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Meet Our Team

Our Leadership Team and Board of Directors are dedicated to serving the Cincinnati Region’s international community members. It’s about people and passion.

Leadership

Working diligently to advance our mission

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Bryan Wright

Executive Director

Bryan is a dedicated connector and collaborator committed to inclusion, equity, and community building. His work focuses on creating a more… Read More

Contact Info

bryan​@cincinnaticompass.org
513-579-3123
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Jane Muindi headshot

Jane Muindi

Program Director

Jane is a community leader and program strategist dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, civic engagement, and inclusive community development. Her work focuses on…  Read More

Contact Info

connect@cincinnaticompass.org
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Board of Directors

Meet the Cincinnati Compass Board of Directors

Mayor Aftab Pureval headshot

Mayor Aftab Pureval

Mayor, City of Cincinnati

Aftab Pureval is the 70th Mayor of Cincinnati. He was raised in Southwest, Ohio, the son of first-generation Americans. He is making history as Cincinnati’s first Asian… Read More

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Felicity Tao

Board Chair

Felicity Tao is a marketing and communications executive with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations strengthen their brands, engage stakeholders, and drive growth… Read More

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Shakila Ahmad

Immediate Past Board Chair

Shakila T. Ahmad is a nationally recognized community leader, bridge-builder, and advocate for inclusion with more than 30 years of experience fostering understanding across diverse… Read More

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Shazafar Khaja headshot

Shazafar Khaja

The Kroger Co.

Shazafar Khaja was born and raised in India and migrated to the USA and earned a dual master’s in computer engineering and Bio-Medical Engineering… Read More

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Tom Fernandez

Elevar Design Group

Tom Fernandez is CEO of Elevar Design Group, and he driving force behind the company’s innovative and creative design solutions. He is responsible for directing projects and facilitating… Read More

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Chrisopher Che headshot

Christopher Che

Che International Group, LLC

Christopher Che is President and CEO of the Che International Group, LLC (CIG), which he founded in 2005. CIG is a multi-national holding company that identifies, acquires, supports… Read More

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Jason Dunn

National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

Jason Dunn has been a change maker in Cincinnati and within the national hospitality industry for almost two decades, with a drive to… Read More

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Mahendra Vora

Vora Ventures

Mahendra Vora is a veteran entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience leading the growth of large, cutting-edge software initiatives. He has co-founded many hi-tech startups and… Read More

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Gustavo León

524ever LLC;
Procter & Gamble (Retired)

Gustavo was born and raised in Mexico, where he studied Industrial Engineering and joined P&G in Product Supply Manufacturing in 1990… Read More

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Chukwuma (Chuma) Ekwueme headshot

Chukwuma (Chuma) Ekwueme

SURE Mechanical

Chukwuma “Chuma” Ekwueme fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur when he founded SURE Mechanical. A certified… Read More

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Brendon Cull

Cincinnati Regional Chamber

Brendon Cull is the President & CEO of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, where he also previously served as COO, Executive Vice President, and Chief Strategy… Read More

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Brendon Cull

Cincinnati Regional Chamber

Brendon Cull is the President & CEO of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, where he also previously served as COO, Executive Vice President, and Chief Strategy Officer. In his leadership roles, he has guided enterprise-wide efforts spanning public policy, government relations, talent strategy, and marketing, helping position the Chamber as a leading voice for regional growth and collaboration.

He has led major regional initiatives, including the development of the Chamber’s transportation strategy, which helped secure a successful $2 million ballot initiative to increase transportation funding. He also managed fundraising and production for BLINK, a $5 million public art and light festival that became one of the largest public events in Cincinnati’s history.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Brendon spent a decade leading Government Affairs for The Kroger Co., where he advised senior executives and the board on key policy and political issues. His work contributed to major policy wins across multiple states, including efforts related to pension reform, food safety, corporate social responsibility, and the legalization of wine sales in grocery stores. Earlier in his career, he served as Legislative Director and Press Secretary for Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken.

Brendon serves on numerous boards and civic organizations, including the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), the Mercantile Library (where he is Board President), ArtsWave, Visit Cincy, Cincinnati Compass, Xavier University’s Williams College of Business, and Clifton Town Meeting. He is also engaged in advisory and volunteer roles with organizations such as United Way, the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Crown Cincinnati, and Tender Mercies.

He is a graduate of Xavier University with a degree in Organizational Communication and has completed Leadership Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Chamber’s Building Cultural Competence program. Outside of his professional work, Brendon is an avid reader, runner, cyclist, and live music enthusiast, and he is married with two daughters.

Gustavo León

Procter & Gamble

Gustavo was born and raised in Mexico, where he studied Industrial Engineering and joined P&G in Product Supply Manufacturing in 1990. In his 33 yrs career at P&G, he has worked in very diverse assignments in Manufacturing Sites and Human Resources in Mexico, Brazil, United States and Panama, always leading significant transformation of various Market Organizations, Global Business Units, Global Business Services and Corporate Human Resources Practices. He currently is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the Global Baby Care, Feminine Care and Family Care Products Sector.

Gustavo came to Cincinnati for the first time more than 20 yrs ago with his wife and three kids and made Mason Ohio the place his family call home and always came back to after each international assignment.

Gustavo is an advocate for Equality and Inclusion and is passionate about service to others, actively volunteering and collaborating over the years with many organizations such as Su Casa Hispanic Center of Cincinnati, LULAC, & LNESC (Hispanics in US), and Casa Esperanza in Panama to stop children labor and offer development opportunities. He currently sponsors the Hispanic Community programs at P&G.

 
Shazafar Khaja headshot

Shazafar Khaja

The Kroger Co.

Shazafar Khaja was born and raised in India and migrated to the USA and earned a dual master’s in computer engineering and Bio-Medical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. As the Director of Software Development at Total Quality Logistics he lead the Business Integrations team at TQL. He is currently the Sr. Adv Software Engineering Manager at The Kroger Co.

When not at his day job, Shazafar loves to use technology to solve social and communal challenges. He is a certified educator and loves teaching K-8 students about technology and conducts coding and robotics bootcamps. He also serves as the Chief Technologist and the board of trustees, and Executive Board for the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and the Board of the IT Leadership Forum at NKU.

Shazafar has lived in the greater Cincinnati area since 2009, and currently resides in Mason with his wife Nasreen, and 3 children.

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Felicity Tao

daoflo

Felicity Tao is a marketing and communications executive with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations strengthen their brands, engage stakeholders, and drive growth across the nonprofit, technology, telecommunications, and biotech sectors.

She led the brand transformation of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, helping establish it as one of the region’s most recognized nonprofits through strategic storytelling, community engagement, and data-driven communications. Prior to GCF, she directed branding, content, and digital marketing initiatives at Cincinnati Bell and held leadership roles in the biotech industry, including helping DNA Diagnostics Center become the leading brand in private genetic testing, capturing more than 50% market share.

Felicity’s expertise spans brand strategy, digital transformation, marketing technology, social media, content development, and stakeholder engagement. She combines strategic vision, creativity, and technical fluency to help organizations turn ideas into measurable impact.

A passionate community leader, Felicity is the founder and former chair of the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Cultural Exchange Association and has served on the board of the Greater Cincinnati Chinese School. Her work is driven by a commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding, strengthening communities, and amplifying diverse voices.

Felicity holds a bachelor’s degree in English and International Relations from China Foreign Affairs University and a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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Gerardo Calvo Logroño

Yuxi Global

Gerardo was born and raised in Spain, where he studied Telecommunications Engineering. He has a background in innovation and special projects at worldwide leading IoT providers. Gerardo earned an Erasmus scholarship and finished his masters in Sweden, where he lived for a year. He always loved the mix of business and engineering and a family friend suggested he should do an MBA at Xavier University, so he packed his bags and, after looking at a map to see where Cincinnati was, he came here. Halfway through, he got a job at a local company, met his now wife, and started developing roots in this community.

Most recently, Gerado has been pushing the global expansion and business segmentation of Yuxi Global as its General Manager and now Chief Growth Officer. Yuxi Global is an international software development firm with offices in the US and Latin America. The company specializes in helping customers navigate their digital transformation journey by providing new and tailored customer experiences through engaging UX/UI designs, the latest hybrid and native technologies, and an end-to-end delivery model.

Chukwuma (Chuma) Ekwueme headshot

Chukwuma (Chuma) Ekwueme

SURE Mechanical

Chukwuma “Chuma” Ekwueme fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur when he founded SURE Mechanical. A certified minority-owned (MBE) mechanical firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio. SURE Mechanical provides HVAC/Mechanical design, fabrication and installation services for educational, government and private organizations. Chuma earned a Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering from his native country of Nigeria and a Masters of Engineering from University of Cincinnati. He began his career with a mechanical service company, where he was part of a team that provided maintenance and trouble-shooting for chillers and condensing units. He continued his career in the construction industry at Megen Construction of Cincinnati, Ohio. During this time, Chuma managed a variety of construction projects in the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Areas. Chuma also helped to champion the construction of Ohio’s first LEED Platinum project, the Fernald Preserve Visitors Center in 2008.

Armed with an engineering education, complementary work experience and strong ambition, Chuma identified a need in Southern Ohio for an innovative, quality-minded, minority mechanical contractor. Chuma put the wheels in motion to eventually launch a mechanical contracting firm. Following months of planning, SURE Mechanical was eventually launched in October 2010. He earned his LEED AP accreditation and became actively involved in several industry-related organizations such as American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and United States Green Building Council (USGBC). He is also a Lean construction enthusiast.

Today, SURE Mechanical is proud to be a certified minority-owned mechanical contracting firm in Southern Ohio that offers a full range of mechanical design, fabrication, installation, design-build and engineering services. Additionally, SURE Mechanical provides a much needed opportunity for minorities to become engaged in one of the most technical aspects of the construction industry.

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Katie Eagan

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Katie Eagan serves as the Vice President of Government Affairs at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Ms. Eagan comes to the Chamber from the Ohio Vision Professionals Board, where she served as executive director over the last two years. Additionally, her work history includes service as executive director of the Ohio Republican Party, state director of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, policy advisor for the Ohio House of Representatives, and other positions with the Ohio Industrial Commission and the Ohio House Republican Caucus.

Ms. Eagan currently serves and volunteers in the community as a member of the Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute and a contributor to Politico Caucus. She is a Cincinnati native and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University.

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Mahendra Vora

Vora Ventures

Mahendra Vora is a veteran entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience leading the growth of large, cutting-edge software initiatives. He has co-founded many hi-tech startups and orchestrated mergers with Fortune 500 IT companies.

Mahendra has extensive experience working with and developing information technology solutions from small start-ups to billion-dollar organizations across the world. He has contributed significantly to the computer industry in developing and delivering strategies, architecture, and technologies that helped facilitate the transition to distributed and Internet-based computing.

Mahendra was the winner of the 2021 John F. Barrett Entrepreneur Vision Awards and named the 2020-2021 AsiaOne Global Indian of the year. He holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communications from University in India.

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Jason Dunn

National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

Jason Dunn Sr. is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), where he leads efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, and economic opportunity within the tourism, hospitality, and meetings industries.

With a strong background in strategic leadership, fundraising, partnership development, and event management, Jason works to amplify representation and create pathways for growth across the industry. He collaborates with business leaders, destination organizations, and community stakeholders to develop initiatives that foster innovation, strengthen local economies, and expand opportunities for underrepresented professionals and businesses.

A passionate advocate for equity and community empowerment, Jason is committed to building meaningful partnerships that connect tourism with the communities it serves. Through his leadership, he continues to drive positive change, helping organizations and destinations create more inclusive and impactful experiences for all.

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Michelle Morales Denisoff

Liona Enterprises

Liona Enterprises, Inc. is a certified 8a, minority woman owned (WOSB/EDWOSB), HUBZone small business providing full-service information technology solutions. She started the company in January of 2015 and is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of all operations and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission of the company. Michelle actively works with the board and other management within Liona to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies.

In 2001, Michelle graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She received her Masters in Business Administration in Global Management from Pepperdine University. Through the University of Oxford, she is received a certificate in Global Management and through Dartmouth College, she received a certificate in Building a High Performance Minority Business.

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Christopher Che

Che International Group, LLC

Christopher Che is President and CEO of the Che International Group, LLC (CIG), which he founded in 2005. CIG is a multi-national holding company that identifies, acquires, supports, and grows scalable subsidiary companies in diverse industries through startups, strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and alliances, to help customers maximize supply chain diversity while promoting supply chain excellence. Christopher is an accountant by profession and a veteran Senior Financial Executive with over 35 years of vast and dynamic business management experience.

Consistent with his vision to influence global supply chain excellence, Christopher founded Transworld Supply Network (TSN) in 2018 and Transworld Delivery Corporation (TDC) in 2020. Originating primarily as a medical supplies, products, and equipment company, TSN has evolved into an innovative central marketplace, a multi- product, multi-division, multi-industry business-to-business, and global supply sourcing enterprise.

Christopher’s community involvement includes serving as a member of President (Obama)’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness from 2011 to 2012, board member of the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, the African American CEO Roundtable of Cincinnati, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the Dayton Area Business Advisory Council, and chairing the Ohio Minority Business Input Committee for all Ohio Minority Companies. Professional, business and civic awards and honors include the President’s Award from the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council in 2013, the “Outstanding American by Choice” Award in 2012 from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the recommendation of the White House (this is the highest award presented to immigrants by the Department of Homeland Security), induction into the Association of Ohio Commodores in 2011 by Ohio Governor Kasich; the Cameroon Professional Society (CPS) 2011 Distinguished Leadership Award; the Dayton Business Journal 2010 “Executive of the Year” Award; and the Dayton Business Journal’s 2010 Top 10 Most Influential People in the Greater Dayton Region.

Christopher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting with a minor in Computers from Wilmington College-Ohio in 1985 and a Master’s of Accountancy degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1986. He resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife Rose and is the proud father of two sons and one daughter.

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Tom Fernandez

Elevar Design Group

Tom Fernandez is the CEO of Elevar Design Group, where he leads the firm’s vision, strategy, and delivery of innovative design solutions. He oversees multidisciplinary teams throughout the design process, helping clients transform ideas into impactful spaces and projects.

A registered architect and member of the Society of American Registered Architects, Tom is a respected business and civic leader committed to advancing economic opportunity and inclusion throughout the region. He has served on former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Council and as Co-Chair of the City of Cincinnati’s Task Force on Immigration.

Tom currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Area 7 Workforce Development Board, which supports workforce and economic development across Ohio. He is also actively involved with the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA, serves on the City of Cincinnati’s Business Advisory Committee, and is a steering committee member for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s Planning and Implementation Advisory (PIA) Committee.

Through his professional and community leadership, Tom works to foster inclusive growth, strengthen regional partnerships, and create opportunities for diverse communities to thrive.

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Shakila Ahmad

Empowering Spaces

Shakila T. Ahmad, PhD (h.c.), is a nationally recognized community leader, bridge-builder, and advocate for inclusion with more than 30 years of experience fostering understanding across diverse communities. Raised in Cincinnati as the daughter of an immigrant Muslim family, she has dedicated her life to building connections, creating welcoming spaces, and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Shakila earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Information Systems from the University of Cincinnati and began her professional career as a consultant with IBM. In 1991, she co-founded the Allergy & Asthma Specialty Center with her husband, Dr. Masood Ahmad, where she served in leadership roles for more than three decades.

A respected civic leader, Shakila made history as the first woman to serve as Chair and President of the Board of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. She founded the Center’s nationally recognized Tours and Talks program, which has educated more than 100,000 people about Islam and Muslim communities through outreach, dialogue, and cultural exchange. She has also led numerous interfaith, anti-bias, and community-building initiatives at the local and national levels.

Shakila has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, YWCA Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Humanities Council, and the University of Cincinnati Foundation. Her leadership and service have earned her many honors, including the FBI Community Leadership Award, Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year, YWCA Racial Justice Award, and an honorary doctorate from Mount St. Joseph University.

Through Cincinnati Compass, Shakila continues her lifelong mission of building a more welcoming, connected, and inclusive community for all.

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Mayor Aftab Pureval

Mayor, City of Cincinnati

Aftab Pureval is the 70th Mayor of Cincinnati. He was raised in Southwest, Ohio, the son of first-generation Americans. He is making history as Cincinnati’s first Asian American Mayor. As Mayor, he is committed to serving Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods. He has made equitable economic growth a top priority of his administration, as well as a comprehensive reform and improvement of public safety, affordable housing, and environmental action.

He served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts from 2016 to 2021 and was the first Democrat to hold this office in over 100 years. During his tenure, he brought modern and professional reforms to the Clerk’s office. He paid a living wage to all employees and become the first county officeholder in Ohio to offer comprehensive paid family leave. By ending nepotism, by cutting waste, and by making the office more professional, he saved taxpayers millions of dollars.

Mayor Aftab graduated from The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati for law school. He resides in Clifton with his wife, Whitney, and their son, Bodhi.

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Jane Muindi

Program Director

Jane Muindi is a community leader and program strategist dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, civic engagement, and inclusive community development. Her work focuses on creating pathways for immigrants, refugees, and international residents to access resources, build connections, and thrive within the communities they call home.

Jane has extensive experience developing and managing community-based programs, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and supporting initiatives related to workforce development, small business growth, civic participation, and inclusive practices. Through her work with Cincinnati Compass and other community organizations, she has helped strengthen welcoming infrastructure and expand opportunities for diverse populations across the Greater Cincinnati region.

Beyond her professional work, Jane is an active civic leader who has served on the board of Girls on the Run, is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Cincinnati, and serves on the Girls in STEM Advisory Board at iSPACE. She is also a lifetime member of the African Professionals Network (APNET), where she has held numerous leadership roles, and contributes her expertise to nonprofit organizations through the OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Jane holds a Master of Science in Health Informatics, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Project Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, all from Northern Kentucky University.

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Bryan Wright

Executive Director

Bryan Wright currently serves as the Executive Director for Cincinnati Compass. Bryan is a dedicated connector and collaborator committed to inclusion, equity, and community building. His work focuses on creating a more welcoming and inclusive region for immigrants and refugees.  In his role as Executive Director, he advocates for social and economic inclusion; connects individuals and organizations to resources and to each other to build capacities and opportunities; and celebrates the cultural and economic contributions of immigrants and refugees in the Cincinnati region.

Most of his professional career has been dedicated to working with immigrant and refugee communities to build social, civic, and economic power. Additionally, he works with communities and organizations to improve access to education, employment, small business support, legal services, and health care, while advocating for more inclusive and welcoming policies and practices. Currently, Bryan serves on the boards for Interact for Health, Refuge Collaborative, the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio, and Vibrant Ohio. Recently, he was appointed to Hamilton County’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Council.

He is the former Manager of International Student Affairs at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, working with current and potential students, regardless of immigration status, and worked for several years in refugee resettlement in Nashville, Tennessee as a Case Manager and an Employment Manager. He holds a Master’s degree in International Studies from Florida International University and a PhD in Geography from the University of Cincinnati. His doctoral research focused on immigration, immigrant representation, and urban regeneration in the Cincinnati region.