About

The collective experience of our diverse team provides a wide range of generational perspectives, market experiences and cultural association, which are invaluable when designing solutions for systems of today and tomorrow.

CHARLES COOPER Jr.

CEO

Charles Cooper has been at the forefront of the launching of technology and social impact initiatives, focusing on the management of start-ups and operational programs, the growth, and expansion of mature, established operations, the turnaround of struggling operations,

Prior to Ploutus, Charles led the business development of Z.Tips, a blockchain global platform that facilitates anonymous Crime Reporting. Before Z.Tips, Charles co-founded Airrail, where he was responsible for forming the lead design/build team for Brooklyn Health Partners, which was awarded the right to negotiate with the State University of New York to redevelop the $1 billion Long Island College Hospital campus.

Charles also has extensive research experience, having managed a quantitative and qualitative research study on the effectiveness of USAID's $50 million Teacher Training Program in Liberia. Charles has spearheaded other social impact initiatives in Africa around customary land rights, women economic development and empowerment, and education.

Charles holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island, a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from the College of Saint Rose and an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Cornell University.

MYRTLE JONES

Sr VP - Digital Strategy

Myrtle has over two decades of experience working in the New Media industry, and in academia. Currently, a Doctoral student at Teachers College, Columbia University in Anthropology and Education, Myrtle has a distinguished career as an expert on digital distribution and growing online audiences.

Myrtle has been engaged in strategic consulting for a number of Internet and media companies, including Urban Box Office Network, Black Enterprise Magazine, Shade Magazine, Nia Online, and Edutech. Her experience includes Publicity Management at Voyager Publishing, and Product Management at Muze, Inc. where she consulted for such companies as Amazon.com, Borders, and American Bookseller Association.

Prior to her return to academia, Myrtle served as the first Online Director at The Journal News, a suburban New York Gannett newspaper. At The Journal News, she oversaw the operation of the digital distribution, sales, and marketing of all content and consulted on internal web initiatives.

Myrtle holds a Bachelor of Art from the University of Illinois and a Master's degree in Publishing Studies (Digital Distribution). She is a former volunteer for the Women’s Venture Fund and served two terms as a Judge for the New York City Commission on Women’s Issues Small Business Award contest. She is also a member of the National Association of Minority Media Executives and the National Association of Black Journalists.

DENEIA FAIRWEATHER, Ph.D

Technical Advisory

Denia is an applied anthropologist and an adjunct professor at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. As Technical Advisor at the Ploutus Group, she supports various forms of research and project evaluations.

A life-long educator, she works with school administrators, educators, families, and youth to develop and implement inclusive practices for gifted and learning-disabled students—that is to ensure that all exceptional and diverse students have equal educational, social, and future outcomes as their peers.

After working over a decade in the public educational system in the United States and conducting preliminary educational research in Belize, CA, Dr. Fairweather believes that applying disruptive innovation into traditional educational environments is the best way to advance the social, emotional, and academic development of our youth.

Denia holds a doctorate degree in Applied Anthropology from the University of South Florida, Tampa and a Masters in Education from the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. She also holds a Professional Educators Certificate from the State of Florida with certifications in Exceptional student education, Reading education, Elementary education and Gifted education.

MARANG MATLALA

Digital Implementation Specialist

Marang Matlala is a Digital Implementation Specialist who coordinates with product teams to help them achieve success in implementing new digital approaches and delivering lasting outcomes. She specializes in contributing to the analysis, design, and implementation of digital transformations across a wide variety of sectors.

Previously, Marang ran Digital Marketing Operations for the most viewed television show in South Africa where she engaged with online communities and developed online branded content for the production’s brand integrations and partnerships. Prior to that, she co-founded South Africa’s first online garment rental service, where she lead the Marketing division for 3 years. Marang started her career at Mirum Cape Town, a WPP agency, working as a Digital Analyst.

Marang is a recent graduate of Columbia University’s inaugural Technology Management Master of Science program and graduated with a Bachelor of Information Science in Publishing and Marketing from the University of Pretoria.

SIDIKI DONZO

Director of Community Affairs

As Director of Community Affairs, Sidiki is responsible for Ploutus’ interaction with government officials, agencies, and community stakeholders. Previously, Sidiki has worked closely with various elected officials and department leaders and has become known for developing a level of professionalism and respect within the area of Community Engagement across the state of New York.

Prior to this, Sidki worked with GOLCHAT New York where he was responsible for Community Affairs, which included organizing events to promote the GOLCHAT's interest in local communities around New York City and, designing the company’s community outreach strategies. Sidiki has also worked as Special Assistant to the Director General of the Foreign Service Institute where he organized and conducted the daily activities of the Director-General.

Sidiki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from African Methodist Episcopal University. Sadiki is currently a Masters candidate in Finance at the Zicklin School of Business. His civic involvement includes being a present board member of the African Advisory Council. He is also a former Chairman of the Board for the Organization of New York Mandingo Association (ONYMA).

ADALBERTO HENRIQUEZ

Software QA Engineer

Adalberto has extensive experience as a Software Engineer across Software Development, Software and Product Security, Scalability, Documentation Practices, Refactoring, and Testing Techniques

Previously, Adalberto spent 3 years at GE Digital where he applied the principles of SDLC and methodologies such as Agile and BDD/TDD to their workflows. Prior to that, he contributed to the development team at Lionbridge, the global leader in gaming localization and marketing translation.

Adalberto began his software engineering career at GTECH, a subsidiary of International Game Technology PLC. Adalberto is experienced in both front and back-end development and is proficient in C, C#, Java, Racket, Ruby on Rails, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL, Java DB Derby, SQL Server Management Studio. He is also proficient in many non-web-based languages, including but not limited to Java, Scheme/Racket, C, ACL2 (LISP), and MIPS Assembly. He has previously worked on Python projects and has used the language to create use-tools for data processing and similar purposes.

Adalberto earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and one in Computer Science from Rhode Island College.