Sanctuary & Sisterhood

LEADERSHIP

 

Glenda Duru

Executive Director

Glenda Duru is a Houstonian with Nigerian heritage. Glenda is a Senior Trial Attorney practicing in the area of insurance defense.  Along her educational journey, Glenda earned a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Prairie View A & M University, a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Houston, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the esteemed Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Glenda has a Trials Skills Training Certificate by the National Institutes of Trial Advocacy and Trial Skills Certificate from the Children’s Commission of Texas. Glenda is an Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern University: Thurgood Marshal School of Law. Glenda stays involved in her local bar and overall community by serving on several committees through the Houston Young Lawyers Association, Houston Bar Association, Houston Lawyers Association, and other civic organizations. Glenda is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Glenda capitalizes on her passion for empowering students from low economic and at-risk environments by regularly seeking opportunities to mentor and provide resources to the community. Lastly, Glenda enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family.

Amy Tomlinson

Deputy Director

Amy Elizabeth Tomlinson is a native Floridian and first-generation American. She is a litigator and trial attorney. She loves appearing in court and picking juries. She has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors of legal practice. She practices law mostly in Harris and Fort Bend County, but she has practiced law in many other counties and holds a license in the Southern District Court to practice federally.

Amy takes great pride in her service to the community. She volunteered for years with children, including service to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and Precious Moments Learning Center. She also enjoys her service as a mock trial judge. Amy was a part of the Leadership State Bar of Texas program and was selected for her leadership and service. She has served on the board of the Houston Bar Association’s Criminal Section. She holds a B.S. in Marketing from Florida State University, a M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University, and a J.D. Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Sarah Hayes

Treasurer 

Sarah Hayes is an associate at BakerHostetler LLP. Sarah’s practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation and labor and employment litigation matters. Sarah is a native Houstonian and a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center. Sarah is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and runs a food blog in her spare time.

Ashley Lewis

VP of Celebration

Ashley Lewis is an associate attorney in the real estate practice group at Roberts, Markel, Weinberg, Butler, and Hailey P.C. in Houston, TX. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree, Cum Laude, from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Mass Communications. In just three years at UAPB, Ashley managed to finish her undergraduate studies, co-found the George Doc Jones Debate Team, and become a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She went on to obtain her Juris Doctor, with Magna Cum Laude honors, from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law and became a licensed attorney for the state of Texas in 2022. Before and during her law school career she worked for the Harris County Attorney’s Office in the Protective Services Division where she focused on fighting for one of Houston’s most vulnerable populations. While at Thurgood, Ashley served as General Counsel to the Student Bar Association, received an academic scholarship for ranking in the top 10 percent of her class, and was a 2022 recipient of the Association of Women Attorneys Foundation Scholarship. In addition to her current practice, Ashley has experience in family law, criminal law, personal injury, and tax law. 

Integrity, faith, and compassion for others leads Ashley in everything that she does. In her spare time she enjoys cycling around the city, cheering on her hometown football team, the Denver Broncos, and spending time with her two nephews who are both named Darren. 

Dominique Hawkins

VP of Cultivation

A first-generation Aggie, Dominique Hawkins graduated from Texas A&M University in December 2016 with a B.A. in Political Science and a double minor in English and Sociology.

Dominique furthered her education at the historic Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law where she obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence in May 2020. At Thurgood Marshall School of Law, she served as Executive Editor of The Thurgood Marshall School of Law Journal on Race, Gender, and Justice. Dominique joined Doré Rothberg McKay in October 2022. At DRM, Dominique works in the Litigation, Collections, Business Transactions, and Liens Sections. In her spare time, Dominique enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and experiencing new restaurants. She serves as a board member of the Aggie Women Network. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

S. Kelecia Njaka

VP of Communication

Siedah Kelecia Njaka is native of Houston, Texas, and In-House Counsel for Vytalus Medical Group where she provides counsel on healthcare transactional, regulatory, and operational issues. After obtaining her Bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Austin and Southern New Hampshire University, Kelecia relocated to Florida where she pursued a career in aviation for 8 years. She attended law school in Florida where received her Juris Doctor with Honors from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and also became a Certified Mediator. In 2021, Kelecia returned to Houston and was admitted to the Texas Bar. Kelecia serves as a Board of Director for the Corporate Counsel of the Houston Bar Association, and is a member of the Women and The Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, African American Lawyer Section of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Young Lawyers Association. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, volunteering and trying new cuisine.  

Amber Boyd

VP of Community

Amber Boyd-Cora is Real Estate and Construction Attorney who works as in-house counsel for multiple major development and construction companies by negotiating contracts and handling many other issues. Amber is also a legal advisor for To Each Him Home (TEHH) and nonprofit development corporation that provides affordable housing. Amber is a member of the Houston Bar Association, Houston Lawyers Association, and other civil organizations. Amber graduated from 3rd Ward’s Jack Yates High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a doctorate from the legendary Texas Southern University-Thurgood Marshall School of Law. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Amber is passionate about serving her community and has a passion for helping the youth reach their goals and dreams through mentorship, guidance, and programs. Amber loves to run marathons, play the flute, and spend time with her family and friends.

 Denotra Steward

VP of Community