Nicole Murray Ramirez
Chair

Nicole Murray Ramirez is a 68-year-old native Californian who has dedicated over 45 years of his life to the Latino community, the LGBT community, public service and social justice for all people. He has also been a charity and nonprofit fundraiser and leader in raising funds and awareness for those in need for over 40 years as the Chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Rickie Brown
Vice Chair

Rickie Brown has been an active advocate for her community, City Heights, for a number of years. Most recently, she led an advocacy group to lobby in Sacramento around local disparities in City Heights and, more specifically, the lack of affordable housing in the state. Rickie also participates in regional and statewide discussions about strategies to reform the housing budget and continues training for leaders on the ground in this type of advocacy work. She has also been nominated for a Housing Leadership Collaborative from the San Diego Housing Federation, Ruby Award.  Rickie is the recipient of the 2017 Volunteer of the Year from the San Diego Housing Federation.

Rickie currently works for City Heights Community Development Corporation, as the Property Manager for Hollywood Palms and Casa Del Sol.

Currently, Rickie serves on the Martin Luther King Democratic Club Treasurer, Democrats for Equality Board, Sheriff’s Advisory Board, Mayor’s LGBT Advisory Committee, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, Resident’s United Network, Human Relations Commission, San Diego Housing Federation Policy Committee, City Heights Community Development Policy Committee. Rickie is a past member of the City Heights Redevelopment PAC and the Citizens Review Board, Better Build San Diego Coalition. Rickie also served as an executive member of the Fox Canyon Neighborhood Association.

M. Tootie Thomas
Secretary

Through service to others, our lives take shape and have true meaning. I take pride in my business endeavors and being able to provide opportunities to others. Employing drag personalities and transgendered people throughout the years meant not only providing an income stream but also life experience and real-world techniques. The highest of these ideals are gratitude, commitment and living by my golden rule “Principles before personalities.” Being Mahu and a performer, writer has allowed me to be very “out” and heard when it comes to issues that concern our community; identity, workplace equality, relationships, our youth, marriage equality, substance abuse and sobriety. Effecting change and understanding in attitudes and cultural norms through activism, speech and comedy. I am inspired by the motto on our county building “the noblest motive is the public good.”

Board Member and President at The Boulevard BIA for 10 years, Executive Director since 2019. Chair Mid-City Community Parking District. Inaugural speaker (2013-2015) USD LGBTQ Student Organization PRIDE. Copley-Price YMCA Board of Advisor. California State Assembly and Senate Pride Honoree 2019. Writer, Business Owner.

Tyler Duncan (He/Him/His)
 

Tyler Duncan is a highly motivated and engaging human resources professional with years of experience establishing productive business relationships and resolving critical business issues. Tyler has supported organizations nationally in the private and nonprofit sectors as a certified professional with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP) and the Human Resources Certification Institute (PHR). In his current role as the Senior Human Resources & Talent Management Business Partner for Sharp Healthcare, he provides strategic guidance and support for various sectors of the workforce. Throughout his career, Tyler has remained dedicated to supporting and advising organizations delivering a wide variety of services to our underrepresented and under-resourced communities. He has notably advocated for safe and supportive environments for individuals on the Autism spectrum, our unsheltered community, and individuals with mental health illnesses. As a District 7 representative, he is passionate about protecting all of San Diegan’s human and civil rights while promoting activities that foster understanding, respect, and inclusion.

Tyler holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological-Psychology with a minor in Peace & Justice Studies from Pace University. As an active member of the San Diego community, you may have seen him as a past board member of the Autism Society of San Diego, a member of the NAACP-San Diego Branch, Encore Vocal Ensemble, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Dr. Sara E. Brown

Dr. Sara E. Brown is a nonprofit executive, educator, and world-renowned expert on genocide studies. Sara holds the first Ph.D. in comparative genocide studies from the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University. She was a director of Change, a Holocaust, human rights, and genocide education nonprofit and managed post-secondary education programming for the USC Shoah Foundation.

Sara has an extensive background in nonprofit advocacy and education. She has worked at the Interdisciplinary Center in Israel, conducted genocide-related research in Rwanda, and served as a project coordinator in refugee camps in Tanzania. Sara has taught courses on history, human rights and mass violence at San Diego State University, Kean University, and Worcester State University. She is widely published in major news outlets and academic journals.

Sara is the author of Gender and the Genocide in Rwanda: Women as Perpetrators and Rescuers and the co-editor of the Routledge Handbook on Religion, Mass Atrocity and Genocide. Sara has also consulted for a number of international organizations, including the United Nations, Aegis Trust, and Common Circles. Sara particularly enjoys teaching the next generation about the Holocaust and the state of Israel.

April Purcell (She/Her)

April Purcell is a proud parent of three and a passionate community advocate. With 20 years of residency in San Diego, she plays an active role in various organizations and initiatives, including School Site Councils, Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary Board, and other local volunteer groups. She has served as District 2's Human Relations Commissioner since 2018.

April is a life science consultant and an advocate for increased patient diversity and inclusion during clinical development. She is committed to promoting social justice and advocating for the marginalized communities in our society. With a passion for human rights and equality, April strives to bring about meaningful change and create a more inclusive, just, and equitable society. April believes everyone deserves a chance to thrive and is dedicated to fighting for a future where everyone can live with dignity and respect.

April holds a bachelor's degree in Science and a master's in Government Democracy Studies and Governance from Johns Hopkins University and served three years in the U.S. Peace Corps in Lesotho, Africa.

Dr. Yessica Diaz Roman (She/Her/Ella)

Dr. Roman is an assistant professor at Southwestern College’s School of Education, Humanities and Socio-Behavioral Sciences and a lecturer at San Diego State University School of Public Health. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Roman is actively involved in the community and works toward promoting health equity and access to equitable education. Dr. Roman has worked with several local nonprofit organizations in San Diego, including MANA de San Diego, Inc., the Association of Women in Science in San Diego, and Latinas in Medicine, Inc. Dr. Roman participated in several leadership programs, including LEAD San Diego’s Advance program, the Center on Policy Initiatives Boards and Commission Institute, and RISE San Diego‘s Urban Fellows Program. Dr. Roman holds a doctoral degree in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University and a master’s in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Daneyel Walker

Daneyel Walker is the COO of DJW Logistics, a family-owned business that offers premium nationwide logistic management services. She also co-owns The Mental Bar – Coffee, Tea and Wellness. Previously, she co-owned and operated the Project Reo Collective Coffee Shop, which focused on art, coffee and community.

Elizabeth W. Fitzsimons

Elizabeth Fitzsimons began her career in San Diego as a newspaper reporter, shining a light on stories that wouldn’t otherwise be told. She built a career spanning the sectors of journalism, government, healthcare, business, and nonprofits based on trust, accountability, and collaboration, each role of service connected by a commitment to creating equity, opportunity, and possibility. As the CEO of ECS, a large and complex health and human services organization serving 11,000 low-income people a year, She is driven to ensure under-resourced communities of San Diego have access to high-quality behavioral healthcare and early childhood education. ECS meets clients where they are and walks with them on their path to reaching their greatest potential.  She takes pride in the culture of belonging, empowerment, and exploration we have built among staff and the board, and the ripples of impact on the community we serve.

John S. Sequeira

John Sequeira has dedicated his life to promoting fairness, equity, and respect for all individuals - regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or social status. Following a career with the U.S. State Department and with U.N.-affiliated international organizations, he continues to apply his energy to the work of the Human Relations Commission. Engaging in constructive dialog in the face of sharp differences and actively working to ensure that all San Diegans are treated with respect and fairness, are principles about which he cares deeply.

Dr. Steven J. Jones, Ph.D.

Dr. Steven Jones is the CEO of Global LeaderSHYFT, inc. a global leadership development consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders achieve excellence across cultures, countries, and time zones.  A longtime resident of San Diego since 1987, Dr. Jones has provided consulting and coaching services for over 35 years to local, national, and global organizations. “Leading with listening” and co-creating innovative solutions that increase levels of respect, inclusion, and belonging has consistently been his guiding force and commitment. Organizations such as ASML, City of San Francisco, Francis Parker School, Federal Defenders of San Diego, Harvard University, Honda, Lewis-Brisbois, the NBA, Qualcomm, SDG&E, The YMCA of San Diego County, TikTok, Toyota, and University of San Diego have all benefited from Dr. Jones guidance and engagement.

Dr. Jones has served as the former President/CEO of the City of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce and is also a former EDC and LEAD San Diego Board member. He currently serves on the Board of Reality Changers, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, and on the UCSD Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a Master’s in Counseling, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. As a servant leader,  

Dr. Jones is excited about being a part of the Human Relations Commission to be an active part of creating recommendations that ensure an experience of belonging for all throughout the City of San Diego Community.