Dr. Alessandra Cesano has been ESSA’s Chief Medical Officer since 2019 and Executive Vice President since 2023. Prior to joining ESSA, Dr. Cesano served as Chief Medical Officer at NanoString Inc., focusing on the development of translational and diagnostic multi-plexed assays for the characterization and measurement of mechanisms of immune response and resistance. Previously, Dr. Cesano was the Chief Medical Officer at Cleave Biosciences, Inc., and Nodality, Inc. Throughout her career, Dr. Cesano has held various management positions at Amgen, Biogen Idec and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, where she helped advance various oncology drugs through late-stage development and FDA approvals. Early in her professional career, Dr. Cesano spent 12 years conducting research in tumor immunology, including nine years at the Wistar Institute, an NCI Basic Cancer Center connected with the University of Pennsylvania, and she has authored over 100 publications. Dr. Cesano received an M.D. summa cum laude, a Board Certification in Oncology and a Ph.D. in Tumor Immunology from the University of Turin

The Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey was born with the expressed assignment to be in service to women. She began her professional career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she labored for twelve years providing primary healthcare to fragile neonates and their families. It was there that she felt the strong tugging of the Almighty to minister to women in their moments of deep sorrow and despair. She then moved on to practicing midwifery. As history and the word “midwife” exemplifies, she was truly “with women”. Midwives are called to nurture the mind, body and spirit approach to women’s healthcare. This requires an understanding of the history and vision for women’s health. As such, She cared for women from conception to childbirth, using these moments as a consummate example of God’s grace here in the earth. She is ever engaged in the fight to amplify the voices of those in the battle for reproductive and social justice inside and outside of the church.

Ever mindful of the thought that God rewards those who stands with and supports the needs of others, she perseveres daily to answer His call to serve. As her signature scripture support. “ And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.” Exodus 1:21

She formally answered her call to preach in September of 2000. She attended the AME Ministerial Training Institute where she sat at the feet of those great AME preachers, learning the subtle nuances of shepherding God’s flock under the great tradition of African Methodism. She has attained both Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in Nursing, and a post-Master’s certificate in Midwifery, She also has a Masters of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. She has attained her Doctorate in Ministry, with a focus on The Black church, Social and Environmental Justice and Public Policy from Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. She has presented extensively nationally and internationally on issues related to Black Women and Reproductive Healthcare in America.

Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey served for many years as the Minister to Youth at Union AME Church in Warwick NY. There she was instrumental in the continuation of the Rights of Passage Program and the initiation of Diakonos de Theos “Servants of God” Liturgical Dance Ministry. She has also served as the Minister to Women at St. Luke AME Church, Harlem, NY where her focus was the Mind, Body and Spirit approach to Christ. She has served at Mount Carmel AME church in New Rochelle, as Minister to Youth. On February 8^th 2014, she was assigned to the pastoral charge of New Covenant AME Church in Tobyhanna PA. On June 17^th 2017,  She returned to the place of her ministerial roots to pastor Union AME church in Warwick, NY. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., and the Executive Director for the International Health Commission of the AME church. She is blessed to be able to integrate her calling to health care and ministry as the Senior Director for Faith Based Initiatives at NYC Health and Hospitals.

Mr. Mark Freeman was born and raised in Chester as child he attend Asbury AME, where he served on the Jr usher. In 1989 he joined Temple Baptist Church. In 1996 he joined Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where he has severed on the Senior Usher Board and has been an Advisor to the youth Usher Board. Attends Men’s Bible Study, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast and was ordained as Deacon in December of 2023..

Mark was born and raised in Chester. He is a graduate of Chester High School class of 1983. He joined Laborers Local 413 in 1984. He has 40 years in and has worked as a journeyman, Shop Steward, and Foreman. He is currently President/Organizer

Mark got involved with youth sports. He started as a player then on to coaching and refereeing with Community Sports League. Over the last 35 years, he has been involved with many Community Sports Organizations on all levels from just being a parent to coaching in the Chester East Baseball League, Brookhaven Jets Football Organization, Chester Biddy League and Youth Interlock Society. 

Mark has also served on the executive board of the Jackie Robinson Little League for the past 12 years. He has served as the Facilitator and been a Board member of the Chester High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He has been a board member of Chester Boys and Girls Club. He is also the Chairman of Board for Tie One on For Prostate and Colon Cancer Fundraiser Organization.

Mark A Freeman Sr resides in Nether Providence Township with his wife Stephanie. He is father of Mark Jr, Andrew, Lanae and Isaiah. Grandfather to Andrea, Mark III, Madison, Andrew and Charlee.

Dr. Natalie Mitchem is first humbled by God to teach and preach His precious Word and share the “Good News” of salvation through Jesus. Dr. Natalie currently serves with God’s grace as the Executive Director of the AME International/Connectional Health Commission and is the Pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey and formerly served as the First Episcopal District Health Commission Director.

She is the Health and Nutrition Manager for a Head Start/Early Head Start Program, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a Certified First Aid/CPR Instructor and Fitness Instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree Magna Cum Laude from the HBCU, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with a concentration in Foods and Nutrition; and completed Nutrition Fellowship at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York during her Junior year at NCCU and a Master of Divinity Degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. Dr. Natalie completed Doctor of Education Leadership Degree with a focus on Health and Wellness at American College of Education in 2021.

Dr. Natalie Mitchem was licensed and ordained in the New Jersey Annual Conference as an Intinerant Elder. While serving on the ministerial staff at Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,  she received her first pastoral appointment to St. John in Wayne, Pennsylvania where she served for 5 years. She served 5 years as the Pastor of Calvary AME Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and she is presently the Pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. Dr. Natalie has appeared on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in Philadelphia, written articles for Heart and Soul Magazine, AME Christian Recorder and participated as a nutrition expert speaker for Philadelphia (Black Women Health Alliance) area Prime Time Sister Circle. She participated as an expert researcher for Black and Latino Clergy Health – Louisville Institute Research Project with the Rev. Dr. Melinda Contretras-Bryd. The research is now included in a book titled “Saving the Lives of Black and Latinx Pastors, A Self Care Study” authored by Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Bryd.

Dr. Natalie was a guest nutrition expert speaker at the Tom Joyner Take a Loved One to the Doctor Philadelphia event and hosted her own radio show “Kingdom Wellness with Pastor Natalie”. She served as the editor for the AME/CHC Health Monitor magazine. She provides monthly wellness information online at www.AMEChealth.org and www. kingdomwellnesspastornatalie.com. The AME/CHC magazine won the Health Monitors 2014 PM360 Trail Blazer Award.  Dr. Natalie coordinated the PA CHIP Health Insurance enrollment and outreach in 2008 and 2009 where the First Episcopal Health Commission was recognized for enrolling thousands of children and teens in Children’s Health Insurance Program. She was awarded the United Healthcare Stellar Award in 2015 for her work with CHIP outreach and enrollment in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Natalie conducted healthy cooking demonstrations for the American Heart Association at the New York Circle of Sisters at Javis Center annually in October for two years. In May 2017, she was awarded the American Heart Association Woman of Distinction Go Red Award Garden State New Jersey. In November 2017, she was awarded The Black Caucus Health Worker of American Public Health Association Outstanding Faith Based Organization Award and Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for community service in the International Health Commission signed by Congressman John Lewis. In 2019 and 2020, she was a presenter at the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Women’s Empowerment on Faith and Food and a panelist presenter at PCJC Holy Convocation on Healthy Eating and COVID-19. Bishop Hezekiah Walker hosted both events.  In 2022, was guest speaker of low sodium food choices hosted by The Word Church, Cleveland, Ohio, Rev. Dr. Vernon, and Dr. Victory Vernon.

Dr. Natalie and Dr. Miriam Burnett established July as Faith Based Wellness, Health, Nutrition & Fitness to encourage the AME Church and all faith-based communities to promote wellness, prevention, and empower clergy and congregants to take charge of their health. In addition, established August as Clergy and Clergy Family Wellness month to encourage all clergy to address their own personal health and to promote family wellness, relationship wellness, financial wellness, and spiritual wellness for clergy and clergy families.

Dr. Natalie is certified in Plant Based Nutrition cooking and conducts culinary nutrition cooking classes focused on fighting and preventing disease. She is Certified in Plant Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition, Culinary Rx, Forks Over Knives Plant-Based Certified and Professional Chef Plant Nutrition Certification from Rouxbe Cooking School. In February 2018, Dr. Natalie led the partnership with Rouxbe the World’s Largest Online Culinary School to establish the first online faith-based culinary and nutrition program – AME Culinary RX.  Dr. Scott Stoll the founder of Plantrician Project and Culinary Rx – Rouxbe team and International Health Commission of the AME Church worked together to create and launch a Faith Based Online Nutrition and Wellness Culinary Cooking Course.

The Culinary Rx – Taste and See events, in partnership with the American Cancer Society help to launch the AME Health Commission Culinary RX 60-Day Journey to Wellness. Dr. Natalie and the AME Health Commission team invited faith-based organizations to take a Culinary RX Journey to improve health and to fight disease. There is good news – healthy food choices, rest, faith, and lifestyle medicine can help fight, prevent, stop, and reverse many preventable diseases and Culinary RX presents evidenced based nutrition research and culinary skills. Dr. Natalie inspires individuals to enjoy colorful nutrient dense “plant-based foods” as the “main” dish and meat as a side dish along with enjoying meatless meals.

Dr. Natalie is a member of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with Commission of Dietetics Registration,  certified Personal Trainer with the National Council on Strength and Fitness, and National Safety Council First Aid and CPR Instructor, Preceptor for Dietetic students at Montclair State University in NJ, and Peer Reviewer for the International Journal of Disease Prevention and Reversal. She is member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a volunteer Ambassador for the American Heart Association and mother of two wonderful daughters. Dr. Natalie has many favorite scriptures including Psalm 91; Daniel 1:11-17; Matthew 4:23-25; Galatians 5: 22-25; 3 John 2; Luke 4:14-19; Romans 8:28-39, and Revelation 22: 1-7.

Promote spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, and financial health wellness by walking with the Jesus (the Word), Holy Spirit, a personal relationship with God and healthy food choices (mostly plant-based from the garden), plenty of water, proper sleep, manage stress, and your sneakers (daily fitness/activity).

Dr. Floyd B. Willis is a family medicine doctor in Jacksonville, Florida. He received his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Floyd B. Willis has expertise in treating chronic diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, among other conditions.

Ms. Catherine Young is the Director of the Mississippi Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in the Office of Preventive Health at the Mississippi State Department of Health where she provides oversight and management for all program-related activities, serves as the lead for the overall day-to-day program and grant operations; coordinates with all state agencies, institutions of higher learning, and partners; coordinates state and local training; provides technical assistance and ensures required reports and documentation are submitted. She oversees the Mississippi Partnership for Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition (MP3C) to develop and implement a comprehensive cancer control plan to address the burden of cancer in Mississippi. Previously, her career has spanned over the last 11 years with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the world’s largest breast cancer organization as the Executive Director/Senior Vice President of the Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee affiliate. In this role, Catherine developed collaborative projects and partnerships with community organizations and oversaw the community grants program, evaluation, proposals, distribution, tracking, and auditing of all grant programs.  She created and led a team of over 40 community leaders, healthcare workers, and researchers to form and implement the state’s first and only collaborative group dedicated to decreasing breast cancer disparities in African American women within the state. Catherine also created and hosted a podcast dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness and survivorship. Catherine has served on several boards and task forces such as the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Advisory Task Force to address the disproportionate burden of breast cancer’s adverse effect on minority women, One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), and the United Healthcare Community Plan. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and held leadership positions within the organization.  Catherine received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Management from Belhaven University. She is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Public Health at Walden University.

Catherine is the wife of James Young and they have two children, James Jr. and Brittany, a adopted daughter Angel, and two grandchildren Jeremiah and Allison.  In her spare time, Catherine enjoys baking.