Our Team

An ambitious group of creative, human-centered, and results-oriented people creating Our Best World™ in partnership with you.

**Jonathan Banks (He/His/Him)**
*Founding Partner*
Jonathan is a change partner to courageous leaders throughout strategic planning, organizational change and people engagement. He unites the NCXT team in dynamic partnerships that create and strengthen products, services and organizations, creating better lives and Our Best World.

**Jeff Aguy (He/His/Him)**
*Founding Partner*
At his core, Jeff believes success and innovation should be accessible to everyone. He has spent the past decade-plus as an entrepreneur, researcher, and executive in innovation, developing a step-by-step process to scale growth in individuals, startups, organizations, and local economies.

**Meida Surya (She/Her)**
*Partner Excellence and Content Manager*
Meida, #MeidaForceBeWithYou, is a strategist with an extensive background in Learning and Development. She is responsible for incorporating DEI methodologies throughout all NCXT project phases while adeptly engaging with and facilitating stakeholder sessions. She leverages her experience in leading initiatives to cultivate a culture of accountability and learning every day, in every way.

**Akaash Mukherjee**
*Data Consultant*
Akaash is passionate about ideas that drive innovation. After obtaining his Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University, he joined Jonar and became the lead architect of their revolutionary software, ParagonERP. Over the past 10 years, he has worn many multidisciplinary hats, acting as Programmer, Director of Technology and Team Leader. After leading blockchain projects at research lab Jonar Labs, Akaash is looking at new frontiers in machine learning to keep us moving towards Our Best World™.

**Jess Roberts (He/Him)**
*AIMS Innovation Program Principal*
Jess specializes in equitable Human-Centered Design research, practice, co-design, and innovation in healthcare and public health. He focuses on ensuring every voice is heard in shaping our institutions and communities by designing fair decision-making processes so that those affected by poorly designed policies and services can have a say in decisions that affect them and their communities.

Khalique Rogers (He/Him)

Partnering Consultant

Khalique is a skilled policy advocate, facilitator, keynote speaker, storyteller and writer. He uses a data-driven human approach to amplify the voices of the community, youth, and businesses that want to grow from good to great.

Naomi Banks (She/Her)

Partnering Coach and Consultant

Executive coach, leadership consultant, and speaker with over 20 years of experience. She uses a trauma-informed, equity-based approach to help individuals, from C-Suite executives to innovators in the film and gaming sectors, move towards achievable goals. Naomi transforms organizational cultures to be more inclusive, safe, and equitable. She holds a business degree and coaching certificates, and has contributed as a racial justice facilitator at the YWCA of Minneapolis. Naomi is a founding partner and board member at the Center for Coaching in Organizations.

**Ryan Bauers (He/Him)**
*AIMS Innovation Principal*
Ryan believes that everyone and every organization has great potential. With 25 years of experience, they have led various organizations, honing their skills in leadership, management, strategic planning, branding, marketing, and communication. For 20 years, they have coached thousands as a leadership, life, and spiritual coach. Additionally, for 15 years, they have worked as an organizational consultant, helping businesses with strategic planning, project management, branding, personnel issues, marketing, workplace culture, and leadership development. They have pursued education in leadership and organizational development, consistently staying updated with current research and best practices.

Brad Luckhardt (He/His)

Partnering Coach and Consultant

Brad is a consultant, coach, and facilitator with a focus on social, economic, and racial justice. He has over 120 client engagements since 2015 across various sectors. Brad's expertise includes strategic planning, culture change, team effectiveness, racial equity, board development, and leadership development. He holds an M.S. in Organizational Change Management and a B.A. in International Relations. Brad has worked on significant projects such as the strategic planning process for Hennepin County Library and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene