Keynote Speaker
Dr. Esmaeil Porsa serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Harris Health System, which is a
community-focused, academic and safety-net healthcare system dedicated to improving the health of
those most in need in Harris County, Texas, through quality care delivery, coordination of care, and
education.
Harris Health operates 45 community-based clinics, health centers and specialty locations and two
trauma hospitals: Ben Taub Hospital (Level I) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level III). The system
provides high-quality care and treatment for nearly 1.4 million outpatient visits and more than 36,000
hospital cases each year with an operating budget of $2.29 billion.
Prior to his returning to Harris Health in 2020, Dr. Porsa served as the Executive Vice President and
Chief Strategy and Integration Officer at Parkland Health and Hospital System where he had worked
since 2007 in different capacities including the Medical Director of the Dallas County Jail Health
program, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Professional and Academic
Affairs and Interim Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Porsa completed a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry at Our Lady of the Lake
University in San Antonio before earning his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science
Center Medical School in San Antonio. He completed his training in internal medicine at the University
of Texas Health Science Center at Houston where he also served as the Chief Medical Resident. Dr.
Porsa completed a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas Health
Science Center at Houston School of Public Health as well as a fellowship program in primary care at
the UTHSC-Houston medical school in 2005. Dr. Porsa obtained his MBA degree in Health Care
Leadership from University of Texas in Dallas in 2017.
Dr. Porsa has a special interest in improving community health through addressing social determinants of
health (SDOH) and health care delivery in correctional setting. He currently serves as the Vice Chair for
the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and is a member of the Certified Correctional Health Care
Professional Board of Trustees for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).
Angelina Brown Hudson, MPA is the Executive Director of NAMI Greater Houston. In this position, Hudson determines and executes strategic initiatives, collaborations, and partnerships to improve services, resources, treatment, care, and recovery outcomes of people with mental illnesses in Greater Houston—an area that encompasses Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties.
An organization executive leader since 2011, and a mental health advocate, spokesperson, and trainer on the local, state, and national levels for more than two decades, Hudson has targeted much of her focus on earlier identification of those facing a mental health condition; removing barriers to mental health services and supports; de-criminalizing those living with mental health conditions by encouraging appropriate treatment options; and connecting adults disabled by their mental health diagnosis to supported-employment opportunities, cross-training, and entrepreneurial development.
Rabbi Scott is the founding Rabbi of Shma Koleinu in Houston, TX. Shma Koleinu is a synagogue without walls and without requiring a financial or membership commitment, that serves all Jews, Jewish families and those who love them. Rabbi Scott is proud to be a Rukin Rabbinic Fellow, as he continues to develop and grow in his ability to serve all who seek out Jewish life and experience. He especially loves working with interfaith couples and families, because they are often the most open to what Judaism, Jewish ritual and tradition can offer.
Michelle P. Durham, MD, MPH, FAPA, DFAACAP is the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for
Ibn Sina Foundation. Dr. Durham is leading the expansion of outpatient mental health services
and integrated mental health services for our clinics. She is a board certified physician
specializing in pediatric and adult psychiatry with additional board certification in addiction
medicine. Her public health and clinical roles have always been in marginalized communities
with a focus on health equity and advocacy for equitable mental health treatment globally and
locally. Prior to joining Ibn Sina, Dr. Durham was the Vice Chair of Education at Boston
Medical Center Department of psychiatry and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry &
Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine. Her federally and privately funded research
focused on workforce development that reflects groups historically excluded from medicine,
training and education for both the pediatric workforce and mental health professionals. She has
expertise in pediatric integrated care, trauma in communities of color and training and education
for the both the pediatric workforce and mental health professionals and has presented nationally
and internationally on these topics. She is involved at the state and national level with the
American Psychiatric Association and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
to improve the standard of care for adults, children and adolescents. She is has testified for the
U.S. Senate HELP and Finance Committees to advocate for increase funding, access and parity
in mental health.
Kim Williams is a passionate mental health advocate, ally, and speaker with lived experience whose commitment is to open the door for the hard conversations around mental health and close the door on stigmas. She is a healthcare professional with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare marketing, communications, sales, and community engagement.
Kim currently sits on the board of directors for NAMI Greater Houston, The Women's Fund for Health, Education and Resiliency, Corporate Community Relations Council, and the advisory board of the Houston Philanthropy Circle. She is a NAMI Peer-to-Peer leader and a trained Stephen Minister. Additionally, Kim is a certified trainer for Inspiring Comfort, committed to mending a hurting world by teaching care and connection through the skill of comfort.
Kim's educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in Marketing and specialization in Public Relations from Texas A&M University,and a Master's in Business Administration from Texas Woman's University.
Before coming to Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, Ms. Mabry served the United Methodist Church in pastoral leadership both in the local church and in extension ministry at Houston Methodist Hospital. Kim was the creator and lead Project Manager over the Faith Health Initiative for Houston Methodist Hospital and the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Faith Health Initiative created wellness opportunities for underserved communities and recently hospitalized patients in need. While at Methodist Hospital, Kim earned her Certificate of Clinical Education & Chaplaincy Residency. Ms. Mabry has a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and spent seven years on staff at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church working in the areas of Christian Education, Evangelism and Social Justice Ministries. Prior to ministry, Kim was owner of Impact Marketing & Design Company for seven years. Ms. Mabry earned her bachelor’s degree in management from Texas A&M in College Station.
Kim has a passion for areas where community and faith come together. She is a Board Member for Texas Impact and the Advisory Board for Fit Houston. She has been involved in many community initiatives including the Faith Leaders Coalition and the Institute for Spirituality and Health.
Kim and her husband Mike have been married for 29 years. They have two boys, Miles age 24 is in graduate school at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado studying Mechanical Engineering and Braden, age 20 is a Junior at The University of North Texas studying Accounting. Ms. Mabry loves to garden in her many flowerbeds and spend time with the women in her family antiquing and eating good food.
Connie Almeida is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Maryland in 1985 followed by a post-doctoral specialization in developmental disabilities at the University of Massachusetts. Dr Almeida has provided and managed clinical services to children and adults with mental illness, substance abuse, intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 37 years.
In October of 2010, Dr Almeida joined Fort Bend County as the founding Director of the Behavioral Health Services Department. Dr Almeida is a gubernatorial appointee to the Advisory Council for the Department of Family and Protective Services as well as a Commissioner of the Texas Judicial Commission for Mental Health and the Chair of the Data Committee.
Mariana joined the Hope and Healing Center and Institute in October of 2021 as a Community Education Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Mariana believes that leaders and community leaders have a wonderful opportunity to understand mental health further and help those in mental health distress seek not only help but support that is within reach.
Pastor Starkweather has a background in the helping field, having graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Human Services. He worked for a year with at-risk youth at the Children’s Stabilization and Assessment Center in Canton, Georgia before pursuing a call to ordained ministry. After graduating from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, Pastor Starkweather’s first call was to the Lutheran Parish of Northern Dutchess, a partnership of three ELCA congregations in the Hudson Valley of New York. Along with the daily work of the Parish, he was an active participant in the ecumenical and community organizations of Rhinebeck and Red Hook, New York, and served on the Innovation Team of the Metropolitan New York Synod.
In September 2017, Pastor Starkweather was called to serve at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he continues to exercise his passion for worship, pastoral care (especially in relation to addiction and mental health challenges), and faith in daily life. In 2018, he spoke at the National Youth Gathering about his experience with deliberate self-harm and recovery. He is an active member of the Fort Bend Interfaith Community and also serves on the advisory board of Kairos Outside Houston, a prison ministry.
Anum Ali holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is currently pursuing
a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. Her professional journey is marked by a
dedication to advancing mental health support and advocacy.
Anum's role as a therapist at a mental health tech company showcases her commitment to
leveraging innovative technology for providing accessible and effective mental health support to
individuals. Through her private practice, she creates a safe and nurturing environment that
fosters growth and healing.
Her leadership extends to her position as a Clinical Supervisor at the Parris Foundation, where
she offers valuable guidance and support to aspiring counselors, ensuring the delivery of ethical
and high-quality clinical services. Anum also contributes to the field as Director of Partnerships
for Nunchi Health, a mental health organization at Harvard Medical School, focusing on
providing mental health support to immigrant students.
In addition to her clinical work, Anum serves as the Communications Committee chair at the
Texas Counseling Association, where her strategic planning, creativity, and knowledge of social
media trends contribute to engaging and elevating the association's online presence. This global
outreach helps amplify the organization's mission and reach a broader audience.
Anum's commitment to mental health advocacy is further exemplified by her role as a Social
Media Content Developer for the International Association for Counseling. Her efforts in this
position aim to shape a brighter future for mental health and well-being through technology,
research, and advocacy. Anum has served as a Mental Health Board Member for the Ismaili
Council for the Southwest region.
Dr. Ketam Hamdan holds a Ph.D. in Psychology. As well as, a Master’s in religion and psychology from Harvard University and a Master’s of Science from Columbia University. Dr. Hamdan wears multiple hats, she is a licensed therapist, educator, content creator, influencer, and mom. The negative stigma of mental health within her middle-eastern culture and her frustration with traditional talk therapy left her feeling hopeless. After spending over two decades, learning from the best thought leaders around the world and integrating the things she learned, she created a unique approach called Total Intelligence to help others grow and demystify the healing journey. She runs her own private practice, Brain Health, while also co-founding and running a non-profit Mental Health team for Annisa Hope Center. She, also, trains others mental health professionals on effective therapy strategies for complex clients. As well as, conducts workshops on a variety of mental health topics (such as, self-development, depression, who are you?, leading from within, etc.). Dr. Hamdan does not see helping people grow as a profession, she sees it as her life work.
Pastor David Lee Sincere, Jr. was called to ministry in 1995. He was elected as an elder at The Real Truth Church in Third Ward, Texas. After serving as the first elder of The Real Truth Church, he served as an associate minister at Covenant Glen UMC. Pastor Sincere attended Liberty University, studying religion with a cognate in counseling.
Pastor Sincere was lead by God to start Advocacy Now Institute in 2017. (ANI) Advocacy Now was created to address the systemic issues that negatively impact economically disadvantaged communities. ANI's mission is to advocate, educate, mentor, and empower individuals, families, and communities.
In April of 2020, Pastor Sincere and First Lady Candice Sincere started Fort Bend Transformation Church. Our mission is to transform individuals, families, and communities spiritually, economically, and socially by the power of His Spirit and Fire.
Pastor a licensed Baptist minister and a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity, the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the Fort Bend County Interfaith Community, Inc.
Apart from sitting member of various boards and committees, he co-chairs the Fort Bend County Judge’s Multi-Faith Advisory Council.
