CO∙NEXT∙ION
Extended TEAM
The following are just a few of the accomplished
resources that CO.NEXT.ION can bring to the table.
INNOVATION
Stephen Shapiro
Innovation Guru & Consultant
Best Selling Author
Member of the Speaker Hall of Fame
Stephen Shapiro is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, a best selling author & recognized guru in the field of innovation. Ron & Steve worked closely together at Accenture where they created & led a 20,000-person innovation practice. Stephen's expertise in problem-solving, creativity & organic growth has made a lasting impact in over 50 countries. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, SUCCESS Magazine, CNBC, ABC News, TLC & the USA Network.
Racial Equity & Social Justice
Rashad Turner
Founder of Black Lives Matter St. Paul, MN
President & Executive Director of Minnesota Parent Union
As a passionate dynamic champion for racial equity & social justice, Rashad Turner founded Black Lives Matter St. Paul, Minnesota. With a Masters Degree in Education…Rashad is also a dynamic agent for change in the field of education founding & serving as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Parent Union (a parent powered non-profit advocating for quality K-12 education for students of Color & low-income students in Minnesota). He also serves on the Board of Directors of ACLU of Minnesota.
Healthcare Disparities
Dr. Chris Wachira
Fellow, Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health Founder, Institute for Clinical Excellence in Africa
Dr. Chris Wachira is a respected scientist, advocate for equity & access & the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Wachira Group (which founded the first Kenyan-American winery in the United States). She is also the founder & executive director of the Institute for Clinical Excellence-Africa, a nonprofit dedicated to improving healthcare delivery throughout Africa.
Dr. Wachira is an innovative & dynamic leader with a global perspective on building partnerships to bridge the economic divide. She is passionate about minority equity and access.
Prior to her current roles, Dr. Wachira worked in Neuroscience Clinical Outcomes at Stanford Healthcare & her love of science triggered a curiosity in the science of winemaking. She continues her important work in healthcare consulting while building The Wachira Group’s portfolio & disrupting the beverage industry by eliminating barriers & creating market access for brands produced by minorities & local small-batch crafters.
Education Disparities
AL FAN
Senior Education Consultant & Founding Executive Director of The Minnesota Comeback
Al Fan, former CEO of College Possible, brings a wealth of experience in executive leadership & educational equity. Al worked with Ron as the founding Executive Director of MN Comeback where he spearheaded initiatives to create high-quality seats for low-income students in Minneapolis. Al's expertise in both the corporate space (as a long time executive with General Mills) & the education non-profit space provide him with an ideal blend of experience & perspective to contribute to the discussion of the education dimension of DEI in corporate America.
Social Benefit Finance
Jeff Ochs
Founding CEO at Venn Foundation
Meet Jeff Ochs, founder of Venn Foundation. Through the Venn Foundation, Jeff provides creative solutions to finance social change. He worked with Ron playing a leadership role in drafting & advocating for Minnesota's Public Benefit Corporation statute to create an innovative legal structure for corporations deeply committed to a strong social mission. Before launching the Venn Foundation, Jeff served as the Executive Director of an angel investor network, managed the University of Minnesota’s Discovery Capital program & consulted for foundations making program-related investments into social enterprises.
Jeff has an MBA & a Master of Public Policy. As a college senior, he founded & directed Breakthrough Twin Cities, a nonprofit college access & teacher training program that has played a critical role in getting over 1500 disadvantaged youth into college & creating almost 500 new teachers.
HOUSING DISPARITIES
Noel Nix
director of community initiatives
St. Paul, Minnesota
Noel Nix & Ron first got connected almost 20 years ago via a mentoring program at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Since then Noel has dedicated his career to serving the community through local government. As a long time member of St. Paul, Minnesota Mayor Melvin Carter’s staff & one of his most trusted advisors, Noel has played a leadership role in addressing the housing inequity challenges faced by people of Color. With extensive experience in community development, urban policy, & municipal politic. Noel brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people of Color, culturally-based neighborhood revitalization & the importance of building regional equity. Noel was recently honored as a 2023 Bush Foundation Fellow.
Mobilizing the Underepresented
ALvan
Washington
Founder
UnderRepresented
Alvan Washington founded UnderRepresented to identify & connect with, create opportunities for & mobilize underrepresented populations to amplify their voices & impact. Alvan combines creativity, cultural acuity & business savvy to deftly & dynamically deploy event planning, podcasts, social media, photography & videography to energize & mobilize under represented populations. Alvan also did an amazing job as the videographer at Ron’s wedding.