Board of Directors

Wendy joined Friend Health in 2016. Prior to being appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, she served as both the President/Chief Operating Officer as well as the Chief Officer of Strategy & Development. Preceding Friend Health, she served as Deputy Chief Officer at Chicago Public Schools and spent more than ten years in finance with Aon Corporation, and Goldman Sachs. Wendy holds a Master of Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from the University of Chicago. With over 20 years of experience, she has a keen ability to evaluate risks and opportunities as well as manage complex organizational systems.

Dr. Charles K. Barron, Jr. is a Board-Certified Family Practice Physician and a respected Chief Medical Officer with a longstanding commitment to education and community health. His leadership in the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) sector has made a significant impact both locally and nationally.

A native of Friars Point, Mississippi, Dr. Barron began his academic journey by earning an

Associate’s Degree in Biology from Coahoma Junior College in Clarksdale, MS, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Medicine) from Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS. Both institutions are proud members of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) community. He went on to earn his Medical Degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, IA.

Dr. Barron completed his Family Practice Residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, IL, where he later served as an Attending Physician in the Residency Program and as Associate Medical Director at Access Southwest Family Health Center. Recognizing the need to pair his clinical expertise with business leadership in the evolving healthcare landscape, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL.

His forward-thinking approach and leadership acumen led to his appointment as Regional Medical Director for the Southwest 1 Region of Access Community Health Network—one of the nation’s largest private FQHC providers, serving over 200,000 patients annually. Dr. Barron’s success in this role paved the way for him to become the inaugural Chief Medical Officer at

Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, where he has served for the past nine years. Under his leadership, the organization has achieved recognition as a state and national leader in healthcare quality.

Dr. Barron’s commitment to lifelong learning is evidenced by his numerous additional qualifications, including:

• Certified Physician Executive (CPE), awarded by the American Association for Physician Leadership
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Care Informatics from the University of Illinois at Chicago
• Graduate of the UCLA/Johnson & Johnson Health Care Executive Program

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Barron is a devoted family man, married to Dawn and the proud father of Charles III and Dalyn BarLo. He is an active member of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Barron remains committed to upholding and advancing the values of integrity, compassion, empathy, and service as he continues to be a vital contributor to his community and the broader healthcare field.

Eric joined Friend Health as the Chief Compliance Officer in June 2021 and has more than 20 years of extensive experience in compliance, risk management, and health law, complemented by his attainment of the Certified Compliance Executive (CCE) certification through the Health Ethics Trust. He leads Friend Health’s Compliance, Risk Management, Privacy, and Claims Management programs. In this role, Eric provides comprehensive compliance and risk management support to the health center, develops and executes policies, and chairs key committees. His efforts have significantly enhanced the organization’s compliance and risk management programs. Prior to joining Friend Health, Eric was the Senior Director and Market Compliance Officer at Centene Corporation’s WellCare Health Plans implementing policies to ensure compliance with federal and state obligations, recruited and developed a high-performing compliance team, and chaired regulatory committees. His academic background and work experience have equipped him with a robust understanding of legal principles and health care regulations. Eric holds a Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) in Health Law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Law degree from DePaul University.

Eugene Humphrey has served as Executive Director of HRDI since August of 2021. Mr. Humphrey previously served as Founding Executive Director of Centers for Residential Alternatives. Prior to joining CRA Eugene served as Director of Physician Services, International and Executive Health programs at the University of Chicago Medicine. Eugene received a Master of Business Administration in Management and Operations, from Purdue University, a Master of Arts in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University.

Registered Nurse with dual master’s degrees in nursing and business administration, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience in nursing administration. Held leadership roles including Patient Care Manager, Administrative Nurse Coordinator, Quality Improvement Manager, Program Manager, Nursing Manager, Associate Director of Care Coordination, and Vice President of Care Coordination and Operations.

Leader in advancing healthcare delivery, implemented organizational quality improvement initiatives that elevated standards of care and positioned the organization for recognition as a Quality Improvement Leader by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). With a strong focus on innovation and outcomes. Developed and led a comprehensive care coordination program, championed the integration of electronic health records (EHR), and directed the organizational response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity of patient care and safety.

Committed to fostering operational excellence, driving patient-centered care, and advancing health equity through evidence-based practices and organizational collaboration.

Raheel Shahzad is a highly accomplished finance professional with over 25 years of experience in corporate accounting, business strategy, and regulatory compliance. As both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an Attorney at Law, Raheel brings a unique dual perspective to solving complex financial, regulatory, and legal challenges.

Raheel’s career spans leadership roles in public accounting, corporate finance at Fortune
100 companies, internet startups, and nonprofit healthcare, including serving as Chief Financial Officer for Friend Health – a large Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Chicago. His expertise includes strategic financial planning, revenue cycle management, risk mitigation, internal controls, and regulatory compliance with HRSA, IRS, and state agencies.

Known for his ability to navigate high-stakes financial matters, Raheel’s approach blends analytical precision with practical solutions, helping organizations stay compliant while achieving long-term growth and sustainability.

When he isn’t leading finance and legal strategy, Raheel mentors aspiring professionals, speaks on healthcare finance and compliance, and contributes to continuing professional education (CPE) programs for CPAs and attorneys.

Raheel lives in Aurora, Illinois, with his wife and three rambunctious children, and is an avid musician.

Arshele Stevens joins Friend Health as the Chief Transformation Officer. She brings a tireless spirit and a breadth of executive leadership experience well-tailored to the organization’s mission of improving community health by providing access to high-quality, whole-person care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stevens expanded into health care to enhance services provided after being awarded grants for COVID and vaccination education. This shift was motivated by her commitment to addressing the critical healthcare needs of families and young adults, particularly in Black and Brown communities that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Her dedication to social impact is represented by her impressive experience serving as the President of Kennedy-King College, Founding CEO of Girls, Inc. of Chicago, Assistant Executive Director of Mile Square Health Center, and Senior VP of Children, Youth, and Families at Catholic Charities of Chicago. She has over two decades of experience driving transformation and leveraging technology; she served as the Chief Information Officer for Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago. Her most recent efforts were with CAWC, an anti-domestic violence organization, where she focused on human resource and financial operational improvements.

As she embarks on her new journey with Friend Health, Stevens looks forward to continuing her impactful work in the healthcare sector, driven by her passion for improving the lives of individuals and families.