Kandice D. Kershaw, BS, RMA.
Founder, Executive Director of Clinical and Community Health Programs
Ms. Kershaw is a dedicated healthcare leader and educator with over a decade of experience advancing quality improvement, policy, regulatory compliance, and community health initiatives.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Social and Behavioral Science with special emphasis in Health Services Management. She also holds multiple Professional Certifications; Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, CPR Basic life support and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. She serves on two Eastern-States subcommittee boards through The American Heart Association.
Kandice blends clinical insight with operational expertise to drive measurable outcomes in safety, performance, and patient satisfaction. She is passionate about fostering equity in healthcare access, mentoring future leaders, and creating systems that empower both staff and patients.
Ms. Figueroa is an experienced healthcare professional with over 15 years of clinical and administrative expertise. Throughout her career, she has built a strong foundation in both patient care and leadership, developing skills that balance compassion with efficiency.
She is knowledgeable in daily clinical operations, training and mentoring staff, and ensuring patients receive the highest level of care. Her role allows her to combine hands-on medical support (patient vitals, staff coaching and workflow coordination) coupled with leadership responsibilities. She currently holds a certificate in Phlebotomy and EKG along with a BLS Certification. She is also pursuing her bachelor’s degree in health sciences with special emphasis in Behavioral Health Management.
She is very passionate about patient advocacy and clinical excellence and strives to create an environment where patients feel cared for and providers are fully supported. She is motivated to continue growing within healthcare and leadership experience, and commitment to high-quality patient care.
Melina Figueroa, MA.
Secretary, Director of Patient Advocacy
Jasmin N. Davis
Treasurer, Director of Finance
Jasmin Nicole Davis was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, and prides herself on her personal and professional commitment to the Hudson Valley. She earned her MBA from Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management and received her BFA in Public Relations and Broadcast Journalism from Long Island University. Jasmin is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. An award-winning professional, Jasmin was honored as a top woman in business by Hudson Valley Magazine. Jasmin has also been recognized as a Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Forty Under 40 in 2020 and was an Athena International Award honoree in 2021. Jasmin also has been honored with a Community Service Award from the Social Action Committee as well as with the Sarah Studler Smile Award (The ARC Greater Hudson Valley). In 2025, Jasmin was nominated as a Woman of Impact for the American Heart Association.
Committed to giving back to her community, Jasmin served on the advisory council for the Hudson Valley Young Professionals for 8 years and served as the Co-Chair (2023-2024). Jasmin graduated from The Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Dutchess program in 2019 and Executive Leadership program in 2023. In 2021, Jasmin was appointed City Chamberlain by former Mayor Rob Rolison of the City of Poughkeepsie which oversees the Office of Vital Statistics and was the Designated Records Management Officer for the City of Poughkeepsie until her appointed term concluded in December 2023. She has a proven track record of success in the event planning, marketing and public relations fields and has worked for several public and private sector organizations, including her prior role as the Assistant Marketing Director of the Poughkeepsie Galleria.
Jasmin is proud to serve as a founding Board Member of Neighborhood Vitality Corp.
Carla Mintz
Board Member, Director of Web and Social Media Content
Ms. Mintz brings a unique blend of creativity, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit to her role as Director of Web and Social Media Content for Neighborhood Vitality Corp. With years of experience in digital content creation, Carla has managed and developed online platforms that connect communities, engage audiences, and drive meaningful conversations.
As a freelance artist and owner of her own creative business, Carla has honed her skills in branding, marketing, and audience engagement. Her artwork, known for its vibrant Abstract Realism style and celebration of Women of Color, has reached diverse audiences through exhibitions, online sales, and educational art events.
Carla has also spent many years working in 911 emergency communications, where she has learned the importance of staying calm under pressure, serving the public, and communicating clearly when it matters most. During that time, she has also trained new dispatchers and developed instructional materials – an experience that has taught her how to educate, support, and empower others.
Combining her skills in public service, training, and creative storytelling, Carla helps Neighborhood Vitality Corp. share its mission and connect with the community in a meaningful way.
Jilisa Henry, COTA/L, AAS, BA.
Board Member, Patient Advocacy Coordinator
Jilisa brings over a decade of frontline healthcare experience as a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to her role at Neighborhood Vitality Corp. Having worked directly with patients in skilled nursing and rehabilitation settings, she has a deep, practical understanding of the challenges individuals and families face when navigating the healthcare system.
Her career has been dedicated to optimizing patient care—not only through hands-on therapy but also by ensuring the administrative and insurance systems work for the patient, not against them. This unique blend of clinical knowledge and systems-level problem-solving is what she now channels into empowering our community members.
As Patient Advocacy Coordinator, Jilisa is a dedicated guide for individuals feeling overwhelmed by medical bills, insurance complexities, or access to care. She believes that health is a human right and that knowledge is the key to unlocking it. Her mission is to demystify healthcare, advocate fiercely for patients' needs, and ensure that every person in our community has the tools and support to live their healthiest life.