Pamela, who is the Founder/CEO of Lifting Up Vets nonprofit she is devoted to providing housing and other essential services to homeless and at-risk veterans. Pamela is the wife, to Derrick Williams, a U.S. Army Ranger Veteran and a daughter of an Army veteran. She’s a mother of two amazing children.  She was born in Dallas, TX and grew up in the Los Angeles/Inglewood, California area. 

LUV was established in 2021 serving veterans throughout the greater Los Angeles and Long Beach area. Pamela’s number one goal is to place homeless veterans into housing and let these men and women know there is a path forward. “Our job at LUV is to strive to empower each veteran to take responsibility for his or her success, guiding them towards independence in the community, developing their workforce skills and supporting recovery.” 

Pamela graduated with a B.A from California State University Long Beach, she has worked for Mental Health of America as an Intensive Case Manager, Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VPAN) as a Housing Coordinator. She has served as a Housing Commissioner for Los Angeles County Development Authority since 2016. Pamela has advocated at the highest level for veterans and their families in Washington, DC for many years. She has been partnering with NAHRO and many nonprofits to make sure our most vulnerable population isn’t ignored, and their voices are heard. 

Derrick Williams, Chair for Lifting Up Vets. He joined the U.S. Army shortly after high school, he served in the Army as an Airborne Ranger for several years and toured the world on numerous combat missions. Derrick has been serving veterans as a Business Service Representative at JVS SoCal. He has received many accolades from veterans for his contributions in assisting them with employment. He is a proven decision-maker with a sharp ability to visualize an enhanced future path to further an organization, motivate personnel and structure fiscal resources with purpose and eagerness. His career has strand across many industries ranging from Millennium Enviromental Corporation, Boeing and University of Southern California. Derrick has served on several governing bodies for civic, cultural and governmental organizations and non-profit agencies. He demonstrates his strong and thoughtful leadership skills in all that he does. 

Derrick is a native, born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He moved to Los Angeles CA, in 2004 where he met his wife Pamela Williams (CEO). Derrick has always had a passion for helping people, he enjoys working with his fellow veterans and he’s committed to serving those in need. Derrick is a family man; he loves his children and is an advocate for positive change that results in tangible outcome throughout the VA System. 

Donella Stewart-Webster, treasurer for Lifting Up Vets is an experienced leader in non-profit management, multiple church affiliations, strategic planning and building cross-functional teams. Driven by her own family’s experiences she prides in providing the best resources and services possible. For over 25 years Donella has worked in the banking industry as a Fraud and Compliance Analyst. She now works in the field of Social Services helping veterans and seniors as a caregiver. In addition to her primary job functions, she is a member of multiple community organizations and church affiliations. Donella is a Los Angeles native who holds a B.S. from Phoenix University. Her love and passion to help others gain housing and supportive services for people with disabilities, mental illness, homeless, at-risk veterans, and their families. Donella is passionate about people and has enjoyed working with organizations with missions outlining their commitment to people.

Vice Chair