Veronica Alba – Veronica says she is appreciative of having been raised in Mexico, Texas and Minnesota because it has helped mold her into the bicultural, Latina woman she has become. Veronica, who speaks fluent English and Spanish, earned a BSW with training in youth leadership development from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She serves on the Gustavus Adolphus College NYSP Board, Gustavus Adolphus College Diversity Committee, LULAC, Mankato Diversity Kiwanis and is the director of the Gustavus Adolphus College Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Institute (ChYLI). She says she hopes the Greater Mankato Diversity Council will continue its work and expand into other communities where this education is needed.

Chris Boyce – Chris developed his view of the world with the help of his parents, family and friends. He hopes that all people will experience and learn to show respect and love for everyone. He believes this can be accomplished by continual change and understanding of others. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and law enforcement and a master’s degree in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He currently works for the City of Mankato.  

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.

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.

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. He is self-employed as a consultant and grant writer. 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. 

Julie Homan – Julie has earned a Bachelor of Science Teaching Licensure (B.S.T.)  in elementary education and teaches at Loyola Catholic School-Notre Dame Elementary. In her work as a teacher, she says she has seen how young children note differences in each other at an early age. Through the Diversity Council, she hopes to teach children that differences can be good and should be respected. She looks forward to the program being made available to children all grades. Julie says it is important to “learn, embrace and respect our differences in Mankato.” She is the mother of three teenagers.

Andrea Marti – Andrea works as a Spanish Medical Interpreter 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.

Virginia 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. 

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.” 

Safaa Sallam – Safaa believes that the society can improve by creating “more channels of cooperation between community members to overcome racial and prejudice problems.” Safaa has taught students from countries and ethnic backgrounds in Egypt, Kuwait, the USSR and the United States. She speaks English and Arabic. She spends her time working with the Islamic Association of Mankato and has an interest in social activities of the Minnesota State University, Mankato Student Association. She has a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in business administration. Through her work through with the Diversity Council, she hopes to help create a future of equal opportunity for all people. She and her husband have three children. 

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.

Paul Sorensen – Paul sees himself as a work in progress because he has become more accepting of others with experience. He wants his first impression of those he meets to be positive and open. He has a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and master’s degrees in community counseling and theology and ministry. He works for Blue Earth County. He also serves on the Aid Association for Lutherans Fraternal Benefit Society and a 4-H leader.  He and his wife have two foreign-born sons as well as nieces and nephews from a variety of diverse backgrounds.