Board of Directors

---

Quenita Oats serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Community Tampa Bay and brings more than a decade of leadership experience in youth development, education, community engagement, and social impact initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.

Prior to her role at Community Tampa Bay, Quenita served as Executive Director of Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay, where she helped inspire and empower young girls to discover their voices, build confidence, and realize their limitless potential through goal setting, mentorship, and physical activity. Her commitment to youth advocacy also includes work within the juvenile justice system, where she served with Leon County Teen Court and Paxen Community Connections. In these roles, she supported youth involved in the legal system by helping them complete court-ordered sanctions, continue their education, and establish positive pathways toward future success.

Quenita earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rust College and a Master of Applied Social Science in History from Florida A&M University. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and remains deeply committed to advancing equity, fostering inclusion, and creating meaningful change in the communities she serves.

As a board member of Crescent Moon Cellubration, Inc., Quenita brings valuable expertise in nonprofit leadership, community partnerships, youth advocacy, and organizational development. Her passion for service and commitment to empowering individuals and families align closely with the organization’s mission to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, provide vital resources, and promote health equity for warriors and their families.

Eric Mitchell serves as President of the Alliance to End Hunger, where he leads the organization’s strategic vision and efforts to mobilize a diverse network of corporations, nonprofit organizations, universities, foundations, and community leaders dedicated to ending hunger in the United States and around the world. Through his leadership, he has strengthened advocacy initiatives at both the national and local levels, helping to build public awareness and political will around issues of food security, health equity, and economic opportunity.

With an accomplished career spanning public policy, government relations, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership, Eric brings extensive experience in coalition building and advancing initiatives that improve the lives of underserved communities. Prior to joining the Alliance to End Hunger, he served as Director of Government Relations for Adtalem Global Education, where he cultivated partnerships with government officials, business leaders, and civic organizations throughout the Caribbean. He also served as Director of Government Relations for Bread for the World, leading national advocacy efforts to strengthen critical food assistance and international development programs.

Earlier in his career, Eric made history as the youngest and first African American Vice President of Government Relations at Russ Reid, one of the nation’s leading marketing and communications firms serving nonprofit organizations. He began his public service career on Capitol Hill as Policy Advisor to civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis and Legislative Assistant to Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., where he gained invaluable experience shaping public policy and advocating for vulnerable populations.

Eric’s leadership and influence have been widely recognized. In 2014, he was named to The Root 100, honoring the most influential African Americans under the age of 40. He was also recognized by The Hill as a “Top Lobbyist” for six consecutive years, from 2014 through 2019.

A native of Tampa, Florida, Eric is a graduate of Howard University and currently resides in Maryland. As a board member of Crescent Moon Cellubration, Inc., he brings exceptional expertise in public policy, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. His dedication to advancing health equity, strengthening communities, and championing underserved populations supports the organization’s mission to increase awareness of sickle cell disease, provide critical resources, and improve outcomes for warriors and their families.

Shayla Mitchell is the Founder and Creator of Eva’s Residential and Assisted Living, LLC, a compassionate care organization dedicated to providing quality residential and assisted living services that enhance the lives of seniors and individuals requiring supportive care.

A native of Tampa, Florida, Shayla earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of South Florida. Her passion for serving others, combined with a deep understanding of human behavior and community needs, has guided both her entrepreneurial and professional endeavors.

With more than 21 years of experience at Bank of America, Shayla has built an accomplished career in banking, trust operations, fiduciary services, risk management, and client relationship support. She is an experienced banking and trust operations professional with extensive expertise supporting high-net-worth clients, fiduciary account administration, regulatory compliance, and complex document review.

Throughout her career, Shayla has demonstrated exceptional skill in interpreting trust and legal documents, ensuring compliance with regulatory and institutional requirements, mitigating financial and reputational risk, and facilitating fiduciary account servicing and asset transfers. She has successfully partnered with legal, tax, operations, and wealth management teams to deliver accurate, client-focused solutions while maintaining the highest standards of audit readiness and compliance.

Recognized for her analytical problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and commitment to operational excellence, Shayla has developed deep expertise in trust administration, deposit policy, quality assurance, consumer lending, and operational risk management. Her ability to balance strategic thinking with compassionate service has made her a trusted leader and advocate for both clients and communities.

As a board member, Shayla brings valuable expertise in governance, financial oversight, risk management, and community engagement. Her dedication to service, integrity, and improving the lives of others aligns closely with the mission and values of Crescent Moon Cellubration, Inc.

Dr. Deidra Nicole Wells, D.C., is the Founder and Clinic Director of Culture Chiropractic and Family Wellness Centers, P.C., a wellness-based, holistic healthcare practice proudly serving Prince George’s County and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a passion for empowering individuals and families to achieve optimal health, Dr. Wells has dedicated her career to providing patient-centered care that promotes wellness, prevention, and long-term quality of life.

A graduate of Florida State University, Dr. Wells earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology before pursuing her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been a licensed chiropractor since 2011 and currently holds an active chiropractic license with physical therapy privileges in Maryland. She is also certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Wells brings more than a decade of experience supporting healthcare innovation and scientific advancement through her work in clinical research. She has collaborated with several pharmaceutical companies and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), helping monitor and support clinical research trials focused on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, pediatric mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Her unique combination of direct patient care experience and clinical research expertise provides valuable insight into evidence-based healthcare, wellness promotion, and health outcomes.

Throughout her career, Dr. Wells has remained committed to improving access to quality healthcare, educating communities on preventive wellness practices, and advocating for whole-person health. Her work reflects a deep belief that informed, compassionate care can transform lives and strengthen families.

As a board member of Crescent Moon Cellubration, Inc., Dr. Wells brings invaluable expertise in healthcare, clinical research, patient advocacy, and community wellness. Her commitment to advancing health equity, increasing access to resources, and supporting underserved populations aligns closely with the organization’s mission to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, provide critical support services, and improve the quality of life for warriors and their families.

Elizabeth Mitchell-Baker, MBA, MS, CNS, is a board-certified Clinical Nutritionist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, author, and wellness advocate with more than 17 years of experience helping individuals and families improve their health, performance, and overall quality of life. Through her work in clinical nutrition, health education, and community wellness, she has dedicated her career to empowering people with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve sustainable, lifelong health.

Elizabeth holds a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Integrative Health and is recognized for her expertise in evidence-based nutrition, metabolic health, medical nutrition therapy, and wellness coaching. As the founder of So Well with Liz Baker, she provides personalized nutrition and lifestyle guidance designed to support individuals in achieving their health goals while addressing the unique needs of diverse populations.

In her role as a Healthcare Professional and Weight Management Specialist, Elizabeth delivers clinical nutrition support and research-based wellness services through telehealth platforms, serving clients both nationally and internationally. Her holistic approach emphasizes prevention, education, and long-term health outcomes, helping individuals build healthier lives through practical and sustainable strategies.

Beyond her clinical practice, Elizabeth is deeply committed to youth development and community engagement. As a youth sports and track and field strength coach, she mentors young athletes in both physical performance and personal growth, encouraging discipline, confidence, and resilience. She is also the author of I Won’t Worry, a book focused on anxiety and mental wellness, reflecting her belief that true well-being encompasses both mental and physical health.

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Elizabeth currently resides in North Carolina. As a board member of Crescent Moon Cellubration, Inc., she brings valuable expertise in nutrition, wellness education, health promotion, and community outreach. Her passion for improving health outcomes, supporting families, and advancing health equity aligns closely with the organization’s mission to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, provide essential resources, and empower warriors and their families to thrive.

Ursula Howell, MBA, is a seasoned talent acquisition and people operations leader with over a decade of experience building teams, elevating candidate experiences, and driving meaningful change within organizations. She currently serves as a Lead Recruiter at Central Market, where she leads the store's hourly recruiting function — bringing structure, strategy, and a genuine passion for connecting people with the right opportunities.
Prior to Central Market, Ursula spent nearly a decade at Southwest Airlines, where she rose from Recruiter to Candidate Experience Team Lead, overseeing a team of seven and leading enterprise-wide initiatives that impacted tens of thousands of new hires annually. Her work spanned full-cycle recruitment, onboarding transformation, cross-functional collaboration, and talent development — including mentoring team members who earned promotions under her guidance.
Ursula holds an MBA in Human Resource Management from Saint Leo University and a B.S. in Business Management from the University of South Florida. She is also a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and a graduate of Sodeuthwest's Leadership Development Program.
As a Board Member of Crescent Moon Cellubration, Ursula brings the same commitment to people and community that has defined her professional career. She is deeply invested in advancing awareness, support, and resources for those living with sickle cell disease — and in ensuring that every individual and family affected feels seen, supported, and celebrated.