A longtime leader and presence in the field, Dr. William Datema has served in education and public health for over 40 years, including service from local to international levels. He has held several national leadership positions in the United States including branch chief roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in school health and community health, Director of Partnerships for Children’s Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Executive Director of Eta Sigma Gamma national health education honorary society and the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education.

In his decorated career, Datema has volunteered in many prominent roles including as the President-Elect of the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), President of the Foundation for the Advancement of Health Education, and Chair-Elect of the Missouri State University Alumni Association. He is also a board member of the CATCH Global Foundation and Action for Healthy Kids. He previously served on the global boards of ASCD and the International Union for Health Promotion and Education; the national boards of the American Association for Health Education (AAHE), American School Health Association (ASHA), National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, and National PTA; and as chair of the national board and a founding board member of Action for Healthy Kids. He is the United States representative for the UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education.

He holds a Doctor of Public Health in health policy and management from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri State University. Dr. Datema has presented in 48 U.S. states and 12 other nations, and he has authored and contributed to numerous publications. He is a fellow of ASHA and AAHE, a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), and a member of Delta Omega national public health honorary society and Eta Sigma Gamma.

Before re-joining SOPHE in the spring of 2024 as the Deputy CEO, Arias-Cantu was the Director of Education, Content Strategy, and Engagement at the National Council on Aging. In addition to creating meaningful educational and engagement opportunities for aging-service professionals, she played a role on the organization’s social impact working group and has been instrumental with the rebrand of its learning management system, NCOA Connect. She has experience in professional development at various healthcare and scientific associations, including overseeing and diversifying the educational portfolio in her previous stint with SOPHE. She helped SOPHE transition its conference during the pandemic in less than two weeks and launched a new learning management system. Maricela has also served on the leadership team at the American Organization of Nurse Executives (now American Organization for Nursing Leadership) and previously worked for the Endocrine Society, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, and American Diabetes Association.

As an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Arias-Cantu earned her certified association executive (CAE) credential in 2023, was selected in 2010 as a Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) Scholar, and currently serves on the CAE Item Writing Committee. She earned a Master of Healthcare Administration and a Master of Science in Biology from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

Maricela volunteers and serves on the National PTA Board of Directors and has held volunteer leadership positions at the American Red Cross, local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and local and council PTAs. She lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with her husband of 24 years, three children, Richard, Salma and Ava and their dog, Rudy.

Anbiah was born and raised in India. He completed his Bachelor’s in Accounting at Spicer Adventist University, and completed his Master’s in Economics at Pune University in India. He continued his studies in the United States and received his Master of Business Administration specializing in Finance from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.

He developed an early interest in nonprofit organization during his undergraduate studies in India. After moving to America, he continued to work for nonprofit organizations. Over the course of his career, Anbiah has served as Finance Manager, Controller, Director, and CFO. He has over 25 years of experience managing finance and administration. Before coming to SOPHE, he served as a CFO at Association of Air Medical Services, an association that represents Air Medical and the Critical Care Ground Transport Industry. He also worked for Medevac Foundation International, which is a sister organization that invests in research and studies that improves the Medical Transport Programs.

He has been married for 40 years and lives in Maryland. He has two adult sons who also live in Maryland. He loves gardening, cooking (Indian dishes), stamp and coin collection, and currency of other countries. He loves watching historical movies of all countries. During weekends he works with a faith-based community organization in helping the needy.

Lawson joined SOPHE in the fall of 2023 to lead all communications and publications efforts including the website, emails, social media, branding, and journal publishing. He spent the previous 16 years with SHAPE America, most recently as the vice president of marketing, membership and publishing. Among other duties, he oversaw all web, social media, marketing & communications. He also oversaw the development of a book publishing program and managed four peer-reviewed journals publishing 25 issues annually with a global publisher.

In his 20+ years in the field, Lawson has spent time in various roles with different forms of publications and communications including daily newspapers, magazines, newsletters, peer-reviewed journals, and books. Lawson received his Bachelor’s in English from Radford University and his Master’s in Publishing from George Washington University.

An avid sports fan, he mostly enjoys traveling to college football games. His hobbies include reading, gardening, baseball/football card collecting, fantasy football, and genealogy. He is married to Kerri with three children (Owen, 19, Tommy, 14, Isabella, 9) and a dog (Marley) and lives in Clifton, Virginia.

Sammons Hackett is currently the Director of Grants Administration with SOPHE, where she oversees day-to-day management and applications to grants. She has been with SOPHE for six years in various capacities, but has had a lengthy and prestigious career in the public health space including: six years with Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE), the last three as Executive Director; 23 years with the State of New Jersey Department of Health as State Chronic Disease Director; two years as the Director for Division of AIDS/HIV; three years as the WIC Director for the State of Georgia; four years as the WIC Program for the DC Government; and two years as the WIC Nutritionist at the Roxboro Health Department.

A 50-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Sammons Hackett has a Doctor of Ministry from the Payne Theological Seminary, a Master of Science from Harvard School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Science from Bennett College.

She is married to Ronald T. Hackett with two children (son Ethan Posey and daughter Shonte’ Hackett) and a new granddaughter (Leena-Alison Posey). She lives in Dover, Delaware and enjoys singing, gardening, solving crossword puzzles, going to the beach, walking, cooking, and Sudoku.

Webb is a dedicated professional with a diverse background. After graduating from George Mason University with a Bachelor’ in Mathematics, he embarked on a career in the nonprofit sector. Starting as a meeting planner, he soon transitioned into a membership role, drawn by his love for collaborating with passionate individuals.

Throughout his career, Webb developed a strong interest in public health, particularly after working closely with the HIV/AIDS Bureau. This experience sparked a deep passion for improving community health outcomes. Now serving as the Director of Membership, Marketing, and Chapter Relations, he is dedicated to expanding the organization’s reach and enhancing the experience for current members.

Presently living in Springfield, Virginia, Webb is a sports enthusiast, with the Washington Commanders being a particular favorite. He also enjoys spending time in the kitchen, honing his culinary skills. Tom is happily married to his wife Antoinette and has a son, Trevor, who brings joy and fulfillment to his life.

Henson is a dedicated professional with significant experience managing the operations and administration of nonprofit organizations and associations. Through her work experience within the professional association sector, she has expanded her skillsets with a focus on member relations, engagement, recruitment and retention, and Association Management System (AMS) database management.

Henson is a graduate of Spelman College where she received a Bachelor’s in Economics with a minor in Management and Organization in 2008. After receiving her degree, she immediately entered the nonprofit sector, where she served for over six years managing the national office operations for Gray Panthers, an advocacy organization with a focus on social and economic justice and peace.

She joined the SOPHE team in 2016 as Membership Coordinator/Office Manager, and has gained significant experience serving on SOPHE’s front line developing relationships with members to understand their member service’s needs. In 2022, Henson was nominated as finalists for the 2022 Washington D.C. Admin Awards (Administrative Profession’s highest honor) in the Administrative Excellence in Public Service Award category. Over the years, her professional growth and development has advanced within the SOPHE Membership department. She now serves as the Associate Director of Membership. Her focus continues to be on providing exemplary member service and improving the logistical implementation of member services within the association.

Henson currently resides in Suitland, Maryland. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and raising her “fur-baby”, Kano (American Bully).

Ikejiani is a Year 2 Public Health Associate, assigned to SOPHE working in health equity/access to care. Based in Washington, D.C., she serves as the coordinator of a national public health workforce development program focusing on Hispanic-serving Institutions. She also served as the coordinator of a sexual violence prevention project focused on college-aged women of color in the DC area.

She completed her Bachelor of Science in International Affairs with a concentration in Global Public Health from George Washington University in 2022. Ozioma grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and her interests revolve around global public health, with a notable focus on women’s health. She loves to read and uses all her PTO to travel.