Zubair Bakubye – Social Enterprise Director
We Are One United
Born and raised during a time of social strife and civil war in Uganda, Zubair has witnessed firsthand the challenges people in developing communities face in social and economic development. The struggles he witnessed daily growing up in Uganda, served as the fuel that supported him in moving to the United States of America.
After coming to the USA, Zubair pursued his dream of additional education, obtaining BA and MPA at California University. Nowadays, Zubair maintains his passion for empowering communities by creating economic opportunities and promoting education. At We Are One United, Zubair develops social enterprises and employment model programs for organizations and individuals. Zubair is the founder of the US International Center for Training & Tourism (USICETT) Inc and Integrated Science and Education for African Communities (ISEAC),
Zubair doesn’t forget about his home country Uganda; and as the founder and Adjunct Instructor of ITT Vocational Training Center in Uganda, he actively participates in youth education and upskilling of the local youth in Uganda.
Joe Wallace – CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP)
Joe Wallace is CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, where he also serves as the founding Managing Director of the Palm Springs Innovation Hub. Wallace entered the world of mentoring entrepreneurs and businesses by serving as the founding President and CEO of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville and Innovation Pointe, where entrepreneurship was the prime focus.
Joe’s work has been honored with CSU San Bernardino’s Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award, the R & D Top 100 Award, the Clean Air Award, and the Indiana University Growth 100 Award along with many others. Throughout his career, he has been recognized as a creative leader who is not afraid to live his life outside the box.
Wallace graduated from Stanford University with an MS in Mechanical Engineering and has earned technical certifications from both Harvard and MIT. With over 10 start-up businesses of his own, and experience mentoring over 100 others, Joe is well-regarded for his depth of technical knowledge, paired with common sense solutions that work in business and life.
Laura E James – Vice President of Innovation at the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP)
Laura E James is Vice President of Innovation at the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership. With a role that spans everything from organizational strategy to mentoring startups, Laura also leads outreach and education efforts for the region’s entrepreneur and small business community.
Laura holds a BA in education with a concentration in English language learner studies, and an MBA from Auburn University. She has also earned a certificate in Nonprofit Management from University of California Riverside, a graduate certificate in Information Systems Management from Auburn University, and a certificate in Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. She is the only Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in the Coachella Valley.
She is active in numerous volunteer and leadership positions, including roles on Auburn University’s MBA Advisory Board, the Desert Regional Medical Center Governing Board, The Desert Sun Editorial Board, LifeStream Blood Bank Board of Directors, Health Assessment and Research for Communities (HARC) Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board for CSUSB’s Institute for Public Management and Governance. She is also a regular contributing writer for numerous regional business and economic development publications.
Charles Muwangala – Administrator/Sun Books
World Literacy Foundation
Charles Muwangala is the Head Teacher at the Maligita Public School in the Kayunga District in Uganda. He is also the Program Administrator for the World Literacy Foundation’s Sun Books initiative. Charles holds a certificate, Diploma and Degree in education and is an incredible advocate for literacy; helping children in many ways.
Charles participated in a UNESCO online course about Intergenerational Learning, and initiated Sunflower Grandmother’s literacy project in Uganda. He also initiated Magoola Saemual Undong self help group as a leader, and in 2018 competed in the South Korea Ambassadors cup, where Magoola placed third out of 400 villages in Uganda. They were awarded a trophy and certificate by South Korea Ambassadors in Uganda.
Most recently in April of 2023, Charles was invited to present the Sun Books initiative at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford university in the UK. He was instrumental in the formation of a strategic partnership between the World Literacy Foundation and Hello Computer, Inc.
MJ Humenuik – Executive Producer
Violet Horizon Entertainment, LLC
Southern California Native MJ Humenuik is an American creative branding and marketing professional and investor. He is the current Chairman of his multinational company Build Enterprises Inc. and the Founder of Violet Horizon Entertainment, LLC. His five decade global entertainment career, with clients such as MGM and 20th Century Fox, spans Entertainment, Fashion, Talent Management, Film and Television, Marketing, Creative Advertising and International Real Estate Holding and Development industries.
Shehrevar Davierwala – Global Educator and Proponent of Equality Diversity, and Inclusion
Shehrevar Davierwala is a Computer Science educator with experience of leading an outreach team and representing International Office for branding, international recruitment, management of capacity building programs as well as quality assurance and compliance management of international students. Adept at negotiating and managing international partnerships across globe encompassing planning and managing budgets for prospect of delivering to ambitious targets through promotional and intercultural events in Afro-Asian countries and Gulf region. He is moving ahead with a vision of “Creating a community of diverse learners and creative thinkers, with purpose.”