Meet the Mentors
Friends University has partnered with distinguished alumni and seasoned professionals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. See below for available mentors.
Applications are open!
Mentorship Program
Interested in the mentorship program?
Mentor
Tariq Azmi
Company: E2 Enterprises (Ember Enterprises)
Job Title: Founding Member & VP of Operations
- Tariq’s BioAfter finishing his bachelor’s in computer science and Business Quality Mgmt.
- 2002-2007: Worked for Accenture BOP Services.
- 2007-2012: Hired by Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
- 2012- 2018 Moved back to Wichita and worked for a couple IT Managed Service Companies.
- 2013: Invested in a retail operation for the Electronic repair shop – which was a learning experience
- 2014: Moved from retail investment to commercial real estate
- 2014: Invested in the food industry
- 2016- Current: Added commercial real estate to the portfolio
- 2017- Current: Expanded investment from 1 restaurant to 4 additional restaurants
- 2018- Current: Invested in residential real estate
- 2018: Started a Technology Operations Company
Mentor
Dr. Kenny Bui
Company: Johnson Controls, Inc.
Job Title: Global Program Manager
- Kenny’s BioA result-oriented leader offering experience in Product & Project Management, Manufacturing, and DtV, VAVE Engineering. A catalyst in Organizational Change Management who understands the process required empathy and buy-in from top-level management down. A compassionate leader who believes that employees constitute the most powerful resource for an organization to sustain long-term competitive advantage. An experienced professional is responsible for developing the product’s introduction & supporting marketing plans, which promote specific products and improve organizational performance. Broad expertise in Product Development Processes and Project Management Life Cycles. Team player with strong ethics, high integrity, driven, analytical, and technically competent with a keen sense for business acumen.
- Degree, College/University & Campus Involvement1. Doctor Business Administration (DBA): Business Management / California Southern University – Irvine, CA; 2. Masters of Global Leadership and Management / Friends University – Wichita, KS; 3. Bachelor of Science: Mechanical Engineering / Wichita State University – Wichita, KS; 4. Associate Degree: Manufacturing Technology / Flint Hills Technical College – Emporia, KS
- Areas of ExpertiseCommunication | Teamwork | Negotiation & Persuasion | Leadership & Coaching | Problem Solving | Analytical Skills | Lean & Six Sigma | Project & Product Management | Adaptability
- Interests & HobbiesReading, Fishing, Taking Online Courses, Family Time (Round 1, Dave & Busters, Chuck-e-Cheese, etc.)
- Favorite Local Restaurant and DishPho H&M, Wasabi Sushi, Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Korean dishes
Mentor
Ebony Clemons-Ajibolade
Alumni
Company: Evergy
Job Title: Sr. Economic Development Manager
- Ebony’s BioEbony Clemons-Ajibolade is a Sr. Economic Development Manager with Westar Energy, an Evergy Company. The Evergy team of professionals take on projects to generate and deliver electricity, protect the environment and provide excellent service to nearly 1.6 million customers. Ebony is responsible for attracting new companies, retaining and expanding new businesses and making strategic partner investments to improve the quality of life in the communities she serves.
Prior to joining the Economic Development team, Ebony was responsible for building relationships with community, educational stakeholders and non-profit organizations to enhance Westar’s outreach efforts. She also served as a company spokesperson, facilitator and presenter for company public affairs, community relations, and workforce outreach.
Ebony has also worked in the financial industry where she was responsible for the consultative business practices with dealerships in South Central and Western Kansas. Ebony joined the banking industry as a Licensed Financial Specialist with Wachovia Bank. She then transitioned into the Licensed Banker position with the Wells Fargo Bank merger where she worked to build long term advisory relationships with consumer and business clients alike.
Ebony’s passion is community. She strives to promote long term economic prosperity and quality of life for Kansans. She has a small piano studio where she teaches 16 young budding pianists. She’s taught financial literacy, reads at the Wichita Public Schools through the Reading Is Fundamental program and Storytime Village Inc. and serves on the Greater Wichita Partnership’s Strategic Advisory Team.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for: Leadership Wichita, The Kansas African American Museum, Real Men Real Heroes, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Workforce Alliance-Local Workforce Development Board, and The Urban League of Kansas.
Her prior board/committee service includes numerous civic and charitable organizations including Young Professionals of Wichita, Wichita State College of Engineering African American Advisory Board, Project Wichita, KETCH, the Century II citizen steering committee, Advance Kansas’ Advisory Committee and serving as the Minister of Music for Bethany Missionary Baptist Church.
Ebony is a Wichita native and is married to KD Ajibolade. She attended Wichita Southeast High School, received a dual degree in Political Science and Psychology from Kansas State University, and a Masters of Business Law from Friends University. She is a member of the Wichita Rotary Club, and has participated in 40 Under 40, Advance Kansas, Leadership Wichita and Leadership Elite. - Degree, College/University & Campus Involvement
- Dual major in Political Science and Psychology from Kansas State University
- Masters of Business Law from Friends University
Mentor
Laura Lombard
Company: Kansas Global Trade Services
Job Title: President & CEO
- Laura’s BioLaura Lombard is the President/CEO of the Kansas Global Trade Services, Inc. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) with a master’s degree in International Relations and Economics. Laura is an accomplished executive with more than ten years of experience in international business development.
Laura worked as a consultant and media relations coordinator at The Cohen Group (TCG), a DC-based consulting firm founded by former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen. At TCG, Laura worked with Fortune 100 clients on federal and international business development and policy matters.
After leaving TCG, Laura was the founding President and Executive Director of the Middle East & North Africa Consultants in Washington, DC. She formed MENA Consultants in 2013 along with twelve other consultants interested in promoting increased trade relations and commerce between the United States and Middle Eastern countries. She also provided strategic consulting for non-profit organizations, small-to-medium-sized companies, public-private partnerships, and Fortune 500 firms.
Upon moving home to Wichita in 2017, she was hired as the CEO of ImEpik, a market-driven and research-based online training company. Laura joined ImEpik to expand the company’s presence in the food safety industry and other industrial sectors. The company tripled its revenue two years in a row under her leadership and became a recognized leader in food safety training. Laura also worked as a consultant for the Climate and Energy Project as the Development Director of the Clean Energy Business Council. Laura also ran for the U.S. Congressional seat in the 4th District of Kansas in 2020.
In addition to her master’s degree from SAIS, Laura has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas. She enjoys traveling, painting, Latin dancing, and basketball. She is also the proud mom of a red-headed little boy. - Degree, College/University & Campus InvolvementMaster’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas.
- Areas of ExpertiseBusiness consulting, international business, sustainability, politics
- Interests & HobbiesTraveling, dancing, basketball
Mentor
Ashwini Mysur
Company: Spirit AeroSystems
Job Title: Defense Demand Management
- Ashwini’s BioAshwini Mysur has been with the aerospace industry for over 16 years. Prior to her current tenure as the Manager of Defense Demand Management at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., she has served as an engineer in R&D, Quality, Process Engineering, and M&P, and managed Global Engineering initiatives & teams at Cessna Aircraft and Beechcraft. She is a certified Six-Sigma Green-Belt (Design) and an alumnus of the Wichita State University with a Master’s in Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, and an MBA from the Barton School of Business. Her work in Wrinkle Prediction in Sheetmetal Forming using AI has won her accolades during her Tenure at Cessna. She is the recipient of the ‘Textron Chairman’s Award for Innovation’, a much coveted recognition. She was awarded a Patent for her invention ‘WrinkleForm’ based on her research on Wrinkle Prediction.
Ashwini is a staunch supporter of empowerment of Women through Education. Outside of Spirit & SWE she actively volunteers with the Wichita Asian Association and has been deeply involved in coaching and mentoring aspiring candidates for the Miss America Pageant – Kansas. She has served as the President of the Cultural Association of India and has been instrumental in instituting a Merit based Scholarship for Graduate Students at WSU. She draws energy and dedication to furthering women’s cause from her personal struggles from being the first and only women in her chosen field in her college in India, to being one of the few minority female leaders in the largely male dominated Manufacturing Industry. - Degree, College/University & Campus InvolvementWichita State University, MS & MBA.
- Areas of ExpertiseProject Management, Six Sigma, Process engineering
- Interests & HobbiesTravel & Painting
- Favorite Local Restaurant and DishN&J, Mediterranean Food
Mentor
Ashley Scheideman
Alumni
Company: FlagshipKansas.Tech
Job Title: Executive Director
- Ashley’s BioAshley Scheideman, currently Executive Director of FlagshipKansas.Tech, a non-profit trade organization for the technology sector, is a life-long Kansan. Ashley’s career in non-profit work began at Make-A-Wish Kansas where she spent ten years granting wishes and leading the organization. After a year as Marketing Director for a facility maintenance group, she joined Youth Entrepreneurs and was responsible for national expansion. Ashley graduated from Friends University with a BS in Political Science/History and holds an MA from Wichita State University and an MBA from Friends University.
- Degree, College/University & Campus InvolvementMBA – Friends University
MA (American & Public History) – Wichita State University
BS (Political Science/History) – Friends University
Former Friends Alumni Association Board Member - Areas of ExpertiseNon-Profit Management, building relationships, marketing, program management, business development
- Interests & HobbiesGolf, cooking, gardening, daughter’s sports
- Favorite Local Restaurant and DishOld Mill Tasty Shop – Tuna Melt or Cheese Crisps
Students: Please see the application section for requirements and to apply.
Alumni and professionals: To become a mentor please email Career Services at Career@friends.edu.