Meet the Board of Directors
Lidia Vinales, Founder & president
"Uniqueness Is You" (UIY) Foundation was founded by Lidia Vinales in 2022 to cultivate her lifelong passion to make a difference in the lives of young girls. A native Detroiter, and a Detroit Public Schools graduate, Lidia has maintained her passion for helping Detroit's youth and changing their lives for the better since her days at Pershing High School. She is a wife and a proud mother of two sons, and she has owned and operated a successful cosmetology business in metro Detroit for over 30 years. In addition, she has mentored many young stylists through her salons and groomed some of Detroit"s best!
Additionally, Lidia is a college graduate, an accomplished author a certified Life Coach. She is on a quest to help disadvantaged young girls gain confidence and reach their full potential in life! To that end, UIY Foundation's programing will be focused on the areas of combating bullying, body shaming, social media pressure, and other challenges that our young girls face today. UIY will also focus programming on determining career paths, mentoring aspiring young entrepreneurs, and refining basic life skills such as personal grooming and self-esteem building; all with the purpose of improving the overall mental health, emotional health and approach to life's challenges.
Kendal Vinales, Vice President
Kendal Vinales is an ambitious individual. He spends much of his free time reading personal development books, boxing, and writing books. He is currently making a career transition into medical sales, aiming to work for a top company and become a high performer. Before breaking into the medical device industry, he spent time trucking. In his three years of trucking, he traveled to all the inland states, gained invaluable experiences, and expanded into a million-dollar logistics company. Aside from trucking, he also built and monetized a large following using social media. These are just some tiny highlights of Kendal Vinales's life, but the biggest highlight is his drive to build wealth for the next generation and break generational curses
Leeana Vinales, Treasurer
Leeana Vinales is the treasurer for the Uniqueness is You Foundation. Leeana is a native Detroiter who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology. She has worked in Information Technology for the last 15 years and has had various roles throughout such as System Administrator, Application developer, Cyber Security Analyst, and IT Auditor.She is the proud mother of twin sons and is passionate about supporting the growth of our youth from children into leaders of tomorrow.
Tauresa Brunson-Brown, Secretary
Tauresa R. Brunson-Brown is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with Option in Community Development. Tauresa has over 10 years experience in healthcare, clinical and non-clinical. She is currently pursuing a secondary bachelors in Nursing at Davenport University. Tauresa is a mom, a wife and a mentor to young women who have worked under her leadership at various hospitals in Michigan. She believes strongly in pouring into young girls of the future generation and helping them reach new heights.
Desiree Williams, Board Member
Desiree Williams is a serial entrepreneur with over 2 decades of experience in the intricacies of people management. Most recently, as part owner of a major medical practice in the Southfield area for 17 yrs. Her leadership abilities, drive, and determination fuel her desire to make this world a better place for young men and women. Children are her passion. Her goal is to inform, inspire and encourage the next generation through humanitarian efforts and volunteerism. Outside work, you may find her reading in a quiet corner, singing gospel and R&B, or spending time with her husband of 37yrs, her children, and grandchildren.
Edith L. Combs, Board Member
Edith L. Combs, DNP, RN, is a Nurse Manager for Women's Health Services at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan. Edith has over 20 years of experience in obstetrics and gynecology, focusing on the clinical areas of Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, High-Risk Antepartum, Normal Newborn, and Women's Health. She is an active member of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) in the state of Michigan, and Edith was a member of the 2019-2020 Public Policy committee for AWHONN. She has served on I-AIM2019-2021 and is currently serving on a Maternal Health Expert Advisory Group for Raising the Bar. Edith was selected to serve as an Emerging Leader for AWHONN in 2013, where she presented the Benefits of Group Prenatal Care. She's trained as a Healthcare Equity Ambassador through the Henry Ford Health System. She actively promotes healthcare equity and the awareness of disparities in the ambulatory setting. Edith is a passionate advocate of addressing preterm birth, infant mortality, and maternal morbidity/mortality reduction. She is an adjunct clinical professor facilitating student learning in obstetrical nursing care, population health, and nursing leadership. Edith completed her Doctor of Nursing degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in April 2020. Edith is a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She loves spending time gardening and enjoying her two Yorkies.