Our team - Wevise

Meet the team

We’re a team of committed volunteers from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about leveling the playing field in tech (and beyond). We’re excited to continue to bring on skilled and passionate people to help us grow.

Board
Tech
UX/UI
Marketing
Operations
Product
Programs

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Janice Levenhagen

CEO

Janice Levenhagen

CEO

Janice is a founder of several successful organizations. Her educational background is computer engineering, with an MBA and a second master’s in International Development. She is the founder and former CEO of a multi-national nonprofit organization focused on the attraction and retention of women and girls to technology careers. She created and led multiple inclusive programs that engaged, empowered, and supported women and girls, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. These programs include hands-on technology workshops and mentorship for teen girls, conferences for women in technology to help them expand their network, find jobs, and learn new skills in hands-on workshops, and community events. In addition, she created training for technology companies to improve their inclusivity and support of diverse employees and for women around issues such as imposter syndrome. Since moving to Europe in 2020, she’s focused on consulting for nonprofits. Recent projects include working with a Kenyan NGO to improve the impact of a young woman-focused code school program and supporting refugee-focused organizations through strategic and operational support. She joined Wevise in late 2022 and is excited to be a part of kicking off an organization that has the potential to change so many lives.

Jon Leinen

Board President

Jon Leinen

Board President

25+ years successful experience providing entrepreneurial, business development, marketing, technical and strategic leadership in uniquely challenging situations from start-ups to public sector to Fortune 500 organizations. Dynamic, detail oriented professional with strong track record of performance in turnaround and high paced organizations driving revenue to new heights. Passionate, results-oriented leader with expertise in marketing, direct sales, new business development, professional services, government contracting, information technology and team building in both private and public sectors. Proven ability to partner across organizational boundaries to support goals and objectives for multiple business units with extensive experience building professional services teams to engineer and deliver sophisticated solutions. Superior interpersonal and presentation skills, capable of resolving complex issues and motivating cross-functional teams to peak performance. I am currently Founder and President at Global Orbital Imaging AI Systems & Technology. GOIAST8 LLC is a proven, development partner to government intelligence agencies supporting advance satellite imaging applications. GOIAST8 develops and leverages the latest AI technologies and advanced imaging systems to support our clients' missions. I also serve as Committee Chair Emeritus to Scout Troop 589 in Victoria, MN. Troop 589 has been a leader in inclusivity in the Minneapolis and Upper Midwest region. Since 2006, we have grown from an inspired core of a dozen Scouts to a group of 100+ young men and women and 200+ adults passionate about youth leadership and outdoor skills.

Ted Emerson

Programs

Ted Emerson

Programs

Ted Emerson is an experienced HR executive from the Greater Orlando area, with a career spanning over two decades at companies like Amazon and Disney. Specializing in Talent Development and HR Management, he’s fluent in English and conversational in Spanish. Ted’s experience covers diverse sectors, including technology and hospitality. At Amazon, he managed HR for a large group, focusing on improving efficiency. His other roles at Flexport, Bloomin' Brands Inc., Verifone, and Disney involved enhancing HR processes and people management. Ted holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida. He is adept with tools like Workday, Lattice, and Tableau, and has a history of streamlining management and advancing learning programs. Beyond work, Ted enjoys family life, spending time with his spouse, their dogs, and extended family. He and his spouse, pet parents for 20 years, are in the process of adopting their first child. This personal dedication adds depth to his understanding of work-life balance and inclusive work environments.

Kelly Fleischer

Chief Operating Officer

Kelly Fleischer

Chief Operating Officer

Kelly is an effective business executive with over 20 years of experience in Operations & HR leadership roles across multiple organizations. Her expertise lies in building and managing global teams, particularly in the technology sector, with a focus on creating innovative, employee-driven cultures that foster both personal growth and business success. Throughout her career, Kelly has held several key executive positions, allowing her to develop a comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics and strategic leadership. Kelly's areas of proficiency include building and managing high-performing teams, developing innovative, employee-driven cultures, aligning organizational values with business goals, implementing clear strategies and measurable objectives Her strategic approach to organizational improvement includes systematizing end-to-end processes, focusing on scalability and automation, enhancing reporting and accountability measures, improving overall effectiveness. This approach has consistently resulted in reduced costs and enhanced organizational efficiency. Rooted in respect, empowerment, and appreciation, Kelly’s leadership philosophy is simple yet profound: "When the strategy is clear, the goals are broken down in a way that is easy to execute & measure, and you trust, empower, and appreciate your team- everyone will succeed!" This philosophy has been instrumental in her ability to drive lasting business success and the impact on organizational culture across various organizations. Kelly's focus on creating a values-driven, goal-oriented culture has been a hallmark of her leadership style. She emphasizes fostering innovation, promoting employee engagement and driving business success through people-centric approaches.

Cyrus Zulkarnaian Kazi

Program Partnerships, Secretary

Cyrus Zulkarnaian Kazi

Program Partnerships, Secretary

For more than two decades, Cyrus has passionately pursued social impact through systemic changes and technological innovation in emerging communities. Born in Bangladesh, and a new immigrant to the US, Cyrus has worked with tech companies, nonprofits, NGOs, philanthropies, and governments in over 25 countries, has successfully launched and scaled multiple ventures, and advised hundreds of organizations on sustainable social impact. He has a BA in Economics from SUNY Purchase, an MPA in Public Policy & Evaluation from Marxe School of Public & International Affairs, and an Executive MBA from Zicklin Business School. He's the CEO/Co-Founder of Quantibly, the first platform to operationalize impact data for the global impact ecosystem.

Kim Lonas

Corporate Partnerships

Kim Lonas

Corporate Partnerships

Kim Lonas is a professional in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Currently serving as the global diversity and inclusion program lead for DCC Technology / Exertis Group, she has been instrumental in developing and implementing Exertis' DEI strategy, impacting c. 5000 employees. Her role emphasizes embedding ownership and accountability within business units through local leadership and Exertis’ global diversity & inclusion council. With a rich cultural experience encompassing numerous countries such as France, Ireland, Sweden, the U.K., and many more, Kim brings a global perspective to her work in DEI. Her speaking engagements are marked by practical knowledge, drawing from her extensive experience in various cultural contexts. Kim holds a Stanford University certificate on "Leverage Diversity and Inclusion for Organizational Excellence." This program has equipped her with advanced strategies and insights into leveraging diversity to drive organizational success. Additionally, Kim earned a certificate from Cornell University in "Diversity and Inclusion for HR," which underscores her deep understanding of integrating diversity and inclusion principles in human resources practices. Complementing these achievements is her SHRM-CP designation. Kim has been a prominent speaker at notable industry events, including Integrated Systems Europe. She is a seasoned panelist, frequently participating in discussions related to DEI, sharing her knowledge and experiences, inspiring and educating audiences on the importance and implementation of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Megan Mulholland

Product

Megan Mulholland

Product

Megan is a product and education executive. She has been working in the fields of online education and edtech for more than 10 years as a teacher, instructional designer, and product manager, and most recently as the Chief Product Officer at a career change education school for tech fields. She’s interested in improving educational outcomes and creating equitable experiences for learners from all different backgrounds and believes that helping people move forward in their careers is both incredibly rewarding and important, especially in terms of increasing representation at all levels of organizations.

Casey Smirniotopoulos

Operations

Casey Smirniotopoulos

Operations

Casey is a neurodivergent ops nerd with a passion for building teams and supporting people-centered change. She currently works within Mastercard's Cyber & Intelligence division as a vice president of strategy and operations. Casey lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and spends her free time reading, seeking out dark roast espresso cappuccinos, and taking in the stunning local scenery.

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Vishal Patel

Advisor - Tech

Vishal Patel

Advisor - Tech

Vishal Patel is an engineering leader with over 16 years of experience across various verticals. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in helping organizations, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, build and grow their engineering teams. His expertise spans from spearheading innovation initiatives to implementing scalable solutions, all aimed at driving efficiency and maximizing impact. He excels in fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring that teams are equipped to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in today's dynamic environment. He is dedicated to leveraging technology's potential to propel Wevise's mission forward and create a meaningful impact in the lives of those it serves.

Bret Truchan

Senior Full-Stack Developer

Bret Truchan

Senior Full-Stack Developer

Bret is a full-stack developer who loves building things that make people's lives easier (or at least more interesting!). During his 15+ years in tech, he's worn many hats - from writing code and leading teams to occasionally untangling particularly mysterious bugs. When he's not working on web applications, you might find him tinkering with synthesizers - he creates open-source modules for VCV Rack under the name Voxglitch and has even ventured into building physical synth modules. These days, he's particularly excited about AI and automation, spending perhaps a bit too much time writing scripts to make ChatGPT do entertaining and useful things. He believes in the power of open source, the joy of solving puzzles through code, and the importance of not taking yourself too seriously while doing serious work.

Abhinandh Ajay

Software Engineer

Abhinandh Ajay

Software Engineer

Abhi is a Software Engineer with a little over 2 years of experience in building large scale systems. As a recent graduate, he knows the importance of the role that mentors play in helping students transition from academia to the industry.

Ashton Stom

Software Engineer

Ashton Stom

Software Engineer

Ashton is a full stack engineer who graduated from Bloom Institute of Technology. He loves to work on anything he can get his hands on, but primarily worked on creating backend API endpoints while working at WeVise. Ashton is committed to improving his skills and learning as much as he can so he can be relied upon in every aspect of a product. Ashton spends most of his free time gaming or working on personal projects.

Phil Morehead

Chief Product Officer

Phil Morehead

Chief Product Officer

Phil brings a wealth of expertise in product management, innovation, and leadership to drive the Wevise's mission of empowering nonprofits through accessible, transformative tools and resources. With a proven track record of building and scaling product teams, Phil ensures that WeVise’s offerings align with the unique needs of nonprofit clients while fostering collaboration and innovation across the organization. Outside of WeVise, Phil serves as a Product Management Director, where he leads diverse teams and champions human centered design to deliver impactful solutions. Known for his people-first approach, Phil excels at bridging strategy with execution, cultivating shared cultures of transparency, and aligning stakeholders across organizational boundaries. Phil is a dedicated advocate for nonprofits, leveraging professional expertise and personal passion to make a meaningful impact. Beyond his professional life, he enjoys outdoor adventures, Peloton cycling, and raising his young daughter, who serves as his greatest source of inspiration. With a mix of humor and determination, Phil strives to build a legacy of empowerment, both within their family and the nonprofit community.

Meenaz Sayyed

Data Analyst

Meenaz Sayyed

Data Analyst

Meenaz brings over five years of experience as a Data Analyst, specializing in Business Intelligence across various sectors. She has a strong passion for volunteering and has dedicated her time to many organizations for a variety of causes. In her leisure time, she enjoys gardening, taking strolls, and spending quality time with her son. Meenaz is excited about the prospect of volunteering at Wevise and looks forward to both applying her skills and learning from the community.

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Neha Paralkar

UX/UI Designer

Neha Paralkar

UX/UI Designer

Neha is a marketer turned UX designer who helps businesses grow by creating impactful user experiences through research, design, and storytelling. Her experience spans the spectrum — from Fortune 500 companies to early-stage startups and nonprofits. When she is not designing or conducting research, Neha enjoys giving back to her community by distributing curated boxes of baby books, goodies, and enrichment resources for economically-disadvantaged new moms. You can also find her capturing life's moments as a volunteer photographer for Sunnyvale Public Library.

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Kristen Stewart

Advisor - Marketing Generalist

Kristen Stewart

Advisor - Marketing Generalist

Kristen Stewart is a seasoned marketing executive with over 15 years of experience building high-performing teams and driving significant brand growth. Her expertise lies in developing and executing successful brand strategies, content marketing campaigns, and product launches that boost brand awareness, engagement, and revenue. She is a firm believer in cross-functional collaboration, inspiring creative teams, and building strong relationships with stakeholders. Kristen is beyond excited to join WeVise as their new CMO. Having mentored many of her past employees, she is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential. The WeVise vision of providing accessible mentorship aligns perfectly with her values. She is eager to leverage her skills and experience to help WeVise achieve its mission and make a lasting impact on the lives of others. When she's not immersed in the world of marketing, Kristen can be found indulging in her passions for science fiction literature, playing the piano or flute, or nurturing her hydroponic garden.

Issa Elegbede

Web Designer

Issa Elegbede

Web Designer

Issa is a seasoned no-code website designer with 5+ years of experience. Proficient in WordPress, Unbounce, Wix, Shopify, Squarespace, and other CMS platforms. Specialized in crafting visually stunning and functional websites without the need for coding. He prioritizes both aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that each project aligns perfectly with the set goals.

David Webber

Content Writer

David Webber

Content Writer

David has more than a decade of expertise in content creation, editing, and strategic thinking, He is deeply committed to producing compelling, pertinent, and influential content that resonates with a wide array of audiences and industries. As a Content Strategist at iQuanti, he harnessed his proficiency in SEO and content curation to aid clients in the financial services and wellness sectors, empowering them to attain their digital marketing objectives and enhance their online visibility.

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Kelly Fleischer

Chief Operating Officer

Kelly Fleischer

Chief Operating Officer

Jamie May

Mentee Operations Manager

Jamie May

Mentee Operations Manager

Jamie is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in various business support functions including accounting, operations, project management, and business analysis. Jamie is excited to contribute her skills and experience to Wevise. She hopes to make a meaningful impact beyond her professional career while simultaneously learning from the great mentors within the organization.

Kasey O'Sullivan

Human Resources Manager

Kasey O'Sullivan

Human Resources Manager

Claudia Oakley

Manager, Operations

Claudia Oakley

Manager, Operations

I joined the Wevise team as Manager, Operations. I love to collaborate in a world of creativity and teamwork! I'm comfortable navigating through daily tasks independently, but I truly believe that only together we can achieve amazing things. I'm based in sunny San Diego, CA, and I like to start my workday at 9:00 AM sharp. My schedule revolves around my family and personal commitments, but I'm flexible and always prioritize getting things done. Originally from Mexico city, I moved to the US in 2016 (Se habla español!!) I bring a few skills to the table, like critical thinking, managing programs, and making things run smoothly using Agile methods. I am a mentor and Certified Scrum Master, and recently, I got certified as a Professional Kanban Trainer. One super power I have is to eliminate spreadsheets ha! With over 13 years of experience in Quality Assurance, I'm all in for testing, failing and learning! When it comes to working with me, it's all about clear communication, giving and receiving feedback, and brainstorming ideas together. I love a good visual aid to help understand complex stuff, and I'm always up for a chat to figure things out. So, let's team up and make great things happen!

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Phil Morehead

Chief Product Officer

Phil Morehead

Chief Product Officer

Kirubel Seyoum

Product Manager

Kirubel Seyoum

Product Manager

Kirubel Seyoum is a results-driven Product Manager based in New York with a background in business and computer science from the University of Southern California. With experience spanning roles in product and design at Zoom, EasyPost, and a few early-stage startups, Kirubel's dedication to WeVise's mission of ensuring equitable access to mentorship, education, and career opportunities in the tech industry inspired him to join the team and help lead the development of the WeVise platform.

Gayatri Puwar

Product Manager

Gayatri Puwar

Product Manager

Gayatri's educational background comprises an MS in Computer Science, supplemented by an MBA and a second master’s in International Business Administration. She is a full-stack, hands-on product leader with extensive global product and technology go-to-market (GTM) experience in both large companies and startups spanning various industries. Her expertise lies particularly in Messaging and Collaboration Platforms, AI/ML, Applications, and Integrations across B2B and B2C domains, with her recent involvement in GovTech. With over 15 years of experience, she has led cross-functional teams through numerous product launches, ranging from 0-1 to 1-N, delivering customer-focused solutions. Her approach to product development and go-to-market strategy is holistic, characterized by collaboration with best-of-breed technologies, methodologies, and adoption practices. Outside of work, Gayatri is a mother of two children and enjoys activities such as reading, music, painting, sketching, and teaching art to children.

Zain Aderonmu

Product Manager

Zain Aderonmu

Product Manager

Zain is an adaptable Product Manager with a diverse background in education, marketing, and UX design. With experience across multiple regions and wide-ranging global travels, she brings valuable cross-cultural insights to her work. Committed to developing products and solutions that actively engage users and drive meaningful impact, she enjoys crafting user-centric designs and implementing product enhancements. Inspired by Wevise's mission, she is dedicated to advancing equitable access to mentorship and education. In her free time, Zain enjoys board games and puzzles. She also indulges in audiobooks while immersing herself in art and design projects, currently exploring the art of hand embroidery.

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Devin Hearns

Chief Program Officer

Devin Hearns

Chief Program Officer

Devin is the founder of Ndevor Enterprises, a consulting LLC specializing in nonprofit and government contracting. Through Ndevor, Devin leverages his extensive experience to help organizations navigate complex systems and optimize their programs for maximum impact. Before launching Ndevor Enterprises, Devin served as the National Director for the AARP Foundation Workforce Program, where he managed the operations of 90 program sites across 21 states and Puerto Rico. His leadership ensured the successful delivery of workforce development services, guiding teams to meet the needs of diverse communities. Devin's career spans 25 years in social services, where he has built a reputation for expertise in community resource development, workforce development, case management, and human service program design. He has held leadership roles such as Director of Case Managed Services for Goodwill Industries, Director of Programs for the United States Veterans Initiative, and Program Manager for WHS Children’s Services. Throughout these roles, Devin has directed programs that support ex-offenders, veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, those battling substance abuse, at-risk youth, foster care populations, senior citizens, and people with severe disabilities or serious mental illness. A passionate advocate for the communities he serves, Devin holds a Bachelor's in Social Science from Grand Valley State University and a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Central Michigan University. He is also a Certified Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF), Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP), and a Project Management Professional (PMP). Devin is active in several national organizations, including the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, the Project Management Institute, the Nonprofit Management & Public Administration Association, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Maggie Faust

Partnerships Manager

Maggie Faust

Partnerships Manager

Maggie is a B2B SaaS executive and consultant with 6+ years building and leading pre- and post-sales teams, including partnership teams. She's been in tech for over 15 years across a variety of sectors (healthcare, telco, travel, e-comm, retail, fintech), and has seen firsthand the need for more diversity, so Wevise's mission and approach really connected for her. She's a big advocate for mentorship, and investing in the next generation of talent is one of the things she loves to focus on in her career.

Zach Strong

Mentorship Community Manager

Zach Strong

Mentorship Community Manager

Driven by a fascination with people, talent, AI/ML, and technology, I lead AI and Engineering Talent Acquisition in North America for BCG. With over a decade of working with technical talent and a background in Psychology, I focus on strategically growing AI/ML teams and fostering a talent-oriented culture that allows people and teams to innovate and create impactful solutions. Prior to BCG, I collaborated with a portfolio of tech companies and startups such as DataBricks, Confluent, Diffeo, Improbable, and Cloudera, working in the Intelligence and Defense Community. Professionally, I'm committed to growing teams and creating environments where AI/ML talent excels and can positively impact the world. Personally, I'm passionate about continuous learning and exploring the intersection of technology, psychology, and philosophy. My goal: To build and lead teams that allow AI/ML talent to thrive, driving progress and unlocking the potential of organizations, teams, and individuals.

Jennifer Youngblood

Advisor - Programs Generalist

Jennifer Youngblood

Advisor - Programs Generalist

Jennifer comes to Wevise with 20+ years experience as a Career Coach in private practice, higher education, for profit, and non-profit partnering with clients to navigate their career transitions and find meaningful work. She has worked directly supporting clients and in developing programs, processes, curriculums, and tools in organizations from startup to enterprise level. She is a coach, strategist, data geek, community builder, design thinker, advocate, founder/entrepreneur. She enjoys partnering with stakeholders to solve challenges, innovate new processes, and create human-centered design solutions! She is also deeply committed to mentoring, elevating servant leadership, DEIB, learning & development, professional and workforce development. In addition, she is a mother of 2, military veteran, and avid gardener.

Celso Filho

Learning and Development Manager

Celso Filho

Learning and Development Manager

Celso is a bilingual Learning and Development leader with over a decade of experience crafting and implementing education strategies that drive growth and engagement. With a background spanning large universities, tech companies, edtechs, and corporate environments, he excels at aligning learning solutions with business goals while embracing technological innovation. Known for his ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with stakeholders, Celso ensures every initiative delivers measurable results. His expertise includes managing learning content lifecycles, building strategic partnerships, delivering impactful training, and fostering strong relationships across teams and clients. Celso leverages project management skills to oversee initiatives of all sizes, integrating cutting-edge technologies to deliver scalable, innovative solutions. His passion for education, combined with his focus on relationship-building and operational excellence, drives transformation and sustained growth in every project he leads.