Bio

Marsha Johnson Copeland, BS, is the Local Project Director.  Ms. Copeland is the DHF Director for United States programs and has been on staff at DHF for over 16 years. Working closely with our partners in Houston, Ms. Johnson Copeland has overall responsibility for implementation of the SBL program.  Since the first US-based PSBH workshop took place in 1998 in Miami, Florida, Ms. Johnson Copeland has played a central role in the overall development of the US program, which has included program sites in Bridgeport, Connecticut; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Clarksdale, Mississippi; Essex County, New Jersey; and Houston, Texas.  As Regional Director, she provides strategic direction for the programs and works closely with the local coordinators to ensure successful implementation of the goals of each program.

Dr. Valerie Jackson has her bachelors and masters degree in General Psychology. Her PhD is in Clinical Adolescent Psychology. She has been involved in clinical work for the past 12 years and a college professor for 7 years. Also, she has worked in the nonprofit arena for over 13 years assisting over 100 Philanthropist with starting (i.e. incorporating, securing tax-exempt status, developing the infrastructure, budget projections, sustainability plan, etc.) their nonprofit organizations. For the past 4 years, the Dreyfus Health Foundation (DHF) – a New York based organization, has contracted her as the local Program Director for the Houston affiliate, Solutions for Better Living (SBL). She leads community workshops, organize health related events (i.e. health fairs, health summits, community forums), and manage the projects that are funded by DHF. Her ambitions are to continue to thrive in community-based research, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community activism.