2025 Panelists and Speakers

Angela Baker

Interim Director, The Learning Commons, and Manager, Adjunct Services, Western Campus, Tri-C

Angela Baker serves as the manager of Adjunct Services at the Western Campus. She has more than 20 years of experience in employee management and human resources, working in the profit and nonprofit sectors. She started her career at Tri-C as a human resources coordinator in 2014. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management and Services from Franklin University.

Wendy Batch-Wilson

Interim Campus President, Western Campus, and Dean of Nursing, Tri-C

Wendy Batch-Wilson, DNP, has three decades of experience in health care and higher education. Since joining Tri-C in 2002, Batch-Wilson has worked with nursing and health careers students in several professional capacities, serving in numerous roles throughout her tenure at the College. She is currently serving as the interim president of the Western Campus, supporting the institution's transition to the new academic school model. As Tri-C's dean of Nursing in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, she works to maintain the College's standing as a premier provider of nurses for the Northeast Ohio health care industry. Batch-Wilson completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Walden University, where she also earned a Master of Science in Nursing specializing in nursing education. She received her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from Cleveland State University. Batch-Wilson has served as an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for nearly 30 years. She is also the immediate past president of the Gilmour Academy Women's Club in Gates Mills.

Shontel M. Brown

U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio 11th District

Congresswoman Shontel M. Brown is a relentless public servant who is committed to delivering results for the people of Ohio's 11th Congressional District. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2021, where she works to attract jobs that pay fair wages in Northeast Ohio, improve access to affordable, high-quality health care, ensure equity and justice for all Americans, and improve the quality of life of all people living in her district. In the 119th Congress, Brown serves as a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic Women's Caucus, New Democrat Coalition, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Pro-Choice Caucus, Congressional Heartland Caucus, Great Lakes Task Force and Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce. Brown is also the co-chair of the Congressional Rock and Roll Caucus. Brown was elected to the Warrensville Heights City Council in 2012 and the Cuyahoga County Council in 2014. Before her election to public office, Brown worked in the private sector as a marketing professional. She also founded a small business based in Northeast Ohio that provides technology solutions to regional clients. Brown currently resides in Warrensville Heights.
 

Gabe Crenshaw

Campus Director, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Westshore Campus, Tri-C

Gabe Crenshaw is the campus director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the Westshore Campus. During her time at Tri-C, she has held student-facing and non-facing roles on the team. Crenshaw's 20-year career spans K-12 education, higher education and workforce development. She previously served as a nonprofit program manager, designing and implementing career pathway programs that offered youth high-engagement opportunities with organizations in high-demand industries. As a former high school college counselor, she provided guidance to first-generation students and their families through the college application process. Crenshaw earned a Master of Science in higher education administration from the University of Akron and a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in finance from Case Western Reserve University. She currently serves as an elected member of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District School Board. 

Shayla L. Davis 

President and CEO, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation

Shayla L. Davis has served as both a state representative and a city councilwoman — roles that gave her firsthand experience in navigating policymaking and addressing how decisions impact Black and marginalized communities. Today, as the president and CEO of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (OLBCF), Davis leads the organization's mission to dismantle systemic barriers and create opportunities for Black communities across Ohio. Her accomplishments include launching OLBCF's first strategic plan, securing critical grant funding, and spearheading initiatives like the State of Black Ohio Report, which centers community voices in policy recommendations. Her educational background includes degrees in nonprofit management, public administration and law from Cleveland State University. These qualifications have equipped her with the expertise to address complex community issues and advocate for transformative public policy.

Sonja Elekhtaby

Manager, Adjunct Services, Eastern Campus, Tri-C

Sonja Elekhtaby serves as the manager of Adjunct Services at the Eastern Campus. With a diverse background spanning finance, human resources, performing arts and the retail automotive industry, Elekhtaby brings a wealth of experience to her role. A graduate of Tri-C's Mandel Leadership Development Program, she has leveraged this foundation to make significant contributions to the community, including serving on the board of the East End Neighborhood House. She is also a mentor for students in the College Now program and Tri-C's Mandel Scholars Academy, supporting their academic and professional growth.

Belle Espinal 

Founder and President of Sisters of Economic Action

Belle A. Espinal is a dedicated economic development professional, founder and advocate for community empowerment. With an Executive MBA in progress at Cleveland State University for Spring 2025, she holds a Master of Arts in T.E.S.O.L. from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative American Studies from Oberlin College. Belle's leadership spans founding Consult Espinal and Sisters of Economic Action — initiatives focused on supporting women of color and fostering equitable community growth. Her career includes roles with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, the City of Cleveland and FutureHeights. A bilingual mentor with College Now, she also champions creative collaborations, like Afrofuturism events. Espinal leverages expertise in real estate development and digital tools to drive lasting change.

Francine "Frankie" Goldberg 

Judge, Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court, Cuyahoga County

Francine "Frankie" Goldberg has served as a judge in the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court since December 2014. She has presided over hundreds of domestic relations cases. In 2019, Goldberg spearheaded the development of CourtConnect, a free mobile app designed for litigants and attorneys in the Domestic Relations Court. CourtConnect is the first app that gives Cuyahoga County families instant, 24/7 access to their cases. Previously, Goldberg participated in over 100 trials as an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecuting attorney for more than 24 years. She served as the director of the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and was a member of the Major Trial Unit, Community-Based Prosecution Unit and Cold Case Task Force. A three-term University Heights councilwoman, Goldberg also served four years as the vice mayor. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Her numerous awards have included Public Servant of the Year for the city of University Heights and the inaugural Golda Meir Award from NA'AMAT Cleveland Council.

Magda Gómez

Executive Director, Impact and Community Connection, District Offices, Tri-C 

Magda Gómez's work focuses on valuing students and employees by encouraging mutual respect and honoring the unique perspectives each person brings to the table. Gómez is a board member of the Hispanic Roundtable of Cleveland, serves on the Greater Cleveland Food Bank board of directors and the Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital board of trustees, and is a member of the Equity Leadership Council for the United Way of Greater Cleveland. Gómez holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the National American University, a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from John Carroll University. She is a proud alumna of Tri-C, where she earned an Associate of Arts.

Sheila A. Mason 

Retired Chief of Police, Village of Woodmere

Sheila Mason began her career in law enforcement in 1982 when she became a police officer for Tri-C. During her tenure, Mason was promoted to sergeant, captain and commander. She retired from the College in 2009. She has also held positions in Bedford, East Cleveland and Woodmere, where she became the chief of police in 2012 — a position she held until July 2024. Mason was also the owner and commander of Ran Security Services and Training Academy Inc., working with federal, county and local businesses to secure contracts to provide protective services for dignitaries during their travels to Cleveland and the surrounding areas. She also served as the past president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Greater Cleveland Chapter after being elected to the position of sergeant-at-arms for NOBLE National.

Denise McCory 

President, Metropolitan Campus, Tri-C

Denise McCory, Ed.D., is the president of the Tri-C Metropolitan Campus. McCory has worked in higher education for over 25 years in positions ranging from K-12 program administration to the dean of students and dean of Academic Affairs. For several years, she chaired the executive board of the American Council on Education Women's Network of Ohio, which supports the development and advancement of women in higher education. She is a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the Higher Learning Commission Diversity Committee. She has also served on various local and national boards, including the Campus District board, the Positive Education Program board of directors and the National Council on Student Development. McCory is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland's class of 2023, and her recognitions include the Blacks in Management Leadership Award, the Phenomenal Woman of the Year Award and Kaleidoscope Magazine's 40 under 40.

Delia (Dee Dee) Pfister

Associate Vice President, Academic Professional Development, Instructional Design and Online Learning, Tri-C

Delia (Dee Dee) Pfister, Ph.D., has served at Tri-C for the past 13 years in multiple leadership roles and is currently the associate vice president of Academic Professional Development, Instructional Design and Online Learning. Before this role, she served as the dean of Academic Affairs, associate dean of Liberal Arts, assistant dean of Student Affairs, assistant dean of Academic Affairs and adjunct faculty at Tri-C. Additionally, Pfister has served in leadership capacities in the corporate and higher education sectors, including Ursuline College, Lake Erie College, Fifth Third Bank and Axelband & Brown Advertising. Pfister holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Kent State University, a Master of Arts in interpersonal communication, a graduate certificate in women's studies and a Bachelor of Science in organizational communication from Ohio University. She recently completed the League for Innovation's Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) for prospective community college presidents and is an alumna of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges' first Leadership Academy cohort. In 2017, she earned the Dissertation of the Year Award from the National Council on Student Development with her research, titled Singled Out for Success: A Narrative Inquiry of Single Mothers in the Community College.

India Pierce Lee 

Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Tri-C

India Pierce Lee joined Tri-C in 2023 as the executive vice president and chief strategy officer. In this role, she collaborates with leadership to establish accountability measures and achieve mission-driven strategic goals and initiatives. Before joining Tri-C, Lee was the senior vice president of programming at the Cleveland Foundation. She began her career with the foundation in 2006 as the program director for Neighborhoods, Housing and Community Development. Lee oversaw the Greater University Circle Initiative, a multi-institutional neighborhood revitalization partnership including Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and the City of Cleveland. This work led to the creation of the Uptown neighborhood, the Health Tech Corridor and the Evergreen Cooperatives. She holds a Master of Arts in Psychology, specializing in Diversity Management, from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Cleveland's Dyke College. She is also a graduate of the Louis Stokes Fellowship in Community Development from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, where she obtained a Master of Science in Social Administration. In 2019, Lee received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Cleveland State University College of Graduate Studies.

Claire Rosacco

Vice President Government Relations amd Community Relations, Tri-C

Claire Rosacco is the vice president of Government Relations and Community Outreach at Tri-C. Her responsibilities include cultivating relationships with government officials at all levels and fostering community partnerships on behalf of the College. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Rosacco to serve on the Ohio Imagination Library Board — the most successful Imagination Library program in the country.
She is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges national advocacy committee. Among her many honors, she has been named a 2025 YWCA Career Woman of Achievement and received the College President's Award and the Edwin Crawford Award for Innovation for leading the charge in Ohio to allow community colleges to invest in mutual funds. This has led to millions of dollars annually for institutions in their investment portfolios.

Jasmin Santana 

City of Cleveland Council Member, Ward 14

Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmin Santana was the first Latina council member in Cleveland's history. Santana represents Clark-Fulton, Stockyards and portions of the Brooklyn Centre and Tremont neighborhoods. She serves on several council committees, is the council's representative to the city's Community Relations Board, and holds the position of majority whip on the city council. She recently joined the United Way of Greater Cleveland's board of directors, is on the Say Yes Cleveland Operating Committee, and was recently appointed to the Cuyahoga County Women's Health Commission. Santana worked as an outreach coordinator with the nonprofit Hispanic Alliance and the MetroHealth Medical Center, promoting health and nutrition education in the Hispanic community. Santana has served as a trustee for a number of nonprofit organizations for social service agencies, including the Northeast Ohio Association for Hispanic Health and the May Dugan Center. She has studied nonprofit administration and public health through a dual program with Tri-C and Cleveland State University.

HerBrina Shepherd

Specialist, Transfer Center, Metropolitan, Tri-C

HerBrina Shepherd is an accomplished author, educator and community leader who is passionate about empowering Black girls and women through storytelling. As the founder of Just Bloom LLC, she self-publishes children's books that celebrate Black girl magic, including Amara, The Brave Mermaid, Maya's Sunflower Magic and HerBrina, The Amazing! Currently a transfer specialist at Tri-C, she also advocates for literacy and student success. Shepherd serves on the Maple Heights City Schools Board of Education and volunteers with organizations that foster educational growth.

Cortney Stoutemire 

Certified Yoga Instructor, Peace Within Wellness

Cortney Stoutemire is a yoga instructor, doula and community health worker. She is also the owner of Peace Within Wellness, a brand that focuses on self-love, healing, restoration of the mind, body and soul, and improving life happiness. Stoutemire graduated from Cleveland State University with a dual bachelor's degree in criminology and sociology. She worked for some of Ohio's top law firms, such as Jones Day and Squire Patton Boggs. She is currently the wellness coordinator at the Lexington-Bell Community Center, located in the historical Hough neighborhood, where she facilitates a program that assists mothers and caregivers with a wide range of support services.

Kristin Warzocha 

President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Food Bank

Kristin Warzocha is the president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Northeast Ohio's largest hunger relief organization. Warzocha has been with the food bank since 2000, also serving as the director and, later, the vice president of External Affairs. She is a board trustee for the Cleveland Leadership Center and the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. She is also on the Board of Visitors for Tri-C's Workforce Development School. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and has also participated in the Harvard Business School Executive Education programs in Governing for Nonprofit Excellence and Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. Most recently, Warzocha led the food bank's Expansion Campaign, which raised $80 million to address hunger. These investments have resulted in a new 197,000-square-foot Partner Distribution Hub. The campaign has also allowed the food bank to renovate its former facility into a nationally recognized Community Resource Center, collaborating with more than 14 other on-site nonprofit partners.