Our team is a circle of practitioners, visionaries, and people with lived experience of incarceration who know deeply what it takes to heal.
Okha's story begins with her mother Usha, born in Zambia, Africa, and her father, born in India, who moved to California in pursuit of "the American dream." When she was only 9 months old, Okha's life was altered when her mother was tragically murdered. Later, at age 22, her father was wrongfully arrested and is now serving life without parole. Healing modalities saved Okha's life.
Okha is certified with 500 hours of yoga teacher training, completed the Nervous System Reset course in Bali, and is Usui Holy Fire III Reiki Certified. She holds a master's in education, dedicating 9 years to the education system, and graduated twice from Essie Justice Group's Campaign School and from Initiate Justice's Institute for Impacted Leaders.
Okha is passionate about making retreats accessible to those affected by incarceration. She envisions a specially curated retreat center 90 minutes outside of Los Angeles. The name of The Heart Center came to her when she was playing in the sand in Joshua Tree.
Misti's journey is one of transformation and healing. While spending nine years incarcerated, she discovered the healing power of wellness practices and tools that helped her restore balance, rebuild self-worth, and reconnect with her inner strength.
Today, Misti is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and decarceration. She believes deeply that everyone deserves access to practices that foster emotional resilience, grounding, and renewal. Misti uses both her lived experience and expertise to champion a more compassionate and just system, proving that second chances and healing aren't just possible, they're essential.
An empowerer of women with a background as a public auditor, Cara helps women of color build startups. Away from Excel sheets, she practices dance, somatics, herbalism, and meditation — it was this healing journey that connected her with Okha.
Rooted in Hawaii, Dani is Director of HR for The Heart Center and a devoted mother of two. An Essie sister and outside organizer with Initiate Justice, she facilitates the Healing to Advocacy program with compassion and courage.
A dynamic public speaker and certified career coach. Richard spent 20 years inside the CDCR, where he co-founded Inside Solutions. Released in 2019, he is now Director of Outreach & Engagement at CROP Organization.
A nurturer by nature, born and raised in Southern California. Her greatest gift is holding a safe space where individuals feel seen, supported, and heard — a space to release fears and pursue growth in vulnerability and love.
Our team isn't built on résumés alone. It's shaped by people who have survived the system, loved someone inside, or been transformed by the practices we teach. That's what makes this work honest.
Interested in learning about opportunities on how you can help our vision?
