Meet the Clementine Gold Group team
PRESIDENT
Ekua Mends-Aidoo, CCDP (she/her)
Ekua Mends-Aidoo has over 15 years of experience working with municipal government, non-profit and healthcare organizations. She has been responsible for implementing equitable policies, communications and programs that align with organizational strategic goals and vision, especially in diverse and underserved populations. She has been instrumental in shaping workplace cultures with an emphasis on maintaining employee engagement through strategic analytics and program design. She has managed numerous neighborhood revitalization projects, many which included federal HUD funding.
Building relationships with employees and advocating for equitable support and change is a major highlight of her work. She enjoys decision-making with influence from data and the employee experience. Ekua is a Cornell Certified Diversity Professional and completed an advanced certificate in Diversity & Inclusion at Cornell’s ILR School. In March 2021, Ekua was recognized with Buffalo Business First’s inaugural I.D.E.A Award (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Awareness) highlighting her work in the D&I space and was also recognized as a “Power 200 Woman” in Western New York by Buffalo Business First. Ekua has recently been named to the WNY Regional Committee for the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Highlights of her engagement work include the creation of a community engagement and outreach plan for the Fruit Belt Neighborhood Solar Project with National Grid, a project of the New York Public Service Commission.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kim LaVare, PMP (she/her)
Kim is an accomplished project manager, urban designer, and equity advocate with over a decade of experience leading interdisciplinary teams through the design and execution of complex, multi-million-dollar construction and infrastructure projects. Known for her ability to balance functionality, aesthetics, and equity, Kim brings a systems-thinking approach to stakeholder engagement and project delivery, drawing on deep expertise in project management, lean processes, and community-centered design.
With a strong foundation in visual design and architectural software, Kim leads the creation of site planning strategies, renderings, and presentation materials using tools such as SketchUp, Rhino, Lumion, and Adobe Creative Suite. She is proficient in producing technical documentation using AutoCAD, Revit, and Civil 3D, and regularly incorporates GIS mapping (ArcGIS, QGIS) and parametric modeling (Grasshopper, Dynamo) into her work.
Kim’s interest in human-centered design is underscored by years of public engagement, including leading the SEQR outreach for the Richardson-Olmsted Complex and shaping participatory processes for the Buffalo Green Code. Informed by her equity work with MWBEs across New York State and her collaborations with the University at Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools, Kim applies inclusive design principles to signage, wayfinding, and spatial environments, with an eye toward accessibility, belonging, and user interaction.
A natural mentor and collaborative leader, Kim has supervised interdisciplinary interns and early-career professionals across sectors. As an Oishei Leader of Color, and a board member for the Buffalo Central Terminal, The Exchange at Beverly Gray, and other civic organizations, she continues to expand access and equity across the built environment, public sector, and nonprofit spaces.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DESIGN
Natalia Rice (she/her)
Natalia leads creative strategy at Clementine Gold Group, where she blends visual storytelling, strategic communications, and design thinking to advance equity-centered initiatives. Her work spans cultural audits, research, and learning experiences—grounded in real-world impact and the principles of equity and accessibility.
Previously, Natalia served as the Equity Officer at New View Alliance, leading change through organization-wide DEIA strategy. A Changemakers 30 Under 30 honoree, she has also contributed to national advocacy efforts as a contract researcher with Race Forward, using Research Justice methods to elevate community voice in racial justice policy.
Natalia is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in Information Science (MSI) and Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she explores the intersection of design, societal shifts, and technology. She holds undergraduate degrees in English and Sociology from Syracuse University.
A Buffalo native, Natalia is passionate about participatory policymaking, creative expression, and community-rooted approaches to systems change. In her free time, she enjoys painting, getting lost in bookstores, and spending time with her dog, Obi.
DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGIC INSIGHTS
Mark Glasgow (he/him)
Mark Glasgow is an interdisciplinary research and operations professional with over 12 years of experience working in non-profit, healthcare, and academic organizations. He has a passion for developing diverse projects, products, and processes to reach the highest level of quality and long-term value while enhancing partner and stakeholder experiences.
Mark is also skilled in community building, civic engagement, and mentorship. Much of this is attributed to his years of service and collaboration throughout Western New York, including serving as the President of Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals where he and his team made impactful efforts to engage and empower young professionals to be active in their communities. Mark has also served on various boards including Erie County’s Citizens Salary Review Commission, Visit Buffalo Niagara, and the Buffalo Urban League.
Mark is a first-generation US-born Guyanese American, and was born and raised in the 19th Ward neighborhood of Rochester, New York. He relocated to Buffalo in 2004 to begin his academic career at SUNY Buffalo where he graduated with degrees in Biotechnology (BS), Environmental Health (MPH), and Epidemiology (MS). Mark has earned a certification in public health and has relevant training at Morehouse College, the University of Alabama, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mark is also a 2016 graduate of Leadership Buffalo’s Rising Leaders Program. Mark’s experiences in community advocacy and implementation have focused on social and environmental justice, racial and gender equity, youth education, diversity in STEAM careers, LGBTQ+ rights, and active votership. In his free time, Mark enjoys being an enthusiast of music, culture, travel, and technology.
DIRECTOR OF PROJECT OPERATIONS & BRAND STRATEGY
Brooke Monaghan, PMP (they/she)
Brooke Monaghan has been managing people, processes and projects for over a decade. They began working in the non profit sector in 2018 where she helped develop the project management office for a rapidly growing, harm reduction focused health care organization. In awe of their impact on individuals, they became hooked on equipping change makers with the tools to execute on their most impactful, urgent work.
A credentialed Project Management Professional and Certified Leadership Coach, Brooke balances her uncanny knack for simplifying complex problems with her knowledge of industry best practices and a truly supportive relationship with everyone she works with.
She believes that organizations have a unique opportunity to create change, not just for the people they serve, but also for their employees - and that the power of any organization to create sustainable impact is dependent on their commitment to creating a supportive, trusting, values-aligned culture.
Brooke graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Rhode Island and is passionate about supporting independent professionals in growing sustainable, values-aligned businesses. In 2023 she founded Fruition Growth Network, an online platform bridging the support gap for service based freelancers and entrepreneurs focused on creating meaningful change.