Ms. Angela Riemer serves as Vice President, Global Policy and Public Affairs, Oncology for Pfizer, one of the world’s largest research-driven health care products  companies. Before assuming her current role, Angela led Pfizer’s Federal Government Relations team.  Angela began health policy work at Medco Health Solutions as a director in that company’s government affairs division. She joined Medco after serving as Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee (CBC PAC). Before that, Angela was marketing manager for start-up community development bank City First Bank of D.C. She started her career at Prudential Financial where she became a director in government affairs.

Angela is a member of the Silver Spring (MD) chapter of The Links Incorporated and the Montgomery County, Maryland Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council.  Angela is a graduate of Princeton University. She lives in Takoma Park, Maryland with her husband Hans Riemer and their two sons.

Deacon Donna Barksdale, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for her results-oriented expertise in the financial services and banking industry. As a Senior Vice President, she is adept at managing large portfolios of both corporate and government clients. This includes analyzing and implementing cost-effective solutions to address business needs as well as developing mutually respectful and productive partnerships. She has held various roles in product management, product development, and sales.

She has always had a passion for health and wellness. Barksdale leads the Wellness Ministry at her church called the First Baptist Church of South Richmond. She also serves as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church. The Wellness Ministry takes on a holistic approach, focusing on physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. It is important to her to not only be active in her community but to also serve and make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Ms. Barksdale’s personal mission is to utilize her organizational, leadership, and collaborative skills to promote wellness and health equity as well as to enrich the lives of others. It is this service leader mindset along with her professional prowess that give her a unique blend of gifts to share within her church and the community at large.

In her free time, she and her husband enjoy the arts, music, travel, and spending time with friends, family, and her puppy Prince.

Adrian Backus JD, MDiv, has more than thirty (30) years’ experience as an executive in educational and religious institutions, international assistance programs and industry.  Rev. Backus holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law, and a Master of Divinity, from Princeton Theological Seminary.  He currently serves as Director for Partnership Development and Outreach for the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN). Additionally, he served for 15 years as Princeton Theological Seminary’s first, vice president for information technology. Prior to that, he served as Director of Institutional Research and Strategic Planning as well as Assistant Director for Student Advisement. In 2003-2005, during his vice presidency, Adrian also served as, Interim pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey with a focused ministry on congregational care and ministerial outreach.  In 2013 and 2015, for the CME Church Ninth Episcopal District Mid- Winter Councils, Mr. Backus lectured and led workshops on estate planning and church giving.  From 2014-2016, Mr. Backus served as Assistant Dean for the Rutgers University higher education prison degree granting program in 9 prisons throughout New Jersey.

Adrian’s other experiences include serving as general counsel for an information technology company and as a U.S. Department of State diplomatic escort officer and country director in Rwanda and Senegal Africa, for Africare. Adrian is married to Abiola. Their children and grandchildren include his daughter, Sikira, husband Sidiki; two grandsons, Cody and Maddox, and one granddaughter, Jocelyn Eliana; his son, Joel, and grandson Jeremiah, and his daughter, Adria Joi.

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. Eric Wallen received his medical degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and completed his residency in urologic surgery at Stanford University. After residency, Dr. Wallen served as the Assistant Professor of Urology in the Department of Surgery at Dartmouth Medical School. He joined the Division of Urology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 2003 and was appointed Urology Program Director in 2011. He is now a professor in the UNC Department of Urology and continues in his role as Program Director.

Dr. Wallen has been named one of America’s Best Doctors multiple times. He specializes in urologic oncology and robotic surgery and is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

He was instrumental in bringing robotic surgery to UNC and in the subsequent development of robust robotic surgical programs across several UNC surgical subspecialties. He is a founding member of the UNC Computer and Robotic Enhanced Surgery Center (CARES) Advisory Board.

As Residency Program Director, Dr. Wallen oversees the training of urologic resident physicians. In 2012, Dr. Wallen received the American Urological Association (AUA) Teacher of the Year award.

Dr. Wallen also developed the UNC Department of Urology’s mentoring program for residents and faculty. These educational achievements led to Dr. Wallen’s election to the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Urology Residency Review Committee in 2017. In 2019, he was appointed to the ACGME Milestones 2.0 project to update the standard assessment for urology residents. He was also appointed to the AUA Education Council to evaluate lifelong learning opportunities for urologists in practice.

Dr. Wallen obtained philanthropic support to establish the UNC Men’s Health Program and serve as the Executive Director of this collaborative, multi-departmental effort across UNC’s Medical School, the School of Public Health, the athletic department, and the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Institute (NC TraCS).

Dr. Wallen’s interest in global health has taken him to Cuba and China on multiple visiting professorships. He also developed the UNC Project Malawi, which established an elective rotation for urology residents to experience healthcare delivery in Malawi.

In addition to his clinical and educational roles, Dr. Wallen’s research interests include robotic surgery, outcomes, and translational research.

Rev. Bobby is a man who loves to praise and worship the Lord. He is a native of Washington, DC, and currently resides in New Carrollton, MD. He has been in the construction industry for over 45 years. In 1993, he started a drywall and construction company in New Bern, NC, and was in business for approximately 14 years. He has been a Commercial Construction Superintendent for the last 16 years. Currently he has been a member of Reid Temple AME Church for 16 years. Rev. Bobby loves singing with the Mighty Men of Reid Choir, serving as an Online Host for Reid Temple AME Church, participating in the Mighty Men of Reid Council, and has a passion for evangelizing and helping those in need. He has been married to the most beautiful woman in the world for 12 years. He is a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He attended Prince George’s Community College and is currently enrolled in Lancaster Bible College. He is a prostate cancer survivor and has devoted time to sharing his experience with other men.