Greater Mankato Diversity Council

Jim Abraham– Jim has been involved in numerous Mankato area organizatins, including the United Way, South Central College, School to Work programs, South Central Workforce Council and has served on various boards of his church and others. Jim has been with Taylor Corporation in Human Resources for 21 years and the previous 9 years with Midland Ross-Mictex Division also in Human Resources. He is married and has 2 grown married daughters and 1 granddaughter. He and his wife have lived in LeSueur for the past few years and in Mankato prior to this for 30+ years.

Maria Avila –

Kathy Bates –

Raoul Blackman –

Tony Broskoff – growing up in a bi-cultural household instilled in Tony a willingness to promote diversity and keep an open mind to diverse cultural traditions. Tony’s hope for his daughter is “that she grows up in a diverse world respecting and appreciating all cultures enriching her life. Tony currently teaches in Mankato Area Public Schools and has served as a Big Brother. He thinks the Diversity Council is a great first step to creating an inclusive community. He wants to get more information out about the work it does.

Jeanne Burkhart – Jeanne is passionate about working with people. She has a degree in women’s studies and a doctorate in psychology. She has also attended numerous conferences that focus on diversity. These skills provide her with a foundation to teach multicultural counseling, run Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) programs and work with individuals who are racially diverse and live at different poverty levels. Jeanne works at Adult, Child and Family Services. She lives with her partner and their children in the Mankato area.

Jensina Campbell –

Yvonne Cariveau – Yvonne's youngest brother is deaf. Though he is different from her in some ways, he is the same in many others. Throughout her youth, Yvonne met kids with lots of physical and mental differences. She learned early that all of us have limits, all of us have strengths and that judging by just one part of who a person is can lead to wrong conclusions. When she was in school, Yvonne studied Spanish and French. As an adult, she has lived in Mexico and has traveled in Europe and Canada. Yvonne hopes to visit every continent, as she loves to learn about other cultures and people.

Lisa Coons – Lisa seeks to make Mankato a great place to live regardless of a person’s background. She encourages all to reduce fears of differences and disagreements in order to create a society that celebrates each individual for his or her unique gifts. Lisa, who has a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications and a master’s degree in women’s studies, teaches social justice issues as a faculty member at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She volunteers at the MRCI Thrift Store and serves on the Citizens Voices Committee. She and her partner were the 2005 dedicatees for the South Central Pride Festival in Mankato. She is a proud parent of a young daughter.

Iuliana Dabija –

Mike Daly – Mike grew up in Moorhead, MN and moved to Mankato in 1966 after graduating from Moorhead State University. He worked in social work and business before retiring. His volunteer activities in service to the Mankato area include Red Cross, ESL tutoring, Habitat for Humanity, Kids Against Hunger, and Head Start. Mike is a member of the Jaycees, Rotary and Kiwanis. He has hosted international students and has traveled to 15 countries and 48 states. His hobbies include sailing, fishing, amateur radio, photography and music.

Marsha Danielson – Working to make Greater Mankato a more inclusive community comes naturally to Marsha because one of her passions is meeting new people and making personal connections with them. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Mankato Area United Way and the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau. She is also a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. Marsha has been trained in diversity issues and participated in the Blandin Community Leadership program. She has degrees in business administration and educational leadership. Marsha works as the Dean for Economic Development at South Central College and enjoys time with her husband Bruce and three sons.

DeWayne Dobbins –

Donna Drganc – Harry Meyering Center

Paulette Ford – Like Martin Luther King Jr., Paulette hopes each human being will ultimately be judged by his or her character not by the color of skin, shape of eyes, shape of body or one’s sexual orientation. Of European and Polynesian descent, Paulette has experienced hurtful racial discrimination and prejudice in the past and has come to understand the complexities and challenges of living in a diverse society. From her father, her husband and her son, Paulette has drawn valuable life lessons in unconditional love and acquired the confidence to be herself. She brings these vital skills to her work with the Diversity Council. She works at Mankato Area Public Schools’ Central High School as a Work Experience Teacher.

Tracy Ford – The U.S. Navy recognized and supported cultural, racial and religious diversity with vigor. At Tracy's rank and in the job she performed she found it her "duty to support diversity and my privilege as well. I am a strong advocate for equality and harmony." As a daughter of a gay father and of a single handicapped mother, Tracy hopes to be an integral part of diversity awareness and prejudice reduction in our community. She sings in the Minnesota Valley Sweet Adeline's.

Tony Friesen – YWCA

Jane Greathouse – South Central College

Maria Guerrero – Hispanic Community & Interpreter

Eva Guthrie –

Jeff Halbur – Jeff worked with a variety of people at the Open Door Health Center in Mankato. He wants to learn more about diverse cultures and hopes that everyone can learn to live together peacefully and respectfully. He believes that embracing the Prejudice Reduction Workshop program has been a significant step toward making members of diverse populations feel welcome in Mankato. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he is currently Director of Development in the School of Education. He serves as a Cub Scout Den Leader and formerly was Education Commissioner for his church. Jeff places great importance on spending time with his wife and their two sons.

Sandra Haley – Sandra hales from Toluca, Mexico, where she worked as a dentist before moving to the U.S. in 1996. She met her husband in El Paso, Texas, and also lived in southern California before moving to Minnesota several years ago. Having lived in so many different places, Sandra has learned an appreciation for cultural diversity and wants to share this with others in the community, especially children. Sandra and her husband are raising their own children to be bilingual and bicultural, being careful to maintain their cultural heritage from both sides of the family. Currently, Sandra works with the Hispanic community in the Mankato area as a medical interpreter.

Bukata Hayes– The most important thing about Bukata Hayes is that he is the son of Dia Damani Courtney and Karen Hayes, husband to Lisa and father to Damani, Jalen, and Zavier. In addition to this, Bukata has served as the Executive Director of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council since September, 2006. Prior to this role, he served as the Coordinator of the Multi Ethnic Center at Bethany Lutheran College here in Mankato, the first-ever position of its kind at the college. Bukata received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Sociology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has membership and/or is on the board of numerous organizations such as Mankato Kiwanis Diversity Club (Board), Mankato-organizing Chapter of the NAACP, Mankato Family YMCA (Board), Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Board, and Latin American Multicultural Association for Networking and Opportunity –LA MANO (Board).

Jesus Hernandez –

Somnang Im– Somnang is a student at South Central College. What interests him about diversity is the people he meets all around him. Each day he encounters people of different beliefs and lifestyles and they make his day by telling a bit about themselves. Somnang's goal in life is to go into space. He believes we can better the world by understanding what the universe is and what it can do for us. Somnang hopes within the next few years to graduate with a bachelor's degree and to go on for a master's degree. He hopes to travel the world.

Julie Homan – As an educator for over 24 years, the goal has been to teach others to form respectful, welcoming, caring, and inclusive relationships with all people. When you work with others, remember you are a team and work together. The idea of "We're in this together, it's o.k. to take a risk, and embrace uniqueness," are threads that are interwoven throughout the education. Julie has a passion for being an educator in the classrooms with Greater Mankato Diversity Council. It gives her a chance to begin building understanding with students about the uniqueness of each individual. Julie graduated with a Master's in Education and Leadership from St. Mary's University in Winona. She has created and is implemented a Professional Development/Mentoring Program at Loyola Catholic School, where she currently teaches.

Emily Javens –

Trish Johnson –Trish was raised in a small town in SW MN. Her first plane ride took her all the way to Brasil! Early on her parents instilled a great passion for understand and connecting with others, especially those whose backgrounds were different than hers. Trish has a BA in Spanish, BS in International Relations, and is currently enrolled in the MAT program at MSU, Mankato, with the plan to be a high school Social Studies teacher. She has worked in radio since she was 15 and has a talk show on KTOE weekday afternoons from 3-5. Trish has been blessed with a beautiful daughter and the opportunities to meet and grow with neighbors in this wonderful community.

Brian Jones – Brian hopes organizations like the Diversity Council help people become more open-minded. “I feel that fear causes us to close ourselves to diversity, and I want that to change.” With degrees in Mass Communications and Educational Leadership and the position of Minnesota State University’s Admissions Scholarship Coordinator, Brian is poised to assess the impact of diversity on college admissions and communicate concerns to the rest of the community. Brian takes and active interest in local and state governments.

Janelle Kaye – A native Minnesotan who lived for many years in Oregon and Arizona, Janelle considers herself to be a global citizen who helps facilitate peaceful relationships among groups of people. She has a master's degree in Speech Communication and is a mediator and teacher of nonviolent communication skills. She has taught in Oregon's University and community college system and currently is teaching at South Central College in North Mankato, She lives in Windom, MN and is interested in helping to promote harmonious and healthy neighborhoods in diverse communities throughout southwestern MN.

Ann Klasen –

Mary Lou Kudela – After “retiring” as Principal of Mankato East Junior High in 2003, Mary Lou accepted a position as the Education Director for the newly formed Greater Mankato Area Diversity Council. She has now "retired" from this position, but continues to be a facilitator. She has also been involved in Mankato Area Healthy Youth, a facilitator for the United Way Vision Council, member of South Central College’s Diversity Committee, member of the Anti-violence committee, member of Civitan International, Kiwanis Diversity, Board of YWCA, and has been singing with the Minnesota Valley Sweet Adelines Chorus for over 30 years. Mary Lou has been a recipient of the Pathfinder Award for her work with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee. She has attended training by the Storefront Youth Action Agency in Diversity and Diversity Training at MSU,M and at the Rochester Diversity Council. She has presented at the MASSP Winter Workshop. Mary Lou's vision and determination have helped pave the way for the Greater Mankato Diversity Council’s success in Mankato. She is married to Ralph and has three children and a granddaughter.

Sahara Leonard –

Mark W. Levitt –

Claudia Madrigal –

Ryan Maloney – Ryan will complete his A.A. Degree at South Central College in Spring 2010 and will then transfer to MN State University, Mankato, where he will major in Ethnic Studies. Ryan is the current president of SCC's Intercultural Student Organization. He enjoys learning as much as he does teaching.

Missy Manderfeld – Missy Manderfeld is the Office Manager of the Social Work and Anthropology Departments at MN State University, Mankato. Prior to this position, Missy worked with the Community Health Worker Project and the Area Agency on Aging. Her volunteer experience includes Open Door Health Center, VINE Faith in Action, YWCA, Summit Center and church. Missy is interested in being a classroom facilitator in hopes of increasing student knowledge of other cultures and creating a more peaceful world. She says her most important role is that of a mom (4 grown children) and now grandmother.

Andrea Marti – Andrea has worked at the Open Door Health Center in Mankato. Andrea, who has been blind since grade school, has shared her experiences with Mankato Area Public Schools’ West High School ninth graders through presentations during their Helen Keller unit since 1994. Andrea hopes that adults will also be able to participate in the same diversity discussions that are now offered to students through the Greater Mankato Diversity Council. She says she hopes that people will learn to treasure the differences among them rather than see them as flaws.

Ginny McNear – Virginia has lived and worked in several countries for periods ranging from two weeks to two years. She earned her Bachelor of Science Nursing from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. She volunteers at the law enforcement center in the records department and also reads to pre-schoolers. She is a widow although she feels more independent as a single person. She has two sons who have one daughter each.

Catherine Nelson – Catherine is a Mankato native who attended local schools and colleges. She has worked widely with the Mankato Somali community and served multiple community organizations, including the Theresa House, Blue Earth County Social Services Task Force, and Mankato area ESL. To the diversity council, Catherine brings with her a global perspective, having worked with the European Commission and United Nations on issues of Migration and Development. Catherine has returned to the Mankato area to promote values of diversity and tolerance, with a wider agenda of reforming migration policy throughout the Americas.

Julie Nienaber –

Beth-Ann O'Halloran –

Tom Orne – Tom believes there is great value in the diversity of our community. With today's global economy the U.S. and Mankato grow more diverse each day. He wants to participate in a constructive way fostering and growing understanding of this value in our inclusive community, respecting all of its members for their individual gifts. Tom, currently retired, worked at CenterPoint Energy in Minneapolis for 35 years. He has lived and worked in diverse communities since 8th grade.

Ramon Pinero – Ramon was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. He arrived in Mankato as an exchange student in 1999 and married Maria Pinero, a MN resident, in 2007. Ramon attended MN State University, Mankato and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. He strongly believes that everyone should understand what being diverse is. He wants to help others through the Greater Mankato Diversity Council to see how diversity can make us stronger people individually and in the community. Growing up in a diverse country has taught Ramon to see people for who they are and not what they look like.

Corrine Riley – Corri was taught that all people should be valued and have the same rights. Working with children, she has tried to teach them to respect others and themselves. Her hope is that we will all welcome and embrace diversity for what it can teach us.

Marisel Riquelme – Marisel’s introduction to diversity began when her family moved from Chile to the Pacific Northwest and then to Minnesota. She hopes her personal journey will serve as a model for others to create an all-inclusive society. Marisel earned her bachelor’s degree at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is membership and marketing specialist for the Mankato Girl Scouts Peacepipe Council. In addition, she serves as a Girl Scout troop leader, YWCA board member, Kiwanis Club member and Mankato Area Healthy Youth member. She hopes that the work of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council facilitators will impact the Mankato area causing ripples throughout our state, country and world. She says she believes “diversity should be an ongoing educational component in everybody’s lives—this includes adults.”

Barbara Rohlfing – Barbara Montesdeoca Rohlfing was born and raised in Mexico. She graduated from the University of Guanajuato and taught children and adults after graduation. She also worked as a teacher and translator at Siemens Corporation. Her last position was in an academy for foreign students in Guanajuato, where she met her future husband. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, music and dogs.

Melanie Schmidt – Melanie, a member of the Cohort 5 facilitator group, is very excited to begin her duties as a facilitator. She has lived in Mankato since 1990 and graduated from MN State University, Mankato. Melanie has held positions with the South central Service Cooperative, Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, and also Community Education/Recreation Department where she is currently the Youth Development Program Supervisor with primary responsibilities including enrichment programming for school age youth. She is passionate about quality education for our children and equal rights for all citizens. In her spare time she enjoys antique shopping and spending time with family and and her dog.

Tara Snilsberg – Tara says she’s sees beauty in her own individualism by drawing on her experiences as a person who is different abled. She seeks to encourage others to discover this uniqueness for themselves. She, a student at Bethany Lutheran College, is working toward a communications degrees. She serves as a board member for the Greater Mankato Diversity Council and Southern Minnesota Independent Living Enterprises and Services (S.M.I.L.E.S.). She hopes Mankato will grow its small town atmosphere by providing opportunities for all people to enjoy the parks, community centers, public fountains, etc. She also wants to encourage everyone to participate in community activities and interact positively with one another.

Jing-Ni Soh – Jing-Ni says her diversity “contributes to the community and it is worth celebrating!” She speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Malay. Ni says she experienced inclusion and exclusion as an international student while in college. She hopes to spread the spark for diversity through her work with the Diversity Council by helping to create a more inclusive and welcoming community for all.

Lura Solie – Growing up in a household where serious and persistent mental health issues were forefront, Lura experienced first-hand the effects of prejudice and stigma. She has learned that education and a supportive network of health care providers, friends, and family is key to healing. Lura believes the best way to impact stigma is to educate people about diversity issues. While her expertise is in Mental Health, her passion encompasses all diversity. She’s volunteered, trained or worked with elderly, troubled teens, inmates, service learning, inclusion of those living with disabilities, faith and culture based practices, sexual violence, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues and healthy communities * healthy youth. Lura currently works as an Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Practitioner, volunteers for Alternatives to Violence Project, and is looking forward to making a difference through the GMDC Prejudice Reduction Workshops!

Renee Solomon-Wise – as a minority member of the community and married to someone of a different race, Renee has first hand experience and views on prejudice. She has served as a Mankato YWCA Board member, a parent volunteer for the YMCA and as a Girl Scout troop leader. Renee thinks Mankato does a good job holding events that promote diversity but wants to see more opportunities for people of different cultures to come together naturally. By participating in the Diversity Council, Renee wants to do her part to make Mankato a welcoming community for any and all people of different backgrounds.

Bryan Stempka – Bryan is the current Talent Initiatives Director at Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. In this capacity he coordinates numerous workforce retention and attraction efforts and facilitates the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute, the Greater Mankato Young Professionals, the Greater Mankato Collegiate Leadership Academy. He also co-coordinated the 2009 Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Engaging Elders Town Meeting Initiative Grant for the Mankato Area. Bryan serves on the board of directors for the Blue Earth County Library system, the South Central College Office technology curriculum committee, the district selection committee for the Twin Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and is president of the Washington Park Neighborhood Association. He also spends time volunteering for the Greater Mankato Diversity Council as a prejudice reduction workshop facilitator.

Honey Stempka –

Tracey Stokes-Hernandez – Tracy’s sense of her own diversity is evolving as she learns new things. While earning a degree in Mass Communications, Tracy served as a member of the Balk Student Union and on the Student Union Board. She has works as an admissions counselor at South Central College and is a member of the Alliance for Pan African Professionals. Tracy hopes to have a role in facilitating networking among the separate cultural organizations.

Kuma Takamura – It was supposed to be a melting pot, but when Kuma came to the U.S. from Japan in the '80s, what he found was "Chunky Stew." Kuma, as a biologist, an electrical engineer, and an educator, worked in many areas including private sector and higher education system. Everywhere he went he strongly felt diversity was a strength but "we were not tapping into it." Humans are inquisitive and curious beings. Difference triggers fear, but he hopes, with our effort, the curiosity/inquisitiveness will eventally take over and people will start learning each others' differences and start recognizing the power of diversity!

Chris Tran –

Bess Tsaouse –

Kevin Velasquez –

Rochelle Wegman – An Iowan by birth, Rochelle moved to Mankato from Alexandria, MN, twenty years ago. She has resided here longer than any other place she has called home. Rochelle will soon be fully retired, with free time to contribute to a cause that she finds fulfilling, and at the same time, beneficial to the Mankato community. Rochelle feels that the Greater Mankato Diversity Council will fill the bill to a tee! Working with energized people of the same mind set is an experience she looks forward to.

Lindsey Weis – Lindsey loves working with children and adults and sharing her passion for diversity. She enjoys learning about different people, cultures, and ideas, while helping others appreciate their own experiences. She earned her B.A. degree in psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College and her M.S. in K-12 School Counseling from MN State University, Mankato. Lindsey would like to see our community continue on a path to an even more welcoming and safe community for people of all backgrounds.

Tammy Weisenberger – Tammy has more than 16 years of experience working with children and families. She is the Operations Director for Lutheran Social Service of MN in the Mankato area and was previously employed by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. It was Tammy's love of animals that took her to Iowa State University to pursue a career in veterinary medicine; however, it was her passion for children and families that changed that course to a degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Bradley University. Tammy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a certification in Family Mediation.

Linda Witte –Linda's interests in diversity come from her prior work as an occupational therapist working with children with disabilities as well as her interest in international travel. These life experiences have helped expand her awareness and understanding of the broad spectrum of diversity in our local communities as well as the world. Linda currently works in administration for ISJ - Mayo Health System and looks forward to playing an active role in building a community where the attitudes and actions of its people foster mutual respect.

Sandra Woods – Education has been a thread in the weaving of my life. As an educator in Montana, Idaho, and Montana, I have been extremely interested in all the diversity I've encountered, both within the schools and in the community. Retired from teaching, leadership programs, and the book business, I am now enjoying pursuing this passion by working with the Diversity Council, both as a facilitator and as the Education Assistant in the office. Once again, the amazing people I get to work with give me faith in the universe. Volunteering for community has always been one of my passions. In the past few years I have been involved in the United Way Vision Council and VINE. I see that diversity in our community is at the forefront for our community.

Dr. Allen Wortman – As a long time and now retired music teacher, Al has engaged students at all age levels from Kindergarten through University. He has taught in Iowa, Colorado, Idaho, Saskatchewan, and Minnesota. He has also traveled extensively with students. Al has a diverse family and is very interested in Mankato and the Mankato area becoming accepting and respectful of all diversity. He has a BA degree from Central College in Iowa and advanced degrees from the University of Northern Colorado.

Ryan Yunkers – Ryan grew up by a lake in the middle of the Chequamegon National Forest outside a small northern Wisconsin town. His parents were instrumental in teaching him to accept and show compassion for all people. As a student and then a staff member at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Ryan found a passion for working with other college students. Now working at his fifth college over the past 19 years, Ryan enjoys working with the President’s Commission on Diversity on campus and presenting for students of all ages off campus.