THE TEAM
Christopher Colón | Executive Director and Co-Founder
Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, with cultural roots traced back to the Taíno people of Puerto Rico and immigrants from the Northwest European countryside, Chris has always thrived to connect people and places. For over 17 years, he worked as a social worker, counselor, and business development professional in the healthcare industry of the Mahoning Valley. After seeing the devastating effects of the 2017 hurricanes in Puerto Rico and personally helping families relocate to the Mahoning Valley, he devoted himself to welcoming newcomers. In addition to his current role as Co-Founding Director here at ThriveMV, Chris is a certified volunteer naturalist and the Northeast Ohio Regional Director of the Ohio Environmental Council & OEC Action Fund. He sits on the Boards of Directors of Oh Wow! The Gloria & Roger Jones Science Center for Children, Friends of the Mahoning River, and Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services. He is also a proud husband and father of two boys. For self-care, he enjoys tinkering with recipes, exploring parks and green spaces, and being a tried and true member of Raider Nation...
Vicki Vicars | Vice President of Engagement
Raised in Canton, Ohio, Vicki and her husband, Terry, have been Mahoning Valley residents for 35 years. After working 33 years as a Catholic religious education and evangelization coordinator in a variety of parishes, Vicki left that ministry to pursue other options. She worked as Lead Community Organizer with ACTION and currently works as Director of Mission, Equity, and Resilience for Ursuline Sisters Mission. Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, Vicki is excited to be also working with Thrive Mahoning Valley to build inclusive, equitable communities that welcome people from all walks of life. She and Terry have a son who is married with three children and a daughter who is engaged with two children. They have been foster parents to Jimmy for 33 years.
Ariana Wyndham | Family Engagement Manager
Ariana Wyndham was born in Mexico and moved to Mississippi as a child with her family looking for work. After eventually settling in Warren, Ohio, she spent over 15 years gaining experience with volunteering, activism, and advocacy across many social justice issues including human rights, voting rights, diversity and equity, immigrant rights, poverty, animal rights, the arts, and climate change. She currently attends Purdue Global University, pursuing a Bachelor's in Youth/Family Services and Administration, and expects to graduate in 2025. She is dedicated to serving humanity and is excited to continue her efforts as Family Engagement Manager at Thrive Mahoning Valley.
Terry Vicars | Notre Dame Mission Community Engagement Coordinator
While his family roots can be found in England, Whales, Germany and Ireland, his heart yearns for the rolling hills of the Emerald Isle. He counts among his "Pot of Gold" his wife of 35 years, Vicki, their children Nicholas and Annie, foster son Jimmy, and their five grandchildren. Before coming to ThriveMV as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Terry worked for the Catholic Charities Regional Agency for 26 years as a Case Manager, working in the homeless communities of Warren and Youngstown. Prior, he worked for 12 years as a Youth Minister at several parishes within the Diocese of Youngstown. Terry's life passion is to work with people who have been oppressed by poverty and/or who have been marginalized for any number of reasons. His motto and most treasured belief - "We are sisters & brothers ALL"... In addition to serving his community, Terry also enjoys the outdoors and a great jazz show now and then.
Erin Duffy | VISTA Public Engagement Coordinator
Erin was born and raised in Austintown, Ohio, with family ties to Naples, Italy, and Ireland. She has traveled across the U.S. and abroad, but nothing compares to her deep connection to Youngstown, Ohio. Through her work at Thrive Mahoning Valley, Erin hopes to help others discover and appreciate the connection to the community that she has cherished her whole life. Currently studying interpersonal communication with a minor in marketing at Youngstown State University, Erin expects to graduate in 2025. She has gained marketing experience at Lordstown Motors and Plato’s Closet while pursuing her degree. Erin’s passion for helping others began with volunteer work in high school, and she is excited to work with Thrive Mahoning Valley to build a more inclusive community, enhance outreach for events and programs, and make a positive impact in the region.
John-Michael Oliver | Notre Dame Mission Cross-Cultural Engagement Coordinator
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Justin Mondok | Board President & Co-Founder
Alongside Mr. Colón, Justin co-founded Thrive Mahoning Valley, and continues to provide financial oversight to the organization today.
Accessibility is a central focus of Justin’s professional work as an Urban Planner and much of the community outreach in which he engages. He believes in the idea of easily accessible information and physical places to better connect people to the things they need.
Follow Justin on X @justin_mondok to learn more about the work he does.
David Labra | Board Vice President
David has strong roots in the Youngstown area and is an active member of the community, while also being an avid supporter of local businesses. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Elena, who founded her own local business as a ceramic artist. Along with his passion for supporting the local community, David has several years of experience organizing local events as a member of The Neighborhood LLC. He is also a founding member of the award-winning, multicultural musical group, The Labra Brothers, which allows him to proudly tap into his Hispanic heritage.
Dr. Alexis Smith | Board Treasurer
Alexis is a radiologist with Penn Highlands Healthcare. She was previously Co-Medical Director of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center in Youngstown, Ohio and Director of Breast Imaging at Trinity Health System in Steubenville, Ohio. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Smith serves on the boards of YWCA Mahoning Valley and United Returning Citizens. She is the vice president of the League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown, co-group leader and liaison for Citizens' Climate Lobby Mahoning Valley, and vice president of the Poland Jr Women's Club. Dr. Smith received her Bachelor's degree in Economics, graduating summa cum laude in 2003 from Washington and Jefferson College prior to entering medicine. A graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Smith completed a radiology residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and fellowship training in women’s imaging at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Magee Women’s Hospital.
Dennis Yommer Jr. | Board Recorder
Dennis is currently the coordinator of the English Learner Program at Youngstown City Schools. For the last 11 years he has worked with English learning scholars of all ages from across the globe in a variety of capacities. In recent years, he has presented multiple topics centered around equity, inclusive practices, and language acquisition to audiences at conferences across three separate states. Additionally, he presently serves as a board member to both West Virginia TESOL and Ohio TESOL, where his primary role is to promote and develop effective state and local practices for English Learning scholars in K-12 education. The driving mission of his work is to promote inclusivity and access among multicultural and multilingual families in the education system and local communities.
Angelica Diaz | Board Member
Angelica Diaz, is the Executive Director for Organizacion Cultural Hispana Americana (OCCHA). She takes pride in advocating the organization’s mission to improve the lives of the Hispanic and multicultural communities in the Valley. She is a native of Isabela, Puerto Rico, and was raised in Youngstown, where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. She has lived in Detroit and Puerto Rico working with Hispanic faith-based communities. Angelica is married to Moises Diaz Rodriguez, and they have five beautiful children. She received a B.A. in Journalism from Youngstown State University and is dedicated to her faith, family, and community.
Elainie Huncik | Board Member
Elainie is the Program Coordinator of Outreach at OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science & Technology in downtown Youngstown, Ohio. She has 5 years of experience in informal education, and she holds a bachelor's degree in Physics/Astronomy with minors in Geosciences, Mathematics, and Education from Youngstown State University. She enjoys volunteering, especially in community theatre. She believes that everyone, regardless of background or experience, has the capacity to understand science. Her goals are to make science accessible, correct misconceptions about STEM, and build people's confidence in STEM concepts. She sees astronomy and the night sky as a way to build and strengthen community - we all share the same sky, every culture has stories in the stars, and we all wonder what is out there. As a second generation American and a first generation college graduate, she is endlessly grateful for those who made it possible for her to pursue her passions, and she aims to pay it forward.
Derrick McDowell | Board Member
A native son of the Southside of The City of Youngstown, and a Chaney High School graduate, Derrick has endured the challenges that so many faces as an inner-city kid. Having previously spent 12.5 years in corporate America, Derrick is now more known for his resilience and resolute passion, and love for the city of his birth. From developing the movement known as "We Are A Generation,” a collective "call to action” and community empowerment organization, to his efforts as the Founder of The Youngstown Flea (an outdoor "Market for Makers” which, since 2016, has the focus of building out a micro-incubator, ecosystem and an economic sustainable platform for side hustles, small business owners and successful brands alike); to his work as Community Engagement & Inclusion Coordinator at the downtown Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre found in Wean Park — Derrick is relentless in his efforts to show value, worth and significance to the residents of the City of Youngstown that he loves.
Koula Glaros-King | Board Member
Attorney Koula Glaros King currently serves as a staff attorney with Community Legal Aid in Youngstown. Her focus area includes immigration and citizenship representation, Naturalization clinics, Health Education Advocacy and Law (HEAL), and Civil Protection for Domestic Violence. A graduate of Kent State University, she went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron Law School. She has served as special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General and has teaching experience at a variety of post-secondary institutions including Southeastern College in Athens Greece teaching Business Law and Ethics, as well as at Kent State University as a Political Science Instructor. Attorney King has been involved in many professional and community organizations including the Trumbull County Bar Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Justice for Immigrants Council, Human Trafficking Network of Northeast Ohio, League of Women Voters, Trumbull Art Guild, and Friends of Warren Library. She is a member of the PanIkarian Brotherhood, the oldest Greek American 501(c)3 medical & scholarship charity. Attorney King is a continuing legal education speaker with a primary focus on immigration issues. She speaks English and Greek but also has comprehension in Spanish, French, Some German, Italian & Portuguese. She has taught Paper Cutting Art at the Susan Jacobs Studio in Cortland and enjoys sailing and gardening.
Anika Jacobs | Board Member
Anika Jacobs moved to the Youngstown area in 1987 from Yonkers, NY. She worked in the medical field as a Medical Assistant for 22 years. She served as the Midwest Chairper-son for Simply United Together. Anika is a VISTA Alumni and served at YNDC for 2 years prior to being hired as a Neighborhood Organizer. Through her love and passion for people and the community, she founded Promise Communi-ty-Hub nonprofit organization and Pantry to help meet the basic needs of low income individuals and families. She is a Board Member of Safe Zones nonprofit organization and Glo-ris Griffin Counseling Services. Anika currently works part time at the Glenwood Fresh Market, a program for low in-come individuals and families to receive fresh fruits in vege-tables to improve their health. She is the mother of 7 and Granny to 7! In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, music, reading and enjoying the fresh air.
Dr. Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez | Board Member
Gabriel was born in Havana, Cuba and emigrated to the United States with his family after the Cuban Revolution, settling first in New Orleans, then in Miami, and spending some summers in Puerto Rico. He attended college in Georgia and graduate school in New England, where he met his wife, Sarah. While in graduate school he worked weekends at a shelter for homeless families in Framingham, MA. In 1991, he was hired as an assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies at Youngstown State University, and after 30+ years on the faculty, he retired as distinguished professor emeritus. Having served in several local, state, and national boards, he’s particularly excited to serve on this one and to assist the lives of other immigrants in our communities.
Joel Montaz | Board Member
Coming Soon
SUPPORT
Thrive Mahoning Valley received initial support from The Raymond John Wean Foundation’s Community Investment Grant Program as well as technical assistance to get the project off the ground. The Thrive Mahoning Valley founders are alumni of the Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program. Visit the Foundation’s website at rjweanfdn.org for more information about the Foundation's priorities.
Additional support has been received from the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Swanston Memorial Foundation, Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation, Western Reserve Health Foundation, International Institute Fund, Youngstown Foundation, BRITE Energy Innovators, Walmart Spark Good, and the Ohio Climate Justice Fund.