Meet the People Behind SURE
Saleha B. Khumawala Ph.D. CPA, CGMA
Professor and Executive Director, Dakri Center for Economic Inclusion and Visionary and Founding Director, SURE Program
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1978, Accounting. CPA (Texas), CGMA. She teaches and does research in the field of Government and NonProfit Accounting and Social Entrepreneurship and is the founding director of the SURE(Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship) Program, more below. She has widely published in prestigious journals such as The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, Accounting Horizons, Advances in International Accounting, Journal of Public Budgeting Accountability and Financial Management and others and has made numerous presentations at national and international conferences. She has successfully led the Study Abroad Programs to India since 2002 for students, faculty and administrators at the University of Houston. She is also the coauthor of Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting: Concepts and Practices, 10th edition, and coauthor of Governmental Accounting, Bloomberg's Tax & Accounting Policy & Portfolio Series. She is an active member in several academic and professional organizations, and served as the President of the Government and NonProfit (GNP) Section of the American Accounting Association in 2007-2008. Dr. Khumawala is also an advisor to several nonprofit organizations in Houston and serves on the Board of directors for Pennies for Education and Health. Beyond teaching conventional accounting courses in a myriad of exciting ways, Dr. Khumawala’s vision also gave birth to the SURE Program, a unique experiential educational model at University of Houston which creates a partnership between UH students, business thought leaders and aspiring under-resourced entrepreneurs from local communities. Through the SURE Program, the students develop Human-centric skills they need for the future of work and economically empowers the entrepreneurs in the community.
Charlie Becker
Professor of Practice, Managing Director, SURE Program
Charlie Becker is a Professor of Practice and the Managing Director of the SURE Program. In this role, he is responsible for both the strategic direction and day to day operations of the SURE Program. In addition to teaching, this includes developing curriculum for the course, building strategic partnerships, and sharing the experiential education community impact model of SURE. His passion for small business came from watching his parents build Houston's largest independent bookstore, where he helped with everything from bookkeeping to moving boxes. His drive to improve his community came from two summers as a volunteer with Amigos De Las Americas, where he coordinated community-based development initiatives in Panama and then Honduras. He received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Texas A&M University. After graduation, he moved to China where he spent three years launching and growing an education startup. He obtained a Master of Business Administration as well as a Master of Arts in Applied Economics from the University of Houston. In his final semester, he was a SURE Program student consultant. Outside his work with SURE, he is a published author of local Houston history, and a teacher and performer and Station Theater.
Esther Bailey, Ph.D.
Professor of Practice and Research Director, SURE Program
Esther Bailey is a Professor of Practice at the C. T. Bauer College of Business. She teaches in the SURE Program as well as the Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting elective course. Dr. Bailey first became involved with the SURE Program in its infancy when it was listed as a course in Microfinance in 2009 during her studies in the Master in Accountancy Program at Bauer College of Business. In her role as a Professor with the SURE Program, Dr. Bailey is currently in the process of implementing a research agenda under the Dakri Center for Economic Inclusion designed to evaluate the challenges facing the advancement of Main Street Small Businesses.
Dr. Bailey received her Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Accountancy and minor in Spanish in May 2009 and her Master of Science in Accountancy in May 2010. After working in consulting and living abroad she obtained her Ph.D. in Accounting at the University of California – Irvine in June 2019. She returned to Houston in 2019 to perform a two-year Post-doctoral Fellowship in Entrepreneurship at Rice University and then began her work at the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
Robert Lynch
Administrative Director, SURE Program
Robert Lynch is the Administrative Director for the Center for Economic Inclusion. Robert handles administrative and organizational tasks for CEI, as well as helping with the weekly SURESM Program classes. He joined the SURE Program/CEI in 2019, having previously gained 10 years of experience in education and program management. He was immediately impressed with the program’s hands-on approach to educating students, as well as the program’s goal of providing free, high-quality economic education for under-resourced and diverse members of the community. As a member of the Houston-area delegation for the U.S. Baha’i Office of Public Affairs, Robert works to promote racial justice and unity, and to spread the belief that eliminating extremes of wealth and poverty is a requisite for true prosperity. Robert is a native Houstonian and a graduate of the University of Houston.
Crystal Hessong
Program Coordinator, SURE Plus Program
Crystal Hessong is the Program Coordinator for the SURE Plus Program with the Dakri Center for Economic Inclusion. She joined Dakri CEI in 2023 to manage the industry-specific information entrepreneurs need. This management has included writing material on the SURE Plus websites for the food and childcare industries and assisting entrepreneurs in learning more about certifications and government contracts. Crystal graduated the University of Houston and is a native Houstonian.
Senior Consultants
Senior Consultants are former students who have been added to the teaching team as adjunct instructors. They aid the Professors in guiding the current Consultants in the SURE Program. They are a crucial part of the program, using their skills and experience as the first line of instruction for Consultants and Entrepreneurs alike.
Maristel Aguilar
Maristel Aguilar is a business leader, entrepreneur, and consultant with experience in strategic growth, project management, and stakeholder engagement. She is currently pursuing dual Master's degrees in Business Administration and Social Work at the University of Houston.
As the founder of event planning firm, Mari & Jess Designs, Maristel led over 200 successful local and destination events earning recognition in both national and international publications. She thrives on blending strong business strategies with a human-centered approach, creating lasting impact for both clients and communities. Her passion for meaningful change extends beyond business to supporting social and community-based initiatives. Upon graduating in May 2025, she plans on shifting careers to become a business consultant. Maristel has a passion for travel and new experiences. Having visited over 20 countries, she has done extensive work in international foster and orphan care. She and her family businesses founded and support a soccer school in Buenaventura, Colombia that provides underprivileged children access to sports and mentorship opportunities. In her free time, Maristel enjoys trying ne experiences, golf, and spending time with her husband of eight years and their German Shepherd, Colt.
Tizoc Alarcon
Tizoc Alarcon is a dedicated academic advisor and educator with a passion for student success. He holds an Associate of Science from Lone Star College and earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, with a Minor in Management, and his Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Management from the University of Houston. In addition to his degrees, he has obtained multiple certifications, including Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, Business Modeling & Decision Making, and Corporate Entrepreneurship.
With extensive experience in the service industry, particularly in sales, Tizoc transitioned into higher education, where he found his calling in servicing students. Over the years, he has worked closely with students, guiding them through their academic journeys and helping them achieve their educational and career goals.
As a first-generation college graduate, Tizoc understands the challenges of navigating higher education without a predefined path to follow. His own experiences drive his commitment to mentorship, and he strives to be a role model for students, demonstrating that perseverance and passion can open doors to endless possibilities. Outside of work, Tizoc enjoys maintaining his saltwater reef aquarium, a personal escape that brings a slice of the ocean into his home. Watching his fish and coral thrive provides him with a sense of tranquility and balance, much like the fulfillment he finds in supporting students on their paths to success.
Rachel Broderick
Rachel Broderick serves as an Adjunct Professor and Senior Consultant with the SURE Program. She first became acquainted with the SURE Program in fall 2019 when she served as a Consultant. Professor Broderick holds a Bachelors and Masters in Finance, both from the University of Houston's C. T. Bauer College of Business.
Outside of academia, she works in commercial analytics for interregional transmission projects, connecting different grids across the country and improving system reliability. Professor Broderick uses her corporate experiences to advise and translate to students how this unique course structure and its learning outcomes directly benefit their future productivity and ability to thrive in traditional business settings.
Nayab Contractor
Nayab Contractor serves as an Adjunct Professor and Senior Consultant with the SURE Program. She first became acquainted with the SURE program in spring 2023 as a Consultant.
Nayab brings over a decade of experience in television and broadcast media, working with top global networks like Network18 (CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, & CNN-IBN), Zee Group, and STAR TV, reaching an audience of over 670 million worldwide. Her expertise spans various genres—Business News (English and Regional), General Entertainment (Regional)—where she specialized in Brand Development, Marketing, and Events. Through strategic brand campaigns, customized content innovations, and large-scale events, Nayab has significantly contributed to both direct and indirect revenue growth.
As an entrepreneur, she founded Bohra Pantry, a USA-based spice brand for Bohra cuisine, and co-founded Indian Food Trail, a food-tech platform empowering Indian women through micro-entrepreneurship. Indian Food Trail allowed users to experience authentic home-cooked regional Indian cuisines, while also donating a meal to a child in need for every meal sold. Recognized as a SMART 50 startup by IIM-C and the Department of Science and Technology in 2018, the venture stood out among 15,000 global startups.
Nayab is also experienced in venture capital, with a focus on Impact Investing, E-commerce, Consumer Packaged Goods, Retail & Distribution, Media, and FinTech. She earned a global fellowship from Included VC, placing in the top 3% of global applicants across forty-one nationalities. A passionate advocate for women, Nayab serves on the board and is President of the Federation of Houston Professional Women (FHPW), supporting women of color and women-led organizations. She was honored as a Woman of Excellence 2022 by FHPW and recognized by the Texas Business Hall of Fame, where she received the T.T. & W.F. Chao Award and scholarship.
Sitanshu Gurung
Sitanshu Gurung, is an Adjunct Professor and Senior Consultant with the SURE Program. He has been affiliated with the SURE Program since the fall of 2020 when he served as a Consultant while pursuing his MBA at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business. Professor Gurung also has a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University. At the SURE Program, he works primarily with entrepreneurs from the food industry, transportation industry, commercial and residential cleaning industry. He is a professional mechanical engineer registered with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers with over 15 years of engineering experience in the oil and gas industry with the last 5 years working in digital transformation for Baker Hughes, specializing in IT project management, data analytics and visualization.
Hanah Sadiki
Hanah Sadiki serves as an Adjunct Professor and Senior Consultant with the SURE Program. In this role, she is responsible for coaching and mentoring UH students to be the best consultant, project manager, researcher, and leader to their team of entrepreneurs. Professor Sadiki first became involved with the SURE Program as a Consultant fall 2019. During her time as a Consultant, she gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world of entrepreneurship and consulting. She used her experiences in the SURE Program to serve in various program management roles throughout her career, and she currently owns multiple businesses. Professor Sadiki holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Microbiology and minor in Biochemistry from Texas State University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Business Consulting, and Leadership from the University of Houston, C. T. Bauer College of Business.
Meghan Spicer
With nearly 20 years of experience in corporate communications and business strategy, Meghan Spicer is a distinguished leader specializing in stakeholder engagement within corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. She excels at crafting impactful communication strategies that align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful outcomes, particularly in the energy sector. Ms. Spicer is driven by a deep commitment to fostering positive change and excels in providing valuable insights and effective solutions that address the needs of both organizations and their stakeholders. Her expertise spans various industries, where she has successfully guided companies in enhancing their corporate communication practices.
She holds an MBA from UH’s Bauer College of Business and a BFA in Fine Arts from the University of Akron. Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Spicer is a mother of two children and a beloved corgi. She is passionate about connecting with the Houston community, entrepreneurship, and community relations.
Consultants
Students, filling the role of consultants, are immersed in experiential learning over the course of the semester, and gain an awareness of real-world business challenges. They do not merely witness these challenges; instead, they are called upon to be innovators (to address the challenges), toggling between leadership and team-participant roles. By consulting with entrepreneurs from various socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, students benefit in several ways:
- Exposure to different walks of life invariably develops a sense of empathy and cultural competence, both of which are key skills in the modern world, personally and professionally;
- Development of imperative skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to analyze and synthesize information and distill it into simple components, demonstrating true understanding;
- Learn and understand social entrepreneurship, the triple bottom line, and the ‘Base of the Pyramid’ concepts which are emerging trends for business;
- Receive personal fulfillment by creating local impact and changing lives within the Houston community through trust, empathy, and hard work. As much as networking is often pushed in business school curriculum, this holistic approach to relationship building often enhances a student’s abilities more than would a more linearly focused networking class.
Advisory Board Members
- Ms. Paula Mendoza, Chair CEI Advisory Board and CEO-Possible Missions, Past UH System Board of Regents & Possible Missions
- Mr. Asif Dakri, CEO Wallis Bank
- Ms. Beth Robertson, CEO Cullen Foundation Former Chair, UH System Board of Regents
- Mr. Ali Lakhany, CEO & President CSM Group
- Dr. Vikram Rao, Executive Director Research Triangle Energy Consortium
- Mr. Emad Lakhany, VP CSM Group
- Mr. Talib Dhanji, CFO Arthur Lawrence
- Mr. Raza Khan, Partner EY
- Dr. Michele Byrd, VP and Community Development Officer PNC
- Mr. Ogadi Fields, Assistant Vice President and Corporate Banking Frost Ban
- Mr. Tyler Smith, Community Relations Senior Manager Wells Fargo
- Mr. Dennis Silva, Senior, Business Engagement Officer TDECU
- Mr. Mark Winchester, District Director US Small Business Administration
- Mr. Pradeep Anand, Founder and President Seeta Resources
- Dr. Brenda Rios-Brombacher, Director of Economic Development Harris County, Judge Hidalgo's Office
- Dr. Elwyn Lee, VP and Neighborhood and Strategic Initiatives University of Houston
- Dr. Praveen Kumar, Interim Dean, Bauer College University of Houston
- Dr. Saleha Khumawala, Professor, Exec Director, CEI and Founding Director SURE Program University of Houston, Bauer College
- Mr. Charles Becker, Prof. of Practice and Managing Director SURE Program University of Houston, Bauer College
- Dr. Esther Bailey, Prof. of Practice and Research Director SURE Program University of Houston, Bauer College