Committee Member Bios
Arlena Bessard
Arlena Bessard is a Wholelistic Health expert, with over two decades of successful experience in teaching clients to maximize their health potential in every area of their being, mind, body, and spirit.
As a result of a lifelong passion for all things God, health, and fitness, Arlena has enjoyed inspiring many to deepen their relationship with God, construct their unique self-care team, and to be the educated front runner of their wholelistic health mind, body, and spirit.
Motivated by her client's ongoing success and freedom, Arlena dedicatedly teaches her clients to discover the leader inside them as they learn how to locate and uncover the right cues for overall well-being, inside and out.
As the introverted youngest of five who was the kid in class that never asked questions and the adult, who over time, learned to speak up in all areas, Arlena has personally found great benefit in expanding her clients' vision of themselves, knowledge to improve their health, and implementation of her Address And Address To Be Your Best™ system, asking key, educated questions to assess and then address anything in connection with living their best life as their best version.
For more information on how you can connect with Arlena and work with her, check out her website:
Courtny Vaz
She is the Founder of Vaz Digital Solutions and the Communications and Public Relations brains behind the company.
Courtny loves making sure you're seen online. With a degree in Communications and International Development, a specialized graduate certification in Public Relations, and 10+ years doing admin for Realtors, she knows something when it comes to organization and good communication. She also has a knack for clever marketing.
She is obsessed with system creation and running a clear and clean communications strategy. Borderline perfectionist, Courtny loves helping women get organized and excel at their own business goals. Courtny is passionate about seeing women and young women hit their stride both professionally and personally.
June Powells-Mays
June Powells-Mays is an attorney who has practiced law in the Sacramento region for over 25 years. Her areas of specialty have included child advocacy and protection; administration of government; and land use. She also oversees the provision of legal services by other attorneys and mentors numerous young lawyers.
June is a past President of the Sacramento Delta Foundation, an organization that provides financial support for the charitable work of Community Based Organizations in the Greater Sacramento Region with a focus on women and youth development programs. She also is a past President of Sacramento's Wiley Manuel Bar Association, an organization that represents the interests of hundreds of African-American attorneys.
Additionally, she has served on the Board of Directors for other non-profit organizations, including the Sacramento County Bar Association.
June is a licensed minister who is passionate about improving the lives of women and children. She has overseen multiple youth mentorship programs and is often called upon to speak and facilitate workshops on topics that edify, enlighten, and encourage.
June has been happily married for 25 years and is the mother of a beautiful 12-year-old daughter, bonus mom of an adult son and daughter, and grandmother.
Sharita Gardner
Sharita Gardner is a Houston native that graduated from Lamar University with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications. Ms. Gardner now calls Southeast Texas home and is the Public Affairs & Communications Manager at the Port of Port Arthur. At the port she builds community, business, and media relationships. This includes growing their Contractors’ Diversity Program and youth summer program, Camp SeaPort. Sharita is actively engaged in her community and in 2017 was awarded as a SETX 40 Under 40 Honoree. She serves on several boards and committees for organizations such as: Lamar University Alumni Board (President-Elect), Southeast Texas Young Professionals Organization (Past Chair), Press Club of SETX, Junior League of Beaumont (Transitioning Youth Chair), Samaritan Counseling Center of SETX Board (President-Elect), Young Emerging Leaders Board (Chair), Beaumont Convention and Tourism Advisory Board and Localist Program. Her favorite hobby is “fooding” and she loves new adventurous experiences. Sharita hopes to one day travel the world inspiring the masses, one conversation or speaking engagement at a time!