MEET THE TEAM
Meet the people who work hard every day to serve Empower GENNOW and the Cincinnati area.
RENIKA J. SMILEY
Founder and CEO of Empower GENNOW
Founder Renika J. Smiley first launched Empower GENNOW as a LinkedIn Networking Happy Hour Event, hosted at local bars. Her first events featured a diverse speaking panel and began with an audience of 40-75 young professionals in Igby's private second floor. Fortune 500 corporate offices soon replaced Igby’s when attendance grew to 200+.
Renika's tenacity proves that it's not about the start, it's about how you finish! Empower GENNOW has highlighted 200+ local businesses. We’ve honored 150+ young professionals with awards and plaques for career achievement. The organization has locked in community partnerships and sponsorships with companies like RDI, Nielsen, P&G, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, and more. The success of this program has won loyal followers by offering job opportunities, building business clientele, developing professional growth for young professionals, strengthening panelists’ speaking skills, and promoting inclusion to grow our community.
MONIQUE C. JOHNSON
CEO of Dr. MCJ Consulting, LLC
Monique is committed to helping individuals and businesses open doors, break barriers, and elevate their game. She’s a versatile leader with over 20 years of knowledge and experience in career development, diversity and inclusion, leadership, and teaching.
Monique uses her vision and leadership abilities to help individuals with career management and organizations with strategic planning by collaborating with key stakeholders, developing innovative solutions, and solving organizational dilemmas in nonprofits, education, and government agencies.
CREATIVE TEAM
JOSH “KOSH” KELLY
Creative Director
BRENDAN CAINE
Brand Influencer
ANDRE WHALEY
Photographer/ Cinematographer
Mr. 12AM
JAMES BATES
Video Production Lead
SETH HOLSTON
Video Director
MAKAYLA BOYD
Production & Content Manager
SHAWDALE THOMAS
Photographer
BRIAN FIGUEROA
Freelance Audio Editor and Music Composer
VOLUNTEERS
WEBSITE
BECKY LUK
UI/UX Design Assistance
JAMES CHARLES
Website Technical Support/Software Developer
ABIOLA J. OLAGUNJU
Website Developer/ Engineer
EVENT MANAGEMENT
JENNIFER MEHLTRETTER
Event Project Planner
Education Program Manager
ALESSIA ALFIERONI
Event Budget Creation
Event Planner
NONPROFIT OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATION
BETH MCCAULEY
HR Advisor
Human Resources Professional
REMY MARLATT
Board Retreat Planner
Training & Development
LAURIE ZORN
SWOT Analysis Facilitator
Organizational Development
GRAPHIC DESIGN AND BRANDING
BRUNO ARAUJO
Logo & Brand Identity Designer
Creative Manager
LEEANN TRANG
Graphic Designer
NISHA KRISHNAN
Logo & Brand Identity
Engineer
TIM EVANCHO
Graphic Designer
OMONIYI ALABI
Illustrations Designer
ALLY RZESA
Infographic Design
SHAN CLESCERI
Graphic Designer, RSVP Designs
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
MARY SCHOOLER
Data Crunching & Analysis
Analytics Professional
TEODORA VASSILEVA
Survey Development
Talent & Culture Analyst
NANCY ROMAN
Market Analysis
Associate Director
KARTHIKEYAN P.
Data Collection Plan
Data Analyst
DEA WANG
Data Visualization
Real Estate Analytics
KENT WEBER
Marketing Channel
Marketing
KOLLEEN MUELLER
Social Media Calendar
Fundraising Professional
MARIANNE CORNEJO
Marketing Strategy
Marketing
TECHNICAL
BILAL KHAN
Google Ads Setup
MOHAMMAD SHAHBAZ A.
Survey Development
Talent & Culture Analyst
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM
KENLEY J.
Project Management
Membership Plan
LORI H.
Survey Development
Talent & Culture Analyst
TAYO FALAIYE
Video Editing Project Lead
Audio Video Productions
RAGHAV JONEJA
Intern
WRITING
MEGAN DUNCAN
Copywriter
Editor
JENNIFER MAYNARD
Content Writer
Content Management
ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY
PEDRO PICCOLI SOARES
Pricing Strategy
Executive Advanced
Profit Manager
GAINES HAYES
Success Metrics
Data Analytics Professional
YAGEV ITZHAK
Leadership Coach
Group Chairman
RICHARD SHIPLEY
Logo & Brand Identity
Engineer