BRITTANY SMITH
Brittany Smith grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, attending Cleveland public schools such as the Cleveland School of the Arts and Glenville High School. Brittany developed a passion for helping others in the city at a young age and has spent most of her professional career doing so.
Brittany began her work directly in the Glenville community as early as high school where she worked at the Glenville recreation center after school. She then attended Kent State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in political science. Shortly after she graduated, she began work at the St. Martin De Porres Center located in Ward 9. There, she provided parenting education on development, nutrition, and other factors that contribute to the overall health of infants and toddlers.
HANNE-LORE GAMBELL
While pursuing her JD / MBA from The University of Akron School of Law and The University of Akron College of Business Administration, respectively, Hanne-Lore was an Associate Editor for the Akron Law Review.
She also served as President of The University of Akron’s Chapter of Black Law Students Association from 2016-2018, winning National BLSA’s Small Chapter of the Year for the 2017-2018 academic year; and Chief of Staff for the Midwest Region of National Black Law Students Association where she assisted with coordinating the 2018 MWBLSA Regional Conference in St. Louis, MO. Hanne-Lore also volunteered with the Inmate Assistance Program, where she assisted inmates at Summit County Jail with legal research issues.
AMBER C. PAYDEN
With over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and partnerships. Amber has worked in National Accounts for companies such as AT&T and James Hardie Building Products. Managing corporate and retail relationships with Apple, LG, HTC, Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy, and more.
After leaving AT&T, Amber started her own marketing agency focusing on sports wearables, Healthcare SaaS products, and youth consumer sports brands, with clients ranging from the Lebron James Shooting All-Stars Tournament, Pulmonary Apps, and Nascar Race for Autism Initiative featuring driver Armani Williams.
DR. LISA BELL
Lisa Bell is a program management specialist, educator, business owner, community servant, and mother. Dr. Bell currently serves as Deputy Assistant Program Manager for the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (“NSTEM”) contract, which is valued at approximately $290 million.
In this role, Dr. Bell leads and supports the continuity of services under a model of excellence; promoting NASA’s vision and mission to immerse students, especially those underrepresented and underserved in NASA’s work and research, enhance STEM literacy, and aiming to inspire the next generation of aeronautics and space explorers. Dr. Bell provides cross-functional supervisory support for the Office of STEM Engagements’ Awards & Grants functions, Engagement & Recruitment functions, and Internal Business Solutions.
I love what I do, I enjoy what I do, and I thank those who’ve paid the way for me prior to instilling in me great knowledge about the business, the kitchen, the politics, the ins and outs of the food industry.
