Ed is President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors at EDB, a global software company with employees in over 40 countries around the world and customers in more than 80 countries. Ed leads the development and execution of EDB’s strategic vision and growth in the database industry. He joined EDB in 2008, and has since steered the company through 50+ consecutive quarters of growth. He is known for his passion, relentless energy, and strategic leadership. Prior to his business career, Ed honed his leadership skills as a Captain in the U.S. Army. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and BA from Boston University. Ed is also the proud grandson of Armenian immigrants.

Kim West has been a prosecutor at the local, state, federal and international level for more than two decades. This extensive government experience allows her to expertly assist clients in a wide range of areas including, government investigations, corporate compliance and health care matters. She is also focused on international clients and their interactions with U.S. entities. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. West was the Chief of the Criminal Bureau in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. In that capacity, she supervised a team of over 120 professionals responsible for investigating and prosecuting a wide range of financial, fraud, public corruption, narcotics, gaming, human trafficking, and other offenses; defending convictions on appeal; and assisting victims and witnesses. Ms. West joined the AGO in 2015 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, where she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Health Care Fraud Unit. She previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit, joining the Unit after 9/11.

Ms. West also served for five years as a trial attorney at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, where she prosecuted Radovan Karadžić, who was found guilty of directing the genocide of more than 7,000 Bosnian Muslims in the worst massacre on European soil since the Holocaust. Ms. West started her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Plymouth County.  Ms. West resides outside of Boston with her husband and two young sons.

Milton is V.P. Relationship Manager of Commercial and Business Banking at Wellesley Bank. He acquires, develops, and maintains a successful portfolio of relationships, while offering unparalleled banking service at all levels. He prides himself in providing banking service along with value to businesses, private clients as well as non-profit verticals.

Milton received his B.A. in Industrial Psychology/Organizational Behavior from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Even though he calls Boston and the Metrowest his home, he does not forget his Hellenic roots and what it means to be an immigrant. This is one of the driving reasons he has joined Project Citizenship.

In addition to multiple networking groups, he is member of USA500 Boston Seaport and serves on the Wellesley Bank Charitable Foundation Board of Directors, where he has the opportunity to give back to the communities which he serves.

Natalia is the Director of Global Accounting at Converse Inc., a subsidiary of Nike Inc. At Converse, Natalia oversees a team of accountants and is primarily responsible for external financial reporting, technical accounting, tax and treasury operations. She is a CPA and a graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a minor in International Studies. Natalia was born in Lviv, Ukraine and emigrated to the United States with her parents in 1993. She studied abroad in Madrid, Spain and did a secondment to Melbourne, Australia with her previous employer, PwC, for three years. Natalia lives in Charlestown with her fiancé, Ryan, and their adopted dog Kali, who was rescued from a shelter in Little Rock, Arkansas. Natalia previously volunteered with the immigration department at the International Rescue Committee office in Boston, MA and has volunteered her time on various small consulting-type projects while at PwC with different not for profit organizations.

Tref Borden is the Executive Director of the Fish Family Foundation, a Boston-based private foundation focusing primarily on human services for low-income individuals and families in the Greater Boston area, with a particular interest in immigration and naturalization programs.  As Executive Director of the Foundation, Ms. Borden works closely with its Investment Committee managing the foundation’s assets in addition to managing the Fish Family Office.

Prior to coming to the Fish Family Foundation, Ms. Borden had served as Executive Director of the Tiger Foundation in New York City. The Tiger Foundation supports educational, vocational, and social services organizations focusing on the lowest-income, highest-risk populations in the city.  Ms. Borden left the Investment Banking field to join Tiger as its founding Executive Director.

Ms. Borden has served 10 years on the Philanthropy Massachusetts Board, formerly as chair.

Chris Henry is a Partner in the Boston office of Latham & Watkins, representing clients in high-stakes trade secret and patent litigation before US district courts, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the US International Trade Commission. He represents high technology clients in intellectual property litigation involving a wide variety of technologies, including software, electromechanical devices, medical technologies, and semiconductors. He draws on trial experience and strong oral advocacy skills to help clients obtain multi-million-dollar settlements, summary judgment and trial victories, and other favorable resolutions. Christopher clerked for Judge Henry Coke Morgan Jr. in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and served under Magistrate Judge Mary Pat Thynge in the US District Court for the District of Delaware. 

Bianca Jordan is the founder and owner of Brazen Legal, an immigration law firm on a mission to help every eligible immigrant obtain legal status in the United States.

Prior to becoming an immigration lawyer, she served as a consultant to global companies and non-governmental organizations helping them develop socioeconomic strategies, social media marketing, and everything in between. As an attorney, she has used these skills and experience to assist women entrepreneurs in Haiti and Massachusetts with creating their small businesses on a solid foundation by drafting their contracts, registering their trademarks, and filing their corporate documents.

When she’s not busy fighting for her clients, she enjoys boxing, cooking, and educating people about their legal rights and options through social media

Nandini Karkare is Vice President, Revenue Operations and FP&A at EDB, a global software company with employees in over 40 countries around the world and customers in more than 80 countries. Nandini has 18+ years of experience in driving operational efficiencies and building organizations to support consistent growth. At EDB, since 2008, Nandini with her international team of Operations & Analytical professionals has built a strong foundation of automated business practices and plans that have resulted in 50+ quarters of recurring revenue growth for EDB. Nandini has a BA in Psychology from Pune University, India, and is a naturalized citizen of the United States. She has raised a child as a single mother across continents and has empathy for the challenges a migration can bring to an individual’s life. 

Andy Liebman is award-winning filmmaker, software entrepreneur, and political activist. Having graduated from Tufts University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, he began his career in the early 1980’s as a producer, director, writer and editor of documentary and docudrama films for PBS and the Discovery Channel – including many episodes of Frontline, NOVA, Scientific American Frontiers, Race to Save the Planet (environment), and The Secret of Life (genetics).  He won the duPont Columbia award for excellence in journalism as well as multiple national Emmy awards for his ground-breaking work covering science, history, nature and politics. While producing a Discovery Channel series that was following a simulated human mission to Mars and that was being shot and edited by a team of people in below freezing weather in the Canadian Arctic, he conceived of technology that would enable a group of directors, video editors and assistants to work collaboratively (a problem he faced in this particular production), leading to the founding of EditShare.

Andy served as CEO of EditShare for 15 years, and his vision for how technology could fuel collaboration and bring efficiency to production had a major impact on the way television programs and films were made around the world.

As Andy stepped back from EditShare, he got involved in politics and worked diligently during the 2020 election cycle to get out and protect the vote.  Using his organization, technology, and communication skills, he helped recruit and manage a small army of phone bankers and letter writers. Moving forward, Andy plans to stay involved with political and social activism.  He is also currently establishing a new nonprofit that’s focused on getting fiction and non-fiction media to become a more constructive force in the world.

Teresa is the owner and operator of Sweet Teez Bakery in Dorchester, MA that specialize in custom cakes, cupcakes, pies, brownies with classic flavors and creative designs since February 2016. Prior to her current position, Teresa worked at Harvard University as the Assistant Director of Fundraiser and User Support where she acquired experience in supporting senior management, data management, and organizing fundraisers. During this time, she also worked closely with the research department to develop prospect lists for peer reviews. Teresa received her B.A. and Masters in Communications from The College of New Rochelle

Benny Omid was born in Iran, immigrated to Boston in 1988 and became an American Citizen in 1996. Benny began his career with Dunkin’ Donuts 35 years ago, on the ground floor cleaning stores. Through determination and hard work, in 1996, Benny became a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee and now owns restaurants in Allston, MA. Benny is a Director at the Massachusetts Region of the American Red Cross and the Chair of the Biomedical Committee. Benny was the Northeast Co-Chair and Treasurer of The Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation and a director at the American Red Cross Biomedical Services, where he had been an integral part of the “Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference” campaign. He was also a member of the Dunkin’ Donuts Advertising Committee for the Northeast Region and the Vice Chair of the Allston Board of Trade. Benny lives in Belmont with his wife Margarite and his son Jacob. 

Denise Porche has held leadership roles in philanthropy, social service provision, and community activism for more than two decades. Presently, Denise is Executive Director of the Island Foundation, which she has led since 2009. Under her leadership, the Island Foundation has increased its funding for equity and inclusion, basic needs, and educational and work opportunities for underserved populations. She also founded the Southeastern Massachusetts Food Security Network and the Women CEO’s Group.

Prior to joining the Island Foundation, Denise was a fellow at the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School. While at Harvard, she worked on inclusion projects and immigration issues, and she was a member of the Harvard Diversity Working Group. And before that, Denise spent many years at Catholic Social Services directing the Office for Child Protection and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Denise holds an MSW from Boston University and a BA in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Scott Posnick is a Director & Consulting CFO in AAFCPAs’ Managed Accounting Solutions (MAS) practice. He provides high-level, outsourced CFO oversight and strategic planning, including financial forecasts & analysis and advising on growth strategies, business transactions, tax optimization, and strengthening internal controls. He has 35+ years of diverse, hands-on industry experience, including high tech, biotech, manufacturing, distribution & wholesale, professional services, as well as many traditional New England-based industries. Scott is well-versed in the issues and complexities facing commercial company entrepreneurs, and he makes himself an invaluable source of financial guidance as an extended member of client management teams. He provides hands-on advice and counsel on areas critical to the success of AAFCPAs’ clients. Areas include budgeting, forecasting and cash management; strategies to raise, invest, optimize, and preserve capital; leveraging opportunities and controlling risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, and exits/divestitures; and establishing, maintaining, and evaluating business resources such as attorneys, bankers, auditors, insurance agents.
Scott is passionate about providing trust, guidance, responsiveness, and clear communication to companies and their owners/shareholders at various stages of growth. He is a proven team player, thoughtful and professional. He has an M.B.A. from Suffolk University Sawyer School of Business and a B.S. from Babson College. He is also a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Simon is an experienced financial services sales professional who became a US citizen in April 2017 and lives in Charlestown. Simon has worked for the UN World Food Programme in China and for Reuters in London, Nicosia, and Boston. Currently employed by Quant Insight, a UK-based financial data and analytics start-up, Simon worked previously at EPFR Global, a Cambridge-based financial data startup sold to Informa Plc. He has a deep interest in news, the investment process, and global markets.

Active in community affairs Simon volunteers weekly with St Marks US Citizenship classes and with East Boston’s Allies for Immigrants ESOL classes.  He is currently on the Vestry at St John’s Church, Charlestown and has taught children’s religious education classes there for 15 years. Married with three children, Simon studied at Tufts, Beijing Normal University, and the London School of Economics. In his free time he enjoys kayaking at Belle Isle and hiking in the New England outdoors.

Katherine Rivet works for Boston Consulting Group as their Global Director of Career Development, a role she has held since 2019.   She is passionate about talent development and support for diversity, with professional experience working in Mexico, Brazil, and the US.

In addition, Katherine has actively worked to support internal efforts to promote work-life sustainability (hosting a successful internal podcast focused on personal balance and sustainability) as well as diversity and inclusion (as a member of the Global Services Inclusion Accelerator team).  She is an active Dartmouth alum, serving on Tuck Business School’s Latin American Board from 2011-2013.

She received a BA in International Relations with a minor in Latin American Studies from Tufts University and an MBA from The Amos Tuck Business School at Dartmouth College.  She lives near Boston with her husband Cesar, their children Santiago and Sofia, and their beloved dog Francisco Lopez (aka Pancho).  She is fluent in Spanish and is conversant in Brazilian Portuguese.

Jean serves as Vice President of Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., 3rd largest and a global leader providing a full range of insurance and risk management products and services, including P&C, employee benefits, and student health. Jean is responsible for executing a strategic sales, marketing and consulting to achieve continued growth in higher education markets across the country. Jean ensures that all aspects of client’s programs are managed proactively and efficiently. She also maintains strong relationships with insurance underwriters, claims administrators, and other vendors within the practice to advocate objectively on behalf Gallagher Student Health Plans clients.

Before joining Gallagher, Jean worked for over 30 years in the employee benefits industry holding various positions. Jean’s experience includes founding BenefitsMart, an insurance brokerage and consulting firm advising in Employee Benefits and all aspects of group insurance administration, compliance, cost containment strategies, and technology. BenefitsMart was acquired by HUB International, world’s 4th largest insurance brokerage and largest in New England. Jean served as Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits of HUB International. Outside of her leadership role with Gallagher, Jean is an active member and former President of the Massachusetts Association of Health Underwriters – a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters.

She currently serves as a Board of Trustee for Tufts Medical Center Physicians Organization and a member of the Governor’s Board for Tufts Medical Center, Executive Board of Commonwealth Compact, and has served on other boards. Previously, Jean served as council member of MA Health Care Quality and Cost Council, dedicated to the development of health care cost controls while improving the quality of care as part of MA Health Care Reform. She is also a graduate of LEAD Boston. Jean is a recipient of the YWCA of Boston’s Academy of Women Achievers, an award recognizing Boston’s most influential women.

Detlev Suderow is the retired Senior Vice President of Human Resource and Organization Effectiveness for FLIR Systems, Inc.  FLIR is an infrared technology company with global operations listed twice among Business Week’s 100 fastest growing companies.  Prior to joining FLIR Systems, Detlev served as Vice President of Human Resources for Inframetrics, a fast growth start up technology company.  His career includes his role as the Human Resource Manager for CLARiiON, the entrepreneurial business division of Data General Corporation, and a thirteen year career at Digital Equipment Corporation as H.R. Manager, Organizational Development Manager, and Training and Development Manager.

Detlev considers himself fortunate enough to have capped his decades-long business career with a pivot to academia: as Professor of the Practice and Senior Lecturer at the International Business School, Brandeis University.  Here he served as the career advisor for the undergraduate business program and counseled graduate students at the International Business School. He co continues to serve on numerous Brandeis University committees and boards.

For Detlev, an immigrant himself (Germany), US Citizenship is a gift that keeps on giving, and one that brings him enthusiastically into the Project Citizenship fold. He holds degrees from Brandeis University (BA), Tufts University (MA) and The University of Zurich. Together with his immigrant wife (Canada) he is the parent of two first generation sons.

Eleonora Villegas-Reimers is a Clinical Professor and Chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning at the Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. At the historic Wheelock College (before it merged with Boston University), she served as the Dean of the School of Education and Child Life, Acting Dean of the Child and Family Studies Division, Chair of the Department of Elementary and Special Education, and Coordinator of various programs. Her prior work includes experience as a high-school teacher, an assistant principal, and as acting director of the Office of International Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Villegas-Reimers has served as consultant to a number of international and national organizations such as UNESCO, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the Board on International Comparative Studies of the National Research Council, the Academy for Educational Development, the Singapore National Institute of Education, and WGBH (a Public Television Station in Boston) on matters related to education and teacher preparation and development.   Dr. Villegas-Reimers served as a member of the Massachusetts State Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) Board between 2010 and 2021. She is also a founding member of the Massachusetts Consortium for Socio-Emotional Learning in Teacher Education (SEL-TEd), where she serves in the Executive Committee, and is an advisor to SEL4US. She currently serves as a member of the Board at TERC, an organization focused on Math and Science education research and practice.

Dr. Villegas-Reimers holds a Master of Education and Doctor of Education degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Pedagogical Sciences from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Venezuela.