A man in a light blue dress shirt, black tie, and a silver watch, with short hair, facial hair, and an earring, standing with arms crossed against a white background.

DeJuan "DJ" Verrett

Founder and Executive Director of Urban Community Action Network (U.C.A.N.), a nonprofit in Los Angeles dedicated to empowering formerly incarcerated individuals and those affected by gang involvement or substance use. Following a 20-year federal prison sentence during the War on Drugs, Verrett transformed his life and now leads U.C.A.N.’s hands-on efforts in training, support, housing navigation, and wraparound services for underserved populations

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Dr. Adrienne Hillman

Adrienne Hillman serves as the Chief Board Member of Urban Community Action Network (UCAN). In her leadership role, she provides strategic guidance and oversight to advance UCAN’s mission of empowering lives, supporting the unhoused, and strengthening communities across Los Angeles.

A woman with blonde hair styled in loose waves, wearing a black lace dress and gold hoop earrings, smiling with her arms crossed in front of a blue background.

Courtney Friel

Courtney Friel is a news anchor and reporter at KTLA. With 16 years of sobriety, she’s a recovery advocate and the author of the book, “Tonight at 10: Kicking Booze and Breaking News”.

Courtney is a mom to Cash and Cameron, wife to Jim and pilates addict, daily meditator and zookeeper of two dogs and two cats.

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Jon Desler

Jonathan Destler is a veteran entrepreneur and investor with over 25 years of leadership across finance, communications, and sustainable technologies. As Founder of Opti‑Harvest, he leads innovation in climate-resilient ag‑tech. He was also a founding investor in Loop Industries, a pioneering plastic recycling firm. Destler is a frequent voice on environmental innovation and remains committed to both technological impact and community engagement and mentorship.

A smiling man in a suit and glasses holding an American football.

Jamil Toure

Jamil Touré, a Harlem native, has enjoyed a successful 25-year career in media, excelling as a writer, director, producer, and editor. His impressive client list includes Def Jam Records, Sony Pictures, NFL, and more. Currently a Senior Producer at NFL Media in Inglewood, CA, he is also devoted to social justice causes, actively supporting organizations combating addiction and homelessness. goes here

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Brad Lipshy

In Memoriam

Brad Lipshy was the Founder and CEO of Event Solutions, a full-service corporate event planning and production company based in Southern California. A visionary entrepreneur, Brad built Event Solutions into a highly respected firm known for creative excellence, operational precision, and meaningful client experiences.

As a valued member of the UCAN Board of Directors, Brad generously shared his expertise in business leadership, strategic growth, and community engagement. His commitment to service, mentorship, and impact strengthened UCAN’s mission and touched countless lives.

Brad was tragically killed on October 24, 2025. He will be remembered for his integrity, creativity, and unwavering belief in the power of community. His legacy lives on through the work he built, the people he inspired, and the lives he helped uplift.