Meet Our Board and Staff
Executive Director
Toshii K. D. Cooper is a student of truth, and a teacher of self-love who is grounded in the blissful intentions of the Universe. She is a native of ‘The Big Easy’, New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to her strong background in business and experience as a former educator in New York City’s public school system, Ms. Cooper’s passions lie in being of service via healing minds, bodies, and souls with her touch, energy, words, and artistic creative expressions.
The Wellness Industry has been Ms. Cooper’s center for over two decades. It has fueled her passions as a Healer and Alchemist through the professional roles of Massage Therapist, Massage Therapy Instructor, Continuing Education Instructor for Massage Therapy, Reiki Master and Practitioner, Inventor, Energy Wellness Consultant and Empathic Reader. It was during the mid-1990’s that Ms. Cooper became interested in becoming a Reiki and Holistic Health Practitioner. She left her managerial fast-track Senior Specialist job at Merrill Lynch to study Massage Therapy at The Swedish Institute in New York, NY. Though a little scary, and opposed to popular familial opinion, she changed the trajectory of her life’s path from the Financial Services Industry to the Wellness Industry. Notwithstanding a bumpy road early on, following nine eleven (911), Ms. Cooper made some detours and engaged within the Wellness Industry part-time while she taught in New York City’s public school system from 2002 to 2004 and Corporate America, once again, from 2009 to 2014. Finally, perseverance and a tenacious commitment to herself and life’s path, she became one hundred percent dedicated to the wellness industry in 2014, being of service to clients, students, peers, and the universal community.
Presently, as the Chief Executive Officer of The Toshii School of Wellness, she provides guidance and direction as a Wellness Educator and Speaker via online courses and in-person workshops. Concurrently, as the Chief Executive Officer of Infinite Healing Holistic Mobile Spa, a wellness company located in Atlanta, GA, she oversees on-site spa services for individuals, couples, and small and large groups. As a servant of her community, she is a Board Member of the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy where she is dedicated to ensuring that the public is safe, and the integrity of the profession is upheld. Also, she enjoys providing in-person and distant therapeutic healing services as a Wellness Practitioner in addition to being a storyteller and author of Redemption’s Lullaby, a novel.
Ms. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Business Administration and an Associates of Science degree in Occupational Studies.
Ms. Cooper is single and has several interests outside the wellness world including traveling with family and friends, watching movies, reading novels, visiting new restaurants and helping others succeed.
Chief Financial Officer | Treasurer
Nekoma Ross is a passionate Accountant with over fifteen years of experience in the accounting and tax industry. As the sole owner of Divine Accounting Services, Nekoma specializes in providing bookkeeping, accounting, tax preparation, and tax planning services to individuals and small business owners. Nekoma also holds the prestigious title of Enrolled Agent, which grants her the license to practice and represent individuals before the Internal Revenue Service. Nekoma is also a CPA candidate and is actively pursuing her CPA licensure in the state of Georgia.
Nekoma’s love for solving financial puzzles drives her to assist those who feel overwhelmed and unsure about managing their finances, whether personally or in their business. Witnessing the relief on their faces and knowing that she has made a positive impact brings her immense joy. Nekoma firmly stands on the pillars of integrity and honesty, unwavering in her commitment to uphold these values.
Nekoma holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University and a Master’s of Business Administration with an Accounting concentration from Keller Graduate School of Management. Nekoma began her career in 2007 as an Accounting intern for a Fortune 500 company in the television and media industry and worked her way up the corporate ladder as a Senior Financial Analyst in 2023 before embarking on the entrepreneurial journey and forming her own accounting firm, Divine Accounting Services.
Beyond being an accomplished accountant, Nekoma is a multifaceted woman-preneur. In addition to running Divine Accounting Services, she also operates a small natural hair care business where she is a Certified Sisterlock Consultant, offering lock establishment and maintenance services on a part-time basis.
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Communications Expert – Certified Mediator – Reiki Master
Nichole Bigley takes visions and makes them reality through sound strategy development. She intuitively sees threads of opportunity that wind through an organization, brings them together into a coherent whole, and helps others extend their thinking to drive success. An inspirational leader, Nichole shares stories that inspire action while at the same time are grounded in financial information that moves businesses forward. Respected as a credible voice in marketing, public relations (PR) and communications, Nichole earns a seat at the table wherever she serves.
Currently, as Director, VP at Golin, a global PR agency that helps companies create change that matters, Nichole oversees client strategy and growth through thought leadership, media relations, event management, and digital and social media. She is also a top client leader (TCL) for the National Peanut Board (NPB), managing consumer and corporate workstreams for the organization.
Previously, as Director of Innovation at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Nichole led change management efforts for the company. During this time, she drove internal communications efforts for executives and global consultants.
Prior to BCG, she was SVP, Corporate Group Head at Edelman, leading clients such as Comcast, GE, Golder Associates, Gray TV, Equifax, PwC, SunTrust, Syniverse, TELUS International, Xfinity Mobile and more. While there, Nichole increased year-over-year growth for the corporate practice to $6.2M.
Before Edelman, Nichole oversaw the Corporate and Consumer practices at FleishmanHillard (FH), leading clients like AT&T where she oversaw global product launches. At GCI Group, she managed clients including Delta, Georgia Aquarium, High Museum of Art, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Wolfgang Puck Catering. At Northlich, Nichole worked with brands like Convergys Corporation, Tiffany & Co., and P&G.
During her 23-year communications career, Nichole has also held leadership roles at companies such as Oracle where she advised executives such as Larry Ellison on the company’s first-ever launch into social media, and AirWatch where she helped to secure the company’s sale to VMWare through PR and communications strategy.
Nichole is also the creator and host of A Psychic’s Story, a top-charted spiritual podcast in the U.S., which receives millions of downloads a year with listeners in all 195 countries. Its goal is to share other people’s spiritual experiences, so they don’t feel alone in their journeys.
Coming in winter of 2023, Looking for Angels: A Guide to Understanding and Connecting with Angels will be Nichole’s first book with co-author Dr. Scott Guerin.
Nichole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with double concentrations in Public Relations and Mediation, and double minors in Business Management and Business Law from James Madison University (JMU). She is a certified mediator with the Supreme Court. Nichole became a certified Reiki master in 2007.
Nichole currently serves as a board member with Golden Qi Foundation which provides therapeutic massage and support for senior citizens aged 65 and older to enhance their overall health and quality of life.
Community Programs Director
Dr. Theresa M. Howard is an enthusiastic professional that has combined expertise in Health and Human Services and the Arts. Ms. Howard has committed over 40 years in a career in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Prevention, Aging Services, and Dance and Education. She has a unique balance in her work, by blending the Arts and providing supportive services to those in need. She has worked in a variety of Healthcare, Government, and Education settings. Her strength comes through her passion of bringing out the best in people.
Ms. Howard is a native of New York and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Theater and Education from Herbert H. Lehman College, Master of Science in Dance Movement Therapy from Hunter College, and a Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership from Argosy University. She holds certifications in Dance Movement Therapy, Preventionist iV, Addiction Counselor II, Yoga instructor and teacher trainer.
Theresa M. Howard is an accomplished professional dancer and dance educator, proficient in African dance, classical ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, and belly dance techniques. Ms. Howard has performed and been a guest performer with many prominent dance ensembles for over 40 years. These included: Chuck Davis African-American Dance Ensemble, Joan Miller and the Chamber Arts Players, Eleo Pomare, Rod RodgersDance Company, Giwayen Mata, Barefoot Ballet, Manga African Dance Ensemble, Alvin Ailey's "Revelations'' at Herbert H. Lehman College, and has performed in several of Ballethnic Dance Company’s signature dances: Urban Nutcracker, Leopard Tale, Flying West, and Jazzy Sleeping Beauty. Ms. Howard performed in several Dance Africa events, the 1996 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and has danced in several music videos, including Lonnie Holley’s “ I Wanna Dance.” She has performed as an extra in the movie "Remember The Titans'' and choreographed several college coronations, and plays, including the award winning play “Ruined” which was performed at Kennesaw State University. She has performed for dignitaries such as Ambassador Andrew Young, Desmond Tutu, The King and Secretary of Travel for Oshogbo State, Nigeria, four-time defensive player of the year Dikembe Mutumbo, Fulton County Commissioners, and mayors for the City of Atlanta, East Point and College Park, Georgia.
Ms. Howard is on the faculty of Kennesaw State University and Emory University as a part-time Assistant Professor of Dance. She has conducted dance classes, workshops, and lectures at Gwinnett Technical College, Georgia Tech University, Swarthmore College, Pace Academy, and many private and public elementary and secondary schools in the region. Ms. Howard has been a guest artist and dance educator for artists in residency programs throughout the United States and abroad. She also instructs African dance and various genres of dance at Ballethnic Academy of Dance, Lilburn School of Dance, Metropolitan School of Dance, Oklahoma City, Fulton County Aviation Cultural Community Center, and Dance Canvas Summer Intensives.
Ms. Howard's community involvement includes providing dance and African percussion instruction to Youth Enrichment Programs, Senior Citizen programs, and Fulton County Drug Court. Ms. Howard is founder, director, instructor, and choreographer for the M.O.D.E."Edeliegba," Senior Dance Ensemble, a traveling dance troupe composed of senior citizens aged 60 years and older.
Ms. Howard has traveled to Europe, West, North, and East Africa as a cultural exchange dance instructor/educator and has shared her knowledge in the states and abroad.
Theresa M. Howard is the recipient of the Ballethnic Academy of Dance 2017 Service Award, 2012 Legacy Award, 2012 Fulton County Focus Award, 2008 Pinnacle Leadership Award, 2007 Winterfest Volunteer Angel Award, and 2006 W.O.M.E.N Award.
Board Member
LaShawn Brinson is the Director of “Just Breathe” Social Emotional Learning and Wellness Consulting and Department Chair of Child Development at Los Angeles Southwest College. She is an experienced preschool and elementary teacher with over 30 years of experience in education. Besides earning degrees in Child Development, Human Development, and Educational Leadership, LaShawn is a Registered Yoga Teacher and certified in Social-Emotional Learning, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and The Growing Brain.
LaShawn has used her life experience of generational trauma to feed her passion for educating others on the importance of providing consistent attachments, trauma awareness and informed care, and unconditional love to young children and each other. She believes in helping others but has learned that normalizing self-care, breathwork, and emotional expression is the best approach to overall mental health, growth, and development.
Board Member
Patient Advocate & Founder of Aloe Glow Wellness, Earla D. Cumberbatch is a steadfast champion for inclusive and high-quality healthcare, having devoted herself as a patient advocate since 2019 at a pioneering NYC healthcare startup focusing on value-based care.
With an unwavering commitment to elevating the healthcare experience for underserved communities, she continues to fervently promote access to compassionate, patient-centric, and superior healthcare services. While her advocacy efforts deeply underscore her dedication to holistic well-being, Earla’s commitment to health and wellness does not end there. She is the visionary behind Aloe Glow Wellness, a Brooklyn-based brand that has, in just four years, garnered global attention. Aloe Glow offers plant-based nutrition and botanical beauty, reflecting Earla’s profound belief in the nexus of mind-body wellness. Beyond her professional endeavors in healthcare and entrepreneurship, Earla proudly sits on the board of the Golden Qi Foundation. In this esteemed capacity, she finds immense fulfillment in serving special populations, working to enhance their health and longevity through therapeutic massage, care coordination, and a diverse range of other healing modalities. Across her diverse roles and responsibilities, one constant remains: Earla's wholehearted dedication to the betterment of individual and community well-being.
Board Member
Rhian Watson has a unique ability to transpose her environments, her cultures and her choices into profound lyrical arrangements that reflect an awareness of a universal experience. A classical education, decorated with opera, jazz, soul and musical theater backgrounds, is merely a drop in a deep blue bucket for this undeniably gifted chanteuse. With qualities such as these, it is no wonder that her experiences include performances at the Blue Note Jazz Club, a vocal appearance on RH Factor’s Grammy-nominated Strength album, background vocal performances with Ladybug Mecca of Digable Planets and a television performance with mega-producer David Foster on NBC’s Star Tomorrow.
One of the most extraordinary qualities that Rhian possesses is her power to reach within each listener and touch the part that longs to fly. She is not afraid to plunge into the depths of human emotion and she does it naturally. She is a performer who undoubtedly shifts the paradigm for today’s artist.
“Rise On” is the first single from Rhian Ayanna’s second US album, due to be released in early 2024.
Rhian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and an Associate’s degree in Vocal Performance and Theatre. She is a certified clinical nutritionist, holistic health practitioner, colon hydrotherapist and yoga instructor.
Board Member
Jonathan Lason Wright Is currently the General Manager for Novo Los Angeles. Novo Los Angeles is a Graphic T-shirt manufacturer, and Distributor.
Jonathan is responsible for facilitating and maximizing online, vendor, and wholesale transactions, along with product production, merchandising, and marketing.
Before accepting this position in August of 2023, he served as the Owner and CEO of Justace Denim Apparel. His experience in Fashion revels as a Designer, Stylist and Photoshoot Creative Director.
Previous to his work in Fashion and Entertainment, Jonathan’s background was layered in business management overseeing operations for Target and AAA Auto Club South. His vast experience has powerfully set the foundation for is Executive position at Novo Los Angeles.
As a board member for The Golden Qi Foundation, Jonathon brings a plethora of creativity and a refreshing 'think outside the box' disposition.
Secretary | Administrative Assistant
Charnita Jackson is a seasoned professional who transforms innovative ideas into concrete solutions through strategic planning and impeccable execution. With a keen sense of opportunity, she weaves the fabric of organizations together, fostering coherence and inspiring others to think beyond boundaries, ultimately steering them toward success. As an inspirational leader, Charnita weaves compelling narratives that motivate action while remaining firmly grounded in financial insights that drive business progress. Recognized as a trusted authority in payments management, she effortlessly secures her place as a valuable asset in every venture.
Currently serving as a Disbursement Specialist in the Finance Department at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Charnita plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of grant payments. She orchestrates the entire grant payment process, from intake to release, meticulously reviewing and validating disbursements to ensure they meet accuracy and compliance standards. Her watchful eye tracks and monitors the disbursement workflow, guaranteeing timely and precise financial transactions. Moreover, Charnita handles finance grant inquiries with finesse, offering comprehensive solutions to address concerns and resolve issues. Her commitment extends to providing training and guidance on grant payment processing, contributing to the development of her colleagues.
Charnita's exceptional career journey includes her role as a Change Manager at WUBS LLC, where she successfully executed a Middle Office Operations Lean Deployment in three phases. She led training seminars on time management and standard practices, serving as an ambassador for Lean Deployment to executive leadership. Her implementation of the Lean Management System embedded critical tools into daily operations, driving continuous improvement. Charnita's ability to deliver well-structured presentations to business leaders further solidifies her reputation as a communications expert.
Charnita's journey at WUBS LLC began as a Supervisor in Financial Institutions North America Operations. In this role, she led and mentored a team of 10 remote employees to peak performance. Her establishment of a staff skills matrix and training initiatives ensured continuous growth and improvement. Charnita also played a pivotal role in maintaining efficient payment formatting, federal consumer regulations, and advancements in money services, delivering consistent and efficient client service.
As a Change Champion in Dealer Support Operations at WUBS LLC, Charnita meticulously tracked and monitored high-value trades, ensuring seamless processing. Her operational excellence earned her recognition from North America Sales Leadership for contributing to annual sales targets. She also played a key role in implementing quality control and payment processing policies, assuming supervisory duties when required.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Charnita is a multifaceted individual. Her diverse experiences and unwavering commitment extend to her role as secretary of the Golden Qi Foundation, where she contributes to enhancing the overall health and quality of life for senior citizens aged 65 and older through therapeutic massage and support.
Charnita's career journey reflects a deep commitment to excellence, problem-solving prowess, and a passion for empowering others, making her a truly exceptional professional.