Dallas Fort Worth Advisory Board
GC DFW ABOUT US
DFW Advisory Board
This board consists of insightful business leaders and advisors across Global Chamber Dallas - Fort Worth in our efforts to support international trade and businesses in the DFW Metroplex.
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Anthony Piccolo
Board Chair - Global Chamber Dallas - Fort Worth
Anthony Piccolo is the CEO and Founder of Performance Scoring, where he drives organizational engagement and performance through AI-powered meeting management, real-time feedback, and performance analytics. With a diverse marketing background, including his role as Chief Marketing Officer at FleetServe, Anthony has strengthened market presence across multiple industries.
Committed to mentorship and community service, Anthony leads a community group and a men's bible study at his church and has served in various children's ministries. This dedication extends to his professional life, where he focuses on meeting people where they are and fostering open dialogue for improvement.
At Performance Scoring, Anthony's mission is to align individuals with their organizations by enhancing connectedness, promoting open communication, and leveraging advanced technology to achieve optimal outcomes.
Anthony's strategic partnerships, including those with organizations like Etho, highlight his ability to build meaningful alliances that drive innovation and growth. His commitment to excellence and global connectivity supports the Global Chamber's mission of fostering international trade and investment.
Jacob Deitz
Founder and Executive Director, Kilimo Collective
Jacob's diverse background and extensive experience make him a valuable asset to our global community. He has a strong commitment to experiential education, showcased during his tenure as a science teacher, reflecting a dedication to shaping future generations and connecting them to the wonders of our shared ecosystem. Jacob's involvement in various organizations, especially Kilimo Collective, highlights his passion for cross-sectoral approaches and innovative solutions that have a global impact. His affiliations with Movement for Community-Led Development, Grassroots Finance Action, Pineapple World, and SORND underscore his commitment to grassroots innovation and sustainability.
Jacob is also "Lead Route Setter" for United Rocks, where he combines his love for rock climbing with advocacy, spreading a message of inclusivity and empowerment. It's a unique and impactful way to bridge personal interests with a broader social cause.
Jean-Gardais "Dèdè" Monfiston
Director of Government Affaires and NGOs at TechFides
Jean-Gardais Monfiston, commonly known as Dèdè Monfiston, currently serves as the Director of Government Affairs and NGOs at TechFides, an IT strategic consulting firm. With a fervent dedication to driving positive change, Jean-Gardais boasts a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades across non-profit and for-profit sectors in a globally connected landscape. His impactful work has traversed diverse regions, including Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, where he has spearheaded humanitarian, education, health, and economic development initiatives.
Jean-Gardais holds a bachelor's degree in animal sciences and agribusiness studies, supplemented by a Master’s degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Beyond his professional commitments, he finds immense joy in his roles as a loving father and devoted husband.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Jean-Gardais finds solace in activities such as jogging, art appreciation, and savoring good music and cuisine. With a multicultural upbringing and extensive travel experience, he is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, underscoring his commitment to fostering cross-cultural communication and understanding.
Jeff Pappas
Director of Communications, Hamline University
Jeff Pappas has an extensive expertise in office tenant representation services, especially in corporate headquarters relocations, industrial users, and contact centers, is sure to be a significant asset to the Advisory Board. It's impressive to see Jeff's global industry expertise, having represented clients not only across the United States and Canada but also in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. His role as a Senior Managing Director at Newmark's Dallas office speaks volumes about his leadership and capabilities in the real estate sector. Jeff's reputation as a leading expert in site selection, labor analytics, and real estate strategies is noteworthy. His contributions as a speaker and panelist at economic forums in various countries further underline his authority in the field. The substantial lease transactions totaling over 10 million square feet and the value-added savings of over $25 million for clients over the last ten years showcase Jeff's ability to deliver tangible results. His track record, including his previous roles at Mohr Partners and ESRP Real Estate, reflects a consistent commitment to excellence. I find it intriguing that Jeff brings a well-rounded background, having graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Business Studies in Communications and Business, where he also played collegiate soccer. This blend of business acumen and sports background often brings a unique perspective to the table.
Jeff Pappas is undoubtedly a valuable addition to the Advisory Board, and I'm eager to see the impact of his knowledge and experience on the initiatives and success of Global Chamber DFW Metro.
Jennifer Thornton
Founder at 304 Coaching
Jennifer has developed her expertise in Talent Strategy & Leadership Professional Development over her exciting 20+ year career as an HR Professional. She’s led international teams across Greater China, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. expanding into new markets, managing franchise retailers, and developing key strategic partnerships - all while exceeding business objectives and financial results. The rapid growth of her consulting firm 304 Coaching has been largely due to Jennifer’s unconventional approach to building innovative workforce development solutions for companies who are facing breakthrough growth and accelerated hiring patterns. She is a sought-after business strategist, specializing in start-ups and large value-based organizations. She assists her clients in building talent strategies that complement their business strategies to ensure exponential growth. She lives in Texas with her family and rescues animals.
Jessica Cheeks-Thompson
In 2013, Jessica Cheeks-Thompson began her public service career in Kansas City, MO as a Mission Support Specialist with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In 2015, she joined the U.S. Department of Labor, serving as an Economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for nearly 7 years. As an Economist with BLS, Jessica managed numerous clients across countless industries to produce the data for principal economic indicators, including the Import/Export Price Index. In this role, she gained specific knowledge on international trade and analysis, and cultivated unique skills for managing relationships and opportunities.
In 2021, Jessica joined the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration as an International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Commercial Service’s Dallas-Fort Worth Office. As a Trade Specialist, Jessica covered the Energy, Automotive and Chemicals sectors, assisting exporters in north Texas to expand internationally. She led export promotion programs for the U.S. Commercial Service, including the Offshore Technology Conference and Gastech, and served as a core member of the Trade Winds ASEAN 2023 team. Jessica was selected to serve as Office Director for the U.S. Commercial Service’s Dallas-Fort Worth office in November 2023. As Director, she leads a team of International Trade Specialists serving the north Texas international trade community. She also serves as Executive Secretary for the North Texas District Export Council.
Jessica attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and a Master of Science degree in Economic Development. She’s currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy, with an emphasis in Economic Policy.
Nelson Olavarrieta
Global Advisor - Global Chamber Dallas - Fort Worth
Nelson Olavarrieta is dedicated to help members of Global Chamber be successful in their cross metro and cross border growth. He advises international companies on how to enter the American market. He has successfully helped companies from Spain and Mexico to expand to the U.S. He also advises on cross-border transactions.
As being a former General Director of Bid Protests at the federal government of Mexico and a diplomat between the Interior Ministry in Mexico and the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S., he brings vital expertise to international and government services.
Nelson also has founded and successfully sold CelebratePlus.com, an innovative group funding platform to manage events online and raise money to support activities. He co-owns the local chapter of a national franchise in the construction sector.
Nelson also serves as Vice-president of the Board of Directors of Refugee Services of Texas, the largest organization in the state that welcomes refugees, asylees, survivors of trafficking, and other displaced peoples, and supports them in integrating and thriving in their new communities.
Prosper Jechete, MBA, CRCR
Prosper is a results-driven leader with deep experience in Finance & Accounting, operations, strategic planning, cost reduction, process development and improvement, budget management, and project management. Also skilled in building high-performance teams to help organizations improve productivity, quality, and efficiency.
He completed his MBA Degree, at the University of Dallas and is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), an organization helping healthcare finance management executives and professionals navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry.
Prosper is currently serving as Director of Corporate Accounting at Bright Balance, a globally recognized fractional accounting and finance firm with a diverse leadership team of professionals with extensive experience across a variety of industries and software applications. Bright Balance provides clients with high-quality services, unmatched flexibility and cost efficiency using an integrated onshore and offshore team.
His previous experience includes working with major US healthcare systems like Prime Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Conifer Healthcare, and HealthSmart Holdings.
Michael Walker
As Michael Walker, I am a versatile and detail-oriented administrative professional from Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, currently working as an Administrative Assistant and Project Coordinator for Austin Global Solutions. With a solid foundation in compliance, customer relations, and remote support, my career spans over five years and is anchored by a BSc (Hons) in International Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Sunderland.
In my role at Austin Global Solutions, I manage complex schedules, lead project logistics, and design social media campaigns to drive brand visibility. My experience includes conducting OSHA and HIPAA training sessions, handling sensitive data with discretion, and fostering seamless global client relations. Leveraging tools like MS Office Suite, HubSpot CRM, and MailChimp, I streamline operations and enhance client satisfaction.
I am driven by a commitment to service excellence and results that exceed expectations. Whether in remote settings, cross-functional teams, or client-facing roles, I bring a proactive approach, confidentiality, and dedication to measurable impact.
Stephanie Harris, LMSW
Dean of Basic Needs and Student Care at Dallas College
Stephanie Harris, LMSW, is the Dean of Basic Needs and Student Care at Dallas College. Stephanie is driven by a mission to empower students and eliminate barriers to their success. Under her leadership, Dallas College has launched innovative programs addressing housing and food insecurity, parenting student initiatives, and community partnerships, impacting countless students’ lives across the college.
Stephanie’s background includes extensive nonprofit experience, focusing on crisis management and advocacy for unhoused individuals. This work and her academic career instilled a deep empathy and a passion for transformative change. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Social Work degree at the University of Kentucky.
Diana M. Urrutia, Doctoral Candidate
Diana holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, a Master of Arts in T.E.S.O.L. and is pursuing an Ed.D in CCLP at National American University. She has 30 years of experience working in higher education, focusing on community college leadership and international education.
At a very young age, mentors and exceptional teachers/college professors guided her journey in the realm of education. She has led academic affairs and student development/service areas and strives to help others see the potential they possess and to find their path to reach it. t is also the principle she follows when leading and teaching; she believes it is an essential role of an educator.
Her trajectory in higher education has been met with meaningful experiences and opportunities. She has served as a full-time faculty member, assistant dean, associate dean and dean of academic affairs. She found her experience in student services, academic affairs, and administration as essential inspirations to establish student retention and student success initiatives.
Currently, she serves as the Vice Provost of International Engagement & Global Competitiveness at Dallas College. The Office focuses on COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning), Virtual Exchanges, Global Citizenship Curriculum, Study Abroad and Global Learning, International Workforce Skill Development, and Special Academic Programming. Other areas of focus are building educational bridges across disciplines, establishing partnerships with our local, global and international communities, and assisting Dallas College in meeting its strategic priorities to develop global citizenship.
