Our Visionaries

Meet Our Founders

Learn about the dedicated individuals who laid the foundation for Empowering Diverse Enterprises.
David T. Alexis

Co-Founder & Executive Director

David is a Brooklyn-based community organizer, program manager, and public health advocate with over a decade of experience co-founding mission-driven organizations, managing multi-stakeholder coalitions, and delivering community-driven solutions across labor, cooperative development, health equity, and housing justice. He co-founded The Drivers Cooperative — the first worker-owned ride-hailing cooperative in the United States — organizing over 10,500 NYC drivers and helping grow the enterprise to $6.1 million in revenue in its first year. He co-developed the Green and Accessible Transition Authority (GATA, S5552), landmark EV transition legislation in the NY State Senate. David currently serves as Project Coordinator at the Commission on the Public’s Health System (CPHS), where he leads coalition advocacy around $3 billion in health-related social care funding. He is Flatbush Chapter Chair of New York Communities for Change and a Democratic candidate who earned 38% of the vote in a 2022 NYS Senate primary on a platform of Good Cause Eviction, social housing, and health equity. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Bridgeport.

Cynette Wilson

Co-Founder & Director of Finance & Operations

Cynette is a versatile financial and operations leader with expertise spanning transportation, nonprofit finance, IT systems, investor relations, and regulatory compliance. As Finance Manager at The Drivers Cooperative, she recovered over $1 million in accounts receivable, rebuilt QuickBooks infrastructure from scratch, managed all NYS compliance requirements, and co-participated in lobbying for driver equity legislation in the 2023–2024 legislative session. She is also the owner and operator of Wilson McKenzie Transportation, Inc., a TLC-licensed fleet company serving New York City. Cynette holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is CompTIA A+ certified.

Jeremy Justiniano

Co-Founder & Director of Community Partnerships

Jeremy is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and community service professional whose career spans military service, transportation, real estate, healthcare management, and technical engineering. He has nine years of experience as a TLC-licensed driver — including specialized work with NYC’s Access-A-Ride program serving passengers with disabilities — alongside experience in real estate sales, healthcare office management, and field engineering across New York City. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Jeremy brings deep community relationships and cross-sector expertise to Édé’s work building bridges between diverse enterprises and the partners and resources they need to grow. He holds academic credentials from Baruch College (Zicklin School of Business) and Berkeley College.

Meet Our Founders

Our founders are deeply committed to driving economic and workforce development in underserved communities. They bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision of creating sustainable opportunities for all.
Maria is a middle-aged woman with short dark hair and a warm, approachable smile. She wears glasses and a professional blazer.
Dr. Maria Rodriguez
Executive Director
Maria leads our strategic initiatives, fostering partnerships and driving community empowerment. Her expertise in public health and community advocacy ensures our programs are impactful and sustainable.
David is a young man with short black hair and a friendly, determined expression. He wears a casual button-down shirt.
David Chen
Director of Programs
David oversees the development and implementation of our workforce and entrepreneurial programs. His background in labor organizing and housing justice informs his commitment to equitable opportunities.
Aisha is a young woman with long brown hair and a bright, engaging smile. She wears a colorful scarf and a professional blouse.
Aisha Khan
Community Outreach Manager
Aisha connects us with local businesses and community leaders, ensuring our initiatives are community-driven and responsive to local needs. Her passion for social justice drives her work.