Dr. Leisa A. Herrera

Executive Director, SoulPhamm, Inc.

 

Dr. Leisa A. Herrera, known by the community as Mz. Doc, serves as the Executive Director of SoulPhamm, Inc., continuing the legacy of her late husband and Founder, Coach Luis Herrera. With over two decades as an ordained minister, she has established herself as a dedicated community leader, most notably through her transformative work as Executive Director of the 1City Youth Project. Under her guidance, this non-profit organization provided free sports, arts, and recreational programs to more than 3,000 young people throughout its twenty-year history. She is an active member of World Changers Church International.

 

A Brooklyn native, Dr. Herrera received her early education at Epiphany Lutheran Elementary School and Brooklyn Technical High School before pursuing extensive higher education. Her impressive academic credentials include dual Bachelor's degrees (Christian Education and Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude), two Master's degrees (Christian Counseling and Management and Leadership), and two Doctorates (Theology and Educational Leadership). Her academic journey encompassed studies at Universal Theological Seminary, Mount Olive Bible Institute, John Jay College, Liberty University, and Northcentral University.

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In addition to volunteering as the Executive Director of SoulPhamm, Dr. Herrera leads multiple business initiative that allow her to lean into her creative, teaching, coaching, and project management skills.

 

Dr. Herrera's commitment to excellence and service is reflected in her memberships in the Golden Key Honor Society, Nu Sigma Theta, and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. Her impactful community work has earned numerous recognitions, including the Phyllis Hyman PHAT Friend humanitarian award from the All-Stars Project of New York City in 2015, and commendations from local leaders and the White House under both the Clinton and Obama administrations. Her work is featured in the independent DOCumentary "1City Soul," produced by Isabel Custer, which highlights her significant contributions to community service and youth development.

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Driven by her belief in community-powered change, Dr. Herrera advocates for her peers to create and support programs that meaningfully engage young people and cultivate the next generation of capable leaders.