Marketing, Events, Public Relations, Community Impact, Finance, and Board roles for 2026.
No matter your industry, we have a role that fits your passion.
President
Mati Fombang is a talent and growth strategist, entrepreneur, and community leader passionate about helping people and ideas grow with intention. She serves as President of the Dallas Junior Chamber, creating meaningful opportunities for young professionals to build connections, develop as leaders, and make a lasting impact in Dallas. Professionally, she has built her career at the intersection of talent acquisition, business strategy, marketing, and community development, with over a decade of experience across startups, higher education, and corporate environments. She is also the founder of ETL Collective, a consulting and growth strategy company supporting entrepreneurs, executives, and brands. Known for connecting people, ideas, and opportunities, Mati is committed to building ecosystems where others thrive.
Vice President
Ashley Smith is a strategic HR leader with experience at globally recognized companies including Tesla, Target, and Walmart. She currently serves as Senior Manager, People at Walmart-VIZIO, partnering with engineering and business leaders to support organizational growth, transformation, and workforce strategy. With expertise in organizational design, leadership coaching, succession planning, and change management, Ashley is known for aligning people strategy with business priorities to help organizations scale while strengthening culture and performance. Her leadership style combines strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and a deep commitment to developing high-performing teams. As Vice President of the Dallas Junior Chamber, she is passionate about empowering women, building authentic community connections, and creating spaces where professionals grow with confidence and purpose.
Board Co-Chair
Yazan Kakish brings over 16 years of expertise in marketing, communications, and public relations, with experience at KBR, Inc., Ogilvy, and Marriott International's W Amman. Since joining ETAMU's College of Business in 2022 as Director of Marketing and Communications, he has shaped the college's brand presence, built strategic partnerships, and teaches as an adjunct marketing professor. In 2024, he received the "Marketing Maverick" award from the AMA DFW Chapter, following his 2023 Collegiate Excellence Award. Kakish was appointed to the DJC board in 2023 and elected Chairman of the Board in March 2025. He holds an MBA in Marketing Analytics from ETAMU and a B.S. in Business Administration from NYIT.
Board Member, Past President 25'
Brandon Ward is the founder and CEO of Keysha.ai, an AI-powered productivity OS designed for founders, operators, and professionals whose brains don't work in straight lines. He has spent over a decade building software across startups, fintech, and large-scale enterprise systems — including an early-career proof of concept deployed to 600+ bank branches. He holds an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Alabama. Brandon hosts the Test Kitchen Podcast, served as 2025 President of the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce, and is a three-time Spartan racer and Vipassana meditation practitioner. He lives in the Dallas area with his two daughters.
Board Member, Past Vice President 25'
Jon Pattie is a Dallas-based professional with a diverse background spanning the music, business, and finance industries. He began his career in music, where he developed a strong foundation in creativity, branding, and relationship-building before transitioning into business and operational roles. He has since gained experience in client services and business development, and is currently focused on advancing his career in finance. Alongside his professional work, Jon is actively involved in the nonprofit community, serving on the boards of the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Recovery Resource Council. He is passionate about personal growth, community impact, and building meaningful connections that drive both individual and organizational success.
Board Member, Past President 22'
Zach Klein is an international sales professional with experience across travel, startups, entrepreneurship, nonprofit, and sports organizations, including a company that secured a deal on Shark Tank. His JCI journey began in 2017, when he was named Jaycee of the Year for Region 3 in Illinois and Outstanding New Member. He went on to earn Texas JCI's Top Recruiter honor in 2021, ranking second overall in the USA, before serving as 2023 President of the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 2026, he was elected the 99th State President for Texas JCI, leading 12 chapters statewide. Zach serves on four nonprofit executive boards and is passionate about travel, photography, and adventure — having visited 43 countries and 49 states.
DJC's mission: develop young leaders through service, professional growth, and inclusive community. We are the catalyst for Dallas's next generation of changemakers.
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