Board Of Directors
At NVEEE—National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment—our Board of Directors brings together a diverse group of accomplished leaders dedicated to empowering youth and fostering inclusive communities. With expertise spanning nonprofit leadership, law, education, business, and mental health advocacy, our board members play a critical role in guiding NVEEE’s mission to prevent bullying, suicide, and systemic inequities while empowering the next generation of leaders.
Each member of our board contributes unique perspectives and professional insights, strengthening our programs and initiatives. Together, they embody NVEEE’s core values of compassion, equity, and resilience, ensuring that our work continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and families nationwide.
If you’re passionate about making a difference and would like to join our Board of Directors, we invite you to apply here.
Jowharah Sanders
Chair, Executive Director
JowharahSanders@nveee.org
Jowharah Sanders is an openly queer Black woman and a highly accomplished nonprofit professional with two decades of experience mentoring youth and families. Her work focuses on addressing the effects of bullying, supporting those questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health care. As a youth advocate, bullying prevention expert, and the founder of National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment (NVEEE), Jowharah has dedicated her life to creating safer, more inclusive communities.
After surviving bullying and two suicide attempts, Jowharah founded NVEEE in 2009 with the mission of preventing bullying, suicide, and school violence. Over the past 14 years, NVEEE has impacted more than 30,000 youth and families, earning recognition from Congress on multiple occasions and featuring on national media platforms such as NPR, Secret Millionaire, and NBC’s Education Nation.
Jowharah’s tireless dedication has been celebrated with numerous accolades, including:
- 2024 NFL & Miami Dolphins Changemaker Award
- 2020 Gold Medal Award – “Paving the Road to Equality” by Miami Today
- 2019 Luminary of Equality Award by SAVE
- 2018 “100 Outstanding Women” Award by Boys & Girls Club of Broward County
- 2016 Legends Award by Unity Coalition
- 2015 “Women in Excellence” Award by Women in Network (WIN)
- 2015 “Top 100 LGBT Movers and Shakers” by The Florida Agenda
- 2014 Community Leader Award by Aqua Foundation for Women
- 2013 Ujima Leadership Award by Black Gay Pride South Florida
- 2013 Outstanding LGBTQ Leadership Award by Safe Schools South Florida
- 2012 Community Leadership Award by Kimberly Shenkar-Bacardi
- 2011 Visionary Award by NVEEE
As a fierce advocate for today’s youth, Jowharah empowers young people to confront challenging realities, find their voices, engage in meaningful conversations, and take charge of their futures. Her work has made a lasting impact on thousands of youth and families across Florida and the United States.
Joshua Caraballo PSY.D
Secretary
DrJosh@nveee.org
Joshua is the managing director of Research for the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). He oversees projects and initiatives that advance NEFE’s mission and help to realize its vision through the implementation of strategy, research funding, collaboration, internal research and research translation and application. He champions NEFE’s personal finance ecosystem embedded with DEI, anti-racist frameworks as a conduit for greater financial well-being at the individual, group, and systems levels.
Accomplished human capital professional with a solution-focused mindset driven to enhance decision-making by fostering opportunities for growth, engagement, productivity and organizational and personal well-being. Experienced in organizational research and design. Skilled at training and program evaluation and management, performance improvement, and leadership development. Excellent problem-solving and project management skills. Expert-level research design and data analysis skills with a strong attention to detail. Highly adaptable, self-motivated, and a committed life-long learner.
Joshua has served as a research and evaluation professional for nonprofit organizations for over a decade, including managing and leading teams focused on HIV prevention and treatment, psychological services for children, family strengthening programs for maximizing after-school time for K-12 students, and professional development services for educators. Joshua is a member of the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology and the American Psychological Association.
Joshua is a first-generation student who earned a Doctorate in Business Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, his master’s degree from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University.
Tomeka C. Napper
Secretary
Treasurer@nveee.org
Tomeka Napper is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ViJIEN Enterprises Corporation (VEC), a strategic business design and management company for emerging businesses, nonprofits, and entertainment professionals. Surpassing the highest standards of professional integrity, she has served the corporate, higher education, and non-profit and private sectors for over 16 years in the areas of administration, television, brand marketing, procurement, creative content, production, project management, and entrepreneurship.
She earned a Master’s in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University in 2009, a BM from the University of Miami with a Minor in Business Law in 2004, and an associates degree from MDCC in 2000, where she served as President of Phi Theta Kappa (a two-year International Honor Society) and MEISA (Music Entertainment Industry Student Association).
Prior to VEC in 2005, Tomeka assumed the role of Vice President of Business Operations for Demo Entertainment Group (DEG). As a Managing Partner, she is involved in all aspects of strategic planning, contract negotiations, and event coordination for the company.
Jessica Saiontz, Esquire
Board Member
Jessicasaiontz@nveee.org
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Jessica Saiontz has been a resident of Florida since 2000. Ms. Saiontz graduated from the University of Miami and Florida International University College of Law. She joined Rubinstein & Associates, P.A. as an Associate for the firm, practicing in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, real estate law, and estate planning.
Jessica is a Founding Board Member and Vice-Chairman Emeritus of National Voices for Equality, Education and Enlightenment, Inc. (NVEEE). Ms. Saiontz is an active member of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and is a Fellow in The Florida Bar Leadership Academy, Class 10.
Professional Affiliations:
- The Florida Bar
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers
- Miami-Dade County Bar Association
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
- Miami-Dade FAWL
William "Tom" Lohman
Board Member
Tom@nveee.org
William “Tom” Lohman was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Tom is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and a Senior Associate at Rubinstein & Associates, P.A., in Miami, Florida, where he focuses on business agreements/contracts, complex business litigation, employer/employee Disputes, landlord/tenant law, leases/deeds, negligence, personal injury and accidents, real estate, and civil litigation.
Tom graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Classics, and received his Juris Doctorate from the Florida International University College of Law in 2011, where he graduated 4th in his class. Tom has volunteered at organizations aimed to help children including NVEEE, CHAMPS and Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. He resides in Brandon, Florida.