ABOUT US
OUR TEAM
FLAG SELECTION COMMITTEE
THE
DAVE STALTER
Dave Stalter is the owner of Voodoo Monkey Tattoo and has been tattooing since 1997. He began his career as a commercial artist for many years before realizing it wasn’t his calling. Seeking a more fulfilling career directly working with people, he chose tattooing and opened his own tattoo shop, Voodoo Monkey Tattoo, on West 25th Street!
AIMON ALI
Aimon Ali is an entrepreneur, fashion runway show producer, influencer, and creative director from Toronto, Canada, now based in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 10 years in the Canadian fashion industry, she has produced successful events in cities like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and NYC. In Cleveland, Aimon is invigorating the city's creative industry through her work with Fashion Talks and FT Foundation by organizing elevated fashion events that celebrate diversity and quality and helping elevate creative businesses. She also extends her vision to New York City, aiming to unite fashion communities on a national scale.
SYMONE ROPER
Symone Roper is the manager of McCarthy’s Downtown located in the West Bank of the Flats in Cleveland, Ohio. She was born and raised in Shaker and now currently resides in the heart of downtown Cleveland with her daughter Harlowe. One of her favorite things to do in Cleveland is walk down by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and sit by Lake Erie. Symone always has a smile on her face with high energy and has a passion for helping others. As a diehard Cleveland Browns fan, she enjoys spending Sundays in the fall hosting other Browns fans at her downtown location. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants all around Cleveland. She is very excited to work on the CLE Flag Project because of her Girl Scout days and contribute her voice back to Cleveland.
KERRY DAVIS
Kerry Davis is a creative director at Cleveland Print Room, and is the picture of an "out loud" individual. He hails from Charleston, Missouri, where he co-founded a community arts organization. Davis is a person of varied experiences: he has been a classroom educator, served on boards and various comittees, worked as a personal assistant, and been a waiter! Kerry believes "Community and the fine arts are truly my passion. We should never forget the value of that relationship and continue to perpetuate it."
JOHNNY WU
A native Clevelander raised in Central America, Johnny Wu is a veteran award-winning producer, director and editor with an MBA specialization in marketing and branding. His company Media Design Imaging, founded in 1998, provides video and event producing to non- and for-profit corporates, small businesses and the filmmaking community. Wu also co-founded the Cleveland Asian Festival and sits as an executive board member of St. Clair Superior Development Corp, member of the International Task Force for Cleveland Museum of Art, WKYC Community Council Member, City of Cleveland Consumer Affairs Community Board and as VP of Communications for OCA Cleveland Chapter, to name a few.
WILLIAM VODREY
William Vodrey lives in Cleveland near Shaker Square; he and his wife Susan have three grown sons. He serves as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County. He flies a variety of historic American flags at home, and thinks Cleveland should have a flag worthy of such a great city. He's been interested in flags since his Boy Scout days, and is well-informed on vexillology, heraldry and the NAVA best-practices guidelines for flag design. He graduated with honors from Oberlin College and earned his J.D. from CWRU School of Law. He's active with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the American Constitution Society and the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable. He looks forward to his work with the CLE Flag Project!
CHRIS NGUYEN
Chris Nguyen, co-owner of Superior Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, is a corned beef aficionado, Kewpie mayonnaise advocate, and an undecorated novice in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Born and raised in Cleveland, Chris loves sharing why other countries he has visited just don't compare to the home of the Guardians. In his free time, he enjoys giving tours and telling visitors to Cleveland about how much the city has changed over the past two decades and why Cleveland is better than whatever city they are from. Chris believes the beauty of Cleveland comes from the candor, grit, and optimism - albeit blind (see Browns) of its residents. He looks forward to continuing to contribute his voice to the wind against bad play calls from referees in play-off games and serving some of the best pho Cleveland has to offer.
ALYSSA ROBERTS
Alyssa Roberts is the program manager at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. She works with the LGBTQ+ Community to provide education, resources, and connection to care. Alyssa believes that all people deserve care and compassion no matter their age, gender identity or sexual orientation. Alyssa was born in Akron, Ohio and moved to Cleveland to attend Cleveland State University. Ms. Roberts holds a BSW in Social Work with a minor in Nonprofit Administration & Gender and Sexuality studies. She is deeply passionate and invested in helping others to be their authentic selves. Outside of the office Alyssa loves reading, hiking, and being around friends.
HELENA ROSA
Helena Rosa is the new Tier MBAC Director and a lifelong resident of Cleveland. She has a strong passion for community causes and is dedicated to making a positive impact in her local area. With her extensive experience and dedication to her community, she is committed to leading and advocating for the needs of the people she serves. Helena is known for her collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership, and is excited to continue making a difference in the lives of those around her.
ESTHER NGEMBA
Esther Ngemba is a social entrepreneur, Congolese cuisine chef, creative director, and refugee & women's rights advocate. From the D.R. of Congo, Esther fled due to war and found a new home in Cleveland. She founded Furahi: A Taste of Home and Unapenseza, a local business sharing Congolese culture and cuisine, and giving back through The Furahi Foundation. Esther's ventures foster community, culinary exploration, and diversity, while supporting Congolese girls' education and entrepreneurship. Her advocacy work has raised awareness on refugee education and mental health, including a notable address at the United Nations. Outside of the office, Esther loves babysitting her seven nieces and nephews.
ADVISORY BOARD
THE
TED KAYE
Ted Kaye is a vexillologist (flag expert). He compiled the definitive guide to flag design, “Good” Flag, “Bad” Flag, and consults widely on the adoption of new flags, having advised over 100 cities, several states, and even a country. He has edited (and occasionally translated) many journals, newsletters, books, and well over 2,000 articles on flags; researched and presented papers at national and international flag-studies conferences; and gives frequent interviews to local, regional, and national media. He is currently secretary of the North American Vexillological Association.
KRISTEN POKORNY
Kristen is a seasoned designer and brings nearly two decades of diverse design experience. A graduate from Kent State University with a B.F.A. in Visual Communication Design, she has experience on both agency and client sides and she’s collaborated with both prestigious global brands and entrepreneurs. With a deep passion for brands and a variety of skills, she's able to contribute to every stage of the design process from concept to execution. Kristen is on a mission to make the world a little less ugly, one day at a time.
LAUREN ZAWIE
Lauren is an artist and designer–Cleveland born and raised–with a strong passion for community and connections through a common love of art and design. A proud graduate of Cleveland State University and its former AIGA Student President, she has continued her work in the community serving as AIGA Cleveland’s Student Development Chair. In this role, she works with a wide range of students from various backgrounds and interests to help them begin to navigate their journey as young creatives. Lauren started Stella Bea Design Co. in the spring of 2022. In just two years, Lauren has worked with over 20 clients, including the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Institute of Music, Muse Content Group, Wayfind Creative, and many businesses in the Greater Cleveland area. Lauren’s passion for Cleveland runs deep and she is excited to be a part of this initiative and future opportunities to continue to bring the community together through art and culture.
KYRA WELLS
Kyra Wells is a passionate creative leader dedicated to empowering aspiring creatives and driving positive change in the design industry. She currently works as a Creative Marketing Designer at American Greetings. There she crafts captivating marketing campaigns and national ads for retail and social platforms. Kyra is a prominent figure in the Cleveland design community, serving as President of AIGA Cleveland and design educator at Cuyahoga Community College. Additionally, she has hosted workshops centered on helping designers overcome 'Imposter Syndrome' and excel in their craft. Kyra has been a featured speaker at events like the Futureland Tech Conference in Cleveland, OH and a speaker at the 2024 State of Black Design Conference, in Nashville, TN.
VOLUNTEERS
THE
Co-Project Organizer
Brian Lachman
Josh Harkleroad
Co-Project Organizer
Nick Wyen
Advisor
Andrew Burkle
Advisor
Bailey Bowles
Graphic Designer
Polly Mytinger
Fundraising Strategist
Christen Lucas
Marketing Strategist
Jessica Cowan
Events Coordinator
Kelsey Lopez
Events Coordinator