Cohort 8.14
Atemlefac Asong
Multi-Faceted Professional
An entrepreneur, IT Specialist in Cybersecurity and Business intelligence, healthcare administrator, and an Empowerment coach/mentor with New Heights Healthcare Inc, Footprints Home Care Services, LLC, and the University of South Florida.
Lakwantiera Braddy
Marketing Analytics Project Manager | Greystar
Lakwantiera Braddy is a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) candidate at Florida International University with a strong background in project management, marketing analytics, and veteran advocacy. A U.S. military veteran with over a decade of service, she holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and professional certifications including PMP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Certified Scrum Master. Braddy is passionate about process optimization, digital strategy, and empowering others through education and intentional living. She currently serves as a Marketing Analytics Project Manager at Greystar and is the founder of Another Boring Meal, a brand dedicated to wellness, personal growth, and veteran support.
David Dickson
Dave is a Graduate of Norwich University (B.S.-Business) and Nova Southeastern University (M.B.A). Dave has worked for companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Deloitte Consulting, Oracle and IBM in his career. Dave currently runs his own consulting firm in Miami, FL.
Daniela Garcia Aguirre
I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration and recently completed an MBA at Florida International University (FIU) with a specialization in Digital Marketing. Throughout my career, I have led entrepreneurial and business initiatives across various industries. These initiatives include managing electronics import and distribution company for over a decade and creating and running retail and e-commerce brands. In these ventures, I design commercial strategies, oversee operations, and implement digital marketing campaigns through platforms such as Shopify.
My professional interests include brand analysis, consumer behavior, digital strategy, and the application of innovative tools to strengthen businesses in highly competitive markets. Beyond the business world, I am passionate about holistic wellness, nutrition, and practices that promote a balanced lifestyle.
Nicole Haidar Olascoaga
Nicole Haidar Olascoaga is a Mexican attorney and real estate professional with more than 20 years of experience in legal advisory, regulatory compliance, and real estate investment. She holds an LL.M. in Real Property Development from the University of Miami and earned her Master of Science in International Real Estate from FIU in May 2025. Nicole has advised on complex financial transactions and corporate restructurings, led legal and compliance operations in the financial sector, and served as legal counsel to a family office focused on commercial real estate investments in Mexico. Nicole transitioned into real estate development in the United States to pursue socially impactful work. In Miami, she has gained hands-on development experience and contributed to nonprofit initiatives creating affordable housing through partnerships with land-owning churches. She joins the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program, committed to bridging the gap between business strategy and social impact—particularly by advancing innovative, sustainable models for affordable homeownership. Her professional focus is grounded in the belief that access to homeownership is a powerful tool for community stability and wealth creation. Through the DBA program, Nicole aims to strengthen her analytical, research, and leadership skills to develop innovative, data-driven strategies that expand affordable housing projects and align real estate development with long-term social impact.
Ana Isabel Hernandez
Career Advisor | McFatter Technical College
Ana Isabel Hernandez is a Career Advisor at McFatter Technical College, where she develops career and education plans aligned with workforce needs, leads AI literacy initiatives, and organizes employer partnerships to expand student career opportunities. Prior to transitioning into higher education, Ana spent more than a decade in the financial services industry, holding roles in loan processing, fraud detection, and operations management. Her professional journey reflects a shift from finance to academia, driven by a passion for education, leadership and her commitment to helping students from diverse backgrounds succeed. Ana Isabel holds a Master of International Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and Management from Florida International University, where she also completed study abroad programs in Japan, China, and South Korea. She earned her Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Broward College, along with multiple certifications in business operations and accounting technology. Ana’s research interests include workforce development, cross-cultural management, and innovative applications of global leadership in academic settings.
Kendra Jackson
Learning Facilitator | Oracle EHR
Kendra F. Jackson has worked in multiple industries, making her versatile and adaptable to change. Early in her career, Kendra worked seven years for Long Island Railroad, starting as a ticket clerk, and her last position before relocation was a train dispatcher. After her railroad career, Kendra paused her work life to focus on her family. Her second career was in Corrections. As a correctional officer, Kendra learned the values of being firm, fair, and consistent. She continued to work professionally with the inmate population until she decided to go into healthcare.
Kendra's Healthcare Career started at The Durham VA HealthCare in Durham, NC. She was with the VA for three years until she decided to work at Cape Fear Valley Health as an Executive Assistant to the VP of Supply Chain. After two years, Kendra wanted to go into healthcare consulting and was hired by Oracle. Kendra's current role is as a Learning Facilitator; she trains end users on Oracle EHR. Her specialty is training Critical care and Med Surg Nurses. In the future, Kendra aspires to become a learning leader in the healthcare industry.
Gayathri Kolandaisami
CEO | Quantumzet Technologies, South Africa
Gayathri Kolandaisami is a seasoned technology executive with over 20 years of leadership experience spanning Smart Cities, iGaming, and the Internet of Things (IoT) sectors. She currently serves as CEO and Director of QuantumZet Technologies, a smart city solutions provider within South Africa with a particular focus on sustainable water management. Since joining the company, she has played a pivotal role in its evolution and growth, contributing to its expansion into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Gayathri leads cross-functional teams across South Africa and India and brings a global perspective to innovation and leadership. She holds an MBA from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, receiving a distinction for her research titled “Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of the Smart City Paradigm in Developing Countries: A South African Perspective.” She also holds a Master of Engineering in Software Engineering from Anna University in India, where she graduated at the top of her class. Her career reflects a commitment to sustainable innovation, inclusive leadership, and solving real-world challenges through emerging technologies. Passionate about the transformative potential of AI and predictive analytics, she continues to explore their application in shaping more intelligent, inclusive, and resilient rural and urban environments.
Makenson Lamour
Success Coach | Miami-Dade College
Makenson Lamour is a Doctoral student in Business Administration at Florida International University, where he focuses on how transformational leadership can drive sustainable socioeconomic development in underserved communities. He brings a multidisciplinary background in law, business, and education, along with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, media, grassroots community work, and youth advocacy. He holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration from FIU, as well as an MBA and an LLM in Intercultural Human Rights from St. Thomas University. Makenson previously served as Senior Program Director at the YMCA of South Florida and as STEM Grant Coordinator at MDC. He currently works as Success Coach with Educate Tomorrow at MDC, where he offers holistic support to students navigating housing instability and the transition out of foster care. He is also the founder of Vwanu, a civic-tech platform designed to help communities organize around local issues, and Youth Empowerment Rescue Network (YERN), which aims to protect and support vulnerable and homeless children by providing essentials like shelter, food, healthcare, and education. His work centers on making real, lasting change through community-driven solutions.
Keisha Lettsome
Vice President in Crisis Management | Citi
Keisha Lettsome is a Vice President in Crisis Management at Citi, where she leads governance initiatives focused on risk mitigation, process automation, and program accountability. With over 14 years of experience in project and program management across the financial services industry, she has successfully driven operational transformation, regulatory alignment, and cross-functional collaboration at institutions such as Citi, Wells Fargo, and Hilton.
She holds an MBA in Finance and certifications in Six Sigma (White and Yellow Belt), and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Business Administration with a research focus on process improvement, automation, and strategic risk management. Her academic and professional journey is grounded on a commitment to impactful change, continuous improvement, and ethical leadership.
Keisha’s background in law, combined with her expertise in metrics-driven execution and compliance oversight, equips her to bridge complex business challenges with innovative, sustainable solutions. She is passionate about translating theory into practice and aspires to contribute to both executive leadership and academia.
Anna Micheletti Banegas
Global Vice President of Legal & People | AMMI
Anna Paola Micheletti is an international attorney and business leader with extensive experience in corporate legal management, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory for multinational organizations. She currently serves as Global Vice President of Legal & People at AMMI, where she has led key initiatives in organizational growth, international expansion, and the development of institutional policies. Anna recently earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Florida International University, complementing her background in international law with a global business perspective. Her career reflects a strong focus on aligning legal strategy with corporate development, driving innovation, and supporting sustainable growth across industries.
Emmy Mwinuka
Managing Director | High Class Group Co.
Hello! I'm Emmy Nico Mwinuka, MBA, and a Graduate Electro-Mechanical Engineer, from University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania. I am a Managing Director at High Class Group Co ltd- in Tanzania, I specialize in Petroleum Industry particularly Petrol stations, Mining (Gold) and Business. I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Business Administration at Florida International University(FIU), Miami. I'm particularly proud to be a part of the FIU community, and I expect to positively benefit and impact myself, my family, the society and the world at large with the acquired knowledge, skills and experience.
Guillermo Palomino
Corporate finance transactor and strategist, with over 20 years of experience in commercial and investment banking, private equity, and hospitality investment. Peruvian, native Spanish speaker, interested in evidence-based investment decision making, consulting, teaching, public policies, and mentoring. BSc in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de Lima, Peru, MBA from University of Miami, and MSc in Hospitality Real Estate Development from FIU. Former banker, consultant, and board member for public and private companies. Devoted futbol fan; skiing, sailing, travel music, and film enthusiast.
Alexander Ponce
Management & Strategy Consultant | Legal Professional | Creative
Alex Ponce is a management professional with over 25 years of experience spanning law, business strategy, and media. He spent nearly two decades in criminal litigation research, specializing in jury selection and persuasion, expert testimony, and capital sentencing mitigation. He earned both his Bachelor of Liberal Arts (cum laude) and Master of Liberal Arts in Management from Harvard University, where he also completed graduate certificates in Strategic Management, Organizational Behavior, and Finance. While at Harvard, he served as president of the Management & Finance Club, leading initiatives to expand networking and professional development opportunities. Alex also completed legal studies at the University of Miami and pursued artificial intelligence training through MIT Sloan/CSAIL. A classically trained actor, he has studied at Harvard, the British American Drama Academy (Magdalen College, University of Oxford), and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is the award-winning host and executive producer of The Pulse with Alex Ponce, a business interview series. As a DBA candidate, his research explores how stage trainingcan translate into measurable leadership behaviors to improve executive decision-making and influence. Alex brings a multidisciplinary, leadership-driven approach to management consulting and executive strategy.
Nathan Roulo
Corporate Quality Engineer at Vitro Automotive | Lecturer at University of Michigan-Dearborn
Nathan Roulo is a Corporate Quality Engineer with over 15 years of experience improving manufacturing performance and driving quality initiatives across the automotive industry. At Vitro Automotive, he leads corporate-level projects focused on quality systems, OEM program support, and process improvement across North America. He also lectures in operations and supply chain management at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he mentors future professionals and returning adult learners. Nathan holds an Executive MBA from Michigan State University, a BBA in Supply Chain Management and Information Systems from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a Post Master's Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Michigan-Flint. His doctoral research focuses on leadership, reshoring strategy, and operational effectiveness in modern manufacturing. Outside of work, Nathan enjoys mentoring, teaching, and spending time with his family.
Cohort 8.15
Larry Casey
Senior Vice President of Marketing Making | Skanska AB
Mr. Larry Casey has over 35 years of experience in business and construction management, advancing from field roles to executive leadership with regional, national, and international organizations. He served as EVP/Chief Strategy Officer and most recently as Senior Vice President of Market Making for Skanska AB, a $18 billion global developer-builder. His expertise spans project delivery, strategy, customer experience, account management, and leadership development. Since 2021, he has led a consulting practice and currently serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor at the FIU Moss School of Construction, teaching finance, marketing, and principles of construction management. He also serves as the department's Industry Advisory Council director.
Wealth Effiong
Finance Manager – Technology & Strategic Investment | Vonyx Capital Trading
With over 12 years of progressive experience in finance, business transformation, and strategic investment, Wealth Effiong is a results-oriented finance leader specializing in cost-saving initiatives and aligning financial strategy with technology investment in dynamic, data-driven environments. Currently serving as Finance Manager – Technology & Strategic Investment at Vonyx Capital Trading. He has successfully led cross-functional initiatives centered on IT investments, IT per capita expenses, ROI modeling, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) frameworks, and enterprise performance reporting.
Wealth holds an MBA in Finance from Florida International University and a B.Sc. in Economics from Lead City University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). He remains committed to advancing the role of finance as a catalyst for sustainable growth and data-informed leadership within complex global environments.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Wealth enjoys gardening and is passionate about health and wellness. He values meaningful connections and believes that building strong relationships is foundational to success– both professionally and personally.
Musashi Ellis
Founder | Ellis Collective LLC
Musashi Ellis is a U.S. Air Force veteran and driven business leader with a Master of Arts in Management, specializing in Entrepreneurship. He brings a unique blend of military discipline, leadership, and strategic insight shaped by years of service and professional experience across both service-based industries and higher education. As the founder of The Ellis Collective LLC, Musashi focuses on community empowerment, faith-driven leadership, and business development. He is pursuing his Doctor of Business Administration to further his expertise in management innovation and ethical leadership, with future plans to teach, consult, and make a lasting impact through education and entrepreneurship.
Oggyrene Mendoza
Oggyrene D. Mendoza is a national security professional with over sixteen years of leadership in intelligence, counterintelligence, and human-intelligence operations across the Department of Defense, FBI, TSA, and the U.S. Army. He holds a Top Secret/SCI clearance with a CI polygraph, a Master’s in Military Studies from Marine Corps University, and is a native Spanish speaker. Throughout his career, he has led joint and interagency teams across combat zones, federal agencies, and regional commands, delivering critical intelligence that shaped senior-level decision-making. Outside of his professional accomplishments, Oggyrene is a proud father to his daughter and enjoys riding trails on his mountain bike, short runs with his dog, and spending time outdoors in any adventure that challenges both body and spirit.
John Moorman
Chief Financial Officer | Cooperative Counseling Services
With over 25 years of leadership spanning healthcare, life sciences, and information technology, John Moorman is a seasoned executive known for driving strategic growth, operational efficiency, and financial performance. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Cooperative Counseling Services, a family-owned mental health organization where, since 2010, he has led revenue growth from under $1 million to $5 million annually and spearheaded key initiatives in real estate acquisition, process automation, and resource optimization. Prior to this role, he spent over a decade in senior leadership at IBM, managing global outsourcing contracts between $25 million to $180 million annually and leading cross-functional teams of professionals across the pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries. His diverse experience also includes co-founding a successful real estate firm and holding technical and leadership roles at Blue Cross Blue Shield and Chubb & Son. John Moorman holds an EMBA and MPA from Rutgers University and a bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. An active community volunteer, he has served on several nonprofit and municipal boards, contributing his expertise in governance, finance, and ethics.
Alyssa Narine
Alyssa Narine is a dynamic and results-driven business professional, mother of two, and founder of a successful start-up launched in 2015. With over a decade of progressive experience in marketing, payroll management, business development, and organizational leadership, she brings both strategic vision and operational expertise to every endeavor.
Alyssa holds a Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership from the CUNY School of Professional Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from CUNY York College. Her professional skills include social media strategy, video production, financial management, and project leadership. Passionate about lifelong learning, Alyssa is deeply committed to advancing scholarly research in leadership, organizational behavior, and business innovation.
Andrea Pelt-Thornton
CEO | Aptitude Energy Partners, LLC
Andrea Pelt-Thornton is a public servant and CEO of Aptitude Energy Partners, LLC (AEP), whose mission is to foster innovation, solve complex business problems and empower executive leadership through strategic impactful engagements. Prior to forming AEP, Andrea served 39 years at NextEra Energy / Florida Power and Light (FPL), most recently as Information Technology Delivery Manager. In this role, Andrea collaborated with executives across multiple business units and spearheaded the delivery of transformative enterprise Data Analytics and collaboration solutions. Driven to inspire, Andrea is a frequent university guest lecturer and active board member in organizations including the University of Florida Alumni Association, Innovate Utility Customer Experience (IUCX), and various nonprofit organizations. Andrea holds an MBA from Nova University, and a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. Together with her family, Andrea loves travel, football, basketball, and family fun.
Alejandro Sanchez
Marketing Manager | Samsung Ultrasound
Alex Sanchez is a marketing and analytics professional with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Currently serving as a Marketing Manager at Samsung Ultrasound, Alejandro specializes in strategic marketing initiatives and leverages advanced data analytics to drive business growth. He previously held significant roles at Siemens Healthineers and Lee Health System, where he focused on enhancing operational efficiency and global market presence. Alejandro holds an MBA and recently completed an MS in Business Analytics, deepening his commitment to data-driven decision-making. He is passionate about integrating analytical insights into healthcare and business strategies and looks forward to collaborating and learning with fellow classmates.
Zeynep Talu-Balci
Founder | Makos Real Estate
Zeynep A. Talu-Balci is a Miami-based real estate professional with dual master’s degrees in Real Estate Development and International Real Estate. Her career spans brokerage, international trade, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Miami’s dynamic preconstruction market and tenant representation for businesses seeking to grow in South Florida. Before relocating to the United States, Zeynep spent nearly two decades representing Turkish exporters abroad, organizing international trade shows across the Middle East. Operating in Saudi Arabia at a time when women were not permitted to work, she developed resilience, cultural fluency, and a global outlook that continue to shape her professional path.
In Miami, she is the founder of Makos Real Estate, where she advises global buyers, investors, and tenants navigating one of the country’s most competitive markets. She also co-founded She.Work, a platform amplifying women’s voices in business and leadership through long-form storytelling. Zeynep serves on the boards of CCIM Miami and GGDF (The Global Girls Development Foundation), and volunteers with CREW Miami to advance mentorship and education for future leaders. As a Doctor of Business Administration candidate at Florida International University, her research interests include adaptive reuse, branded residences, and the ways storytelling, marketing and market perception influence real estate investment and redevelopment. Beyond her professional pursuits, Zeynep is a proud mother, an active writer, and a lifelong learner.