Lakewood University Governing Board
Clifton Roberts Chairman of the Board | Clifton Roberts is a distinguished business leader with extensive experience at the intersections of public policy, government affairs, international trade, and technology innovation. In his leadership roles at Intel Corporation, Roberts has shaped data, AI, and trade policy globally. He has orchestrated strategic dialogue with regulators, government officials, academia, and members of civil society to influence technology-neutral international public policy. Roberts was instrumental in Intel’s Go-to-Market efforts for its AI for Workforce initiatives, helping expand educational technology programs designed to democratize Artificial Intelligence. He additionally presented key policy recommendations to the White House and EU authorities, playing a pivotal role in shaping the conversation around emerging technologies and their societal impact. Roberts combines his passion for leadership with his entrepreneurial spirit. He offers unique event experiences for families and communities in Northern California, where he resides with his family. Roberts is passionate about environmental and animal rights and is a global thought leader on such matters. |
Nicholas Strata Vice Chair | Mr. Strata is currently the Managing Director of Clean Fuels Ohio. In his current role, he oversees the day-to-day operations and a staff of around 25. His background includes working in state government, lobbying, tech start-ups, managing and growing a large state-wide trade association, and founding a healthcare management consulting company. His work experience includes staffing the Ohio Senate Finance Committee and Ohio House Insurance Committee, working as a Legislative Assistant in the Ohio House of Representatives, and serving as CEO of a healthcare trade association. Additionally, he has managed a state house campaign while also working on a presidential campaign. Most recently he was Senior Vice President of Operations and External Affairs for tech start-up Wyth; a rideshare company dedicated exclusively to colleges and universities. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of the consulting company Collaboration of Integrated Healthcare. He currently holds degrees from Wilmington College and Charleston Southern University (MBA) and graduate certificates from The London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. In addition to being Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Lakewood University, he also serves on the Marysville Parks and Recreation Commission as a commissioner. He is also an active member and a coach in the Union County Elite FC. Mr. Strata is married with three boys and currently resides in Marysville, Ohio. |
Dr. Dakota King-White Secretary | Dr. Dakota King-White has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Notre Dame College of Ohio, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Heidelberg University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Toledo. She is the co-founder of Making A Difference Consulting, an Assistant Professor in Counseling and the Program Coordinator of the School Counseling Program at Cleveland State University. Dr. King-White is licensed as a professional counselor and a school counselor. She is a community engaged scholar who engages various partners to ensure that people succeed within their various settings. Dr. King-White gives back to her profession by serving on the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Whole Chile Advisory Board, the ODE Trauma-Informed Schools Committee, and the Ohio School Counseling Association Board as the Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Task Force. Her broad area of research focuses on developing mental health models in systems from a trauma-informed lens. Through her research, she has partnered with various organizations where they have sought and secured funding for research projects locally and internationally. Dr. King-White also serves as a Research Affiliate with the Center on Trauma and Adversity at Case Western Reserve University. She has also collaborated with numerous organizations using her background as a school counselor, mental health therapist, and an administrator in K-12 schools. Dr. King-White has helped schools and other organizations identify resources, develop mental health services and models to support faculty, staff, and youth to thrive within the academic setting and beyond. For her research and achievements, she was named one of Crain’s 40 under 40 in 2018. Dr. King-White is also a sought-after speaker who has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Speaking engagements include but are not limited to programs through the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, Eaton Corporation, The Ohio State University, Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown, All Ohio Counselors Association Conference, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools, Warrensville City Schools, the American Counseling Association Conference, the International School Counseling Association and KCA University in Nairobi, Kenya. As a community engaged scholar, it is Dr. King-White’s goal to ensure that systems, organizations, and people are given the right tools and opportunities to thrive in their communities and beyond. |
Kevwe Ijatomi Treasurer | Kevwe Ijatomi is a finance & operations executive who currently serves as Managing Director, Central Finance within Google Cloud, where he is responsible for capital allocation, competitive/strategic financial insights and M&A finance. He has extensive experience partnering with business executives to deliver accretive revenue and operating income growth using a variety of go-to-market, operational and financial tactics and strategies. Prior to Google, Kevwe held several leadership roles at Hitachi Vantara, including serving as Global Head of Corporate Finance. In this role he was responsible for accelerating enterprise operational efficiency and developing strategies to drive top line growth including leading substantial M&A activity (>$10B in transaction activity). Kevwe is passionate about how technology drives social innovation – with a particular emphasis on technology solutions that support advancements in education and financial inclusion. |
Jerome Leeds Member | Jerry Leeds has been in manufacturing his entire career and operated his own Company for over 30 years. Currently, he is President of American Guard Co., Inc. aka, Technical Engineered Products, a manufacturer of accessories for power tools. He has experience in all phases of business, including marketing, engineering, accounting, and production along with extensive experience in resolving business disputes within his Company and as an independent mediator for third parties. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. Upon graduating he went to work at Hy-Ko Products and eventually was promoted to plant manager. In 1980 he started his own company specializing in sales of production tooling. Selling production tooling provided him the opportunity to start a manufacturing company specializing in manufacturing reflective visors for Don’t Walk signals. One of his biggest contracts was with the City of New York through a primary manufacturer of traffic signals and controls. In 1988 the opportunity to purchase the assets of the guard division of Morrison Products was presented to him and his business partner James Paul. After due diligence, they purchased the division and started American Guard Co., Inc aka Technical Engineered Products to service the power tool industry with safety guards for handheld grinders. Jerry has been involved with the American National Standards Institute (Chairman of ANSI B7.1) and Underwriters Laboratories Industry Advisory Committee and Standard Technical Panel for power tools, since 1990. These committees write the industry standards for the manufacturing and testing of power tools and accessories. He also currently serves on the nonprofit boards of Lakewood University and the Mediation Association of Northeast Ohio (MANO). In 1990 he trained as a mediator and started mediating for the Akron Better Business Bureau in conjunction with the Juvenile Court for first-time offenders. He also has mediated business and domestic disputes independently and for The Legal Aid Society.
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Dr. William "Bill" Stinde Member |
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Akanksha Ray Member | Akanksha is a global program manager for “Intel Digital Readiness Programs” and policy expert on responsible AI, digital trust, and workforce readiness. She drives product creation and program management for a global portfolio of AI skills programs and enables global partnerships with multi-laterals and country governments for inclusive tech development. Akanksha is experienced in engaging and empowering public sector leaders on key emerging technology trends and issues of digital rights, responsible AI, ESG, and trust & security. She is passionate about sustainable development + tech governance + women’s empowerment. |
Amanda Dotson Member | As an alumnus of Lakewood University and member of Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society, I hold a paralegal certification with an Associate’s in Paralegal Studies, a Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies, and a Master’s in Business Administration. I am dedicated to making a difference in online education and supporting volunteer efforts whenever possible. I strive to improve myself every day, believing that continuous growth enables me to better serve my community and empower others on their educational journeys. I was a military spouse for 13 years to my husband, Patrick, and a mom to two incredible children. I supported the military community for those 13 years through various volunteer efforts during my time as a military spouse. Lakewood University has been a pillar of growth and success through my years of being a military spouse helping me pursue my educational dreams through military moves and deployments. I look forward to giving back to the people who have molded me and supported me since Day 1 of this journey while helping current and future students in their educational journeys. |
Jereme Wynn Member | Jereme is an experienced financial planning and analysis professional, with over a decade of experience in the healthcare, home health, logistics and transportation, and cloud storage (A.I.) industries. Key areas of experience/business impacts include: budgeting, forecasting, accounting cycles, mergers and acquisitions, SOX assessments, annual reporting, and taxes. Mr. Wynn is experienced with creating financial reporting tools for various audiences to assist with KPI’s, overall business strategy, and decision making. With financials being a key part of any business venture, being able to create reporting that builds trust and achieves buy-in from key stakeholders are essential for organization success. |