Our Board

Members

PRASAD MENON

Bayou Microfund Founder Prasad Menon is a serial entrepreneur and formerly a ship’s captain in the Merchant Marine. He went to business school in the UK and came to Houston in 1979. While in Houston, he overcame adverse job circumstances to start his own business. Over the years, he has created several successful businesses ranging from ship operations to health foods. Prasad is a founding charter member of TiE Houston (TiE.org) and is passionate about many charities. This is his first venture into social entrepreneurship. He and his wife Amrita live in Houston and Los Angeles, dividing their time between the two cities.

PAT ROBERTSON

Pat Robertson is the CEO – Founder of The Mint Private Client Group PLLC.  He was born in Savannah, Georgia. Pat and his wife Fran moved to Houston in August of 1987 and have been residents of the Woodlands since 1988. Robertson has an extensive financial services background rooted in his family history. His father and mother both worked for a community bank in Savannah Georgia and his three older brothers also work in financial services, this led Robertson to earn a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree from Georgia Southern College in June of 1982. Robertson has over thirty-five years-experience and an impressive resume as an insurance and wealth management consultant. His business Mint Private Client Group PLLC offers a variety of financial products and services to assist clients with financial needs. He believes in quality, integrity, service, and long-term relationships.

PETER WORKIN

Peter Workin is practicing attorney in Houston, Texas.  Mr. Workin’s areas of practice include business law and estate planning. Mr. Workin is Board Certified in Taxation by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Bernice Justine Koko

Bernice, a servant who is always willing to lend a helping hand, is the proud wife to a US Army Veteran and mother to three beautiful children.

She has more than 20 years’ experience of community service and a passion for helping others. Originally from Ivory Coast, Africa, Bernice was a successful business woman engaged in the battle against poverty. To her, “being born poor isn’t a choice, but dying poor is a choice.” Prior to relocating to the U.S., she led and encouraged women to stand against poverty through the “Galia Foundation,” a nonprofit organization she founded in 2001, that supported and financed small businesses and projects for women.

When Bernice relocated to Houston, Texas in 2003 with her husband, she quickly became active at her local church, where she continues to occupy several positions, serving women and children. Working with the church allowed Bernice to learn about community health issues and the struggles of immigrant women in the Houston area. With that knowledge coupled with two Kiva loans and Bayou Microfund’s support, she founded United Health Partners, a social impact organization dedicated to providing health and wellness services at a low cost to people in need.

Bernice’s diverse background in serving the less privileged community has enabled her to respond to people and their urgent healthy living needs. She has successfully developed sustainable health programs in Houston for women and their children. And the mission continues; Bernice’s heart and arms are always open, and she is ready and willing to give a smile and hope. Click here to learn more about Bernice’s business journey with Bayou Microfund. 

HANNAH BARKER

Hannah has spent over a decade working as a professional fundraiser for Houston-area nonprofits. Through her work in healthcare, higher education, and human services, she has experience in major gift fundraising, strategy, and nonprofit board management. She currently serves as Lead Philanthropy Advisor for Texas Children’s Hospital and has previously held fundraising roles with the University of Houston and Baylor College of Medicine.

Hannah has a passion for cultivating meaningful relationships between people and the missions and causes they care about. Hannah brings this enthusiasm and expertise to Bayou Microfund to support the growth of the organization and the opportunities for Houston-area entrepreneurs.