Isla Medical Foundation Staff
At Isla Medical Foundation, our team is the heart of everything we do. We are a diverse group of healthcare professionals, volunteers, and advocates who are united by a shared commitment to providing access to quality healthcare in underserved communities.
Founding Director
Melissa Oliver, CCP, EMT is the Founding Director of Isla Medical Foundation and a Cardiovascular Perfusionist at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She is also the founder of Reel Medical Consulting, where she is the lead medical technical advisor for television and movies.
Executive Director
Ashley S. Humston, L.Ac, MTOM is the Executive Director of Isla Medical Foundation–managing daily operations, accounting, and administrative duties. She is also a Practitioner of Eastern Medicine and a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of California.
Technical Director
Cody Humston
William “Cody” Humston is the Technical Director for Isla Medical Foundation–managing web development, branding, and social media presence. Cody is also the Director of Marketing and Technology for the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a non-profit organization and school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, California, and a volunteer for the Detroit, Michigan-based non-profit, Passenger Recovery.
Legal Officer
Brittany Takai, Esq., MBA is the Legal Officer for Isla Medical Foundation, providing legal advice and counsel, as well as operational support. Brittany received a Bachelors Degree in Economics from UCLA. She then went on to receive her Juris Doctor Degree from Pepperdine School of Law and her MBA from Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business & Management. Brittany has helped teams with strategic planning and growth and currently works as the Chief of Staff for health and wellness company, Four Sigmatic.
Marketing Officer
Rod Oliver, MBA is the Marketing Officer for Isla Medical Foundation, providing marketing and communications support to drive reach and awareness. A graduate of The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, Rod received his MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business & Management where he focused on Advanced Strategy; Social, Environmental, and Ethical Responsibility. Rod is currently the Global Director of Integrated Marketing at the consumer goods conglomerate, Henkel.
Marketing Director
Mike Cowan
Mike Cowan is the Marketing Director for Isla Medical Foundation–managing online engagement, fundraising, and partnership opportunities. He was previously the Chief Digital Officer at Nitro Circus, a global action sports media and touring brand. Mike oversaw the creation and management of Nitro Circus’ digital products, platforms, partnerships, content distribution, and the growth of Nitro’s global social footprint.
Volunteer Staff
Executive Director
Melissa Oliver, CCP, EMT is the Founding Director of Isla Medical Foundation and a Cardiovascular Perfusionist at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She is also the founder of Reel Medical Consulting, where she is the lead medical technical advisor for television and movies.
Administrative Director
Ashley S. Humston, L.Ac, MTOM is the Executive Director of Isla Medical Foundation–managing daily operations, accounting, and administrative duties. She is also a Practitioner of Eastern Medicine and a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of California.
Technical Consulant
William “Cody” Humston is the Technical Director for Isla Medical Foundation–managing web development, branding, and social media presence. Cody is also the Director of Marketing and Technology for the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a non-profit organization and school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, California, and a volunteer for the Detroit, Michigan-based non-profit, Passenger Recovery.
Board of Directors
Board President and Co-Founder
Treasurer of the Board and Co-Founder
Secretary of the Board
Board Member
Emeritus Board Member & Co-Founder
Meet the Hearts Behind Our Mission
Passionate professionals driving healthier communities.
Mel Oliver
Founding Director
Melissa Oliver, CCP, EMT is the Founding Director of Isla Medical Foundation and a Cardiovascular Perfusionist at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She is also the founder of Reel Medical Consulting, where she is the lead consultant for television and movies.
Mel received a degree in Circulation Technology from the School of Allied Medicine at The Ohio State University and recently finished the EMT program at the UCLA School of Pre-Hospital Care.
She found her passion for non-profit work in 2007 when volunteering for her first pediatric cardiac surgical mission in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with Mending Kids. Since then, she has become an active leader there and with other organizations, including CardioStart International, Surfer’s Medical Association, Waves for Water, and Life Rolls On.
In addition to volunteer work, Mel’s hobbies include surfing, volleyball, and traveling. In 2017, these hobbies motivated her to visit family and take a surf trip to the Philippines. She and her friends visited Siargao Island, and she loved it so much that she started visiting there annually. During these trips, she was inspired to use her skills and affinity for volunteering to collaborate with like-minded people to form Isla Medical Foundation.
Cody Humston
Technical Director
William “Cody” Humston is the Technical Director for Isla Medical Foundation–managing web development, branding, and social media presence. Cody is also the Director of Marketing and Technology for the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a non-profit organization and school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, California, and a volunteer for the Detroit, Michigan-based non-profit, Passenger Recovery.
Cody has been working in web development and marketing since 2000, and has degrees in Journalism and Women’s Studies from San Francisco State University.
In addition to his non-profit and volunteer work, he is an accomplished writer, editor, and former journalist. His online music magazine, Making Out Like Bandits, ran from 2009-2016.
Cody lives with his wife, his son, and three crazy dogs in Cincinnati, Ohio. In his spare time, he collects vintage cowboy boots, vinyl, and oddly-specific t-shirts.
Ashley Humston
Executive Director
Ashley S. Humston, L.Ac, MTOM is the Executive Director of Isla Medical Foundation–managing daily operations, accounting, and administrative duties. She is also a Practitioner of Eastern Medicine and a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of California.
She received her Masters Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Emperor’s College in 2014 and her Bachelors Degree in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University in 2005. Ashley holds certificates in Clean Needle Technique and Wilderness Acute Care and Emergency Skills. She is “BLS Provider and Heart Saver First Aid” certified by The American Heart Association.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys travel, yoga, live music, and anything outdoors.
Brittany Takai
Legal Officer
Brittany Takai, Esq., MBA is the Legal Officer for Isla Medical Foundation, providing legal advice and counsel, as well as operational support. Brittany received a Bachelors Degree in Economics from UCLA. She then went on to receive her Juris Doctor Degree from Pepperdine School of Law and her MBA from Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business & Management. Brittany has helped teams with strategic planning and growth and currently works as the Chief of Staff for health and wellness company, Four Sigmatic.
Rod Oliver
Marketing Officer
Rod Oliver, MBA is the Marketing Officer for Isla Medical Foundation, providing marketing and communications support to drive reach and awareness. A graduate of The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, Rod received his MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business & Management where he focused on Advanced Strategy; Social, Environmental, and Ethical Responsibility. Rod is currently the Global Director of Integrated Marketing at the consumer goods conglomerate, Henkel.
Mike Cowan
Marketing Director
Mike Cowan is the Marketing Director for Isla Medical Foundation–managing online engagement, fundraising, and partnership opportunities. He was previously the Chief Digital Officer at Nitro Circus, a global action sports media and touring brand. Mike oversaw the creation and management of Nitro Circus’ digital products, platforms, partnerships, content distribution, and the growth of Nitro’s global social footprint.
Prior to Nitro Circus, Mike was Vice President of Operations and Production at Demand Media where he was responsible for the development, production, and marketing of premium content at one of the world’s largest web properties. Mike also ran marketing for the world’s largest digital content studio at the time, Demand Studios. He spent a total of 6 years at Demand, seeing the company through its initial startup phase to eventual listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Prior to Demand, Mike oversaw business development and partnerships for Yahoo! Entertainment and the Membership Rewards program for American Express Canada.
Mike holds an MBA at the Anderson School of Business at UCLA and a Bachelor of Commerce at Queen’s University in Canada.
Siargao Island and the Philippines hold a special place in his heart, having visited on multiple occasions and having asked his fiancée to marry him just off the shores of Cloud 9.