As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Allies in Healing, Lizbeth Keiley leads a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving underserved communities across the Washington Metropolitan Area. Under her guidance, the organization provides educational scholarships and advances interfaith chaplaincy initiatives. Lizbeth’s vision centers on creating equitable spaces where faith, education, and community converge, fostering inclusion, affirming dignity, and ensuring underserved individuals have access to opportunities that nurture both their vocational and spiritual growth.

 Lizbeth Keiley brings to her role a distinguished career as an educator, published writer, and interfaith chaplain with 16 years of service in hospice, oncology, and palliative care. In her chaplaincy work, she provides comfort and guidance to patients, families, and staff navigating illness, bereavement, and life transitions. With a Ph.D. in English, and more than two decades in academia, Lizbeth taught English literature, first-year composition, creative writing, and American poetry at institutions including Lynn University, The College of William & Mary, and Elizabeth City State University (HBCU). As CEO of Allies in Healing, she drives organizational growth, oversees fundraising, and fosters partnerships with academic and faith-based institutions, ensuring that the nonprofit’s mission empowers underserved students with compassion, excellence, and vision.

 

Meet our Advisor, with over four decades of dedicated service, Reverend Dr. Juanita Pughsley has made a lasting impact through faith, community care, and mentorship. Ordained as an Elder in 1999, she leads as Pastor of Membership Care, supporting congregants and guiding new members in their spiritual journeys.

Her 40-year career as a pediatric physical therapist focused on assisting children and adults with differing abilities, and she has enriched her community further through volunteer work as a hospital chaplain, Special Olympics coach, and board member. Dr. Pughsley holds degrees spanning English literature, physical therapy, special education, and Practical Theology, and she is the author of Transforming the Lives of Special Needs Children: Embracing the Mission, Message and Ministry of Christ.