Our Team
Victoria Reese brathwaitE
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Victoria Reese Brathwaite is a nationally recognized patient advocate, health-equity strategist, award-winning entrepreneur, and visionary founder reshaping the future of healthcare through the power of lived experience. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012, Victoria transformed her personal journey into a national movement—one that centers Black women, amplifies patient voices, and challenges an industry that too often overlooks those most impacted.
As the Founder & President of We Are ILL, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to redefining what “sick” looks like for Black women, Victoria has built one of the most culturally grounded and influential patient communities in the health and wellness space. Wellness Week(end), an annual conference Victoria first envisioned for the organization, has become a nationally celebrated gathering for education, sisterhood, and collective healing.
Victoria’s advocacy has taken her to major global and national clinical stages. She has contributed her expertise across Europe — including delivering insights at world-leading MS meetings in Barcelona and Copenhagen, and serving on multiple advisory boards in Germany where she helps shape patient-centered strategy for international healthcare partners. Her perspective has also been featured at the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), where she has spoken on patient care gaps and delivered the keynote for the CMSC Mentorship Forum. Across every platform, Victoria bridges patients, clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders, making her one of the most sought-after voices in MS equity and community engagement being one of the most sought-after perspectives in MS equity and community engagement.
Victoria’s leadership extends into strategic consulting as CEO of Victor Group Creative — a healthcare marketing and communications agency shaping how brands authentically engage diverse communities. Through VGC’s core services in culturally conscious brand strategy, audience engagement, experiential programming, and narrative development, she advises organizations on embedding equity and lived experience into their work. She also facilitates the transformative Unleash Your Impact Workshop, guiding audiences to leverage their stories, resilience, and leadership to create meaningful change. Her expertise is sought by global pharmaceutical partners, where she speaks on representation in clinical trials and the power of patient storytelling in research and innovation — positioning her as an in-demand public speaker and industry thought leader.
Her influence has also reached wider audiences through national and local media. In 2024, Victoria appeared on The Sherri Shepherd Show, sharing her journey and raising visibility for Black women living with MS. She has also been featured on CBS News Detroit, Good Day Chicago, The Portia Show, and WXIA 11Alive Atlanta, further amplifying her advocacy and expertise. In March 2025, she was honored to ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell, a milestone recognizing her impact as a business leader, advocate, and change-maker.
Her excellence has earned her significant acclaim, including recognition as a Black Health Connect 40 Under 40 Honoree, the Impact Award for Patient Advocacy in Neurology, and the 2022 Inspiration Award from the National MS Society — each celebrating her leadership in MS representation and community equity. She is a proud graduate of Howard University and a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated — standing firmly within the legacy of transformative Black women leaders and community builders. Victoria is also a graduate of the MassMutual Diverse Business Program and Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business, and she continues to sharpen her leadership and communication skills as a member of Toastmasters International.
With her signature blend of truth-telling, storytelling, and strategic insight, Victoria inspires healthcare leaders, researchers, and communities to reimagine what equitable care looks like. Her mission is unwavering: to ensure that Black women are seen, heard, and valued — not as an afterthought, but as the standard.
Victoria Reese Brathwaite is not just part of the healthcare equity movement — she is one of its most powerful architects.
Ashley Ratcliff lundy
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Ashley M. Ratcliff is a business owner, bestselling author, communications professional, invisible illness advocate, and speaker who lives to tell stories in myriad formats.
Ashley joined We Are ILL in May 2022, and has since launched her enamel pin business, Poppy + Monarch. The company offers wearable flair for the chronically chill and their cherished ones, sparking confidence and conversation so you can be your whole self in style.
She began her career in print journalism after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she studied sociology and professional writing with an editing emphasis. Ashley previously spent nearly six years at Snap Inc. (Snapchat).
Ashley co-authored a collection of short stories titled Stories 4 Women, focusing on the beauty and diversity of the woman’s experience. The book earned an honorable mention in the Hollywood Book Festival.
Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in March 2018 ignited Ashley’s passion for supporting and uplifting Black women living with MS and other chronic illnesses. Noticing the dearth of representation of Black women and the lack of information for newly diagnosed patients, Ashley wrote Jesus Year, a self-help memoir that caters to both segments of MS patients.
Publishing Jesus Year — her first solo book — during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of Ashley’s proudest achievements. The book became a bestseller on Amazon in April 2021, and she released the audiobook version, which she narrated, in December 2021 on the anniversary of the print release.
Ashley Ratcliff Lundy’s Website
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lianca lyons
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Lianca, who joined We Are ILL as an executive assistant in 2022, serves as our Director of Operations. She is committed to helping small businesses grow. Over the past 15 years, she’s assisted every type of CEO imaginable from large corporations to tech startups, always providing solutions, not excuses. She also doubles as a professional problem solver, a strategic partner with critical thinking, and a caring and trusted confidant. In 2013, she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II and her purpose since the day of her diagnosis has been: “I Vocalize to Normalize and Destigmatize.” Her TEDx Talk, Bipolar: A Gift from God, details her mental health journey and has over 25k views. She actively shares her story in an effort to further de-stigmatize mental illness and to normalize what it looks like to actively manage your mental health.
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Nicole jones
PROJECT MANAGER
Nicole Jones is a remarkable figure in the world of project management and entrepreneurship, known for her strategic prowess, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. She supports We Are ILL as our Project Manager. As the CEO of The PM Suite, a premier consultancy specializing in project management solutions, Nicole has carved a niche for herself as a trusted advisor and a driving force behind business success.
Nicole’s journey to entrepreneurship is marked by a decade-long tenure in corporate project management, where she honed her skills and expertise across diverse industries, including fintech and marketing. Throughout her illustrious career, she held leadership positions at prominent corporations such as Equifax and Truist, where she spearheaded initiatives, optimized processes, and delivered outstanding results. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and drive innovation made her a respected figure in the field, earning her accolades and recognition from peers and colleagues alike.
With a Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgia State University, Nicole’s educational background might seem unconventional for a career in project management. However, it is a testament to her versatility and her ability to leverage her skills and knowledge across disciplines.
In 2021, Nicole made a bold decision, after over a decade in corporate project management, to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, launching The PM Suite — a consultancy aimed at assisting entrepreneurs in establishing structure and strategy for their businesses. Fueled by her entrepreneurial spirit and guided by her commitment to excellence, Nicole embraced the challenge with determination and foresight.
As a wife and mother, Nicole understands the importance of work-life balance and prioritizes family alongside her professional pursuits. Nicole’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and strategic vision. With her unwavering commitment to excellence and her relentless pursuit of innovation, Nicole continues to inspire others to dream big, take risks, and rewrite the rules of success.
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