Our team

Our people make it happen

Meet Our Team

Cross Over Community Development is led by the Executive Director and a group of COCD staff and volunteers.

Executive Director and Board President

Catherine Bitwayiki

Meet Our Board

Secretary

Mia
Burnett

PhD Candidate in Environmental Sciences and Toxicology,
Wright State University

International Scholar

Dr. Lotsmart Fonjong

Dr. Fonjong is a multidisciplinary international scholar and consultant with a background in geography, international development, cooperation, and human rights. He is author of several scientific publications and reports. His works focus on gender, politics, climate change, and security in Africa. Dr. Fonjong currently serves as an Independent Consultant, and Professor at the University of Cincinnati Ohio.

Treasurer

Gerald Richardson

With a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Gerald Richardson possesses over 35 years of federal service with the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. For more than 25 years, he served in Air Force Acquisition Program Management, where he successfully led multi-million-dollar federal projects and developed deep expertise in government policies, compliance, and fiscal oversight.

Education Advisor

Dr. Molly Keane-Sexton

Principal Lecturer of English & Coordinator of Integrated Learning, University of Dayton

Community Engagement Advisor

Sophie Ruigu, MA

Sophie Ruigu, MA is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Dayton Children’s Hospital, where she builds trust and meaningful partnerships with community organizations to improve health outcomes and address health disparities for all children within reach. She holds a master’s degree in Sociology and is passionate about fairness, inclusion, and community-driven work. Sophie is honored to join the board of Cross Over Community Development and looks forward to supporting its mission to empower the Dayton community.

Meet Our Staff

Curriculum Designer

Dr. Jessica Ashe

Dr. Ashe specializes in creating intensive English programs (IEP) and English for specific purposes (ESP). Her own research entails “holistic support” of international students. As a Fulbright Specialist, she supported implementation of “Strategy of Education Development” in Drenas, Kosovo in 2024.