Meet Our Team

Vernell Winbush, Our Executive Director, has over ten years of service in the community. Her education includes child development and an Associate of Biology, majoring in Nursing. She is also an Alumni of Community College of Allegheny County, Boyce Campus, and Pittsburgh Job Corps Incorporated.

As an active member of the community, she collaborates with Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh and served youth and college students in collaboration with her local church. In addition to her community involvement, Vernell has served in leadership as a Director of development and Training Coordinator. She succeeded in administrative roles such as Training and Compliance Manager, Program Manager, and Health Unit Coordinator. Most of her experience is with a national nonprofit organization.  

Over the past five years, Vernell has responded to a need in her community to make training available to healthcare professionals and civilians. She has aided startup health providers in the community to develop safe and quality medication administration programs. 

Vernell is highly energetic and compassionate about the individuals she supports. Her passion is using her gifts and skills to help others. Vernell believes in being a lifelong learner and teaching what she knows. She wants to promote independence and growth in others to increase the quality of life for the person. She is unique in showing empathy and developing rapport with others. Her experience in human resources, leadership, and community engagement will be an asset to her organization. Vernell has surrounded herself with a team of people with the same foundational beliefs to help her carry out the mission. They all realize the need for unity to help the community. 

Imari Lee is a contracted VBW trainer. She is a resident of Pittsburgh, PA. Born and raised in Steel City! She obtained her undergraduate degree in Charlotte, North Carolina at Johnson C. Smith University which is a historically black university. She majored in biology with a minor in chemistry and graduated with Cum Laude honors. Imari is currently pursuing her degree in nursing. 

Imari has a passion for providing quality care to people in need, hinting at her reasoning for becoming a nurse. Imari believes the world is in need of great nurses to provide memorable care with impact-making qualities. Her favorite saying is “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

Imari has worked in the healthcare field for over 10 years. She has experience working with the IDD population, geriatrics, long-term care, and critical care in hospital settings to name a few. As you see Imari has a desire to care for others she believes it is part of her purpose in life. Becoming a CPR instructor added another way for her to be of assistance to someone else's life by saving their life and teaching others that every heart matters!

Erica Gardner is an American Red Cross Certified Instructor for VBW Training. She has over 18 years in the healthcare field. Erica currently holds a certification as a Nursing Assistant; she has dedicated herself to her role for the last seven years.  Her experience has been in various nursing homes and hospitals in her community.

Erica is passionate about community development and education. She has a desire to nurture the next generation. Erica believes in the importance of quality of life and the commitment to doing good as a whole. Teaching the values of integrity, honesty, and reliability is valuable to Erica. Erica’s compassion for life will be a considerable asset to the company.