Project Blueprint Class of January 2020
Read more about the program members making a difference
Michele Patterson-Stokes, MBA, LSW
Michele is the Coordinator for the IHN Post-Acute Care Network. In this role she is responsible for managing the collaborative initiatives of the hospitals and community nursing facilities in the network.
She graduated from Illinois State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work and in 2017, completed a Master of Business Administration degree at Malone University.
Michele has been employed with Aultman Health Foundation for the past 11 years, from 2008 to 2018 providing Care Coordination in the Emergency Department as a Licensed Social Worker.
She is currently on the Board of Trustees at Phoenix Rising Behavioral Health, Inc., helping to develop an Aultman Employee Resource Group for Minority Women and coordinating the 2nd annual Palliative Care Symposium.
Michele is an advocate for community mental health, families & children. She was raised on the southside of Chicago by her Mother and Grandparents. Michele’s Grandparents were foster parents to over 50 children over the years, they also provided food and clothing for neighbors in need.
Her career choices have been greatly influenced by her exposure to nontraditional family and community dynamics. Michele enjoys traveling & spending time with her husband, Rahman and their two sons, Akil & Amir.
Rahul Chaudhari
Rahul is the Manager of Process Design and Development at Timken Company in North Canton. He leads a team responsible for providing manufacturing engineering leadership to a business.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Rahul is a member of Project Rebuild’s Board of Trustees and enjoys volunteering to build homes with Habitat for Humanity.
He and his family have lived in Canton, Ohio for more than twenty years and enjoys the living in a community with good public schools, great parks and monuments. His family likes attending Canton Symphony events, supports ArtsinStark and roots for the Cleveland Browns. They are passionate about the community and eager to contribute to its growth and stability.
Quincy Jones
Quincy is the Budget & Administration Supervisor of the Utica Supply Hub for Williams. His job is to support the midstream pipeline business for the Ohio River and Utica Supply footprints here in Northeast Ohio. His responsibilities includes managing a team that handles inventory/warehouse management, financial forecasting/budgeting, procurement, and business administration.
His degrees include an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Northern Oklahoma College, a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a Minor in Marketing from Oklahoma State University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Cameron University.
Quincy is a published author in the Global Studies Journal, ‘A Continuous Struggle’ an article regarding perceived discriminatory practices in the workplace.
He is married to his wife of twelve years and they have two daughters.
Onwar Shaheer
Onwar Shaheer is a manufacturing process design engineer at Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University. Onwar plays a key role in creating new manufacturing equipment, troubleshooting and resolving issues with existing equipment, and supporting new plant startup.
One of his strengths is his ability to learn by getting involved with projects outside of his department, or even engineering.
His overall experiences in materials, product design, process design and project management has allowed him to make an impact in both the automotive and aerospace industries.
Onwar is an active and contributing member of the National Society of Black Engineers, and an advisor for the Northeast Ohio Jr. Chapter.
As a mentor to high school students, as well as undergraduate engineers, he understands the potential impact he can make through his positive influence because of how others have impacted him on his journey.
Jaylon A. Smith
Jaylon is a full-time, second-generation college student, currently working on his second degree at Stark State College.
He plans to continue his education as a Business Major and aspires to be a stockbroker or entrepreneur in the future.
Jaylon has been part of the workforce since the age of thirteen.
Before devoting his time to learning more about being on boards, he has been a passionate advocate for the voiceless, overlooked and oppressed.
“I believe everyone deserves a chance to be successful, regardless of their background. I want to help build a world where anyone can achieve their goals through merit, as opposed to just winning the ‘birth lottery’.”
Ivan Rosa
Ivan Rosa is the Vice President of Recovery services for CommQuest Services Inc. in Canton, Ohio.
Prior to that, Mr. Rosa was the Treatment Services Director for The Hispanic Urban Minority Alcohol and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (HUMADAOP) for thirteen years. He managed day-to-day operations of the Miguel Prieto Treatment Centers Casa ALMA/Casa Maria, the only residential and drug treatment in Cleveland aimed at meeting the specific needs of the Latinos of all cultural backgrounds. Mr. Rosa also supervised and was the project manager for Project Hope, a Youth Offender Re-entry Program (Y.O.R.P.) a SAMSHA federal grant for five years.
Mr. Rosa is a graduate of The University of Akron with a Masters in Social Work (MSW). He has also worked with youth who have chemical dependency challenges in both Ashtabula and Youngstown.
Mr. Rosa has more than thirty-five years experience in the fields of social work and chemical dependency. He has presented at national and state conferences, educating the public about working with Latinos in treatment, youth offenders, and social service settings.
He is married to his wife of 26 years and has two sons.
Courtney Chester
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou
Courtney is the former Executive Director of The Martin Center, a local community center seeking to serve the underrepresented youth of Canton City. She is the proud wife of seven years to Nathaniel Chester III and devout mother to four beautiful children, Jayla, Nathaniel IV, Rylie and Michael.
Courtney graduated from The University of Akron, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Supervision with a minor in Child Develepment. She is currently working on a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and embracing every opportunity to give back. Courtney has a heart for empowering women from all walks of life.
“Project Blueprint is such a blessing. Every meeting, I walk away with valuable information and I am extremely excited to put what I’m learning into good use. Thank you United Way and Flo for allowing me the opportunity to be part of quality change.”
Arlene Franco-Ramos
Arlene Franco-Ramos is originally from Puerto Rico. She has an MBA in HR Management, BA on Psychology and Mental Health, and over fourteen years experience working in various administrative roles.
When not in the office, Arlene can be found spending most of her time with her husband, attending her son’s soccer games or at home with her two daughters and two granddaughters.
She has a deep love for photography and scrapbooking, and enjoys reading, concerts musicals and theater.
Monica Holt-Parish
Mrs. Holt-Parish is a Canton native and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Kent State University and a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
She is the Felony Services Coordinator for Stark County Family Court. Monica serves as a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team at Children’s Network of Stark County, Stark County Domestic Violence Collaborative, and Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment Certification Advisory Board representing Juvenile and Family Courts in Ohio.
As the Felony Services Coordinator, she oversees the identification of many children including identification of those who have offended sexually, are mentally ill, involved in street crimes, struggling with the impact of trauma and poverty, or are overall mentally and physically unbalanced.
Monica believes that “treatment works and people do recover”. She knows that two heads are better than one and eight heads are better than four as it takes a village to raise healthy and well-balanced human beings.
Monica is an advocate for victims of domestic violence and child sexual abuse and strives to empower them to take back their lives, stand up to their perpetrators, and heal. She enjoys her work and having the ability to help and see broken children and families recover.
Graduates not photographed or listed include Lisa M. Cook, Rocio N. Hernández Segura, Ma Soledad Alvarez, Clishawn Robinson and Preston W. Robinson.