Dr. Katharine Hawkes (she/her/hers)
Founder, CEO and President
Dr. Hawkes is an epidemiologist and public health leader whose personal experiences have shaped her lifelong dedication to advancing health equity. A first-generation college graduate and the daughter of an immigrant and military veteran, she was raised in an underserved community and orphaned at an early age. These formative experiences drive her mission to dismantle systemic barriers to care and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.
Her expertise spans equity and intersectionality, with a focus on maternal and child health, women’s health, mental health and substance use, community-based participatory research, and innovative educational strategies. As the CEO of Isabella Health Foundation, Dr. Hawkes has designed and led programs that address social determinants of health, improving access to care for marginalized populations while ensuring measurable and lasting impact.
Dr. Hawkes also applies her epidemiological expertise to the evaluation of government-funded health initiatives, ensuring that these programs achieve equitable and sustainable outcomes. Her leadership integrates research, advocacy, and systems innovation to drive meaningful improvements in public health.
She earned a Doctorate in Health Sciences from Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she also earned a Master of Public Health degree in Health Management and Policy and Epidemiology Graduate Certificate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Old Dominion University.
Caitlin Jefferson (she/her/hers)
Board Director
Caitlin works in the nonprofit sector and has experience in both nonprofit and biotechnology fields, where she has worked with disadvantaged populations in settings ranging from research to hospitals. Additionally, she serves as an emergency medical technician for the largest all-volunteer-based EMS system in the United States.
Caitlin earned a Master of Science in Biotechnology and Stem Cell Regeneration from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Old Dominion University.
Dr. Carmen Ingram-Thorpe (she/her/hers)
Board Director
Dr. Ingram-Thorpe was raised in a rural community with limited access to health care and healthy food and no public transit, which gave her a lifelong drive to help others. She has worked as an educator for at-risk youth, developed a health and wellness program at her local church, worked to address social determinants of health through medical education research, and continues to strive for social justice by working at the federal level.
Dr. Ingram-Thorpe earned a Doctorate in Health Related Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University, having previously obtained a Master of Public Health degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, a Master of Science degree from Old Dominion University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University.
Jeffrey Cuthbertson (he/him/his)
Board Director
Jeffrey L. Cuthbertson, a native of Chesapeake, VA, is the Founder and Lead Counselor of MPACT Counseling, LLC. His passion for mental health coupled with his personal testimony drives his work. In April of 2018, Jeffrey rededicated his life and has since vowed to serve the underprivileged and underrepresented community faithfully.
Jeffrey obtained a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Human Services Counseling degree from Liberty University. He is also a Licensed Mental Health Professional for both children and adults and is currently working on obtaining his certified substance abuse counselor license. His experience includes the areas of substance abuse, defiant behaviors, criminal backgrounds, and depression.
Corey Brooks (he/him/his)
Board Director
Corey Brooks has dedicated his career to addressing disproportionate minority confinement and educational inequality.
He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and after being educated in the city went on to Virginia State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Sociology. This was followed by a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Management at South University with a Concentration in Organizational Leadership.
Mr. Brooks has worked in the arena of Human Services for over twenty-four years, serving as a Case manager, Clinician, Group Facilitator, and an Executive. He currently serves as a Senior Project Manager for the City of Norfolk. His certifications include Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Parenting Skills Training and Moral Reconation Therapy. He is endorsed by the state of Virginia as a Qualified Mental Health Practitioner to address mental health needs for both the adult and youth populations.
