Welcome Dayton Committee
The City of Dayton’s Community Engagement Division in the Department of Planning, Neighborhoods and Development houses the Welcome Dayton program. Its purpose is to facilitate and support community goals and projects that promote the integration of immigrants into the Greater Dayton community. However, Welcome Dayton is not just another government-run program. It is a community initiative and requires the involvement of both individuals and institutions to be successful.
The City Commission created the Welcome Dayton Committee (Resolution No. 5952-12 - 03-06-2013) to help provide guidance in achieving the goal of being an immigrant-friendly city. The purpose of the committee is to collaborate with businesses, community organizations, government agencies and immigrant groups to make Dayton a welcoming place for new residents, revitalize city neighborhoods, promote economic development and enrich the city with cultural diversity.
Committee makeup: At least 15 and no more than 35 members for the three-year terms. The Chief of Staff of the City Commission and the City Manager are ex-officio members appointed by position. At least five members must be born outside the United States of America. Members shall possess a high level of interest, expertise, educational background, and work experience in one or more of the following areas: education, banking, business, health care, social/human services, real estate, local, state and federal law, and city and county government. Members serve a 3-year term with the option to be reappointed for an additional 3-year term. Each member shall also serve on a sub-committee of interest.
Member | Term | Appointed By |
---|---|---|
Myla Cardona-Jones CEO Brunner Literacy Center | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Jyl Hall Councilmember, City of Kettering Faith Community Outreach - CarePortal | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Hubert Matumaini ELL Outreach Coordinator Dayton Public Schools | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Pete Williams Mayor, City of Riverside Director of Advancement - Carroll HS | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Jorge Gerardo Ramirez Piedra Business Owner El Gaban Restaurant | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Jean de Dieu Mukunzi Executive Director Ebenezer Healthcare Access | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Bryan Stewart Workforce Director Montgomery County ESC | 12/31/2025 (2nd Term) | City Commission |
Kate Conway Assistant Professor of Family Medicine Boonshoft School of Medicine, WSU | 12/31/2025 (2nd Term) | City Commission |
Ashley Lackovich Director of Development Glen Helen | 12/31/2025 (2nd Term) | City Commission |
Kathleen Kersh Attorney Advocates for Basic Legal Equality | 12/31/2025 (2nd Term) | City Commission |
David Larson Attorney Larson and Lyons, LLC | 12/31/2025 (2nd Term) | City Commission |
Gwen Eberly Manager, Economic Dev. & Planning Montgomery County | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
RJ Francisco System Director, Integrated Care Man. Premier Health | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Yunus Ibragim Relationship Banker JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Claire Preston ELL Curriculum Supervisor Montgomery Country Educational Service Center | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Mary Reid Director of Social Services Catholic Social Services | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Nozipo Glenn Community Activist | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Thomas Thompson Chief of Police, Director of Public Safety, Sinclair College | 12/31/2025 | City Commission |
Anthony Whitmore RTA Director (Retired) / Community Member | 12/31/2024 | City Commission |
Karla Knox Senior Manager of Asset Management Greater Dayton Premier Management | 12/31/2024 | City Commission |
Rachel Gut Deputy Director Dayton Metro Library | 12/31/2023 | City Commission |
Danielle Heeter Coordinator, Aspire Program Miami Valley Career Technology Center | 12/31/2023 | City Commission |
Matt Joseph City Commissioner | 12/31/2023 | City Commission |
Tom Wahlrab HRC Executive (Retired) / Community Member | 12/31/2023 | City Commission |
Stephanie Keinath VP, Strategic Initiatives, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce | 12/31/2023 | City Commission |
Verletta Jackson Chief of Staff, City Commission | By Position | City Commission |
Shelley Dickstein City Manager | By Position | City Commission |