1945) timeless words: “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.” Delana is deeply involved in advocating for the interests of the organization. She is creative in pitching ideas in hopes of implementing changes to aid in achieving the mission of the organization. Her interactive teaching strategies captures the attention of any group during medical educational sessions. Her personality can be summed as idiosyncratic (Spiritual, inner-directed, and original).
Peter B Osogo
Public Relations Officer
Peter (Pete) is a strategic leader with an impressive 17 years’ experience in developing financial and operational strategies, policies, and systems in non-governmental organizations. He has greatly contributed to Health and Empowerment Foundation by providing expertise in project execution, accounting, operational enhancement, and success measurements. His personality can be described as witty, self-assured and a great story teller.
Claire Nasike
Community Outreach Coordinator
Claire AKA ‘Kalara’ stands out as an accomplished environmental services professional, holding a master’s degree in Agroecosystems and Environment. As a dedicated Wangari Maathai scholar, she derives immense satisfaction from community service. Currently, she leads the Hummingbird Foundation, an initiative committed to supplying nutritious vegetables to school-going children. Beyond her altruistic endeavors, Claire indulges in her love for reading and writing during her leisure time. To describe Claire’s personality, she is a brilliant conscientious introvert with occasional sociable periods. You will find her researching or reading most of the time.
Henry Wasike
Logistics Specialist
Henry AKA ‘Honory’: Henry is a logistics specialist with over a decade of experience in North America as the founder of Honory Inc. a logistics company. He has volunteered for the Kenya Red Cross as a logistics team member and has served different roles within the Red Cross whenever the need arose. He also serves the Health and Empowerment Foundation as the Logistics Director. Honory is also an avid fisherman who has modernized the art of fishing in Kenya by introducing cage fishing to a small village in Western Kenya. This development has tremendously improved food security for the local community and generated employment opportunities. Henry can be described as spontaneous, easy going and a great time keeper.
Patrick Olwana
Compliance Coordinator / Account Manager
Patrick Olwana is a finance leader with over 23 years’ experience in corporate finance. He has worked in Kenya and the USA in Fortune 500 corporations successfully driving profitable growth in multiple industries. His passion for giving back and paying forward in the community led him to being a founding member and secretary of The New Hope for Africa NGO based in Florida, USA. He is a firm believer in the motto “For those who much is given, much will be expected.” He is proud to be a part of the Health Empowerment Foundation. “Let us continue to win for our communities.” Patrick is goal-directed, disciplined and an intellectual.
Laika N Olwana
Teen / Youth Outreach Coordinator
Laika is a driven Junior in High School with a passion for benevolence and supporting others. At her school in Metro-Atlanta, she is the President and Founder of the Black Student Union, and leads the in-house peer tutoring center. Aspiring to become a psychiatrist, Laika is dedicated to making a positive impact on the well-being of others. Through her involvement with this organization as the Youth and Outreach Coordinator, she strives to contribute to initiatives that promote growth in the community through youthful ideas and teen / youth lingo they understand. Laika’s commitment to learning and compassion makes her an asset to our organization. Laika is self-controlled and spontaneous when secure.
