Greater Mankato Diversity Council

Past President
Jodi Sapp – A single mom for the last 20 years, Jodi works for REM Heartland in Mankato and is on District 77’s school board. Her son’s schizophrenia spurred her interest in mental heath issues. She serves on the Blue Earth County Human Services Advisory committee and the board of directors of the South Central Service Cooperative. Jodi notes that historically, Mankato is home to a large number of disabled who live in group homes and that this speaks well of our inclusiveness. Jodi’s dream for the future is that we all live cohesively in Mankato and believes that the Diversity Council will help provide respect, education and celebration for people of all diversities.

President
Dr. Michael T. Fagan – Michael has more than 35 years of experience working in multicultural studies and diversity training. He hopes to see Mankato develop more structures to serve its growing diverse population. Michael has earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree and doctorate in educational psychology. He is the vice president for Institutional Diversity at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Additionally, he has served as chairperson of the Mankato Human Rights Committee, as president of the Leisure Education for Exceptional People (LEEP) Board of Minnesota, Interim President of the Mankato Area Community National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), on the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, on the Greater Mankato Ethnic Diversity Council and on the Southern Sudanese Association. He and his wife have three grown children and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

First Vice President

Second Vice President

Secretary
Carie Robb – Caroline Robb believes in diversity and has committed the past 30 years of her life to it. She has worked as the Cultural Diversity Activities Coordinator at MSU and has recruited minorities nationally while employed at the MSU Minority Group Studies Center. She has also served on the St. Cloud District 742 Multi-Cultural Task Force, where she received the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University Cultural Relations Award for outstanding personal and professional involvement in building bridges of understanding across cultures in central Minnesota. Carie currently coordinates the Four Directions Interpreting/Translating Services (F.I.T.S.), a division of LA MANO, Inc. She has more than 30 years experience working with students, adults and advocacy agencies. She wants to see a positive change by building bridges between cultures. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and minority studies.

Treasurer

Ismail Ahmed –Ismail considers himself “part of a painting called diversity.” He believes we can improve our community by promoting mutual respect and diversity acceptance. Ismail speaks English, Urdu, and Hindi. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota. He is the Administrator for St. Peter Clinic and Oncology at Immanuel St. Joseph's–Mayo Health System. He and his wife, Hina, were married in India in 2003 and enjoy life with their daughter, Rida.

Lul Ahmed – Lul Ahmed believes in cooperation and collaboration, with a strong emphasis on family values. Ahmed has worked with several community groups and serves as a current board member for Region Nine Advisory Council on Aging. Ahmed is currently working at Blue Earth County Employment Services where she works with refugees on the Minnesota Family Investment Program and is also helping with the Minnesota New African Unity. She believes we need to look at the strategies of the GMDC to see what has been done and what needs to be improved. Her hope for the future is a healthy community that knows each other and works for the empowerment of its people. Ahmed holds Master of Science degree in ethnic studies and extension.

Julie Homan –

Tom Gjersvig –

Kent Cova-Suarez –- His family roots in Spain, Italy and Venezuela, Kent arrived in the United States at the age of 10 and experienced first hand the difficulties of transitioning to a new culture. He says Mankato has made great progress and maintained an active dialog on diversity. Kent plans on using his time on the Council to continue to create an environment where everyone “can live satisfying lives and provide a good future for children.” From his personal experience to his professional experience as Executive Director of Community Assistance for Refugees, Kent is committed to advocating for a diverse and inclusive community.

Katie Nerem – As Assistant County Administrator, Katie represents Blue Earth County government on the Diversity Council. She recently served on the Mankato YWCA Board of Directors for six years -- an organization with the mission of Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women. Katie is also the former Mankato Clinic Foundation President where she further developed and shaped “Project Kindness” – an innovative school-based program teaching students random acts of kindness, respect, sportsmanship, and courage. Because racism is learned, Katie believes programming offered by the Diversity Council proactively shifts the learned behaviors of Greater Mankato youth to respect and equality.

Laural Kubat – Laural has “a firm belief that all people should be given the same opportunities to live in a community of their choice, to earn a decent wage and to be free from harassment and criticism,” Laural brings her passion for respect to the Diversity Council. Laural hopes her efforts produce a community that values diversity and eliminates racism and discrimination. She is Human Resource Director for South Central College and also serves on the Council’s Planning Committee.

Vance Stuehrenberg – ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and equally is the hope Vance has for the future of diversity in Mankato. After 27 years in law enforcement – five as “Officer Vance” in the School Liaison Program – Vance thinks he understands other cultures and lifestyles. Vance has served on the Steering Committee for Mankato Area Healthy Youth and Mankato Area Public School’s Anti-Violence Committee. Vance works as a host at a local restaurant and as a motorcycle instructor for the State of Minnesota.

Dr. Michael Miller – Michael has a personal and professional commitment to embracing diversity and believes the Diversity Council is a positive step the Mankato community has taken in order to create spaces for conversation and ongoing actions to help all succeed. He believes that greeting and having open conversations across diverse communities will deepen our understanding of diversity. He is Dean of the College of Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato and father of a daughter adopted from India. Michael has participated in a variety of fellowships and diversity trainings. He also has many immersion and travel experiences.

Tara Snilsberg – A native of Mankato, Tara Snilsberg has a passion to help build an inclusive community full of opportunity and support. Her disability has encouraged her to educate and advocate for the unique differences in all. Snilsberg is currently a student at Minnesota State University, Mankato and Bethany Lutheran College pursuing a degree in Sociology and Community Health. Snilsberg enjoys her time with the Greater Mankato Diversity Council as a Board Member and Facilitator in the classroom. "We need to embrace one another and learn from each other. The horizon can never be too broad."

Cindy McCabe– Cindy is a member of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council as an appointed representative for Nicollet County Social Services. She is a social services supervisor for the Children and Family Unit. The services she administers include: child protection, children’s mental health and general child welfare. Cindy is also the Coordinator for the Nicollet County Family Services Collaborative. She participates in a wide variety of local, regional and state meetings that are part of her job duties and responsibilities.

Bonnie Bennett -- As an attorney for over 20 years, Bonnie has represented both employees and employers involved in conflict, many arising out of diverse perspectives. She believes that an underlying root of many of our workplace conflicts is a lack of understanding of each other and a deep commitment to respect for all people. She most recently served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Taylor Corporation, where she worked to create a work environment based upon respect. Serving on the Greater Mankato Diversity Council provides her the opportunity to build understanding between people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives and to enrich our community because of them.