CCWA Announces the Carter E. Strang Young Professionals Advisory Committee Class of 2026-2028
The Cleveland Council on World Affairs welcomes new members to our Carter E. Strang Young Professionals Advisory Committee (YPAC). YPAC is a body of young professionals who support the work of CCWA in its efforts to engage young professionals and students in our programming. YPAC members do this by providing program feedback and insight to the board and staff of CCWA, leading coordination of young professional events, and serving as community ambassadors for CCWA and its programs. The following new members of the Young Professionals Advisory Committee have been invited to join the 2026-2028 term.
Brooke Adams is a freelance writer and editor living in Westlake, Ohio. Her work has covered politics, government, and international affairs for local and national audiences. Brooke is committed to promoting civic engagement and a deeper understanding of global issues through thoughtful storytelling. She earned bachelor's degrees in Political Science and English from Allegheny College. When she is not writing she is spending time outdoors and with her dog Peter Barker.
Ceylon M. Allmond is a Senior Information Technology Business Analyst in the Technology Project Management Office at KeyBank, where she supports governance, delivery enablement, and cross-functional technology initiatives. She recently earned her MBA from Cleveland State University and is passionate about leadership, global learning, community engagement, and creating meaningful connections across sectors. Ceylon is a Cleveland Council on World Affairs Global Ambassadors Program alumna and is excited to continue her involvement with CCWA as YPAC Social Chair. She also serves as Co-National Community Engagement Chair for KeyBank’s Young Professionals employee resource group and has led mentorship work with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Greater Cleveland Chapter’s Through Her Eyes program. In 2026, she was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Emerging Legend by the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation.
Melinda Burgin is a rising 2L at Case Western Reserve University pursuing a career in international human rights law. Before law school, she earned her B.A. in Political Science and Studio Art at Illinois Wesleyan University. She completed three independent research projects on global climate justice, research that sparked her commitment to working for more just international systems. At CWRU, she has had the opportunity to begin this work- she currently serves as the Chief of Registrar for the Middle East Accountability Project (formerly the Yemen Accountability Project), and as Vice President of Refugee Outreach Collective. She also looks forward to beginning work on the Journal of International Law this fall.
Tristan Douglas is a Cleveland native and has spent his early career strengthening local institutions. He currently serves as the Program Specialist at Cuyahoga Community College's Center for the Future of Work, working to prepare the college and region for the rapidly evolving labor market. Before that, he worked across the City of Garfield Heights' Economic Development and Law Departments, and later helped lead a successful mayoral reelection campaign there. He holds a B.A. in International Studies from Case Western Reserve University, where he followed his interest in global affairs that had been building since childhood. Outside of work, he can be found playing soccer, supporting Cleveland's sports teams, or hiking in local parks, and he never turns down a game of chess or a trivia night. Tristan is excited to bring his perspective to YPAC and grow alongside a cohort of passionate, globally-minded professionals.
Andrew Guzzetta currently works as the Coordinator for the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning at Case Western Reserve University. He also serves as the Board President and Co-Executive Director for Queer in Canton, the LGBT community center he helped start in my hometown of Canton, OH. He received a Bachelor's of Communication Studies from Kent State University and has a professional background in multiple areas of nonprofit work. When not at work or the community center, Andrew is a foodie that enjoys playing kickball and tennis. He is excited to be joining YPAC and looking forward to interacting with other people who are also fascinated by current events and world affairs.
Nadine Jones represents injured workers throughout the state of Ohio as a workers compensation attorney for NRS Injury Law, a law firm based out of Cleveland. She serves as a Trustee for the Youngstown-based nonprofit, Simply Slavic, whose mission is to celebrate and preserve Slavic traditions in the Mahoning Valley. In her free time, she volunteers as a coach for Akron Law’s moot court program to teach students about international law for the Jessup competition - the oldest and largest moot in the world with over 100 participating countries discussing pressing matters of international law. Nadine’s continued interest in international law derives from her love of travel and her passion for teaching the history behind ongoing current events. When she isn’t practicing law or serving on a committee - Nadine spends her time reading, watching documentaries, and making art.
Carter Lentz is the Senior Associate, Wealth Strategist in Northern Trust’s Cleveland office, where he works with the broader trust and investment team to support client development and relationship-building opportunities. A Northeast Ohio native, he earned his MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School and a B.A. in Economics, International Studies, and Hispanic Studies from Pepperdine’s Seaver College. His academic and international experiences, including study abroad in Buenos Aires and research related to linguistics, economic development, and Latin American literature, have shaped his interest in cross-cultural connection and global engagement. He is excited to bring his perspective, along with his commitment to collaboration and community involvement, to the Young Professionals Advisory Committee.
Yoha Marinez Jimenez is a Cleveland State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations. Her academic journey included study abroad experiences in Spain and France, where she further developed her interest in global affairs, cross-cultural engagement, and international cooperation. Passionate about community engagement and leadership, Yoha has a strong commitment to public service built through volunteering across the Greater Cleveland community and supporting students with career development. She is honored to join the Carter E. Strang Young Professionals Advisory Committee and looks forward to helping shape the future of Cleveland's globally-minded community.
Anastasia McIntosh serves on the Development Finance team at the Port of Cleveland. She contributes to the lifecycle of diverse development transactions, supporting innovative structures and initiatives that advance regional economic progress. Originally trained in the natural sciences, her professional roots span from global enterprise technology rollouts to community-centered infrastructure building. This cross-pollination of operational rigor and grassroots cultural production informs her deep curiosity about emerging models of land and human stewardship, multi-capital frameworks, and responsible degrowth alongside an ever-changing, messy definition of hope. Anastasia is deeply invested in exploring modern blueprints for navigating systemic complexity with accountability and foresight, while remaining continuously curious about the historical forces that shaped the region. In her spare time, she is usually trying to keep her garden alive, putzing around the library, or resting somewhere along the lakefront.
Taylor Mehalko is an associate with the law firm McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman, primarily working in civil and commercial litigation. Before becoming an attorney, he worked in the education and non-profit fields. He is a native Clevelander with a passion for learning about how our community can both benefit from and contribute to the global environment.
Gloria Ogundare is a Ph.D. candidate in Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University. Growing up in Jos, Nigeria inspired her interest in understanding how ordinary people build peace in extraordinary circumstances, a question that continues to shape her research today. Since moving to Northeast Ohio, she has fallen in love with Cleveland and enjoys exploring everything the region has to offer, from networking events and historic neighborhoods to the ballet, orchestra, and museums. Gloria is endlessly curious and enjoys meaningful conversations about international affairs, history, culture, and the people who make communities thrive. Outside of academia, she enjoys collecting original Frank Sinatra and Rat Pack vinyl records, vintage fashion, and Stratton compacts. She looks forward to connecting with fellow young professionals, learning from others, and contributing to the continued growth of Northeast Ohio.
Thomas Rovito is an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with the General Felony Unit of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, where he has worked since 2018 after obtaining his J.D. from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. He is also a Judge Advocate with the Ohio Army National Guard. Thomas recently returned from a deployment in the CENTCOM Area of Operations for Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve. He brings a vast array of experiences with him through previous work with the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the U.S. Department of State’s Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications.
Dr. Christopher A. Thom is a Cleveland-area native with a strong passion for science, world affairs, and understanding their impact on the local community. Chris is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Washington University in St. Louis, and obtained his Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019. Prior to moving back to the Cleveland area in 2022, Chris worked as a postdoc in the United Kingdom at the University of Oxford and taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he collaborated with researchers from a wide range of backgrounds and world perspectives. Currently, he is the Director of Research and Development at Rhenium Alloys in North Ridgeville and lives in Brecksville with his partner Sarah and their rescue pup, Atlas.
Anna Truax returned to her hometown of Cleveland in 2023 after graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in Arabic and Economics. She currently works as an executive assistant in the legal field while remaining actively involved in volunteer service and civic engagement. Her experience includes work in refugee and migration services, a year of service with AmeriCorps, and ongoing volunteering with the American Red Cross as a Restoring Family Links caseworker. Alongside friendships that span countries and cultures, these experiences have reinforced her belief that global engagement begins with personal relationships and grows through local communities. Upon her return to Cleveland, Anna sought out opportunities for professional networking and and community involvement as she reestablished roots in the city. More recently, she has found joy in creating such opportunities for others by bringing people together around shared interests and values. As a member of YPAC, she hopes to channel that passion in support of CCWA's mission while learning from the remarkable expertise and diverse perspectives of its members.
Tessa Jo Wirtz, known as “TJ” amongst her friends, joined CCWA as a Student Member in May 2025. She is an International Business Student set to graduate in May of 2027 with an International Business BBA from Cleveland State University. She has a long history of volunteerism and nonprofit work with a special focus on hunger relief. Having lived, worked and studied across 3 countries, TJ has a deep passion for cultural understanding and uplifting communities across the globe.
Emily Weaver serves as the International Student Career Specialist at Case Western Reserve University. She primarily helps international students navigate their careers, while also leading extra initiatives with internal and external campus partners. Before starting at CWRU, Emily spent almost six years working for Taiyuan University of Technology in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. She is currently completing her Masters of Nonprofit Organizations degree at Case Western and holds dual bachelor's degrees in History and Global Studies: Asia from Ohio University. In her free time, she enjoys going to museums, trying new dishes, and exploring Northeast Ohio. A member of YPAC since 2024, Emily’s goal is to strengthen others’ curiosity about the world.
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