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
Dr. Mia Burnett
Board Member, Secretary
Dr. Mia L. Williams Burnett is an Assistant Professor – Adjunct Ann in UCBA Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, M.S. degrees in Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, and a B.S. in Forensic Chemistry. With over a decade of experience at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Laboratory and prior work in environmental and industrial analysis at Quanterra and Teledyne Tekmar, she brings deep applied expertise to her teaching and research. Dr. Burnett is an active member of the Society of Toxicology and the American Chemical Society, dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Gerald Richardson
Board Member, Treasurer
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.
Dr. Mia Burnett
Board Member, Fundraising & Strategic Resource Development
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.
Sophie Ruigu, MA
Board Member, Community Engagement Advisor
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
Dr. Jessica Ashe
Education Director
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.
Kimberly Bahl, M.A. in TESOL
Specialized ESL Teacher
With a global perspective shaped by her years living and traveling across Asia and Europe, Kimberly Bahl blends over 20 years of business experience with three years of overseas teaching. Now in her third year with Cross Over Community Development, she is dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants build confidence and thrive in their new communities.