Board Candidates
The following individuals are eligible applicants for our Board of Directors.
Commercial/Institutional - 2 Seats
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Leah Romanelli DeJesus - St. Luke's Episcopal Church
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Waverly Willis - Urban Kutz
SE Sector - 1 Seat
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Shallana Davis
​I have fifteen years of professional experience across government contracting, nonprofit program management, and education. I bring a unique blend of strategic planning, community engagement, and operational expertise. My passion for urban agriculture has driven a decade-long effort to enhance access to healthy food, train future leaders, and develop programming that fosters community resilience. Increasing the tree canopy in our urban areas is a shared vision with NWN CDC and collaboratively we secured funding to plant 95 trees, reflecting my commitment to environmental sustainability and improving the quality of life for residents. My business acumen, honed through a master’s studies in Computer Information Systems Management and a bachelor’s in marketing from Cleveland State University, complements my leadership skills. I have a proven track record of building partnerships, fostering collaboration, and driving initiatives that benefit diverse populations. Whether mentoring high-performing scholars to connect with colleges or developing a nine-week adult education program focused on career readiness, communication, and soft skills, I thrive in creating pathways for community and individual growth. As a proud mother of four, I understand the importance of strong communities for families to thrive. My dedication to being "the change I wish to see in the world" positions me as a strategic and empathetic board member, ready to advance the mission of Northwest Neighborhood's CDC.
NE Sector - 1 Seat
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Sam Edmunds
​A Northeast Ohio native, Sam Edmunds returned to Cleveland in 2021 and settled in the North East sector of the Northwest Neighborhoods in 2022. He runs a healthcare business and is a familiar face in the community, often seen walking and running through the neighborhood with his dog, Oscar. Sam and his girlfriend are regular patrons of local spots like Cleveland Bagel Company, Astoria, and Flight along Detroit Avenue. On weekends, you might spot him at a Cavs game or enjoying a performance at Playhouse Square. After a few years of settling in, Sam is eager to use his business expertise to contribute to the growth and development of the neighborhood. He’s passionate about seeing the community thrive in a sustainable, equitable way, with a focus on preserving the area’s character while ensuring it evolves to meet the needs of all residents. Sam is especially committed to expanding Cleveland’s tree canopy and improving infrastructure for biking and running. He believes these initiatives will enhance the quality of life for everyone in the neighborhood, creating a safer, more vibrant environment for all to enjoy. As a member of the Board, Sam would bring fresh perspectives, a strong business acumen, and a deep commitment to fostering a thriving, connected community. He looks forward to the opportunity to serve and help shape the future of the neighborhood.
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Kathi Paroska
SW Sector - 1 Seat
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Therese Pohorence
I bought my first home in the Cudell Madison neighborhood in 1981. I bought my second home in 1998 it was a double and I became a CMHA Landlord. In 1999, we purchased the home we currently live in now. In 2000 we purchased a property 4 houses away and added another CMHA tenant. In 2009 We purchased our last house in this neighborhood, which is right next-door to our home, from the owner, even though it was in the Land Bank. The late Judge Pianka told me how to do that. In around 2010 to 2015, both my husband's parents died, and we inherited family property on West 67 near Fr. Caruso Dr. When it was time to sell the property, Matt Zone, who was councilperson, tried to interfere. He kept contacting our real-estate professionals, and told me "What can you do about it?" I called on the Ohio Ethics Commission to look into it. Soon, Matt Zone stepped down. I ended up selling the West 67th St. property for $200,000 more than Zone was trying to make me take, to a woman who was walking her dog past the place while I was mowing the lawn! I have been a community activist since the 1980's and had a large Block Club for many years. It had nothing to do with anyone from the City. I walked away from it when one of the Police Officers who was active with our organization was killed following up on something for our Club. I ran for Ohio State Representative, once. I ran for Cleveland City Council, twice. I ran as a Republican, so you can guess how it turned out. I continue to be active in the Community. I have had several awards from the City and the Police for my community service. I also rescue senior dogs. I am 75 years old and the reason I want to be on the board of this organization is because there are a lot of younger people coming into the community that have NO IDEA of how hard we worked to keep our neighborhood viable. The people in City Government decided we were all poor and uneducated and therefore should not be consulted when they come up with really stupid ideas. I want Detective Rob Clarks memorial back where WE had it put!!!
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Matthew Thomas
Matthew is honored to be a candidate for this year’s Board of Directors election. Since joining the Northwest Neighborhoods board (originally for Cudell Improvement, Inc.) in 2020, he has been a committed advocate for the SW Sector of the service area and hopes to continue serving the community in this capacity. With extensive expertise in housing, community development, and grassroots engagement, Matthew brings valuable experience to the board. In his role as Assistant Director of Acquisition & Disposition at the Cuyahoga Land Bank, and previously as Housing Development Manager at Detroit Shoreway CDO, he has gained deep familiarity with the housing stock, built environment, and diverse residents of the area. These roles, coupled with years of political organizing and door-to-door canvassing in Ward 15, have given Matthew a comprehensive perspective on the community’s unique challenges and opportunities. Matthew is passionate about fostering voter engagement and turnout, advancing housing affordability and quality, building strong community connections, and ensuring equitable representation for all residents across Northwest Neighborhoods. He looks forward to continuing his work to create inclusive, vibrant communities and to advocating for the voices of all stakeholders in the NWN service area.
NW Sector - 1 Seat
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Brent Misenko
Brent Misenko has been a proud homeowner in the Northwest Sector for the past 10 years. With 15 years of experience as an IBEW electrician, Brent is also dedicated to teaching apprentices at the Cleveland Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Center. He has served as the Treasurer of Local 38 for the past year, following a 3-year tenure on the examining board. Outside of work, Brent enjoys gardening and traveling with his wife, Renee. They share their home with three beloved dogs—Emmy, Paisley, and Oakley, a deaf and blind therapy dog, who brings extra joy and comfort to their lives.
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Nadia Robinson
​Nadia Robinson is not a native Ohioan, but has been a proud Cleveland transplant since 2011. Apart from time spent in graduate school out of state, she has primarily lived on Cleveland's near West side and currently is a renter in a duplex in the Cuddell/Edgewater neighborhood. She has practiced as a nurse-midwife, family nurse practitioner and lactation counselor at Neighborhood Family Practice since 2020. When not catching babies, she enjoys singing part time with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and getting dirty fingernails gardening around her home. She is running for a seat on the board of Northwest Neighborhoods to support it's excellent work in connecting neighbors and empowering residents to build a community that meets their needs. If elected, she particularly hopes to support initiatives directed at improving local health outcomes, increasing tree cover and resident access to the shores of lake Erie.
NC Sector - 1 Seat
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Paterson Gauntner
I’ve lived in the NWN service area since 2016, in what some neighbors affectionately refer to as “Gallagher Heights,” with my two young kids. I love our diverse, vibrant and beautiful neighborhood, and I’m a big fan of the work that NWN does.
I’ve been on the board since 2020, have served on the Governance Committee, and have contributed to fundraising, helping to write grant applications and funding proposals. I also helped craft NWN’s 2023 Strategic Plan, which focuses on housing affordability and quality, a diverse business landscape, equitable access to resources, neighborhood livability and connectivity, and being a high quality organization. I have master’s degrees in urban planning and public health and have worked in urban economics consulting for over a decade, primarily with the United Nations. My work has included projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, addressing urban job creation, national economic development, urban planning, and public finance. I’ve also worked in transportation planning for the San Francisco Bay Area’s metropolitan planning organization and co-authored publications such as Portland’s Racial Equity Strategy Guide and UN-Habitat’s Finance for City Leaders Handbook. I am deeply committed to NWN’s core values of equity, empathy, creativity, collaboration, integrity, and courage. If elected, my priorities would be to continue advancing the Strategic Plan and help bring in additional funding to NWN so that the organization can succeed in its mission to foster diverse, vibrant neighborhoods that are physically and socially connected where anyone can thrive.