Our Leadership
Senior Leadership Team
Kendra Holmes, RPh, PharmD
President & CEO
Dr. Kendra Holmes is the President & CEO for Affinia Healthcare (effective January 1, 2023). The Affinia Healthcare Board of Directors first announced Dr. Holmes’ promotion in March 2022. The new role is also a historic one: Dr. Holmes is the first woman, and the first Black person, to be selected as the organization’s President and CEO in its 117-year history.
Dr. Holmes joined Affinia Healthcare in 2003 as a pharmacist and worked her way to the organization’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She also spearheaded the health center’s most recent Joint Commission review which resulted in a Gold Award for its ambulatory care.
Dr. Holmes received her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. She is also the recipient of the Community Health Centers Executive Management Fellowship from the Kansas University Medical Center.
Dr. Holmes joined Affinia Healthcare in 2003 as a pharmacist and worked her way to the organization’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She also spearheaded the health center’s most recent Joint Commission review which resulted in a Gold Award for its ambulatory care.
Dr. Holmes received her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. She is also the recipient of the Community Health Centers Executive Management Fellowship from the Kansas University Medical Center.
Melissa Tepe, MD, MPH
VP/Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Melissa Tepe was named Chief Medical Officer in 2014 and devotes her workday to treating patients in a clinical setting, while managing her administrative responsibilities. Dr. Tepe has a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University. Her medical degree is from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. She completed her OB/GYN residency at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital and is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist.
Leslie O'Connor, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Leslie O’Connor joined Affinia Healthcare in 2019 and was promoted to CFO in 2022.
In this role, she is responsible for $47 million budget and operations of accounting/finance, accounts payable, payroll, billing and reimbursements. O'Connor directs the organization’s financial affairs, government reporting and accounting practices and its relationship with lending institutions and grant funding sources. Her previous experience includes work with KPMG, Forest Pharmaceuticals, and SIHF Healthcare.
In this role, she is responsible for $47 million budget and operations of accounting/finance, accounts payable, payroll, billing and reimbursements. O'Connor directs the organization’s financial affairs, government reporting and accounting practices and its relationship with lending institutions and grant funding sources. Her previous experience includes work with KPMG, Forest Pharmaceuticals, and SIHF Healthcare.
Takisha Lovelace
VP/Chief Operating Officer
Prior to joining Affinia Healthcare, Takisha Lovelace served as Executive Director for a major healthcare system in the St. Louis area. In her prior management roles, she served as director of operations in a community health organization and university school of medicine. She has also served as an administrative officer for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Lovelace earned her master’s degree from Webster University in St. Louis, and her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. Lovelace is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Lovelace earned her master’s degree from Webster University in St. Louis, and her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. Lovelace is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Yvonne Buhlinger
VP, Community Relations and Development
Yvonne Buhlinger joined Affinia Healthcare in 1996 and has served in a variety roles during her tenure. In November 2015, she welcomed a new charge as vice president of development and community relations. Under the auspices of Affinia Healthcare, Mrs. Buhlinger established a new organization, the Affinia Healthcare Foundation, with a separate Board of Directors, charged with meeting the fundraising goals and related needs of Affinia Healthcare. In August 2018, Yvonne assumed the role of Executive Vice President for the Affinia Healthcare Foundation.
Steven Harmon, Esq.
VP, Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion, Compliance
As a former Law Enforcement Commander for over 20 years, a licensed Attorney, former prosecutor, and In-House Counsel to the St. Louis Public Schools, Steve has a wealth of knowledge and experience in dealing with legal and compliance issues, board governance, and criminal justice and procedures.
Steve also serves on the Missouri Supreme Court’s Discipline Committee, a Delegate on behalf of the State of Missouri to the American Bar Association, as well as the Immediate Past President of the Mound City Bar Association.
Steve is currently on the faculty of Lindenwood University where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. He is active in several community organizations including 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and Board of Directors of the Annie Malone Children’s and Family Services.
Steve also serves on the Missouri Supreme Court’s Discipline Committee, a Delegate on behalf of the State of Missouri to the American Bar Association, as well as the Immediate Past President of the Mound City Bar Association.
Steve is currently on the faculty of Lindenwood University where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. He is active in several community organizations including 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and Board of Directors of the Annie Malone Children’s and Family Services.
Board of Directors
David Walters
Board Chair
Wendy Todd
Vice Chair
Jean Frazee
Treasurer
Gilbert Peoples
Secretary
Kimball McMullin
Immediate Past Chair
Consumer Board Members
David Walters
Wendy Todd
Elizabeth Coleman
Nathan Cromwell
Tondaleria Curry
Debra Leonard
Lavonne McClain
Gilbert Peoples
General Advisors
Mitch Baris
Regina Everett
Kevin Hachegechog
Georgia Harris
Anthony Huckleberry
Vickie Lomax
Kimball McMullin
Laurel Tinsley
At-Large Members
Joan D’Ambrose
Harry Dengler
Araceli Escalante-Gudino
Shawntelle Fisher
Jean Frazee
Robert Jacobson
Jorge Orozco
Ex-Officio
The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson
Dr. Kendra Holmes
Senior Leadership Team
Senior Administration
Kendra Holmes, RPh, PharmD
President & CEO
President & CEO
Melissa Tepe, MD, MPH
VP & Chief Medical Officer
VP & Chief Medical Officer
Leslie O'Connor, CPA
CFO
CFO
Takisha Lovelace
VP and Chief Operating Officer
VP and Chief Operating Officer
Yvonne Buhlinger
VP, Community Relations and Development
VP, Community Relations and Development
Steven Harmon, Esq.
VP, Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion, Compliance
VP, Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion, Compliance
Sonia Deal, RN, MSN/MHSA, CHCEF, PCMH CCE
VP, Community Health and Engagement
VP, Community Health and Engagement
Board of Directors
Kimball McMullin
Board Chair
David Walters
Vice Chair
Jean Frazee
Treasurer
Paula Davis
Secretary
Laurel Tinsley
Immediate Past Chair
Board Members
Mitchell Baris
Riisa Rawlins-Easley
Araceli Escalante-Gudino
Harry Dengler
Robert Jacobson
Duane Tolen
Consumer Board Members
Elizabeth Coleman
Kevin Hachegechog
Georgia Harris
Gwendolyn Hall
Tondaleria Curry
Debra Leonard
General Advisors
Dr. Ebony Boyce Carter
Joan D’Ambrose
James Lippert
Vickie Lomax
William Van Luven
Regina Everett
Gilbert Peoples
Ex-Officio
The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson
Dr. Alan O. Freeman, FACHE
Our Locations
We provide trusted health services through highly qualified and dedicated professionals. Find the Affinia Healthcare location near you.