Meet the Speakers: RISE to the Challenge

Join us at the Central State University Student Center on Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. for the second RISE to the Challenge Summit, hosted by the Center of Excellence HBCU Corporate Engagement. This game-changing event is packed with inspiring speakers and top companies who will share their personal stories and valuable tips for navigating the corporate world. Take advantage of this opportunity to be inspired and rise to new heights in your professional journey, whether you're just starting or an experienced pro. 

Registration is open through Jan. 31.

Register Now

Meet our speakers 

*Speakers are subject to change.

JPMorgan Chase Bank's Commitment to HBCUs

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. (Ballroom)

Sharnell Delmohommad, Vice President, DEI Lead — HBCU Student Development, Advancing Black Pathways

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Sharnell Delmohammed is a Diversity Equity and Inclusion leader on the Advancing Black Pathways team at JPMC. She partners with HBCUs to invest in student development and long-term student success. Delmohammed’s career at JPMC began through the Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Program, a four-year, scholarship and rotational internship opportunity for graduating high school seniors in NYC. She believes that one open door can lead to a lifetime of possibilities.

Delmohammed has a master’s degree in Public Administration with a specialized focus in Social Impact, Innovation and Investing from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Fordham University. She believes that one open door can lead to a lifetime of possibilities, which is why she recently founded her nonprofit organization, Opportunity Access Inc., to provide resources for students in Jamaica to help them advance academically and professionally.

Prior to this role, Delmohammed led the Program Management Office for ABP focusing on Executive Management Reporting and program infrastructure.

Aaron D. Lumpkin, Community & Business Development, Dayton, Vice President Community Manager, JPMC 

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Aaron D. Lumpkin is a Community Manager in Dayton, Ohio, for Community & Business Development. He is a local ambassador for Chase whose job is to build and nurture relationships with key community leaders, nonprofit partners and small businesses at the neighborhood level. Aaron hosts financial health workshops, facilitates nonprofit partnerships, and offers community programming. He is helping to advance racial equity by supporting Black and Latinx communities with tools and resources to help them improve their financial wellbeing. Aaron lives in Trotwood and spends his free time volunteering for Trotwood Wee Rams Football, Cheer, and Music. 

With over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, Aaron has held several positions including Manager at JP Morgan Chase, Key Bank, and Western Southern Financial Group and Chief Executive Officer at Montgomery County Credit Union. He is currently a member of BOLD and serves on the board of directors at House of Bread Dayton and Wesley Dayton.

Brandon Nelson, Market Executive/Executive Director, Middle Market, JPMC 

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Brandon Nelson is a Market Executive/Executive Director in the Middle Market segment for Central and South Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and West Virginia. In this role, Brandon manages teams which provide middle market clients with customized, comprehensive financial solutions along with best-in-class service. He also serves as a member of the Columbus Market Leadership Team. Brandon is a lifelong learner having developed a hunger for knowledge at an early age which he carried with him to Tulane University, receiving his Bachelor of Science and Management Degree (Finance), and subsequently the University of New Orleans, earning a Master of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Finance. 

Mr. Nelson’s passion for learning is only matched by his undying sense of obligation to give back to the community; this is evident by his track record of community and civic engagement which continues to this day. In addition to sitting on numerous boards and committees in New Orleans, Brandon held leadership positions with many of the organizations he served, including NextGen Council of GNO, Inc. (Past-Chair 2016), New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (Treasurer 2016), Tulane Association of Business Alumni (President 2011), YMCA Greater New Orleans (Treasurer 2013-2015), New Orleans Recreation Development Foundation (Treasurer 2018-2020), and the Coalition for Coastal Resilience and Economy (Chair 2020-2021). Brandon currently sits on the Columbus Urban League Board of Directors and most recently joined the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Miah Nicols, Associate, Process Manager II — Branch Process, CSU/WU Coordinator — HBCU School Team, Advancing Black Pathways, JPMC 

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Miah Nicols is a proud 2008 graduate of Central State University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She has been with JPMC for 12 years, during which time she has held several roles allowing her to expand in her knowledge, network, experience, and development. In her current role, Miah supports branch and many other key business partners and stakeholders for policy and procedure support, updates and evergreens with a focus on stylistic consistency, accuracy for the field, legal, risk, compliance, and control standards. From beginning her career as a frontline specialist in the call center, to a Business Analyst, Manager, and now Process Manager, Miah is truly a success story that shows that with determination and amazing leadership opportunities are endless.

Miah loves to get involved! Currently, Miah serves as a Coordinator with the Ohio HBCU chapter/school team within the Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) organization providing support to both Central State University and Wilberforce University schools. ABP is a bold initiative that builds on JPMC’s existing efforts to help the Black community chart stronger paths towards economic success and empowerment through Business Growth and Entrepreneurship, Financial Health & Wealth Creation, Careers & Skills, and Community Development. Through her work with ABP, Miah provides support to Brandon Nelson who serves as the Ambassador for the Ohio team.  Through her participation with ABP, Miah is able to explore her passion for service and love for her alma mater (CSU) while strengthening the relationships and engagement between both universities and JPMC by helping to provide students with endless opportunities the firm has to offer with employment, internships and endless educational opportunities. In addition to her work with ABP, Miah is an active member of business resource groups, culture councils and leadership development programs within JPMC.

Emerging Trends in the Banking Industry with Key Bank, PNC, Wright-Patt Credit Union, JPMC, and Union Savings Bank

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 10:10-11:00 a.m. (Room 210)

This session will feature Kenya Taylor of Key Bank (moderator), Marsha Pfeiffer of Wright-Patt Credit Union, Keith Borders of Union Savings Bank, Aaron Lumpkin of JPMC, and Dwight Dewberry of PNC.

Life After College 101 with Cardinal Health, Lifeline of Ohio, and Honda 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 10:10-11:00 a.m. (Room 203)

Laurise Johnson, Multicultural Program Manager and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair, Lifeline of Ohio 

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Laurise Johnson, a Chicago native, graduated cum laude from Central State University in 2017 with a degree in Biology and double minor in Chemistry and Spanish. After graduating, she moved to Columbus, Ohio, working as a teacher and prevention specialist. In 2021, Laurise decided to go back to school full time and obtained her master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Dayton. While there, she served as a Residence Hall Director and University Hearing Board member. With African Americans being three times more likely to need a lifesaving transplant, Laurise works to spread awareness about the need for organ, eye, and tissue donation within the Black community.  

Michelle Johnson-Barton, Procurement Diversity Specialist, Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, Inc. 

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As a double minority forging a career in the automotive industry, Michelle Johnson-Barton’s journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to advocating for diversity and inclusion. Michelle graduated from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, dual majoring in Marketing and Management. She works at the forefront of improving diversity processes and relationships to advance the company's inclusivity efforts, managing relationships between internal and external stakeholders, developing departmental strategies, overseeing budgets, coordinating training initiatives, and presenting diverse spending results. She leads external communications and activities for the supplier management database, contributing significantly to Honda’s diversity objectives. “In every endeavor, I strive to be a catalyst for change, creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive automotive industry for future generations,” Michelle said. 

Beyond her professional roles, she actively engages in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Participating in career fairs, engaging with Business Resource Groups, and volunteering activities through Honda GO to showcase her commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. As a member of the NAACP, she extends her service to broader community initiatives.

Andre' Love, Engineer, IT Network and Telecommunications, Cardinal Health

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Andre’ Love, a graduate of Central State University, is a computer scientist with over four years of experience whose research focus is cybersecurity and trustworthy computing. His work has addressed the identification of software vulnerabilities toward high assurance software development, architectures for intrusion-tolerant and multilevel security systems, token-based authentication, and system evaluation and certification methods. Andre’ is an engineer and a leading authority on the intersection of Health IT and CyberSecurity at Cardinal Health. Andre’ works every day to ensure that the privacy and security of CAH is protected, while leveraging aggregated datasets to improve the delivery of healthcare solutions on a global scale. During his time at CSU, Andre’ earned dean’s list honors while serving as a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Vice President for the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) organization. 

How to Strategically Use ChapGPT and AI to Establish a Strong Personal Brand with Camara Randolph of Heal90 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 11:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Room 203)

Camara Randolph, Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Initiatives, Heal90 

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Camara Randolph, based in Columbus, Ohio, currently serves as Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Initiatives at Heal90, Inc. With a rich history in sales and marketing across the service industry, Camara blends professional expertise with a deep passion for innovation. A proud mother and an enthusiastic learner, she is currently learning all things AI, demonstrating her commitment to continuous personal and professional growth. At Heal90, Camara's role extends beyond traditional marketing, focusing on initiatives that bring health and wellness to audiences that have been traditionally underserved. She is a staunch advocate for minimizing the AI digital divide, ensuring technology is accessible and beneficial to those from non-technical backgrounds. 

Find Your Place with Intel: An Innovative Approach to Manufacturing with Intel 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 11:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Room 210)

This session will be led by Hans Yeboah, Manager and Chemical Engineer at Intel.

The Next Gen of Black Founders with Eric Troy of Eficionado, LLC 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. (Ballroom)

Eric Troy, Founder and CEO, Eficionado, LLC 

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As an alumnus of Morehouse College, Eric Troy knows the rich culture of learning and leadership development that HBCUs provide for the next generation of global leaders. His brand management agency joined forces with JobsOhio to help make Ohio “the top destination for Black-owned technology startups and venture capitalists — turning persistent funding gaps into an opportunity to seize,” ColumbusInno reports. In 2021, Black founders nationwide raised “record amounts of venture capital,” $1.8 billion in the first half of the year, but still “did not budge from 1% of the total.” Eficionado serves the educational, sports, nonprofit, and entertainment sectors. Eric is a highly sought-after professional speaker and an expert on Black male leadership development and community engagement. He has been featured on NPR and ESPN Classics.

Troy is also the Program Coordinator for the New Salem Baptist Church Community of Caring Foundation, Sports Leadership Academy (SLA) which provides a summer enrichment program for middle school students to enhance critical thinking and life skills, through a rotation of educational and sports related activities. The academy also provides an Open Gym program for young men of color, exposing them to CPR training and programs for workforce development.

More Than Meets the Eye: Merging Marketing and Agriculture with Bob Evans Farms 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 1:10-2 p.m. 

Ciare James, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Bob Evans Farms 

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Ciare James joined Bob Evans Farms as vice president, brand marketing in 2020, where she is charged with leading Brand, Shopper and Ecommerce Marketing; defining annual and strategic plans for driving healthy top and bottom-line growth; driving innovation strategy and new platform delivery; and harnessing deep consumer understanding to deliver brand and business building marketing plans.

Prior to Bob Evans Farms, Ciare held marketing management roles of escalating responsibilities at Conagra Brands, where she successfully led revitalization and growth for brands such as Reddi-wip, Hunt's and Banquet via insights-driven innovation, provocative communication, a sharp focus on the P&L and compelling strategic planning.

She began her brand management career at Procter and Gamble where she led design and delivery initiatives for Febreze and owned global expansion efforts for Gillette.

Ciare is known for her ability to identify and implement pathways to sustainable growth across a variety of categories, market positions and life-stages.

Mrs. James received her BA in Economics at Ohio University in 2004 and her Marketing MBA at The Ohio State University in 2007. 

Taryn Jones, Diversity Talent Specialist, Human Resources 

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Taryn Jones is a Diversity Talent Specialist at Bob Evans Farms. She has over seven years of experience in the Consumer Package Goods Industry. She is known for her ability to proactively drive sourcing capability and delivery to build and maintain a network of diverse candidate pools. Before joining Bob Evans, Taryn held various roles, Sales Manager, Account Manager, Trainer, and Diversity Recruiter at companies such as RJ. Reynolds, Wm. Wrigley Jr. (now MARS), The Kellogg Co., and Altria Group Distribution. Taryn holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas Southern University. She is an active member of various affiliations, including the President of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association and the Founder of Professionals Being Social, an Altria ERG.

Exploring Career Pathways with Medical Mutual 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 2:10-3 p.m. 

Are you ready to embark on a fulfilling career journey? The health insurance industry offers a myriad of incredible career opportunities that will make your professional dreams come true.

Imagine being part of a dynamic team that is committed to making a positive impact on people's lives every single day. 

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to shape your future and make a difference in the health insurance industry. Let us help you unlock your full potential and achieve greatness together! The lineup includes Shamika Padgett, Dionna Gore, Crystal Farmer, Janinna Tibbs, Cassandra Sanders, and Lydia Shinn.

The Billion-Dollar Bet: Courage to Launch a Bold Idea with SodexoMagic 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 3:15-4 p.m. 

Charles Johnson, President and Co-founder, SodexoMagic 

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Charles Johnson led the creation of SodexoMagic, a joint venture between Sodexo and Magic Johnson Enterprises. At SodexoMagic, Charles developed strategic partnerships with some of the world’s largest corporations, healthcare systems, and educational school districts. Under his leadership, SodexoMagic became the fastest-growing majority-minority-owned food and facility service company in the U.S. Charles also ran Ideal Concepts Group, a consulting firm, and served as Vice President and Partner of F.H. Paschen in Chicago, a General Contractor and Construction Management firm with annual revenue of $800 million. A native of Chicago and graduate of Tuskegee University, Charles believes that the foundation of a healthy community is economic empowerment. Today, he works with organizations to understand their business and its relation to the community. His challenge is always to develop a community benefits agreement that integrates public outreach with tested and proven business practices. He mentors at-risk youth and believes in economic empowerment for healthy communities. 

Power Networking Reception

Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 4-5:30 p.m.

Don't miss our Power Networking Reception featuring food, entertainment, and the signature beverage from the CSU Mocktails Contest, VeryBerrySour.

Central State University Extension and Greene County Public Health teamed up for the CSU Student Organization Mocktail Challenge in November at Central State University. Participants learned about mental health awareness, vaping and prevention, safe driving, and healthy living. We are thrilled to feature the signature mocktail at this year's networking reception.

Special thanks to our corporate sponsors: Bob Evans Farms, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Edward Jones, Encova Insurance, Fifth Third Bank, Grange Insurance, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Key Bank, Medical Mutual, Nationwide Insurance, PNC Bank, and SodexoMagic. 

 

*Speakers are subject to change.