Leadership

Board of Directors

The dedicated individuals who guide our mission to ensure every victim of violent crime is remembered with dignity.

Monica Plaid

President & Founder

Monica Plaid brings a unique blend of business expertise, compassion, and service to her work with families during some of life's most difficult moments. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Bradley University before beginning her career in the advertising industry. For several years, Monica worked on multi-million-dollar advertising accounts, developing strong skills in client relations, strategic planning, and communication. When the agency she loved eventually closed following years of industry downsizing, she took the opportunity to reflect on her future and discovered a deeper calling: helping others. Committed to finding meaningful work that aligned with her values, Monica approached her next chapter with purpose and intention. During that time, she became a top performer in a direct sales organization, earning numerous awards and incentive trips to destinations including Paris, Cancun, and the Caribbean. While exploring new opportunities, she accepted a position in the cemetery and funeral profession, where she quickly realized she had found her true passion. Over the next five years, Monica gained extensive experience serving families and guiding them through important end-of-life decisions. Her work included burial arrangements, memorial and headstone selection, cemetery pre-planning, and funeral prearrangement services. Through these experiences, she developed a deep understanding of the emotional and practical needs families face during times of loss. Driven by a lifelong dream of business ownership and a genuine desire to support others, Monica founded Grand Memorials in 2008. What began as a boutique memorial business grew from her commitment to providing personalized care, dignity, and exceptional service to every family she serves. Today, Monica continues to make a meaningful impact by helping families honor their loved ones with compassion, respect, kindness, and attention to detail. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside people during their time of need and finds great joy in creating lasting tributes that celebrate lives and preserve cherished memories.

Robii Bijou

Board Member

Robii Bijou is a graduate of Chicago State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts. A writer and director, she is deeply committed to storytelling and the transformative power of narrative to inspire reflection, healing, and social change. Passionate about driving social impact and fostering cultural enrichment, Robii uses storytelling as a tool to amplify voices and strengthen community. Her service on the Board of Remembering Those We Lost is both purposeful and personal. After losing her sister to gun violence, she understands firsthand the profound emotional impact violence leaves on families. That lived experience fuels her dedication to ensuring that families affected by violence are met with dignity, compassion, and tangible support. Through advocacy, creativity, and service, Robii remains committed to making a lasting impact within her community and beyond.

Louise Calloway

Board Member

Louise Calloway was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. From an early age she was grounded in faith, shaped by perseverance, and guided by deep love for family and community. Those foundations would later become the pillars of her life's work. Louise is a proud mother and devoted grandmother, lovingly known as “Gigi”. In December of 2011, Louise’s life changed forever when her only son was killed by senseless gun violence on the South Side of Chicago. Anthony was just 21 years old. The unimaginable pain of losing her son could have silenced her. Instead, it ignited a calling. From that tragedy, Louise made a sacred promise: Anthony’s life would not be remembered solely by how it ended, but by the love, purpose, and impact that would flow from his memory. She committed herself to telling her son’s story and standing beside other mothers and families who share the devastating experience of losing a loved one to violence. Through shared grief, she found strength-and through shared strength, she found purpose. Louise believes that real change in our communities begins not with policies alone, but with people. She believes transformation starts by reaching the heart by extending mercy, offering compassion, and choosing love even in the face of pain. Her heart’s desire is to lead the hurting toward healing and forgiveness through restorative practices, including healing circles and one-on-one coaching. After retiring from Cook County Sheriff’s Department following 33 years of dedicated service, Louise transitioned from law enforcement to restoration. During her distinguished career in law enforcement, she served as a trained crisis counselor responding to critical incidents within her department and throughout the community. She is a certified juvenile officer and served as an ambassador to Cook County’s first Restorative Justice Court. She is also a trained Restorative Justice Practitioner, committed to advancing approaches that repair harm and rebuild relationships. Today, Louise continues her advocacy and leadership as a board member of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Reimagine Justice Illinois, and Remembering Those We Lost. Through her lived experience and professional service, she has developed a profound compassion for both victims of violence and those who caused harm. She understands that healing communities requires accountability, humanity, and hope. Louise Calloway’s life is a testimony of faith, courage, and unwavering love. She carries her son’s legacy forward by creating spaces where pain can be spoken, stories can be honored, and healing can begin. Through restorative justice, mentorship, and community engagement, she is helping transform grief into grace-and tragedy into purpose.

William Hayes

Treasurer

William Hayes is a professional accountant who provides financial guidance to businesses and individuals since 1992. He works with for-profit and non-profit organizations as they navigate the challenges of audits, accounting, financial reporting, fiscal management, grant compliance, and tax preparation. William is very skilled in all areas of accounting as he received his Bachelors of Science degree from Florida A&M University's highly regarded School of Business and Industry. He also enhanced his financial management skills by obtaining a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Roosevelt University. William is recognized as a Certified Public Accountant by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also is recognized as a Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Controls Self-Assessor. These professional designations along with his educational background and work experience allows him to provide quality results on a timely basis. William has high integrity and excellent analytical skills that will assist the organization in meeting its financial management objectives.

Lashanda Howard

Board Member

LaShanda Howard is a dedicated community leader, mental health professional, law enforcement officer, and entrepreneur committed to restoring hope and strengthening families. With over 15 years of experience in social services and community engagement, she has devoted her career to bridging gaps between systems and the communities they serve. LaShanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Calumet College of St. Joseph. Her academic background, combined with hands-on experience, allows her to provide holistic, trauma-informed care to individuals and families. LaShanda serves as a Detective with the Chicago Police Department, where she works to build trust between law enforcement and the community. Since becoming a Detective, LaShanda has taken an active role in assisting families who have lost children and loved ones to gun violence. She provides compassionate support during some of their most devastating moments and partners with community organizations to connect families to vital resources, counseling services, and long-term support systems. Her work reflects her deep commitment to justice, healing, and community restoration. In addition to her law enforcement career, LaShanda provides therapeutic services in both Illinois and Indiana through her affiliations with A Beautiful Mind Inc. Mental Health Counseling Services and Awakening Counseling Center. She specializes in helping individuals and families become whole—mentally, physically, and spiritually—through counseling, mentorship, and empowerment strategies. LaShanda’s background also includes over a decade of experience as a General Contractor, along with leadership roles in family support, foster care youth, healthcare enrollment, and parent engagement initiatives across Chicago. Her work has included partnerships with hospitals, schools, shelters, and nonprofit organizations to ensure families have access to essential resources. A devoted wife and mother of three, LaShanda understands the importance of balance, resilience, and service. Whether mentoring young women, supporting families impacted by trauma, or advocating for community healing, she remains passionate about helping others discover their strength and purpose.

Pamela Jackson

Board Member

A native of Chicago, Pamela Jackson grew up in both the Englewood and Auburn-Gresham neighborhoods. Educated in Chicago Public Schools, and earning an Associate’s in Applied Sciences (Respiratory Therapy) from Chicago City Colleges and a Bachelor’s in Health Administration from Governors State University, she went on to work in health care for more than 25 years before changing careers to accounts receivable where she advanced to become Credit Manager at a leading wholesale distributor. Currently, she is a licensed insurance producer for over the past 7 years. She has been married to her husband Leon for 22 years. The couple’s son lost his life to violence in 2016. They have been assisting with rearing their two grandsons since the tragic loss of their son. Since 2005, the couple have been faithful members of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, serving on the Married Couples Ministry and Children’s Ministry.

Tremell "Mello" Williams

Board Member

Tremell Williams, better known as "Mello" has been a part of the fabric of the Chicago music industry for 10+ years. Starting his professional career as an artist manager/ promoter and social reform activist at the age of 18. Graduate of one of the best arts college in the world "Columbia College Chicago", where he was fortunate to share classes with current major culture shifters R&B star Jeremih, Chicago Hip-Hop underground legends "The Cool Kids", music production duo "Da Internz (Marcos "Kosine"), and more. Mello is currently a Forex trader, investor and consultant for artists, brands and entertainers. Mello's experience as an artist manager and former event promoter led him into the world of musical festivals & major events management. He is currently the production manager for The annual Firehouse Hip-Hop Block Party for Peace, owned by The Firehouse Community Arts Center (NFP) in the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago’ westside. He also had a long stint as the talent coordinator and production manager for Martin's International Foundation and their major events which include "African/Caribbean International Festival of Life" (IFOL), "The Chicago Music Awards", "The Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Fest" and The "International Reggae and World Music Awards" (IRAWMA), which is held in Florida by way of Kingston, Jamaica. As a social activist, Mello has contributed to many grassroots organizations and causes. Most notably is his leadership position in the "BLACK HEROES MATTER COALITION", which is the organization behind the push rename Chicago's most notable street Lake Shore Drive to "Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Drive"; in honor of the city's Haitian founding father in 2021.

Join us in this mission.

Remembering Those We Lost is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. If you are passionate about honoring victims of violent crime, we would love to hear from you.