Meet The Executive Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
NDAA President
Angela Bowens, BA, MPA
Angela Bowens received her first undergraduate degree in Political Science with a pre-law concentration from Albany State University. She earned her second bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and her Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Walden University. After receiving her master’s degree, she married Jeffrey Bowens and started a family with their children, Jaquantey and A’Lyrika. During this time, she joined her family’s dental practice, where she is a part owner and has managed the practice for over twenty-six years. Through this experience, she has developed a strong understanding of the dental industry. Angela began her career in the dental field as a Practice Administrator, where she marketed the practice, researched insurance plans, contracted business associates, trained employees, and networked with various providers, groups, and organizations to identify new opportunities for financial growth. She also built strong relationships with clients, assisted them with their financial needs, and prepared treatment payment plans by offering financing options. Utilizing her established professional connections, Angela remains actively involved in numerous dental associations and regularly participates in industry events. She served as President of the National Dental Assistants’ Association (NDAA) from 2012 to 2020 and is a dental professional member of the National Dental Association (NDA). She has been an active member of the NDAA since 1999, serving in multiple leadership roles, including Editor, Treasurer, Vice President, President-Elect, and President. Angela is dedicated to helping dental professionals gain a better understanding of managed care. She is also the Founder and CEO of ATBVacation, a company she established from her passion for travel. The company operates through her website, atbvacation.com. In addition, Angela is a lifetime member of Jack and Jill of America, Indianapolis Chapter, and a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis Chapter. Through these organizations, she has served in several leadership roles, including Corresponding Secretary, Teen Group Lead Advisor, Community Service Coordinator, Board-at-Large member, Health Committee Chair, and she currently serves on the National Health Committee. In these roles, she supports women and girls in underserved communities by providing programs such as health fairs and health symposiums focused on preventive dental care, reducing metabolic syndrome, weight loss, heart disease, and mental health awareness. Angela enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and praising the Lord, keeping God first, followed by her family and then her career.
NDAA President-Elect
Joelle Mills, BS
Joelle Mills, NDAA President-Elect is from Houston, TX and attended Dillard University before graduating from Texas Southern University where she received her B.S. in Communications (Radio, Television, Film). She has attended NDAA conferences since a young child with her father. Joelle has worked with her dad, Joe. J. Mills, D.D.S. at Mills Dental Care Center since 2007. In 2019, Joelle was elected to serve as Secretary of NDAA. She decided it was time to serve the organization that she has been apart of for so many years, it was time to be a voice. She enjoys serving in office to be apart of change. Joelle is also proud owner/ founder of iKan
Outreach.
NDAA Vice President
Gracie Hightower, CDA, RDA, BS, MA
Gracie P. Hightower, CDA, RDA, BS, MA, is a nationally respected leader in dental assisting education and professional advocacy with decades of service to the profession. She served as President of the National Dental Assistants Association (NDAA) from 1972 to 1974 and currently holds the position of Vice President of the NDAA, reflecting her enduring commitment to organizational leadership and advancement of dental assisting nationwide. Over the course of her distinguished career, she has also served in numerous executive and governance roles within the NDAA, including President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Convention Chair, contributing significantly to professional standards, continuing education, and national collaboration within the field. Complementing this legacy of leadership, Lawrence W. Coffee, DDS, offers extensive experience spanning clinical practice, higher education, and secondary education. His professional journey includes service as a chairside dental assistant and receptionist, followed by leadership as Director and Educator of the Dental Assistant Program at Shaw College in Detroit. He later served as a professor within the Wayne County Community College District, teaching in both the Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene programs, where he played a key role in preparing future healthcare professionals. Additionally, Dr. Coffee dedicated years of service to Detroit Public Schools, teaching in special education at the high school level, instructing nursing assistant students, and teaching biology, integrated natural science, and introduction to physical science in regular high school settings. Dr. Coffee retired in August 2009, leaving behind a lasting impact on students, educators, and the dental community through his commitment to education, mentorship, and professional excellence.
NDAA Secretary
Sherry Madison, RDA
Sherry A. Madison serves as Secretary of the National Dental Assistants Association (NDAA). She is a Registered Dental Assistant with over twenty-two years of experience in private practice under the leadership of Dr. Esther M. Beeks. Sherry has been married for twenty-six years and is the proud mother of three children. Known for her warm, outgoing personality and positive outlook, she values connection, professionalism, and service within the dental community. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys Hallmark programming, which she considers her personal place of relaxation and inspiration. Sherry looks forward to continuing to support the NDAA mission while connecting with both longtime colleagues and new members.
NDAA House of Delegates Representative
Claire Franklin, RDA
Claire was born in Barbados, W.I, and immigrated to the United States where she would find her way to Brooklyn, N.Y. It was here where she would find love, get married, and have her only son Chieftain Watson. Claire would study cosmetology which would fuel her passion to improve the lives of others through her own infectious smile. She would eventually focus her passion and shift her a career to dentistry landing her a job with Dr. Norman Cranin, a true pioneer and trailblazer in the field of cosmetic implants. It was here that Claire would understand the need for Unity and join the NDAA. After serving a long tenure with Dr. Cranin, Claire took a position with Dr. Edward Tolkoff in New York, NY handling not just the daily operations of the practice but serving as Dr. Tolkoff's lead assistant for many years. The next phase of Claire's career would take her to Jamaica Hospital in Queens NY. Where she also worked as a dental assistant. Then to Brooksdale Hospital in Brooklyn where she retired. Although retired, Claire is still heavily involved in the operations of NDAA and was asked to serve as the Representative of the House of Delegates, a position in which she holds as high regards and proudly serves.
