Meet the Board

Karen Savage, LCPC, PMH-C

Karen Savage is a licensed mental health therapist specializing in perinatal mental health and trauma processing. She is the founder of Savwell Mental Health and Wellness and holds a Bachelors Degree from Towson University and a Master’s of Education in Counseling from Loyola University Maryland.. Karen’s career encompasses over twenty years of experience working with victims of trauma, navigating organizational systems, and engaging in education and training to meet the needs of diverse populations.

Executive Director

Nicki Green Johnson, Esq.

Nicki Green Johnson is Associate Senior Counsel for Johns Hopkins. In that capacity, Nicki advises on various real estate, construction, facilities, and trademark issues. Prior to Johns Hopkins, Nicki was an associate at Venable and an attorney at DLA Piper.

Nicki graduated from University of Maryland College Park, cum laude, with a Bachelor of the Arts in American Studies and Government and Politics and earned her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Board President

Dr. Joi Gaddy Egbuniwe

Vice President

Dr. Joi Gaddy Egbuniwe is a highly skilled and experienced healthcare professional, with expertise in chiropractic and physical therapy. As a board-certified practitioner in both fields, she has dedicated her career to providing comprehensive and personalized care to women throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. With a passion for perinatal health, Dr. Joi has established herself as a leading expert in the field. She is known for her compassionate bedside manner, exceptional clinical skills, and unwavering commitment to her patients.

Erika Stern, NBCT

Erika is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher and has been serving in Baltimore City Schools for the past 16 years. She specializes in literacy and Early Childhood. She holds a Bachelors degree from State University of New York at New Paltz and a Master's of Education in Early Childhood from Johns Hopkins University.

Erika's career encompasses working as an early childhood teacher, literacy coach, reading interventionist, new teacher mentor, and content lead. She spent 10 years working for Johns Hopkins University as an adjunct instructor and academic advisor for their Graduate Education Program. Additionally, she worked for Teach for America as a content specialist mentoring and supporting new teachers.

Treasurer

LaLa Cho, PT, DPT

Lala is a licensed pelvic physical therapist specializing in orthopedics and women’s health. Currently, she is pursuing certification in functional medicine to broaden her expertise and enhance the care she provides to her patients. While her practice, 4th Trimester Physical Therapy, focuses on women's pelvic care, pregnancy and postpartum care, she also sees children and males in with orthopedic-related issues.

She is a proud UMBC alum (Go Retrievers!) and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Florida nearly 12 years ago. Lately, she has been embracing a more holistic approach to medical care and wellness, which has been a rewarding journey. Her practice continues to grow with this mindset, and she is excited about what’s to come!

Secretary

Contact the Board

Erinn Bende

Board Member

Erinn is the owner of FIT4MOM Howard County, a community and village of Moms that offers group fitness classes, playgroups and Mom's Nights/Events for all ages and stages of Motherhood. Before becoming owner in 2022, Erinn was a part of the community as a client after having her daughter in Summer 2019, and became an instructor in Spring 2021. Prior to owning FIT4MOM, Erinn taught early intervention and early childhood special education for 7 years with the Howard County Public School System. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Speech Language-Pathology & Audiology from Towson University and a Master's of Early Childhood Special Education from Johns Hopkins University.

Erinn's business approach thrives off of the connections made with other moms, fellow small, local business owners, and those who share a common interest of supporting mothers in every stage of their journey, in both their mind, body and soul. We truly are stronger together, and motherhood was never meant to be done alone.