Michelle Peterson
President and Executive Director
Ms. Peterson is the Executive Director of The Healing and Wellness Tribe. Ms Peterson has a heart to serve disproportioned families in the community. For over 20 years Michelle has served and advocated for LAUSD, families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, as well as children with special needs and their parent/s in the often-intimidating Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings. Ms. Peterson has provided a safe and welcoming place for monitored family visits with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). In addition, Michelle has represented and advocated for many family reunifications with DCFS. A Inglewood, CA native, Michelle has witnessed firsthand the great need for representation and services for the communities plagued with aforementioned hardships.
Donna Pugh
Treasurer
Ms. Donna Pugh has passionately served and advocated for her community for over 30 years. She is a community leader and her passion is to fight along side women for social and economic justice and for women living with Alcoholism, Opioid abuse and drug addiction, depression and other mental health disorders. Ms. Pugh strategically offers a bridge to recovery, as she shares and gives endless support to women that face the same barriers that she has for over 35 years in recovery. Ms Pugh is a champion for women, the underserved and disenfranchised, and always willing to roll up her sleeves and meet women, men, teens and LGBTQ right where “they are” – often in places not meant for human habitation. You may at any time find Ms. Pugh on foot, walking relentlessly the streets of South-Central Los Angeles, handing out bottled water, condoms, public safety information and hope to the homeless and sex trafficked workers. Ms Pugh always has an open heart and open door policy that supports her grassroots street level outreach program; her home has become a safe space over the past 13 years for those seeking help and support. Ms Pugh hosts weekly workshops and emotional sobriety groups for women in recovery. She is a successful motivational speaker and coach who has imparted so much love, hope and truth to countless women, support groups, co-ed recovery programs, leadership coaching and more.