Madalynn is the founder and executive director of ONTRACK Program Resources (ONTRACK). She recognized the interconnectedness of poverty, racism, inadequate education, housing and its impact on health and wellness among African Americans and other underserved populations and thereby ONTRACK was founded and incorporated. ONTRACK’s efforts are to support and strengthen community-based and local agencies in implementing more effective programs and policies to improve health and social justice outcomes for disadvantaged populations.

Madalynn has served on numerous boards and commissions, including: the National Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network Coordinating Office Advisory Board – Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), California Reducing Disparities in Populations/African American Workgroup Phase I, Women’s Addiction Services Leadership Institute Coach – SAMHSA, California Delegate for the SAMHSA National Policy Summit to Address Behavioral Health Disparities within Health Care Reform, California Institute for Mental Health- Center for Multicultural Development Advisory Committee, South Central Prevention Coalition, Board of Directors.

She is currently the Project Director for several ONTRACK initiatives, including the African American Technical Assistance Provider contract with the California Department of Public Health/Office of Health Equity, California Reducing Disparities Project, SAMHSA’s Project AWARE – California Capital Youth Mental Health First Aid grant, California Department of Health Care Services, Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Technical Assistance and Training contract for African American Substance Use Disorders Treatment, and The San Francisco Foundation’s Anchoring Communities, Project LEAD – Stay in the Bay housing displacement project.

Madalynn graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree and received a Master’s degree in Political Science/Public Administration from Stanford University. Following her tenure with San Mateo County, she worked with the Community Services Planning Council, providing leadership in building community coalitions in the Sacramento region, which were federally funded to strengthen the prevention efforts of local communities impacted by the effects of alcohol and other drug problems and related issues.

Dr. Will Walker, Director of Training and Equity, is a community improvement professional with more than two decades of experience in addressing some of our nation’s most challenging conditions. He has deep expertise in developing, managing, documenting, and replicating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives related to health systems and Pre-K-16 educational systems and their stakeholders, including students, staff, faculties, administrators, communities, social service, public health and mental health systems, philanthropic organizations, and families. Over the course of Will’s career, he’s developed strong capacities to work within the full spectrum of diverse communities, from very grassroots environments to executive-level boardrooms.

Dr. Walker earned his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Princeton University in Religion and Public Policy.

Anita is a Project Manager at ONTRACK Program Resources focusing on the Philani Institute as well as the California Reducing Disparities Project. She first came to ONTRACK in a consultant capacity delivering trainings on relationship addiction, self-love and healthy relationships. Over the years, she has grown a great appreciation for the important work that ONTRACK does and wanted to get more involved. Her background as an engineer and project manager in Corporate America, a trainer, a life coach, and the founder of a non-profit social justice organization, all add to the richness she brings to the team.

Anita is the author of two self-help books, “Mean Time Love: A Woman’s Journey from Self-Loathe to Self-Love” and “Mean Time Love: So I’ve Got Self-Love, Now What?” She is the Board President for Studio T Arts & Entertainment, sits on the Advisory Board for Cosumnes River College Extended Opportunity Programs Services (EOPS) and is an advocate for Domestic Violence survivors.

She is a native New Yorker but loves living in Sacramento, CA, is a mother of three and high-impact workouts are her favorite form of self-care.”

Paul serves as ONTRACK’s Program Services Manager. He has over 25 years of experience in grass-roots community activism and organization. He has successfully developed a community partnership between service providers and local government stakeholders along with community residents in Sacramento’s neighborhoods. He has also engaged and organized community members in Fairfield adversely impacted by alcohol-related incidents and initiated abatement programs. Paul has also provided adult education seminars and workshops for statewide association of local government officials and legislative policy analysis. His inspiring recovery and lived experience with substance use disorders and justice involvement have given him a deeply passionate drive and energy to assist others in building personal capacity for success.

Paul attended U.C. Davis, majoring in Political Science, Public Policy.

Kawanda referred to as “Keke” is a native of Omaha, NE, where she worked as a Gang Unit Officer and as a Mental Health Officer. Keke attended Bellevue University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. Keke is currently the Program Manager and Lead Empowerment Advocate for Soul Space, a program of ONTRACK. Keke facilitates Soul Space’s empowerment group specifically for Black women called, Let it Go Sis. In 2022, Keke launched a non-profit called, A Crowned Life Coaching, whose mission is to is to create opportunities for healing through empowerment, advocacy, and skill-building for incarcerated individuals. Additionally, Keke serves on various committees throughout the community.

Shayla is the Project Coordinator for Soul Space Berkeley. She is skilled in project management, data collection, and presentation. She also has significant administrative experience supporting high-level executives. Through her education and work experience, Shayla has developed strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Her values are based on a strong work ethic which is backed by a foundation of empathy and fortitude.

She possesses a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from The University of California, Los Angeles. Born and raised in Berkeley California, Shayla strives to put her energy and focus on contributing to making the Bay Area flourish.

Janele was an Advocate at Weave Inc., where she promoted safe and healthy relationships with
five partners in the south Sacramento area. To assist families that has experience sexual
assault, domestic violence, sex trafficking, with resources, advocating on client’s behalf for
access to services, provide support to clients by giving them a “voice”. Build rapport and
develop a trusting and consistent relationship and provide emotional support. She worked with
the faith community to bring awareness and resources to churches in the South Sacramento
area.

Janele has worked for the Sacramento Children’s home for four years as a home visitor, where
she went out on weekly visits providing in-home and community-based support services to
families at risk for child abuse and neglect. She has had a greatly amount of training through
her four years through The Child Abuse Prevention center.

Janele has played a huge part in the community and her church to assist youth with self-
esteem, character building, validation, and goal planning.

She is a loving, compassionate, and understanding woman, who enjoys seeing individuals get to
the top of whatever mountain their climbing. With a little push, we can all make it.

Avy brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the field of mental health. They hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and are pursuing studies to become a marriage and family therapist. Avy’s focus on the impact of trauma within the Black community shows dedication to understanding and addressing complex issues. They are committed to fostering dialogue and awareness about mental health, in-person and in digital forums. Avy has spoken on mental health panels at UC Davis, hosts a podcast, and curates an online community centered on mental health. Through a blend of academic expertise and real-world engagement, Avy seeks to empower individuals to navigate their mental health journeys with resilience and compassion.

Stefon C. Dent was born in Carmichael, California, in Sacramento County, and moved to the Bay Area when he was 5 years old. Stefon is the middle child of four, raised in Berkeley and Oakland by two loving parents. He graduated from Berkeley High School in 2003 and has valuable lived experience/street knowledge of the injustices African Americans endure. Stefon studied behavioral psychology at Cal State East Bay, where he earned three degrees. For the past 17 years, he has provided services to marginalized and disadvantaged communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties as a mental health facilitator and life coach. Stefon is dedicated to combating injustice, fostering the mental and emotional well-being of African American people, and making communities healthy and vibrant.

Barbara Saunders leads ONTRACK’s Alameda County and City of Berkeley programs. She’ll direct initiatives to grow Berkeley Soul Space. For the past 20 years, Barbara has been a board member of Project Avary, a nonprofit serving children and youth affected by a family member’s incarceration. Previously, at the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics in San Francisco, she counseled clients with substance use disorders, including people with coexisting mental health diagnoses and those diverted to treatment by the court. Barbara sharpened her operational skills by working as a technical writer and business analyst in technology companies. She is a writer, solo performer, editor, and writing coach focusing on narrative nonfiction, memoir, and poetry.

Barbara earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanford University and studied counseling psychology at the University of San Francisco.