Meet the Team
Susan Whitaker
Director
Susan Whitaker is the Director at Xavier Leadership Center. Susan joined XLC in 2018 as an Associate Director with over twenty years of experience in prospecting, business capture, event management, and cultivating client relationships. Susan enjoys building internal and external partnerships for Xavier Leadership Center. She is focused on equipping companies and employees with skills that will directly impact their business and propel career goals. Prior to joining XLC, Susan was the Senior Account Executive for Coney Island working with companies of all sizes in planning their corporate events. Susan is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a BA in Communications.
Contact Susan:
513-745-3230
Michelle Debevec
Associate Director of Sales
Michelle joined the team in November of 2018, after working with XLC as a consultant for several years through her marketing firm, Write and Market LLC. As an Associate Director, Michelle works with outside organizations to grow their people professionally and create cultural change. As long-term partners with these organizations, impactful and lasting programs are created.
Michelle has a passion for connecting people. Prior to this role, Michelle served as the Marketing Manager for XLC and continues to work with the team to tell the story of XLC. Michelle has a degree in Public Relations from the University of Dayton.
Contact Michelle:
(513) 745-2942
Daniel Carniak
Associate Director of Sales
Daniel Carniak is an Associate Director of Sales at the Xavier Leadership Center, joining the team in April 2023. He has a background in prospecting, closing sales, and relationship management. Driven by people and cultivating relationships, Daniel takes pride in providing the best solutions for his clients.
Prior to joining XLC, he worked for Fortune 500 companies and local organizations in various industries including technical recruiting and healthcare sales. Daniel has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Xavier University, graduating in 2018.
Contact Daniel:
(513) 745-3211
carniakd@xavier.edu
Jenifer Burt
Executive Programs Associate
Jenifer Burt joins Xavier University’s Williams College of Business after a 25+ year Field Sales and Training career with Johnson & Johnson’s MedTech division. She grew up in a large family in Akron, OH, and graduated with a degree in International Studies and Political Science from Miami University. Jenifer and her husband live in Anderson Township, where they raised their three boys.
Jenifer became involved with Xavier when her role on a local Catholic high school board led her to work with the Xavier Leadership Center. The partnership with that team convinced her that she was being called to utilize her professional skills for a different mission. Joining the team in 2024, her role at Xavier includes building partnerships with local businesses to provide unique and impactful professional development opportunities and supporting the Executive MBA program.
Contact Jenifer:
(513) 745-3431
Layne Frederick
Assistant Director of Operations
Layne Frederick is an Assistant Director of Operations at Xavier Leadership Center, managing the many Corporate University programs and day-to-day responsibilities of the Center. In addition, he spearheads the Center's data management, large-scale projects, and relationships with XLC facilitators. All of his efforts culminate in increasing the awareness of the Xavier Leadership Center and its programs, providing value to the business community in Cincinnati and beyond. Joining XLC in October of 2021, Layne received his bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and Mathematics from Wilmington College.
Contact Layne:
513-745-1094
Zach MacMillian
Marketing and Sales Coordinator
Zach MacMillian is a Marketing and Sales Coordinator at Xavier Leadership Center, supporting the sales staff to increase awareness of XLC, close sales, and deliver programs. Zach has a background in marketing and education, serving as an Educational Aide/Substitute Intervention Specialist at Stepping Stones and as the New Media Associate at New Riff Distilling. Zach also contributes to the community as the Co-Founder and Head Coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey Team with the mission of giving people with developmental disabilities the chance to play hockey. Zach has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Xavier University, graduating in 2018.
Contact Zach:
513-745-3973
