PONDER DIVERSITY GROUP

Anita J. Ponder, one of the nation’s leading attorneys and consultants, is at the helm of Ponder Diversity Group LLC (PDG), a legal consulting firm she founded and manages. With over three decades of experience, Anita's work encompasses strategic legal guidance and advocacy for a diverse range of clients, including government agencies, large corporations and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on small, disadvantaged, minority and women businesses enterprises and diverse employees on government contracts.  Her legal expertise includes government contracts, supplier and workplace diversity, and grant writing and administration in the industries of construction, transportation, education and cannabis licensing.  

Ms. Ponder’s notable accomplishments include: conducting DEI assessments, strategies and training; identifying DEI best practices nationwide; grant writing, administration and technical services; developing and implementing DBE/MBE/WBE, social equity and technical assistance programs; developing and implementing a small business certification initiative; preparing a 50-state memorandum on government procurement and bidding requirements; and organizing and chairing the Government Contractors Business Forum, a business group for established government contractors to assist them compete more effectively in the governmental marketplace.

Prior to leading PDG, Ms. Ponder was a partner and government contracts lead at some of Chicago most prestigious law firms, including Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, the nation’s largest minority and women-owned law firm, as well as Seyfarth Shaw, Drinker Biddle & Reath, and Quarles & Brady.  At these firms, she represented the State of Illinois, Cook County, the City of Chicago and its sister agencies, and several other government agencies outside of Illinois. She also represented a number of government contractors and consultants, including many of the top firms in the construction and transportation industries in Illinois. Prior to private practice, Ms. Ponder worked for Chicago Mayor Harold Washington in the Departments of Public Works and Procurement Services and provided legal support to his supplier diversity and workplace diversity leadership teams.

Ms. Ponder’s educational background includes a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Political Science from Fisk University. Her legal acumen, coupled with her effective community engagement and diversity advocacy, has earned her numerous awards throughout her career. She has also published several legal articles, been the featured speaker and has made television and radio appearances to discuss a range of government contracting and diversity topics.  Ms. Ponder’s professional journey reflects her dedication to leveraging legal expertise to advocate for equitable business practices and to empower underrepresented communities in the governmental and business sectors. Her work not only contributes to the legal field but also to the broader goal of creating inclusive and diverse environments in business and government.

Sanford Stein brings a wealth of experience as Ponder Diversity Group’s (PDG) Of Counsel. For more than four decades, he has actively championed diversity, equity, and inclusion in various sectors, including governmental and private entities. Beyond these accomplishments, he has established himself as a leading authority in the highly regulated cannabis industry in the United States. Mr. Stein’s work extends into the heart of agencies, where he focuses on fostering inclusive workplaces and workforces. He provides consulting and training services that are specially tailored to the needs of each organization. His approach centers on developing organizations to create and sustain inclusive environments where diversity thrives.  

Mr. Stein’s professional journey commenced at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he managed a multitude of enforcement and policy matters. Today, his practice encompasses a broad spectrum of business regulatory affairs, spanning Illinois and nationwide. Notably, Sanford Stein is at the forefront of the movement advocating for cannabis legalization, social equity in cannabis retail sales, rational cannabis regulations. He has lent his expertise to cannabis legislation and rulemaking, regulatory compliance, business development, real estate, finance, banking, license applications, Tribal Government guidance, and zoning for cannabis enterprises across several states. Tribal advocacy has been a cornerstone of Sanford Stein's multifaceted career. With a deep understanding of government relations and legal expertise, Mr. Stein has been a dedicated advocate for tribal governments and their unique challenges. His experience spans a range of critical issues, from assisting tribal nations with legislative initiatives to providing counsel on matters related to land use, zoning, and economic development within tribal territories. Mr. Stein's commitment to tribal advocacy extends to supporting tribal governments in their efforts to navigate the complex landscape of cannabis regulation and legalization, ensuring that these communities have a voice and opportunities in this emerging industry. His extensive background in both governmental and private sector affairs positions him as a trusted partner in advancing tribal sovereignty and prosperity.

Additionally, Sanford Stein's extensive legal expertise in social equity initiatives is exemplified through his notable engagement with the State of Washington. In this pivotal role, Mr. Stein has played a vital part in shaping and implementing the Social Equity in Cannabis Program. His contributions have focused significantly on providing essential legal advising to guide the development and execution of this groundbreaking program. This initiative aims to create a more inclusive and equitable cannabis industry, addressing historical disparities and promoting diverse participation. Through his legal acumen and dedication to social equity, Mr. Stein has played a pivotal role in advancing Washington's commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive cannabis landscape. Sanford Stein has been dedicated to serving both governmental and private sector clients, navigating a diverse range of legislative, regulatory, and judicial landscapes. With a unique blend of expertise in business and government relations law, Sanford has cultivated extensive experience in infrastructure development, public finance, public-private partnership economic development, government regulations, and procurement.

Leticia Herrera is a consultant for Ponder Diversity Group (PDG) responsible for community outreach and engagement.  She has over 30 years of professional and grassroots experience in community leadership, outreach, and engagement representing government agencies, high-level government officials (elected and appointed), and small business owners in Latino communities in Illinois, nationwide, and globally.  She is an exceptionally dedicated, reliable, and compassionate professional with strong and varied skills that include communications, organizational, management, marketing, problem-solving, leadership, and planning. She has utilized her skills to develop strong community relationships and a superb record of community service and achievement. She is also an established business owner, highly regarded business leader, and strong advocate of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, initiatives, and organizations for Hispanic/Latino communities and women nationwide.  

The consulting services that Ms. Herrera provides to clients of PDG include planning, directing, and coordinating communications and related activities that are designed to create or maintain positive relationships in Latino and other diverse, marginalized, underserved, underrepresented, and/or disproportionately impacted communities - including clients, partners, donors, volunteers, and media.  Her work includes raising issues or project awareness and facilitating equity and inclusion of those communities. She collects and evaluates data on local demographics, develops results, and presents conclusions to PDG and its clients. She attends community events as a representative of PDG and engages in outreach to agencies, organizations, partners, and stakeholders to conduct presentations, surveys, and meetings, both in-person and utilizing online platforms.  

Ms. Herrera is an award-winning entrepreneur and business leader who has been recognized for her business success by several not-for-profit organizations, media outlets, and governmental agencies throughout her career. She is currently a board member for City Kids Camp which provides an escape for kids who live in economically disadvantaged communities, allowing them to experience an environment free from violence, drugs, and gangs. She has been a board member of the March of Dimes which supports research, leads programs, and provides education and advocacy to prevent birth defects and premature birth. She has also served on the board of St. Augustine College, a private college in Chicago which was the first bilingual institution of higher education in Illinois.   

Ms. Herrera has held prominent leadership positions in several not-for-profit business organizations.  She is one of the founders of the United States Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, a leading binational business organization.  She is one of the first women elected to the board of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce who was responsible for leading the Midwest Region and the organization’s international office. She was selected among 100 minority entrepreneurs to participate in a business course at Harvard Business School sponsored by Fortune Magazine. She has been an active member of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) and HACIA (Hispanic American Construction Industry), which are among the top women and Hispanic business organizations in Illinois. She has also chaired the Illinois delegation for The White House Conference on Small Business to foster better relationships with the Illinois business community and help develop innovative policy solutions to economic problems.

Khizr Masalawala is a law clerk at Ponder Diversity Group (PDG) who brings a wealth of experience in cannabis licensing, social equity matters, government policies, legislation, and public policy issues. Alongside his studies at Chicago-Kent College of Law, he has established himself as a highly skilled professional with a remarkable performance record. His expertise includes utilizing legal databases like LexisNexis and Westlaw, ensuring his work consistently meets exceptional standards. Mr. Masalawala has dedicated his research efforts to analyzing and summarizing legislation and policies related to economic inequality, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), as well as government contracts. He takes immense pride in his research abilities, evaluating findings, and facilitating government contracts, all with the aim of creating a meaningful impact in diverse communities nationwide.

One of Khizr Masalawala's core strengths lies in his commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. His deep understanding of DEI issues informs his work as he strives to tackle economic inequality through legal channels. With a passion for social equity, he seeks to promote fair and just practices that uplift marginalized communities. His focus on researching and analyzing legislation and policies related to DEI demonstrates his dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable society. By applying his skills and knowledge to government contracts, Mr. Masalawala aims to facilitate positive change on a national scale, fostering a sense of belonging for diverse communities.

In his pursuit of social justice, Khizr Masalawala's exceptional performance and commitment to DEI make him a valuable asset. With his strong research capabilities and extensive understanding of the law, he leverages his skills to address economic disparities and promote fairness. By actively engaging with legal databases and staying up to date with legislation, he ensures that his work is comprehensive and effective. Through his work at PDG and his studies, Mr. Masalawala strives to be a catalyst for change, working towards a future where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central to societal progress.

Emmett Haq is a writing specialist who has honed his skills in a wide range of positions across wildly varying fields. His professional path has included stints in copywriting, copyediting, archival work, tutoring, lecturing, grant writing, and more—all guided by his lifelong interest in social justice, strong desire for marginalized groups to claim a seat at the table, and personal passion for history and education. 

Mr. Haq’s 14 years of writing-related experience began during his undergraduate years while he pursued a BA in English at Medaille University, where he interned and subsequently joined the editorial team at Starcherone Books (a publisher of experimental fiction then based in Buffalo, New York), attending the Association of Writing & Writing Programs convention as part of Starcherone’s team in 2010. He went on to attain an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature from Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus, where he was employed first as a graduate assistant (assisting with the department’s office work, working on the literary journal The Southampton Review, helping to run the Young Artists & Writers Project summer retreat, and joining the Student Organization of Southampton Arts as its treasurer) and later as an adjunct instructor (personally developing the concept and drafting the syllabus for a Postcolonial Literature course, and teaching it alongside other courses after receiving university approval). At this time, Mr. Haq also served first as a summer editor and later as a freelance reporter for the Long Island-based weekly newspaper Dan’s Papers; in addition to the approximately 25 articles written for the newspaper, he also published 7 works of fiction in various journals during this 3-year span. 

After graduating and beginning his move to professional work, Mr. Haq relocated to Chicago, where he briefly assisted with the launch of a barbershop trade magazine as its editorial coordinator. Subsequently, he spent time employed in office settings while taking on freelance editorial work, until his return to the classroom as a tutor and instructor in late 2017. At this time, Mr. Haq was employed as an English tutor at National Louis University, an instructor at East West University, and an instructor at Dominican University, where he taught composition and literature courses to freshmen and sophomores. 

Following a move to Philadelphia, Mr. Haq worked for some months supervising a small team of scorers grading statewide standardized English exams, before again reentering academia and teaching literature and composition courses at Lincoln University and Camden County College while also tutoring graduate students at Jefferson University.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Haq left university employment behind and moved to the private sector, taking a position with the South Asian American Digital Archive. Here, he was first hired as the archive’s education outreach coordinator, and in this role worked directly with educators and administrators to incorporate SAADA’s resources into K-12 and college/university classrooms. He also researched and wrote material for SAADA's walking tours and other initiatives, designed professional development workshops for teachers, and worked to assist the archive’s grant manager in crafting narratives for grant applications. Later, he moved to the role of archives coordinator, in which he maintained and grew the organization’s postcustodial digital archive and participatory platforms, created descriptive metadata, worked with donors, researched existing collections, and continued his responsibilities of writing and editing copy. In this position, Mr. Haq coordinated the publication of a collection of eleven lesson plans written by expert educators that incorporated SAADA materials for use in college courses, guiding the book from its inception as a grant-funded project to its eventual print publication. He also presented on SAADA’s behalf at a number of events, including a guest presentation during an undergraduate community archives course at Swarthmore College and as a panelist at the New Jersey Historical Commission Conference in 2022. 

Most recently before joining Ponder Diversity Group, Mr. Haq worked as a grants consultant for Mother Earth Literacies LLC, an environmental- and racial-justice-focused organization which works with community organizations & nonprofits to perform climate and culture assessments, build inclusive environments, and develop sustainability strategies. Mr. Haq assisted with writing, proofreading, researching, and reshaping grant narratives, typically functioning as the final set of eyes on an application and working to “punch up” existing copy. 

At PDG, Mr. Haq spearheads the development of proposals and grant applications as the development coordinator, as well as helping to conduct legal research, create presentations, and edit written material for the firm. His multifarious background serves him well in this role, as he is called to assist with a wide variety of written work. Bolstered by his strong history of practical experience and grounded by his firm belief in diversity, justice, and the importance of equal access to opportunity for all, Emmett Haq looks forward to supporting PDG as it forges its path to success. 

Freyja Sutherland Harris is a distinguished DEI Attorney and Consultant with Ponder Diversity Group. Freyja holds dual Master’s degrees from the University of Colorado and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School, as well as the prestigious position of Executive Director at the Coalition for Home Repair, showcasing her commitment to societal betterment. Freyja's career is marked by an unwavering dedication to DEIJ, particularly within the realms of community development, housing, and organizational management. Her professional path has traversed various sectors, including legal, educational, and non-profit, reflecting her versatile expertise and adaptive leadership style. 

In a testament to her multifaceted skills and impact, Freyja has held significant roles such as the Chief Administrative Officer at Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, Executive Director of the Florida Coalition for the Homeless, and even a role drafting legislation with the Colorado General Assembly. Each position has allowed her to implement strategic initiatives and manage complex projects at various organizational levels. In her current role with the Coalition for Home Repair, Freyja continues to advocate for home preservation and affordable housing, emphasizing the importance of safe, accessible living spaces for all community members. Her work not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to the broader conversation on equitable housing policies and practices. Additionally, as the owner and principal consultant at Visible Orange Consultants, PLLC, her work spans across contract development, HR, and regulatory compliance, highlighting her comprehensive approach to fostering inclusive workplaces.

As the owner and principal consultant for Visible Orange Consultants, PLLC, Freyja's position focuses on aiding organizations in embracing DEIJ values through policy integration, conflict resolution, and capacity-building. Her work spans across contract development, HR, and regulatory compliance, highlighting her comprehensive approach to fostering inclusive workplaces. Additionally, in her past work as the director of Pontiac Funders Collaborative, Freyja led a team effort involving funders, community members, and governmental entities to address key societal challenges. She managed significant budgets and nurtured a culture of strategic philanthropy, emphasizing DEIJ principles in community engagement and grantmaking. 

As Michigan Benefits Access Director of the Michigan Association of United Ways, Freyja managed a multimillion-dollar budget, developed online engagement tools, and orchestrated comprehensive training programs, enhancing statewide access to benefits. Similarly, in her role as Senior Program Officer at Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Freyja managed a portfolio of grants focusing on early education and arts & culture, improving grantmaking processes and supporting partners in program development and assessment. And she has served in a wide array of housing-related positions, from Management Specialist at U.S. Housing and Urban Development (where she was instrumental in refining administrative management policies, coordinating data analysis, and addressing operational challenges) to Management Analyst at the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Office on Homelessness (where she oversaw significant homelessness prevention and housing programs, ensuring regulatory compliance and effective fund utilization, alongside providing technical assistance to grantees) to Housing Counselor and Policy Liaison at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (where her role involved developing housing program procedures, liaising with state agencies, and ensuring program compliance).

Freyja is also no stranger to educational spaces. As the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and DEI at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, & Dance, she provided DEI-focused strategic leadership, fostering an inclusive academic environment. Her role included compliance oversight, academic support, and community engagement, enhancing the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Freyja's professional memberships and accolades, including serving on the Board of Lakewood University and receiving the U-M North Campus MLK Spirit Award, underscore her influence and recognition in the field. Her contributions to the legal and DEIJ landscapes are not just professional accomplishments but also reflect her deep-seated passion for justice and equality; this passion, coupled with her high-level experience, secures her place as an indispensable member of our project team.

It’s hard to picture a consultant with a more impressive portfolio of experience than Onur Yener. Hailing from Ankara, Turkey, Mr. Yener has an extensive background in civil engineering, construction law, and project finance, providing legal services to construction, energy, design, engineering, facility management, and investment firms. As a Senior Consultant with Ponder Diversity Group, he brings a sharp legal mind to the table, along with the twenty-plus years of experience under his belt. 

Mr. Yener began his considerable academic career with a BS in Civil Engineering from Middle East Technical University in 2003, and followed up on this by traveling to the US and receiving back-to-back MS degrees (in Transportation Engineering and Engineering Management) from Boston’s Northeastern University. During this time, he served as a Teaching Assistant in Northeastern’s Industrial Engineering department—teaching courses on investment analysis, deterministic operations research, and statistics—and also as a Research Assistant in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, studying the development of advanced bus signal priority algorithms. Mr. Yener also maintained membership in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, thanks to his top academic ranking at Northeastern. Later, he returned to the classroom to receive his LL.B in Construction Law and Practice from the University of Essex in 2021; he was awarded Upper Second-Class Honours based on his academic performance.

Beginning in 2006, Mr. Yener was employed by Washington, D.C.-based engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. (now WSP USA). Originally hired as a Traffic Engineer and Transportation Planner (overseeing transportation management plans, traffic studies, signal optimization, and more), he later transitioned to the role of Consultant and Business Analyst. In this position, he worked on financial strategy for asset management of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, developed a fundraising program for the WMTA, carried out economic impact evaluation studies for major infrastructure projects, and performed risk assessment and other analytical tasks. Mr. Yener authored dozens of studies and transportation plans for a wide variety of organizations during his time at Parsons Brinckerhoff. 

Returning to Turkey in 2010, Mr. Yener spent the majority of the year working as a Scheduler for Zafer Construction Co., where he worked on a design-build project constructing temporary housing facilities for the US Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Afghanistan District. Subsequently, he was employed at Mescioglu Engineering Contracting and Trade Co. as a Technical Consultant, and later at Epik Construction Co. as a Project Manager. In the latter role, he worked on a project designing the East End Barracks in Baghdad for the US Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. 

In 2012, Mr. Yener joined the staff of Envy Energy and Environmental Investments Co. as Project Finance Manager, where he supervised a number of energy-related studies and risk assessment plans. He followed this up with stints at the YDA Group of Companies (as a Business Development/Project Finance Consultant) and the World Bank in Ankara (as a Technical Consultant, where he was involved with the organization’s Sustainable Cities Project). In this period, he also served as the Solar Power Plant Projects Manager at ELTEMTEK Power Plant and Engineering Services Co., where he prepared EPC and EPC-F proposals for power plants, negotiated Power Purchase Agreement terms on behalf of clients, performed feasibility studies and site investigations, and coordinated civil, electrical, and energy transmission line designs. 

After this, Mr. Yener moved to Renaissance Facility Management Services Consultancy Co., where he acted as its Project Management Office Supervisor, as well as the Deputy Head of Proposal Department for PPP Healthcare Tenders. In this role, he managed public-private partnership agreements, prepared financial models and budget projections, and much more, overseeing several major hospital and health center projects. After two years at Renaissance, Mr. Yener was hired as Operations Manager at Kütahya Hospital Management Investment Co. in 2017, where he managed proposal teams for pipeline PPP healthcare tenders, developed and introduced new procurement funding models, and managed technical, financial, legal, social, and environmental advisory teams. Similarly, his tenure at KHMIC included supervision of hospital projects. 

In 2020, Mr. Yener began working for the Turkey office of Spanish firm Eptisa Servicios de Ingeniería as its Deputy Projects Director in IFI Projects. Here, he prepared technical and financial proposals for EBRD, WB, ADB and EU projects, provided his expertise in renewable energy and PPP infrastructure project development, and offered support in general contract management. The next year, he moved to Ankara Etlik Hospital O&M Co., serving as the General Manager of the hospital’s operations & management department and supervising operational, technical, financial, and legal teams. 

Since 2022, Mr. Yener has been self-employed as the principal of Yener & Partners. He has spearheaded major infrastructure projects all across the world (including in Vietnam, Ghana, the Philippines, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and many more) and continues to offer a wide array of services, including but by no means limited to preparation and negotiation of contracts, PPP project structuring with partner governments, drafting of merger & acquisition agreements, project management advisement, dispute resolution, risk assessment, quantum analysis, and the preparation of feasibility studies. His civil engineering background gives him an experiential edge in legal matters relating to infrastructural and operational projects. PDG is excited to welcome Onur Yener to our team and looks forward to his expert guidance.

Casey Ciulla serves as Ponder Diversity Group’s most recently-hired Law Clerk. Her multifaceted background includes membership in various legal groups and community organizations, a specialization in research and analysis, and an ongoing career in law school. This diversity of experience has instilled Ms. Ciulla with a unique perspective which promises to positively impact her future work with PDG. 

Ms. Ciulla’s education began with a BA from Sarah Lawrence College in spring of 2023; she was a member of many campus organizations, including the Pre-Law Society and the Peace Action Club. She also served as part of the Student Senate, co-chaired the SLC Study Club, and worked as a campus Resident Advisor. Ms. Ciulla took part in the SLC Study Abroad Program in 2022, traveling to Wadham College (a constituent college of the University of Oxford), where she served as a member of the International Student Association and a warden for the college’s chapel. 

Immediately following this time period, Ms. Ciulla continued her involvement in service work outside the academy; she volunteered first for Ascend Justice (a Chicago-based legal organization) and then for the Legal Aid Chicago Clinic, where she observed and transcribed client interviews for the clinic’s attorneys. 

Ms. Ciulla has continued her legal ambitions by enrolling in Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology; she is set to graduate with her Juris Doctor degree as part of Chicago-Kent’s class of 2026. She continues to maintain active membership in extracurricular organizations, including the First-Generation Law Student Association and the Society of Women in Law. She is also a 1L Representative for both the Chicago-Kent Lambdas Association and the school’s Arts and Cultural Property Board, as well as an Associate Editor of the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property. 

Before joining the PDG team, Ms. Ciulla reinforced her legal acumen further through additional employment. As a Law Clerk at Djurisic PC, she liaised with other organizations on behalf of supervising attorneys, filed legal documents, and worked with judges and other officials on active cases. As a Research Specialist at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Paul Galvin Library, she researched sources using databases and the library’s catalog, as well as assisting students and other patrons with research inquiries. 

These employment experiences, combined with an impressive history of service work and educational excellence, make Casey Ciulla’s particular blend of legal knowledge and research skills invaluable for our firm. There is no question that she will reach new heights of success during her work with PDG.