Valuing Diverse Expertise: Meet Our Leaders

Indigo Bishop is a lifelong Clevelander, facilitator, and strategist specializing in sustainable development. She has worked for non-governmental organizations, in higher education, in grassroots philanthropy, and in affordable housing. Guided by her passion for cross-cultural dialogue and creative community building, Indigo is dedicated to designing for and with the next generation, building wealth in black and brown communities, and leveraging existing assets to strengthen our neighborhoods.

Devontá Dickey served as the Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager for Cleveland VOTES, a nonpartisan democracy-building and mobilization organization that aims to strengthen civic muscle and power to ensure we have a more informed, participatory, and cohesive community. Through his efforts with Cleveland VOTES, he helped to build Cleveland VOTES’ Equitable Civic Engagement framework aimed to encourage us to reimagine democratic power and civic engaged, and awarded more than $600,000 to organizations. Additionally, he led in the management and development Cleveland VOTES’ internal and external communications, digital organizing campaigns, and more. Prior to Cleveland VOTES, he served as the Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress where he managed the city’s Undesign the Redline interactive exhibitions analyzing redlining and historical discriminatory housing practices that resulted in the collateral challenges we see today in addition to supporting policy and advocacy efforts for community development corporations.

Devonta supports a number of organizations including the Cleveland Alumni of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, The Alliance for the Great Lakes, the NAACP – Cleveland Branch, Summer on the Cuyahoga, Hack Cleveland, The Communications Network. Devontá holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Denison University and studied Environmental Studies and Policy at the University of Cape Town, and actively studies IDEO’s design thinking and business innovation, digitlal organizing, digital marketing, and graphic design.

Born to a big family with military parents in North Carolina, Sharon likes to consider herself a well-traveled southern belle. It’s those roots that exposed her to all types of people, cultures, arts, music and dance. Coupled with her gifts of organization, attention to detail, creative imagination, concept design and contagious enthusiasm, her love of entertainment planning bloomed. She pursued her B.A. in Psychology at Hampton University. In her professional career, Sharon has extensive experience in the event industry and has expanded that involvement to non-profit organizations.

Prior to joining the Saint Luke’s Foundation, Sharon has worked in partnership with the American Heart Association, The Diabetes Partnership, CDF Freedom Schools, and Dancing Classrooms . These experiences gave her a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life for our region one program at a time, and aspires to one day create her own.

Currently, she provides administrative and support and assists with the day to day operations of the Foundation.

Melanie joined Saint Luke’s Foundation as Accountant in June 2014. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a native of Northeast Ohio, she brings 23 years of professional experience to her work at the Foundation. In her role as Accountant, Melanie is responsible for the Foundation’s monthly financial reporting, payroll processing, tax preparation, and budgeting.

Previously, Melanie served as an auditor for Ernst & Young for more than six years. In addition to her work at the Foundation, Melanie also serves as a Financial Officer for the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, where she has worked since 1998.

Melanie received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Outside of work, she is actively involved with her church and her children’s school.

Born and raised in Cleveland, OH Dionne began her career at the age of 14 as a volunteer Candy Striper at a local hospital in Warrensville Hts, OH.

Her service-oriented career includes tenure in the banking industry where she worked in the Public Relations Sector and helped to organize a “Banking for Living” program for elementary school students in Cleveland Public Schools teaching them the value of money, and how to open and maintain a savings account. She also spent time in the private jet industry booking and scheduling flights on luxury jets for Corporate Executives and Famous Celebrities, as well as 10 years in the Lottery Industry traveling statewide helping to facilitate training seminars and hosting special events.

She continued her volunteering pursuits by volunteering for Race for The Cure and City Mission’s Trunk or Treat festivities.

Jane Addams Business Careers Centers is her alma mater and in line with that curriculum she is an ongoing student pursuing certificates and technologies that will enhance her career path. She enjoys reading or listening to a good book and spending time with her family watching a good movie or playing Family Feud.

Christie Manning is Senior Program Director with the Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, where she provides leadership for the Program Team in activities of grantmaking and grantee support, facilitating collaboration and the active exchange of ideas, and identification of other means to advance health equity.

Christie first joined the Foundation as Senior Program Officer for Resilient Families in early 2013, providing leadership and oversight for the grant portfolio designed to catalyze and sustain efforts ensuring that community resources meet families’ needs and empower parents to implement their vision for the health and well-being of their families. In this role, she founded the Greater Cleveland Family Strengthening Network, a collaborative of organizations dedicated to increasing recognition of Family Strengthening and Support as a field of practice, and to building the capacity of local providers in the field.

Previous professional leadership experience also includes serving as Program Director for Family Connections of Northeast Ohio, Director of the Greater Cleveland Family Support Consortium, and Program Manager for the MetroHealth Center for Community Health’s Child and Family Health Services Program.

Christie earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan.

Ena joined Saint Luke’s Foundation as the Office Manager in May of 2019. In her role, she provides administrative support to the CEO and President, manages the day to day office operations of the Foundation, and provides cross coverage where necessary.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Ena provided many years of executive level administrative support as a Department Administrator and Assistant to the Director and Chairman of a research department at Case Western Reserve University. She also assisted with managing the breast cancer program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Last but not least, she served as the Office Manager to the Cleveland Browns Head Team Physician at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.

As of September 2019, Ena has obtained her Associate of Science degree in Business from Southern New Hampshire University and is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi). She plans to continue her educational pursuit and obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in management. Ena lives in Cleveland with her 3 children, two of which are recent college graduates. In her leisure, she enjoys spending time with her family, focusing on her ministry, and traveling.

Jeffrey Sugalski joined Saint Luke’s Foundation in May 2022 after working nearly two decades in the field of community development in Cleveland.

Jeffrey most recently served as Housing Development Project Manager at Cuyahoga Land Bank, where he supported the establishment of a program that is bringing new-construction single-family homes to emerging Cuyahoga County neighborhoods. There, Jeffrey was responsible for overseeing the development and construction of seven houses. He also designed and implemented a health and safety home repair program for a target area of East Cleveland. In one year, Jeffrey raised $255,000 for urban revitalization initiatives.

Prior to that, Jeffrey spent sixteen years practicing real estate development at Burten, Bell, Carr, Development, Inc. Over this time, Jeffrey was promoted three times, expanding his role from Property Research Intern to Real Estate Development Director. In his final year with BBC, he closed the financing of Colfax Family Homes, a $10 million Low Income Housing Tax Credit housing development that brought thirty-six new homes to the Kinsman neighborhood; served in a key role in securing $250,000 for agency operations and staff capacity with the leadership team; attained more than $150,000 for essential home repairs for low-income families and seniors; and wrote grants for over $100,000 in resources for planning and development feasibility analyses for future projects.

Jeffrey holds a Master of Urban Planning and Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University. He and his family reside in Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood.

Marilyn Burns was born and raised in Cleveland. She has participated in community activities for more than 40 years. She currently works in the Woodland Hills neighborhood, where she has lived for more than 20 years. She works for Cleveland City Council President Blane Griffin as a Ward Precinct committee member in Ward 6, where she describes herself as a neighborhood leader and champion.

Burns has a strong commitment to the inhabitants of Woodhill Homes, who occasionally may not receive the resources and care they need. She serves on a number of boards and committees, including those for the Woodhill Co-Op, the Cleveland Foundation, and Healthy Eating Active Living (H.E.A.L.)

Burns pursued her degree in entrepreneurship at a number of colleges, including Case Western Reserve University, Tri-C, and John Carroll. Most recently I’ve attended Perdue University to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a certificate in Psychology.

Ashley R. Evans is a native Clevelander, residing in the Buckeye Neighborhood, who is faithful to serving her community. Over the years, Ashley has served with several organizations that mentor youth, service the poor, or seek to create a platform for people whose voices are traditionally unheard. Ashley is thrilled to continue this work with the St. Luke’s Foundation and the many community members and associations in the service footprint.

JaNae Hambrick, who lives in the Buckeye Neighborhood, is an advocate for the development of Cleveland’s southeast side.

She has more than ten years of expertise in banking and leadership. She works in leadership at KeyBank to assist a group that represents KeyBank’s interests to commercial clients. She was given the Circle of Excellence Award by KeyBank in 2022.

Hambrick attended Cleveland State University where she majored in political science and consistently earned the Dean’s List. JaNae also participates in a number of political organizations and promotes voter education and engagement among other ways to include the community in the political process.

Toni Johnson is a devoted mother, daughter, cousin, and friend who loves family. She is a connector and educator with 30 plus years as a community social worker. Toni is an advocate for the homeless and re-entry populations.

She is a long-time Buckeye resident and is currently the Chairperson of the social concerns committee at Our Lady of Peace Church. “I desire to see improvements to our business district, safety and security, and walkability. I would like to fall in love with my community all over again.”

Robert L. Render III (Bob) was born, raised and nurtured in what became known as the Fairfax neighborhood before becoming a Buckeye resident in 1991 He was a member and officer of the Black History Archives Committee, which eventually became the African American Archives Auxiliary of the Wester Reserve Historical Society where he helped to establish the African American Heritage and Cultural Celebration.

Since becoming a resident of Buckeye he has served as the President of the East 128th Street Block Club Association aka The Model Street, elected as Precinct Committeeperson Ward 6-T, Community Activist and Co-founder of the Buckeye Soul Series (BS3) and Co-Chairman of the Buckeye/Larchmere/Shaker Square Safety and Security Coalition.

Bob is determined to work with like-minded persons to improve the quality of life in the Buckeye Road neighborhood and to organize a critical mass of thoughtful citizens who will become the catalyst for progressive change in the community. He intendeds to use his role on the RAC to engage in transformational initiatives.

Ronnetta (Ronnie) Stallworth, was born and raised on the Southeast side of Cleveland where she developed a passion for helping people and making positive change in her community. Ronnie started her career at the Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Housing Authority as an Employment Weaver, connecting residents to jobs and resources.

From there she went on to work with Food Access Raises Everyone (FARE) where she distributed healthy food coupons in-store and taught people how to incorporate more fresh food into their diets. Since then, Ronnie has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations and community groups including: Nourishing Power, Burten Bell Carr (as an ambassador), Project Save, Woodhill Laundry Co-op, One Fair Wage and The Gathering Place.

Ronnie’s skills include: facilitation, event planning, community outreach and engagement, data entry, reporting, promotions, organizing, public speaking, and teaching about the food system. She is the mother of two boys, loves seafood, skating, swimming and watching scary movies.

Marcy Clark is a resident in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Cleveland Ohio and has been for the last twenty years. She is a life insurance agent, a member of the Better Business Bureau, a Wellness Coach and looks forward to assisting clients in making healthy choices.

She has assisted families from all over Northeast Ohio whose loved ones have transitioned. As the president of the Lady Knights Club, Marcy led a community outreach initiative with the Cleveland Clinic’s Ronald McDonald House.

Marcy continues to work with for profit and nonprofit businesses to improve the quality of these communities. She holds events in the neighborhoods of Mount Pleasant and Woodland Hill for the homeless focusing on food, hygiene and clothing. In her free time she enjoys riding her bike, reading, and spending time at the park or at the lake.

Zack Reed is a native Clevelander who was raised in Mt. Pleasant. Zach Reed worked on a number of initiatives to enhance public safety, economic development, and education around Cleveland during his nearly two decades as a Cleveland City Councilman for Ward 2. Zack sponsored legislation to ban texting while driving, provide free parking downtown during the holidays, and limit the availability of foods containing trans-fats made in factories.

Zack worked as the Minority Affairs Coordinator at the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office in 2019 after serving as a City Councilman. While serving in this capacity, he tried to understand the requirements of the minority business community and to counteract any false information coming from abroad that was directed at the minority community. Presently, Reed works in the position of Business Development Administrator in

Jabril Shabazz was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He has lived in the Buckeye/Woodland community for more than 30 years and is a leader, business owner, and resident.
He is the Founder of Reentry Executives, an organization whose mission is to significantly lower the recidivism rate and support returning citizens as they work toward becoming contributing members of society. He has worked diligently to enhance equity with groups like the National Action Network (NAN) and is very interested in civic involvement. His current academic goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership.

He provides a vast skill set to the St. Luke’s Foundation Resident Advancement Committee in addition to his education and lifelong residency to develop the St. Luke’s footprint to establish vibrant communities together.

Derick is a Clevelander, plant based chef, lifestyle coach and proud Buckeye native. He started his career as a tutor with City Year Cleveland, went on to manage a local vegan restaurant and then became heavily involved in community outreach and engagement. In 2019 Derrick was awarded the MY COMM award for Community Service.

Today, Derick is a Buckeye Ambassador for Burten Bell Carr Development Corporation, a member of the Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Resident Advancement Committee, and a member of Uplyff Inc, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting afrocentric culture.

Derick is skilled at african drumming, storytelling and poetry. He has a passion for meditation and assisting elders in the community. In his free time Derick enjoys self care massages, traveling (especially to warm locations), and listening to live music.