Nolte Companies vows our support to help bring about meaningful changes in our programs and our broader community. In our 2020-21 BIPOC action plan, we committed to develop an advisory board made up of community members external to Nolte companies to provide encouragement and accountability as we fulfill our action plan. Meet our board members below.
CASSIE L. BARNHARDT |
Cassie L. Barnhardt is Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, and Senior Research Fellow with the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa. She holds her Ph.D. in higher education, organizational behavior and management from the University of Michigan, a Master’s in student affairs from Michigan State University, and two bachelor’s degrees (a BDA in dance and a BA in psychology), also from the University of Michigan. Dr. Barnhardt was a 2019 Fulbright Scholar to the Republic of Kosovo where her post was with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Her research focuses on how universities contribute to democracy and civic life, and how universities and students act in socially-responsible and publicly-engaged ways. These foci have prompted her to study access and opportunity for undocumented college students, labor issues in the academy, stakeholder activism related to affirmative action, and campus-based mobilization. Barnhardt’s other professional experiences include being a researcher with the National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good, and with the Core Commitments initiative of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Before her faculty career she was an educational administrator, which included time working at Dartmouth College. Some of Barnhardt’s grant-funded work has been supported by: the John Templeton Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and DIKU- the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education. Currently, she is a 2020-2021 Fellow with the UC-National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.
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PRISCILLA CULP |
Priscilla Culp, a proud native of Waterloo, Iowa, is a sincere, vehement social justice educator, who has been practicing in this priceless profession for the past twenty years. After studying elementary education, with a K-8 reading endorsement, Priscilla returned to graduate school at the University of Northern Iowa to obtain a Masters in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis in professional development, and an Advanced Studies Certificate (ASC) as a PK-12 Administrator/PK-12 Supervisor of Special Education. Passionate about education and grateful to learn from students on a daily basis, she diligently works to encourage all children to reach their full potential, preparing them to succeed in a global society. She returned to graduate school, yet again, to resume studies to pursue an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership, where she is currently enrolled at UNI. In her free time, Priscilla enjoys reading, being with family and friends, listening to music, traveling and shopping.
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DIMY DORESCA |
Dimy Doresca is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), an International Business Specialist and Consultant, and an International Trainer in Entrepreneurship. He is the Director of the Institute for International Business, Lecturer in International Business and Entrepreneurship, and International Recruitment Advisor at The University of Iowa. He is also the Academic Director of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program at the University of Iowa. In the last 20 years his professional experience includes international market research, doing business overseas, risk analysis, strategic planning, budgeting, financial management, business development and operations, contracts administration and negotiations, claim analysis, and international banking, international business and entrepreneurship training in many countries in the Middle East, Asia, Sub Sahara Africa and the
Caribbean. Dimy holds a BA in International Business from Augustana College and an MS in Foreign Service (International Affairs) from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. |
LESLIE FITZPATRICK BOARD FACILITATOR/LIAISON |
Leslie Fitzpatrick is proud to have been raised in Iowa City. Leslie began her career working with children living in out-of-home care and with the University of Colorado, where she earned her clinical license in social work. She and her family then moved to the east coast, where she worked with the University of Maryland as a consultant in their child protection division. Leslie and her husband returned home to raise their young family in their favorite town, Iowa City. Leslie now helps the community in a different way: with their homes. Leslie is co-owner and Realtor at Blank & McCune, The Real Estate Company. She is privileged to experience endless opportunities to help people throughout our community find their most sacred place, their home. Her passions include supporting non-profit organizations (such as the Iowa Women's Foundation, The Englert Theatre and United Action for Youth) and volunteering (for her children's school or synagogue). Leslie enjoys spending time with her friends and family, including her husband, Kyle, daughters, Skye and Julia, and dogs, Cooper and Ellie.
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JOY JARME |
Joy Jarme immigrated from the Philippines to the USA when she was nine years old. After earning a BFA in Film/TV Production, she started her career as an aerospace/defense recruiter for projects at Lockheed, Northrop, and Boeing before following her dream to be a music journalist in Hollywood while daylighting as the Executive Assistant to the CEO at GT’s Synergy/Living Foods. She is currently pursuing her writing practice while serving as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Joy’s desire to support art and artists has been constant while navigating the seemingly disparate areas of her career. Growing up with a dual cultural identity has also given her a unique perspective on decolonization and systemic racism.
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SANDRAH NINA |
Sandrah Nina is currently a student at the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Penn. She is pursuing a BFA in Dance with a concentration in modern dance and a second major in marketing. Sandrah has been dancing for 17 years and trained in all styles of dance. Sandrah was a at Nolte Academy and was a member of the Affect dance team from 2015-2019. She has trained under the direction of Desmond Richardson, Dwight Rhoden, Lloyd Knight, Garfield Lemonious, Kiesha Lalama and Jason McDole, to name a few. She completed The Ailey School’s Summer Intensive Program in 2017, and Joffrey Ballet Dance Summer Intensive Program in 2015 and 2016. She has performed as an activist as well as an artist. Sandrah strives to use art and dance as a means to amplify the voices of those fighting against injustice and oppression. She shares her work at presentations as well as her social media. In her free time, she loves to listen to music, cook, and play with her seven year old Yorkie, Leo.
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AKWI NJI |
Akwi Nji is a full-time artist, producer and entrepreneur. She is a multidisciplinary arts leader with a professional background in nonprofit leadership, public education, journalism, strategic communications, and advocating for inclusionary arts as a critical component of civic wellness. She is an advocate for multi-ethnic and multi-heritage inclusion in the arts and in community- building initiatives. She is also an advocate for the democratization and demystification of art-making, increased accessibility of the arts to traditionally underrepresented artists and patrons, and strengthening arts ecosystems through professional development opportunities for emerging artists.
As a Cameroonian American artist, Akwi explores the intersections of race, gender, tension between the outsider and insider, and geographical and spiritual home. She creates in words, performance, and visual art and specializes in creative personal narrative storytelling across artistic mediums. Akwi has served as an arts ambassador in multiple roles including as founding executive director of The Hook, an Iowa Arts Council board member, and advisor of Arts Midwest initiatives. She has been an Iowa Arts Council Fellow; produced over 100 events in recent years, involving nearly 300 writers and performers; and her words have been delivered on stages from California to New York. She is creator of The Remoir Project, a nationwide audio and visual storytelling arts initiative, and is opening an artist-run gallery and micro venue in the fall of 2021 with a mission to support women artists and artists of color in the Midwest. Her award-winning leadership background spans the creative and corporate worlds, uniquely positioning her as a trusted voice on equity, arts advocacy, and the role of inclusive arts ecosystems in building healthier communities for all. In every facet of her work, she is inspired by the power of creative storytelling to build empathy, trust, and community. |
SEJAL PATEL |
Sejal Patel is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She works with individuals and families to promote change, focusing on individual strengths through Experiential and Mindfulness-based therapies. As an Indian American, one of her primary focus areas is multicultural therapy in which she addresses concerns related to racial and ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, disabilities, social class, and cultural bias. Sejal holds an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mount Mercy University, an MAT in Science Education from the University of Iowa, and a BS in Biology, also from the University of Iowa. Prior to her career in psychotherapy, Sejal was an educator in the Iowa City Community School District teaching science for several years at West High School. She was a passionate advocate for her students and supported them through psychosocial issues and the unique problems they face as adolescents. She currently works in private practice and is enrolled in continued education opportunities for mind-body healing. Sejal is a busy mom of three and spends leisure time experiencing yoga, meditation, food and travel.
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