Meet the team

Dawn Johnson

MSN, RN
President & CEO

Our Beliefs

We believe healthcare is a fundamental right, and advancing equitable access must be a core strategy.

Trust is the foundation of our work. Our name represents our commitment—you will remember both the impact we create and how we make you feel.

Every organization, community, and system begins with individuals. We honor the people behind the work, recognizing their contributions and potential.

Success is about more than outcomes—it’s about doing well and doing good. With intention, effort, and inclusivity, both are within reach.

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Dawn Johnson

MSN, RN
President & CEO

She is an executive leader, known for creating, interpreting, and managing health programs that advance transformational change.

With 25+ years of experience in leadership, management, and clinical healthcare, Dawn is both qualified and accustomed to the behind the scenes of curating a better future.  Her focus is on building equitable and sustainable pathways for healthy communities, mentoring and supporting the next set of leaders, and enhancing skills in policy, healthcare delivery, research, and health equity.  The list goes on!

She is the President and CEO of DHJ Services, with work specializing in the intersectionality of policy, health equity, and the socioeconomic status of historically marginalized communities.

Dawn Johnson holds a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Maryland.  She also holds a Masters in both Nursing and Business Administration, also from the University of Maryland Graduate School.

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Latina Lewis

PMP
Project Manager

Latina is an experienced project manager, who’s developed curricula and workflows for various industries, including banking and healthcare.

With 23 years of expertise in training and consulting, Latina’s focus on achieving client outcomes has resulted in the successful implementation of over 100 clients in the healthcare industry.

She is a prominent Project Manager here at DHJ Services, with duties that encompass project development, team coordination, and account management.

Latina Lewis holds a BA in Interpersonal Organizational Communication, a Masters in Human Resource Management from Ohio State, and a PMP certification received in November of 2020.

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Starr Barrett

DBA
Executive Assistant

Dr. Barrett is a Virtual Assistant extraordinaire, with a passion for helping organizations thrive, which has led her to plan numerous events, as well as provide administrative support to facilitate organizational growth.

With over 20+ years as an Executive Assistant, Project Manager, Event Planner, and Business Operations Manager, Starr’s passion for helping others has steered her towards aiding individuals in scaling their business.

She is an Executive Assistant at DHJ Services, managing a multitude of tasks such as email and calendar management, team management, and more.

Starr holds a BSBA and Masters in Business Administration from Trinity University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Concordia University.

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Dr. Melissa Jones-Holley

Clinical and Operations Management Advisor

Dr. Melissa J. Holley is an accomplished and experienced Family Nurse Practitioner who has made significant contributions to healthcare through her clinical expertise, administrative prowess, and dedication to improving patient outcomes. Her passion for patient care and community health has shaped her impressive career.

In addition to her clinical acumen, Dr. Holley has exceptional leadership and organizational skills. Her expertise spans across population health, chronic disease management, remote patient monitoring programs, and urgent care. Through the design and implementation ofprograms to achieve the Triple Aim, she has led regional and local health systems in the improvement of the patient experience, the enhancement of population health, and the reduction of healthcare costs in the inpatient and outpatient settings.  

Dr. Holley brings expertise in clinical operations, provider relations, clinical optimization,evidence-based practice protocol development, digital care solutions, federal program implementation, urgent care start-ups, care transitions, payor models, value-based care, and patient advocacy.

Through the promotion of patient-centered, culturally sensitive, team-based care, shehas assisted organizations and systems in identifying and addressing unmet patient and community needs.  Her visionary leadership and compassionate approach continue to leave a lasting legacy in the healthcare landscape.

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Vanessa Manzolillo, MPH

Public Health Analyst

Vanessa Manzolillo is a Health Operations and Strategy Consultant with a strong background in healthcare administration, clinical and administrative operations, and health equity. Vanessa has extensive experience managing healthcare services, including as an administrator of two high-volume ambulatory surgery centers in Manhattan within the first two years of her healthcare career. At these facilities, she oversaw daily operations, regulatory compliance, and patient-centered care delivery. She worked closely with a multidisciplinary team to optimize workflows, improve patient experience, increase revenue, and ensure adherence to accreditation standards.

Vanessa brings strong experience in strategy and operations, having led initiatives to improve organizational performance, streamline processes, and drive data-informed decision-making. She has developed and executed strategic plans, managed cross-functional teams, and implemented operational improvements that enhance care delivery, patient outcomes, and overall efficiency within healthcare settings.

Her expertise spans community-based interventions, health policy, and healthcare operations. Her research has explored disparities in immigrant and maternal health, examining barriers to care and strategies for more inclusive healthcare models. She possesses a multidimensional understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the healthcare landscape.

Passionate about advancing health equity, Vanessa continues to work at the intersection of policy, public health, and healthcare delivery. She is committed to advocating for policies that address social determinants of health and improve care quality and accessibility for all communities.

She holds a B.S in Kinesiology from Manhattan College and a Masters in Public Health from Downstate Health Sciences university.

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Stefanie Lockhart-Pettaway

MSW, PsyD
Behavioral Health Advisor

Dr. Lockhart-Pettaway is an experienced facilitator,with a background that includes working with persons in community mental health settings, psychiatric hospitals, university counseling centers, and as adjunct faculty.

With over 10+ years of experience as a Clinical Psychologist, her expertise includes adolescents and adults experiencing mental health challenges.

Here at DHJ Services, she is a certified Behavioral Health Advisor, having used an integrative approach that ensures interventions are client specific and culturally appropriate.

Dr. Lockhart-Pettaway completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) degree at the California School of Professional Psychology, at Alliant International University, Los Angeles.  She also received her Master of Social Welfare (MSW) degree from University of California, Los Angeles.

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Dominique Riley

Health Communications Coordinator

Dominique Riley obtained her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Bridgeport. With a strong foundation in Exercise Science and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2016, Dominique exhibits a strong dedication to improving community health and promoting healthy lifestyles. Throughout her educational career, Dominique actively focuses on advocating for preventive healthcare and educating others on the importance of maintaining good health. Her professional background spans various healthcare settings, including both inpatient and outpatient environments, which allows her to gain a thorough understanding of the field.

A compelling aspect of Dominique’s recent focus lies in the art of public health storytelling, recognizing the power of narrative in conveying health-related messages. This strategic shift, coupled with her hands-on experiences, equips her with the skills necessary to plan and execute culturally sensitive health services tailored to the unique requirements of local communities. While interning at DHJ Services, she authored a reflective piece that brought attention to the harmful impact of hate speech and discriminatory practices towards Black children in the healthcare field and further delved into the failure of medical staff intervention. The piece was written to promote health equity and educate healthcare professionals on the importance of empathizing with their patients.

Dominique’s journey has not only deepened her expertise in public health but has also honed her customer service and communication skills. These attributes are pivotal in her ability to contribute meaningfully to healthcare, where she aims to leverage her background and passion for community health to drive impactful initiatives that positively influence health outcomes. As a Health Communications Coordinator , Dominique brings a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to excellence, positioning her as a valuable asset to the DHJ Services team.

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Shawnee Rochester

Principal, Provider Network and Credentialing

Principal, Provider Network and Credentialing

With over a decade of dedicated service in the medical field, Shawnee is a seasoned professional specializing in credentialing and office management. Her extensive experience spans various healthcare settings, including hospitals and private medical practices, providing her with a robust foundation in managed care credentialing, hospital privileging, and medical accreditation.

Possessing robust organizational and planning skills, she has effectively managed staff and workflows, ensuring optimal efficiency and adherence to quality benchmarks. This capability extends beyond day-to-day operations, enabling her to strategize and implement processes that enhance overall operational effectiveness.

Who WE ARE

Leaders devoted to equitable policy and solutions

DHJ Services is a dynamic, Black-owned consulting firm committed to transforming healthcare and public health systems through strategy, innovation, and impact. We bring a powerful combination of expertise in managed care, Medicaid, clinical operations, policy, and capacity building to help organizations navigate complex challenges and drive meaningful change.

Our work is rooted in trust, community engagement, and a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape. We specialize in strategic growth, alliance development, procurement, and regulatory compliance, ensuring our clients are positioned for sustainable success. Our team excels in care management, population health strategies, and value-based care—always focused on improving outcomes and expanding access to critical services.

With a strong foundation in policy, training, and workforce development, we empower organizations to lead with confidence and purpose. Through leadership coaching, technical assistance, and public-private collaboration, we help our partners build capacity, enhance operations, and implement innovative solutions that create lasting impact.

At DHJ Services, we bridge the gap between policy and practice, driving forward-thinking strategies that elevate healthcare and public health. Our commitment is to communities, opportunities, and solutions that make a difference.

Contact us

Connect with us to explore how our services can drive impact and success for your organization.

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We operate with trust at the core of everything we do. Our name is our brand, and we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences that leave a lasting impression—both in the results we achieve and the relationships we build.