Our Board

Yildirim Sivar is a small business owner and President of Global Business and Educational Consulting Group. He previously served on the board of ONEJAX Institute of UNF and Baptist Hospital Foundation. Before coming to Jacksonville, Yildirim served as chief of staff for the Secretary of Culture and Tourism in the Republic of Turkey. He earned his graduate degree at NYIT in New York.

Dr. Parvez Ahmed is a Chief of Analytics and Special Advisor to Mayor on Economic Mobility and Social Belonging, City of Jacksonville, Office of Mayor. He is Professor of Finance at the Coggin College of Business, University of North Florida and a former Fulbright Scholar. He previously served as a member of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Commission and as Board Chair of the Museum of Science and History (MOSH). In 2010 Folio Weekly named him “Person of the Year.” In 2014 he was awarded the Silver Medallion Humanitarian Award by OneJax. In 2015 he was named Arthur Vining Davis Fellow to the Aspen Ideas Festival.

Rev. Jeannie Chapman serves as the System Administrator for Spiritual Care with Baptist Health in Jacksonville where she has oversight of the Clinical Pastoral Education Program and the team of dedicated Chaplains who serve in the inpatient and outpatient settings across the health system. Prior to moving to Jacksonville in 2015, she served in healthcare leadership in Georgia and has a history of over 20 years of experience in the areas of worship ministry, pastoral counseling, children’s ministry, community outreach and education. Jeannie specializes in grief education across the lifespan and finds deep meaning in supporting people who are experiencing grief and mourning, as well as educating those who provide care to grieving individuals on best practices in grief support. Jeannie began working in interfaith ministry in 2012 following completing of an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary, which led to her decision to move outside of the parish and into the healthcare setting and becoming a board certified chaplain, endorsed for chaplaincy through the Religious Naturalist Association. Jeannie enjoys spending time outdoors soaking in the beauty and tranquility of nature with her husband, Mike and their furbabies, as well as traveling to visit their adult children and grandchildren.

Rev. Bill Hoff was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1984 and, after 16 years in non-profit leadership, has served six churches in the Jacksonville area. Born in Detroit, Michigan, with sojourns in Toledo, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta and Miami, Bill has called Jacksonville home for most of his life. A product of the public schools here, Bill attended Vanderbilt University and earned three masters’ degrees in ministry, theology and mental health counseling. He recently retired but still serves as a consultant for community outreach and youth ministry. Bill and his wife of 47 years, Peggy, have four sons and seven grandchildren.

Pastor Regina Jackson serves as a bi-vocational pastor that is currently working in the mortgage and real estate industry with over 23 years’ experience. She is a native of Jacksonville Florida and has been involved in ministry for over 20 years with experience in nursing home ministry, traveling gospel ministry, pastoral ministry and street evangelism ministry. She was ordained as a Pastor October 2012 and founded Restoration of Truth Ministries in Jacksonville, currently serving as the Senior Pastor. She also founded of Inspiritus Empowerment Center for Excellence that provides resources to the community which includes food, clothing, furniture, workshops, and education. Regina has played an active part in the LGBTQIA community and believes that as faith leaders we must become a voice for any group who has been marginalized, disenfranchised, or oppressed.

Dr. Holly Nadji is a family and cosmetic dentist by profession. As an active member of the Baha’I faith and a member of the Jacksonville Local Spiritual Assembly, Dr. Holly Nadji believes in the importance of unity in diversity in our Jacksonville community. She has served in many capacities such as organizing Race Unity Day events, youth empowerment groups, spearheading healing of racism forums, and is currently serving with a youth group in empowering youth and junior youth to transform themselves into better alignment with God’s purpose for them and thereby helping youth lead by example in bettering the world around them. Her ultimate goal in life is to leave the world a better place to live in for her children and grandchildren.

Leah Palestrant is Director of Alumni Strategy for Teach For America Jacksonville and Central Florida. Non-profit leader by day, roller derby skater by night, Leah Palestrant currently serves as the new Director of Alumni Strategy for Teach For America Jacksonville and Central Florida. When she’s not strategizing on how to build a powerful alumni network, Leah spends her time volunteering for local organizations such as coaching basketball with Special Olympics and rescuing manatees with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. As a member of Congregation Ahavath Chesed, the Jacksonville Jewish Federation Young Professionals and Families Board, and the Daughters of Abraham book club, Leah is passionate about Judaism and interfaith dialogue. Last year, Leah was also accepted into the 2020 Class of Leadership Jacksonville and also recently started a local chapter of Bend The Arc here in northeast Florida. Leah’s vision is for all students in her beloved community to have equitable access to education and lifelong learning.

Milesh Patel is a graduate student in the UNF History Program where he is involved with the UNF Interfaith Center. He serves as a student leader and a part of the Better Together team for them. Milesh has stayed involved for 3 years creating fresh event ideas that aimed to connect to a broader audience in UNF. He also works with the Better Together student leadership team encouraging their development through sharing ideas and encouraging others to facilitate conversations as well. Milesh grew up in a Hindu household but did not practice the religion himself, instead becoming agnostic. His interest in Christianity has led to him being the president of the Jacksonville Campus Ministry, which serves a Christian and Interfaith community. He has been trained at Interfaith America’s Leadership Summit.

Sukhbir Singh is a small business entrepreneur with a bachelor’s degree in Statistics and master’s in Computer Science. Sukhbir and his wife, Sargum, are the founders of the Sikh Society of North East Florida and practice Sikhism as a path to humanity and salvation. He has been an architect in creating awareness and educating the Jacksonville community about Sikhism and Turbans through lectures, presentations in schools, colleges, universities, temples, churches, hospitals and more. The Singh family is a strong believer of “There is One Father and we are all his children.”

Susan Ticker has over 35 years of experience working with non-profit organizations, including schools, synagogues, community centers, and summer camps. She is an accomplished change agent, creative strategist, and keen observer of people and processes. Susan has held leadership roles in organizations in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Illinois, bringing her optimism and expertise to spur experimentation, assess outcomes, and support growth. Susan has been involved in interfaith community work for many years and believes it is essential to achieve mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration. She began her professional career in financial analysis and investment banking, and applies a business lens to her vocational and volunteer work. She earned an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Brown University where she majored in Judaism and Early Christianity, and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Rutgers Graduate School of Management. Susan moved from NYC to Mandarin in November 2021 with her husband, Cantor Henry Rosenblum, to be near their three grandchildren and two of their three children. In addition to travel and musical theatre, Susan enjoys staying active by practicing yoga, brisk walking, and water sports..

Od’Juan Whitfield is the Organizing Manager with Faith and Public Life, based in Jacksonville, Florida. After leaving his home in Indianapolis, he served in the United States Army, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA, and served in Iraq and Kuwait following 9/11/2001. After the military, Od’Juan worked in various social services and political organizing roles in Jacksonville like the Sulzbacher Center and Hemming Plaza Social Services.