Get to know the passionate individuals behind the scenes at MidTown Cleveland, Inc (MTC). Our diverse and dedicated staff members work tirelessly to drive community development, create engaging events, and foster lasting connections.
Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries about the neighborhood or our initiatives. Learn more about the faces shaping the neighborhood's future and discover their roles, expertise and contributions.
If you’re interested in joining our team, don’t forget to check out our Work With Us page for career openings and opportunities. Learn more about our team below.
OUR STAFF
THE MIDTOWN TEAM
Ashley Shaw
Executive Director
Ashley leads MTC's vision for neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and placemaking. She brings over a decade of experience in Cleveland community development.
Empathetic. Action-oriented. Intentional.
What she loves about her work at MidTown:
The incredible people she gets to work with—both on our team and in the community!
Fun fact:
Started her career in Los Angeles working in video games!
Key Responsibilities
- Set strategic vision and priorities for MidTown’s neighborhoods'
- Build and steward relationships with funders, developers, and civic leaders
- Secure and manage funding aligned with community priorities
- Lead organizational strategy, governance, and team development
- Serve as a public-facing advocate elevating resident voices
Anthony Giambroni
Managing Director
Anthony leads MTC's vision for engagement strategies across our neighborhood seeking to center resident voice and leadership across neighborhood revitalization initiatives. He shepherds our neighborhood vision plans and translates neighborhood needs and priorities into strategic opportunities to advance MTC and the neighborhoods we serve.
Hopeful. Committed. Thoughtful.
What he loves about his work at MidTown:
Seeing the impact neighbors can have on neighborhood vision, vibrancy, and development.
MidTown Hidden Gem:
Chateau Hough - the perfect mix of vacant land stewardship, craft, and community activism.
Key Responsibilities
- Set strategic direction for engagement efforts across MidTown, AsiaTown, and Hough
- Lead implementation of project-based engagement strategy across a variety of neighborhood projects
- Facilitate community conversations, events, and program partnerships
- Expand and deepen relationships among residents, nonprofits, and stakeholders
- Serve as champion for resident leadership that shapes the future of our neighborhoods
Niraj Naik
Director Of Real Estate & Planning
Niraj leads planning, community development, economic development, and implementation projects in MidTown, AsiaTown, and surrounding neighborhoods, helping bring public spaces to life and turning ideas into lasting, neighborhood-scale impact.
Thoughtful. Practical. Curious.
What he loves about his work at MidTown:
Seeing their work leave physical traces in the neighborhood that people use, notice, and live with every day.
MidTown Hidden Gem:
Yi Er Chuan Malatang – the ultimate noodle soup challenge!
Key Responsibilities
- Manage public placemaking projects
- Coordinate with city staff and officials
- Raise and steward project funding
- Translate neighborhood visions into actionable work
- Align community priorities with long-term planning goals
Jerome Hamilton, JR.
Planning Manager
Jerome supports planning, placemaking, and business development projects in the neighborhood, helping bring public spaces to life and strengthening community engagement.
Collaborative. Impassioned. Agile.
What he loves about his work at MidTown:
Working across staff on projects in a very unique service area.
MidTown Hidden Gem:
Running before or after work
Key Responsibilities
- Support business growth and development
- Develop public spaces and neighborhood programming
- Raise awareness of community events and employment opportunities
Alex Cala
Employee Engagement Manager
Alex oversees relationships with employers, office tenants, institutions, and other major business stakeholders throughout MidTown and AsiaTown, ensuring they have access to the resources and connections they need to succeed in MidTown. He also leads the current Community Improvement District and future Special Improvement District.
Reliable. Open. Conscientious.
What he loves about his work at MidTown:
Learning more about the community, their stories, and their takes on Cleveland’s history.
MidTown Hidden Gem:
Superior Pho in AsiaTown – a long-time favorite
Key Responsibilities
- Connect with employers and stakeholders on safety and quality-of-life issues
- Manage the Community Improvement District
- Research properties and economic development opportunities, bringing new employers to the area
- Supports the growth and retention of our existing employers
- Answer questions about neighborhood development
Feiran Yang
Community Engagement Manager | AsiaTown
Feiran supports community-driven programs and cross-sector partnerships in AsiaTown, helping translate resident voices into actionable strategies. Feiran also leads the community events and programming in AsiaTown.
People-First. Grounded. Resourceful.
What she loves about her work at MidTown:
The people.
MidTown Hidden Gem:
All the small, family-run restaurants in AsiaTown that feel like home
Key Responsibilities
- Design and manage neighborhood programs—from youth education and health initiatives to cultural festivals and civic engagement—that build long-term participation
- Connect and coordinate with nonprofits, schools, hospitals, funders, and city agencies to bring resources into immigrant communities
- Create stories and reports that highlight resident voices and support fundraising, advocacy, and community investment
- Mentor resident leaders and community groups to develop local initiatives and access grants
DaQuavion Roston
Community Engagement Manager | MidTown + Hough
DaQuavion leads our engagement efforts in MidTown and Hough, supporting cultural celebrations, empowering residents to take action, and building new connections that help move the neighborhood forward.
Passionate. Thoughtful. Inspiring.
What he loves about his work at MidTown:
I love that the neighborhoods that MidTown serves are so diverse.
DaQuavion's Hobbies
Outside of work, I love playing board games. I have 35 and counting at home.
Key Responsibilities
- Network Weaving – Cultivating partnerships where there is alignment in improving neighborhood asstes; individuals, physical assets, associations, and culture.
- Storytelling – Combating false, sensationalist storytelling through culturally informed neighborhood outreach and communications.
- Community Empowerment – Platforming neighborhood leaders to learn, act, and build up their communities in ways that fosters interdependence, prosperity, and natural growth.
Sunda Tan
Director of Communications & Partnerships
Sunda leads MTC's communications strategy across external channels and neighborhoods, creatively crafting stories of residents, business owners, and community leaders shaping our neighborhoods.
Creative. Collaborative. Community-Focused.
What she loves about her work at MidTown:
Telling real neighborhood stories while helping small businesses and community voices be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Sunda's Hobbies
Traveling and exploring other neighborhoods and cities for inspiration.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead place-based marketing strategies
- Translate community goals into clear marketing campaigns and content
- Support small businesses and grassroots initiatives through storytelling
- Connect teams and partners across marketing, economic development, and engagement
- Create content that reflects MidTown’s strategic plan and neighborhood identity
Bakht Zaman Moqbel
Fund Development Associate
Bakht brings global experience in monitoring, evaluation, project management, and fund development to support MidTown Cleveland's sustainability and community impact.
Thoughtful. Proactive. Collaborative.
What he loves about his work at MidTown:
Supporting a community that faces challenges similar to those he has experienced himself.
Bakht's Hobbies
Traveling and exploring America
Key Responsibilities
- Build relationships with donors and sponsors
- Manage fundraising operations and grants
- Oversee donor communications and reporting
Deserae Brady
Finance and Operations Manager
Deserae leads finance and operations at MidTown, building the systems and infrastructure that keep the organization strong, accountable, and aligned with its long-term goals. She specializes in strengthening internal processes, clarifying reporting, and ensuring day-to-day operations support sustainable neighborhood impact.
Strategic. Solutions-Driven. Collaborative.
What she loves about her work at MidTown:
Playing a role in protecting the integrity of a nonprofit where every dollar is publicly accountable and transparency truly matters to the community we serve.
Deserae's Hobbies
Recharging through dance, global music, and exploring different cultures—one song and one meal at a time.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee contracts, compliance, and vendor partnerships
- Ensure financial reporting is clear, accurate, and transparent
- Manage cash flow, budgets, and forward-looking financial planning
- Coordinate office operations and internal systems
- Lead executive and board-level financial reporting
MIDTOWN CLEVELAND
BOARD & PARTNERS
MidTown Cleveland Inc.
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Jordan Javier, Chair*
JAVIER HEALTHCARE
Michele Crawford, Vice Chair*
CLEVELAND METROPARKS
Brenden Dalzell, Secretary*
MINUTE MEN HR & STAFFING
Debbie Sibila, Treasurer*
DEALER TIRE
PAST CHAIRS
Morton L. Mandel^ - Founding Chairman
Lloyd Bell
Bob Brown
Kenneth J. Coleman
Michael L. Coticchia
John R. Cunin
Paul Deutsch
Daniel Fashimpaur
Matt Fitzsimmons
G. Robert Klein
Robert B. Lash
M. John Lillis
Stephanie McHenry
John R. Melchiorre
Robert V. Munson
Frank H. Porter
Tom Roberts
Shelley Roth
Thomas Roulston
Debbie Sibila
Don Scipione
Daniel C. Sussen
^ Deceased
TRUSTEES
Maria Campanelli
THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF CLEVELAND
Michele Crawford*
CLEVELAND METROPARKS
Paul Federico*
GREATER CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIPS
Aaron Hill
BIALOSKY
Andrew Hudak
HIGLEY CONSTRUCTION
Daniel Jacoby
MAGNET
Jordan Javier
JAVIER HEALTHCARE
Tiffany Jordan
NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT / RESIDENT
Jazmin Long
BIRTHING BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITIES / RESIDENT
Candice Miller
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES
Marcus Notaro
THOMPSON HINE
Chinemerem Onyeukwu
RESIDENT
Martina Pace
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
Ying Annie Pu
ERIE CHINESE JOURNAL/RESIDENT
Julian Rogers
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
Aaron Saltzman
DAVE'S AND LUCKY'S MARKET
Rob Scott
ABEONA
Elaine Tso
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
Katie Wasilko
PNC BANK
Michael R. White*
JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL FOUNDATION
*Executive Committee