Program Director, Education and Advisory Services at Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) (2025-05 – Present)
- Lead the redesign and implementation of WACIF's entire education and advisory services delivery model to expand access to technology, innovation and loan capital opportunities for 1,500+ underserved entrepreneurs annually.
- Co-chair WACIF's Innovation Task Force, developing thought leadership, strategic partnerships, and an innovation roadmap to address key client challenges.
- Managed full-time staff and contractors to launch and administer innovative training, workshops, and pilot programs for WACIF's entrepreneurial clients, while building systems and processes that advance best practices for staff, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders.
- Track and analyze KPIs to measure success using data-driven and programmatic approaches to ensure program and effectiveness and impact.
Co-founder at Khemiya Consulting (2023-03 – Present)
- Conceptualized and produced the DAY ONE DNA art exhibition showcasing the private collection of hip-hop icons Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam.
- Established institutional collaborations with Harvard University and The Wright Museum of Art at Beloit College to advance programming and research tied to the DAY ONE DNA exhibition.
- Managed and led Khemiya's partnership with the Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, advising Vice President Francia Márquez and her administration on economic innovation, cultural programming and leadership initiatives, providing strategic counsel and stakeholder engagement support.
- Negotiated and secured an innovative, first-of-its-kind partnership with the elite fine art logistics group, Cadogan Tate, for premium international moving, shipping, storage, and marketing support.
- Partnered with Cadogan Tate leadership to cultivate relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, generating high-value collaboration and sponsorship opportunities.
Education and Advisory Services Manager at Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) (2022-01 – 2025-05)
- Led the strategy, planning, and delivery of Wacif's business education and advisory services, expanding support for entrepreneurs in technology, strategic growth, capital readiness, and sustainability.
- Developed and managed strategic partnerships with local, national, and international organizations—including the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Deloitte, Airbnb, and Walmart—to strengthen WACIF's award-winning accelerator program, innovation initiatives, and business advisory services.
- Served as subject matter expert and led internal coordination on entrepreneurial support initiatives, driving stronger alignment, more effective program delivery for entrepreneurs, and greater organizational impact.
- Enhanced Wacif's award-winning Ascend Capital Accelerator program by growing its stakeholder community, strengthening its training curriculum, and augmenting the leadership training for small business CEOs.
Small Business Advisor at Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) (2020-01 – 2022-01)
- Provided business coaching and delivered training workshops for a diverse portfolio of social and for-profit entrepreneurs across multiple industries, with a focus on strategy, business planning, marketing, business model innovation, design thinking, and financing.
- Managed Wacif's Ascend Capital Accelerator program, designed to support underserved entrepreneurs across the Mid-Atlantic Region with financial management, risk mitigation, business performance, and resilience training.
Chief Marketing Officer at OG-salsa (2017-03 – 2020-01)
Guided the socially conscious food startup's growth by serving as the visionary architect for the brand, developing its marketing strategy, and ensuring customer acquisitions through market research, and consumer insights, and targeted marketing, resulting in a 40% growth in annual sales.
Founder & Lead Strategist at Cnvrgnc Consulting (2007-08 – 2016-01)
Built a portfolio of more than two dozen cross-industry client projects, advising C-suite executives, organizational leaders, and management teams on innovation roadmaps, organizational strategy, and customer-focused value creation.
Founder and Executive Producer at TEDx Conferences (2007-08 – 2016-01)
- Founded and executive produced TEDxWDC and advised the TEDxMidAtlantic leadership team on partnerships, marketing, and community engagement.
- Managed and supported the recruiting and curation of 52 speakers, generated $100,000+ in revenue, sponsorships, and in-kind support, and drew 1,100+ attendees across the two inaugural events.
Consultant at Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) (2007-08 – 2016-01)
- Designed and delivered a two-day workshop and training curriculum focusing on social architecture, impact design, and community engagement for the organization's signature BIG Ideas for Social Change conference.
Consultant at EcoHabitat LLC. (2007-08 – 2016-01)
- Developed a marketing strategy for the social enterprise startup's international construction product, which included market research, positioning, and a competitive analysis, resulting in securing $1 million in investment capital.
Consultant at KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. (2007-08 – 2016-01)
- Developed a go-to-market strategy for the KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc. Social Media Visualizer (SMV), an Artificial Intelligence-driven web-based social media tool, utilizing Twitter analytics, unstructured data, and digital content.
Volunteer at Peace Corps
Assisted Namibia's Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture with implementing its innovative Parents and Communities for Education (PACE) reform projects, impacting more than 12,000 teachers and 300,000 students countrywide.
