Notable Names

By Ryan Kouame

DAVID JACOBS

David Jacobs is the new vice-chair of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the surgery department at Atrium Health. Dr. Jacobs is a widely respected and accomplished leader nationally, not only at Atrium. He has held many leadership positions that include trauma medical director for the Carolinas Medical Center’s Trauma Center and the co-medical director of pediatric trauma at the Levine Children’s Hospital Pediatric Trauma Institute.

Dr. Jacobs is a valued community leader. He served as section chair and executive director of the surgical section of the National Medical Association, the largest and oldest organization in the country representing African American physicians and their patients. He also advocates for youth violence prevention and earned numerous awards for his volunteerism.

“Embracing a culture within the Department of Surgery where all people and perspectives are valued, respected, and nurtured is critical to advancing our leadership role in American surgery, and I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to help lead this important work,” said Dr. Jacobs.

Photo courtesy of David Jacobs

AISHA STROTHERS

Aisha Strothers is a dedicated nonprofit leader and the executive director of Greater Steps Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to create healthier communities through charitable good and philanthropic opportunities. Strothers devoted more than 20 years of her career to providing educational and economic Photo courtesy of Aisha Strothers opportunities to young people in underserved communities. After joining Greater Steps Scholars as the executive director in August 2015, Strothers designed a mentor program that implements career readiness components to equip students with the necessary tools to succeed.

Strothers is a member of the Junior League of Charlotte and has served as chair of project development and chair of the mentor program. She currently serves on the Mount Vernon YMCA Board, volunteers with Girl Scouts, and mentors several college students. Strothers received her master’s in public administration from American University and her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Howard University. CLAYTON CARTER

Clayton Carter is a seasoned sales director and the outreach director at Oak Street Health, a network of value-based primary care centers dedicated to rebuilding the healthcare model to be focused on quality of care over volume of services.

Carter is a talented team builder with more than 20 years of experience in hands-on leadership and has been recognized worldwide for building long-term partnerships throughout client and corporate levels. In this role, Carter leads a team of outreach executives responsible for growing the patient intake through relationship building and community outreach.

“All seniors should be treated equally regardless of their income, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. They are our most treasured assets as they have laid the foundation for other generations to accomplish great things,” said Carter.

Carter is from Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of West Florida and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. .

TIZU MENELIK

Tizu Menelik is the managing director of Diversified Industries and International Corporate Banking teams at Fifth Third Bank. Menelik brings more than 20 years of corporate banking, commercial banking and private equity industry experience.

Before joining Fifth Third Bank in 2017, Menelik held various positions with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and its affiliates for more than 17 years, and her most recent role was head of the U.S. and Canada GCIB Global Loan Products (GLP).

Menelik is also actively engaged in international and community service organizations and is an avid supporter of various global not-for-profit organizations focused on social services. Menelik also supports the arts and is active in The Arts and Science Council, The Harvey B. Grant Center and the Mint Museum.

Menelik holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Central State University and an MBA degree from Indiana University. P