Board of Directors
Under Development
Circle of Strength Family is currently in the process of building a dedicated and diverse Board of Directors to support our mission and guide our continued growth.
We are thoughtfully identifying individuals who are passionate about expanding access to resources, advocacy, and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families across New Jersey.
Our Board will play a vital role in providing governance, strategic direction, and community leadership as we continue to strengthen and expand our impact.
Elise Counts | Board Chair
Elise Counts serves as the Board Chair of Circle of Strength Family, the nonprofit arm dedicated to empowering and supporting families across New Jersey. With more than 25 years of service and leadership in the community, Elise brings a deep commitment to strengthening families, expanding access to resources, and building collaborative partnerships that uplift communities statewide.
In her role as Board Chair, Elise provides strategic guidance to the organization’s leadership and helps advance initiatives that connect families, caregivers, and individuals with meaningful support and opportunities for growth. She is passionate about fostering partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and local leaders to create programs and events that promote awareness, access to resources, and long-term stability for families.
Elise’s advocacy is also shaped by personal experience supporting loved ones with disabilities, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges many families face when navigating complex systems of care. This perspective fuels her dedication to ensuring families feel supported, valued, and empowered.
Through her leadership, Circle of Strength Family continues to expand its community impact through outreach initiatives, collaborative programs, and events that strengthen connections and promote self-sufficiency for families across the state.
LaVonia Abavana | Vice Chair
LaVonia Abavana is a dedicated leader, family advocate, and community engagement professional committed to improving the quality of life for individuals of all ages, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), while strengthening supports for families and communities throughout New Jersey. She currently serves as the Community & Family Outreach Coordinator with the Community Planning & Advocacy Council (CPAC), where she leads community engagement initiatives, develops collaborative partnerships, and works in the prevention dept. LaVonia also serves as the Camden County Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council (CIACC) Convener and Chair of the CIACC Family Voice Subcommittee, bringing together families, providers, educators, and community organizations to strengthen collaboration and improve access to coordinated services for children, youth, adults, and families.
A respected advocate and collaborative leader, LaVonia serves on numerous local and statewide advisory councils focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health, maternal and child health, early childhood, family leadership, and community wellness. Drawing from both her professional expertise and lived experience as a parent, she is passionate about ensuring individuals and families have a meaningful voice in shaping programs, policies, and systems of care. Throughout her career, LaVonia has collaborated with healthcare organizations, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to reduce barriers, strengthen community resources, and improve outcomes for underserved populations. Her leadership has been recognized through several community honors, reflecting her unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and empowering individuals and families. As Vice Chair of the Circle of Strength Family Board of Directors, LaVonia is committed to advancing the organization's mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. She believes that strong partnerships, family leadership, and inclusive communities create lasting change and is dedicated to expanding opportunities that promote independence, belonging, and an improved quality of life for all.
Priscilla Mendez | Secretary
In her role at AT&T as a Quality/M&P/Process Specialist, Priscilla Mendez strengthens operational performance through data analysis, process improvement, and compliance oversight. With more than 38 years of professional experience spanning management, quality assurance, fraud prevention, and customer care, Priscilla is known for her people-first leadership, careful attention to detail, and commitment to doing things the right way.
Priscilla’s heart for service shows up in practical, hands-on ways. She regularly serves through her church communities, supporting hospitality and volunteer teams. She’s participated in mission-driven outreach, including cooking for families at Ronald McDonald House and supporting hunger-relief efforts through gleaning vegetables, meal assembly and food-packing programs such as Rise Against Hunger. A highlight experience was volunteering as a buddy at Night to Shine.
Priscilla has been a steadfast supporter of various mission-driven organizations including the American Red Cross, Hope for Justice, the American Heart Association, Wounded Warrior Project and United Through Reading.
Her dedication is personal, too: raised by a hardworking single mother and shaped by her family’s experience supporting a loved one with autism, Priscilla is committed to creating pathways to stability, inclusion, and self-sufficiency for every family.
Priscilla is pleased to serve as Secretary of the Board for Circle of Strength Family and is proud to support the organization’s work to uplift and strengthen families across New Jersey. She lives in Woodbridge and enjoys spending time with family, dancing, and traveling.
Andres Rodriguez | Board Member
Andres Rodriguez holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from Kean University and has spent the past 12 years serving as a Personal Lines Insurance Agent. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to protecting individuals and families while taking great pride in advocating for and bridging gaps within the Hispanic community—a population that has historically benefited from increased access to resources, support, and representation.
Known for his strong work ethic, determination, and genuine compassion, Andres consistently goes above and beyond to serve his clients and the communities around him. He is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Circle of Strength Family, where he looks forward to advancing the organization's mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families through advocacy, community engagement, and meaningful support.
Outside of his professional and board service, Andres enjoys spending time with his family and can often be found on the soccer field cheering on his two sons.
La-Trenda Ross| Board Member
La-Trenda Ross is a dynamic leader, advocate, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur whose journey reflects courage, compassion, and transformation. With over 30 years of experience in human and social services, she has devoted her life to uplifting others, particularly the elderly and disabled. As a Senior Community Service Aide at the Hudson County Department of Family Services & Reintegration, La-Trenda ensures that those most in need receive compassionate care, dignity, and support.
She is the Founder of Trending Into A New Life, a life coaching business that empowers individuals to rediscover their purpose, overcome barriers, and embrace new beginnings. Her motivational speaking engagements encourage others to find strength within their struggles and transform pain into power.
In January 2026, La-Trenda officially launched The R.E.L.L.E. Legacy Foundation, named in honor of her five grandchildren. The foundation’s mission is to support individuals diagnosed with breast cancer and survivors through education, early detection awareness, emotional support, and financial assistance. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, La-Trenda serves as President of the Hudson County Community College Alumni Association, Chair of the Hudson County Food and Shelter Coalition, and Board Member of Partners in Prevention. Her leadership and advocacy continue to impact lives across her community.
Through every platform—whether in service, coaching, or speaking—La-Trenda Ross inspires others to rise with courage, lead with love, and live a life of resilience and purpose.
Corinne Rivera| Board Member
Corinne is proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Circle of Strength Family, where she combines her passion for helping others with her background in psychology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and has always been driven by a desire to create meaningful, real-world change. Inspired by Circle of Strength Family's mission to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the recognition that many families face significant gaps in resources and support, Corinne is committed to helping build a safe, welcoming environment where every individual feels valued, included, and empowered.
She is especially passionate about mental health, strengthening families, disability services, and creating opportunities that create a lasting impact throughout the community. Outside of her board service, Corinne enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She describes herself as quirky, compassionate, loyal, and always willing to lend a helping hand—qualities she brings to both her personal life and her commitment to serving the Circle of Strength Family community.
Christina Chavis | Board Member
Christina M. Chavis is a senior technology and cybersecurity professional with more than 35 years of experience designing, securing, and managing enterprise network infrastructure for Fortune 500 organizations. Throughout her career, she has specialized in network engineering, cybersecurity, cloud networking, identity and access management, and technology risk reduction, helping organizations build resilient and secure digital environments.
As Founder and Executive Director of Golden Shield Protect, an initiative of the Living Color Association, Christina is passionate about empowering people of all abilities with the knowledge and practical skills needed to recognize and defend against online scams, identity theft, phishing, cyber fraud, and other digital threats. Her mission is to make cybersecurity education accessible, understandable, and actionable for every member of the community.
As a member of the Circle of Strength Board, Christina brings a unique perspective that combines technology leadership with a passion for community empowerment. She is committed to advancing digital inclusion by expanding cybersecurity awareness, promoting online safety, and helping ensure that people of all abilities have the confidence and resources to safely navigate today's increasingly connected world.
Christina believes that technology should empower people—not place them at risk—and is honored to support Circle of Strength's mission of strengthening individuals, families, and communities through education, advocacy, and meaningful partnerships.
Amma Islam | Board Member
Amma Islam is an entrepreneur, business development professional, and community advocate with a career centered on building relationships, developing strategic partnerships, and creating solutions that support individuals, businesses, and communities.
Her professional background spans business development, human resources and workforce solutions, strategic sales, client relationship management, and organizational growth. Throughout her career, Amma has worked closely with business owners and organizational leaders, helping identify needs, develop meaningful partnerships, and connect organizations with solutions designed to support both their people and their operations.
As the Founder and CEO of Mindful Medical Services, Amma has transformed her professional experience into entrepreneurship, building a New Jersey-based service company focused on accessibility, dignity, and dependable care. Mindful Medical Services provides specialized transportation services as well as DOT and non-DOT drug and alcohol testing, DNA collection services, and other workforce and community-based solutions.
Amma brings to the Circle of Strength Family Board of Directors a combination of corporate experience, entrepreneurial leadership, relationship development, and a genuine commitment to service. She is passionate about advocating for underserved families, supporting individuals with disabilities, and helping create greater access to the resources and opportunities that allow individuals and families to thrive.
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Unity Ball Tickets Are Live!
Circle of Strength Family is honored to welcome you to the 2026 Unity Ball - an afternoon dedicated to celebration, connection, inclusion, and community.