Board of Directors
The Board works at a high level to ensure the Chamber effectively serves as the voice for NEO LGBT business and their allies.
Steven Licciardi (He/Him)
Morgan Stanley
Financial Advisor/Portfolio Management Director
Steve is a 1st Vice President, Portfolio Management Director & member of The Keystone Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, With 32+ years of experience, he combines deep analytical skills & an educational approach to guide clients towards the achievement of their financial goals. He is committed to delivering exceptional service as he designs & manages investment portfolios utilizing the principles of asset allocation & Modern Portfolio Theory. Steve’s desire to help others is equaled only by his dedication to community. He is past President of the Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities, past President of the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, President of Plexus & a member of University Hospitals Health System’s Diamond Advisory Group.
Jordyn Stevenson (He/Him)
Jordyn Stevenson
Logistics Analyst
Nolan Andersky (He/Him)
Nolan Andersky
Brand Marketing Leader
Nolan Andersky leads the cold beverage brand marketing division at Nestlé and is a proud leader of the Nestlé Pride Alliance. Nolan enjoy pairing his passion for DE&I with impactful marketing campaigns that entice audiences and increase revenues while building loyalty for brands. He is proud to be the co-chair for the Plexus Young Professional Committee and serve as a board member on the Plexus board of directors.
LarKesha Burns (she/her)
Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc.
Director of Business Development
Cleveland native and mother of four, LarKesha Burns is a leader in community empowerment and economic development. With a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University, she is the Director of Business Development at Burten Bell Carr Development Inc., driving revitalization in Cleveland’s Buckeye, Central, and Kinsman neighborhoods by expanding capital access and fostering entrepreneurship. As CEO and Founder of MISSION:CONNECT, she helps small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations access vital resources. A former educator with nearly 15 years of experience, LarKesha now focuses on equity through advocacy, education, and entrepreneurship. Since 2022, her leadership has helped secure nearly $24 million in funding for small businesses, empowering historically underserved communities and driving sustainable progress.
Steve Courington (He/Him)
En@ble Growth LLC
Founder & Principal
Steve’s 35+ year career in Human Resources spans global roles in Fortune 500 companies across eight industries. Now, he leads En@ble Growth, an HR advisory firm dedicated to developing leaders, teams & businesses. He also serves as General Manager of the Talent-to-Value Academy at CEO Works, building a global community to help organizations enhance strategy execution.
He enjoys good food, fine wine & hiking. He & his husband love traveling & have visited 50 countries across five continents.
Alex Cruz (He/Him)
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty
REALTOR®
Alex Cruz has served on the Plexus Board of Directors since 2020 and is a national real estate leader, REALTOR®, and industry advocate. He serves on the NAR Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors at both the state and local REALTOR® associations. In these roles, he helps shape policies impacting homeownership, advocacy, and professional development while actively representing buyers and sellers. He is also a member of the NAR 2025 Conventional Financing and Policy Committee, focusing on financing issues affecting real estate.
With experience in local and state-level governance, Alex brings a deep understanding of industry challenges and opportunities. Passionate about education, he is the author and instructor of the ACA (Alliance Certified Ally) course, which he teaches nationally to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in real estate.
Bentley de Bardelaben-Phillips (He/They)
United Church of Christ, National Ministries
Executive Associates, Justice and Local Church Min
Has served the United Church of Christ national offices in Cleveland for over 18 years. As transitional executive for Love of Church & team leader for Education for Faithful Action, he provides spiritual leadership, manages staff & oversees operations. He collaborates with ecumenical and interfaith coalitions on social justice issues, including HIV/AIDS, Indigenous rights, and racial justice. They hold a BA from Columbia College, an M.Div. from Eden Theological Seminary & a D.Min. from Chicago Theological Seminary.
Stephanie Haney (She/Her)
WKYC Studios
Journalist, Attorney
Stephanie Haney is a national and regional Emmy-winning host, journalist, producer, lawyer and legal analyst. In addition to serving on the board of Plexus, Stephanie is a trustee for Rescue Village animal shelter where she chairs the external affairs committee. She also supports the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland through fundraising and awareness efforts.
Lynn Heine (She/Her)
Lynn Heine
Public Sector Consulting Manager
Lynn has a combined total of over fifteen years auditing and compliance experience. She has attained the educational credits necessary to sit for the CPA exam and have obtained my CFE.
Daniel Hollowell
Oswald Companies
Sr Benefits Data Analyst
Dan has utilized Plexus as a resource in his past ventures in helping to implement LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Groups and wants to strengthen that partnership while also finding ways to expand his impact into the greater Cleveland community.
Stephanie Jansky (She/Her)
Cleveland Public Library
Stephanie is a skilled communicator and accomplished project and program manager with experience at Cleveland Clinic, The City Club of Cleveland, and Cleveland State University. She currently holds an executive leadership role at Cleveland Public Library, overseeing project management, strategic initiatives, and serving as a liaison to the Board of Trustees.
Dan Kennedy (He/Him)
Team NEO
Project Manager
Dan is a Project Manager at Team NEO and as a Board Member with Plexus, he is committed to advancing economic opportunities for LGBTQ+ businesses and fostering an inclusive, equitable business environment across the region.
Katie McLaughlin (She/Her)
Frantz Ward LLP
Katie focuses her practice on the representation of management in all aspects of labor & employment law.
Anna Pitts (She/Her)
Greater Akron Chamber
Senior Manager
Anna Pitts is a dynamic nonprofit leader and fundraising professional dedicated to immigrant rights, reproductive justice, cultural development, art education, racial equity, and food security. She serves as Senior Manager of Grants & Stakeholder Relations at Elevate Greater Akron, a regional collaborative focused on community development, economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and small businesses. Anna proudly advocates for the Plexus Education Foundation Board, helping build LGBTQIA2S+ community in NEO. She lives in North Canton with her partner, child, dog, and two cats and enjoys cooking, dancing, and traveling.
Edward Stockhausen (He/Him)
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
Ed is the Senior VP of Advocacy & External Relations at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, leading policy efforts, marketing, public relations & fundraising. He has secured over $10M for middle-neighborhood interventions & leads a statewide coalition. Previously, he was Chief Advancement Officer at Open Doors Academy, securing over $5M in funding. Ed holds a master’s in city & regional planning from OSU & dual bachelor’s degrees from Xavier University. He serves on the boards of the Center for Community Solutions & Near West Theatre.
Michelle Tomallo (She/Her)
FIT Technologies
Chief People Officer | Co-founder
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS - Michelle is Chief People Officer at FIT Technologies, a full service Managed IT Services firm headquartered in downtown Cleveland. FIT was certified as an LGBT-owned business until recently when FIT became an employee owned company in 2018. She fancies herself a cheerleader for Cleveland, eager to be involved in the on-going transformation of the City by being an unofficial ambassador.
Otto Tyson (He/Him)
Cleveland Foundation
Community Giving Officer
Otto Tyson joined the Cleveland Foundation in January 2025 as Community Giving Officer, building partnerships around Affinity Funds, including the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund, Latinx Affinity Fund, and Black Futures Fund. Previously, he was a Development Officer at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, managing major donor portfolios and fundraising initiatives. Otto co-founded the Dorian Gray Youth Foundation for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth and has been a key leader in Plexus and BBH Pride. With 20 years in nonprofit leadership and 10 years in real estate, he has led $32M in annual housing decisions and founded RE/source, an LGBTQ+ resource hub for Equal & Fair Housing in Northeast Ohio.
Shannon Waffen (She/Her)
Thrive Coaching & Consulting
Founder
Shannon is an uplifting encourager that facilitates others to know they belong, are enough & matter through Positive Human Resources strategies & tools.
Avery Ware (He/They)
Avery Ware
Through teaching, writing & podcasting, Avery is dedicated to a liberatory pedagogy that centers marginalized groups.
Nathan Wright (He/Him)
Nathan Wright
Nathan Wright is a dedicated salesperson at MarLou Shoes, known for his commitment to exceptional customer service and community engagement. Passionate about advocacy and the arts, he has served as co-chair of the Cleveland HRC Dinner, helping to advance LGBTQ+ equality through fundraising and outreach.
In 2025, Nathan joined the boards of North Coast Men’s Chorus and Plexus, where he continues to support and uplift the LGBTQ+ community through music, networking, and economic empowerment. His dedication to fostering inclusivity and connection makes him a valuable leader in both organizations.
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