Board & Staff

Dr. Lawrence Chatters currently serves as the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Previously, Chatters served as the Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Student Affairs at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. Chatters holds a Doctorate and master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Midland University. Prior to Midland Chatters participated in a post-doctoral fellowship at Penn State University. Chatters has extensive experience in work focusing on diversity, inclusion, and equity. Chatters spent three years working in the Nebraska Athletic Department as the Coordinator for Diversity and Inclusion. Chatters also serves as the Executive Director of the Goldwin Foundation, an organization committed to providing funding for pediatric- focused research, nationally. Chatters is most proud of his wife Katie and his two daughters Airalon and Mikayla.  

Matt Tewes is the Executive Assistant to the President at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Matt was previously the Administrative Aide in the Office of State Senator Anna Wishart at the Nebraska State Legislature. As a lifelong resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, Matt is dedicated to  improving his community and expanding economic, political, and social equality for all Nebraskans. At his alma mater, Matt served as Student Body President, as well as a member of  their University Board of Governors. Matt has garnered experience as a policy professional in  both Nebraska and Washington, D.C., and has worked on local, state, and national political  campaigns. Matt is passionate about working to promote good governance and dedicated to  improving society through meaningful work. Matt has a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a master’s in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

David Rasmussen currently is a partner at the law firm of O’Neill, Heinrich, Damkroger, Bergmeyer & Shultz, P.C., L.L.O., in Lincoln, Nebraska where he specializes in commercial  transactions, real estate, estate planning and probate. David is a native of Plainview, Nebraska  and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance,  with highest distinction, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2000. He later graduated  with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2004. David has been a past  board member of several non-profits and community organizations, including the Grassfed  Exchange and Kiwanis, where he has held various positions. Outside of work, David enjoys snow  skiing, spending time with his family and attending various activities for his children. 

Shannon Martin-Roebuck is the Vice President of Operations at Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County. Shannon previously served as the Executive Director of Capital  Humane Society in Lincoln, NE. She is skilled in strategic planning, process improvement, project leadership, team building, program development and community outreach. Prior to her  service with Capital Humane Society, Martin-Roebuck served as Research Faculty at Colorado School of Mines focusing on Diversity, Inclusion and Access. As Director of Operations for  Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) at the University of Denver she served as budget  officer, developed process improvements, and provided strategic direction for the organization.  She holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University and received her  BA in Art History from Mansfield University. 

DeMoine Adams is currently the Chief Executive Officer for TeamMates NE. DeMoine previously  held a position with the University of Nebraska Foundation as a Development Director. DeMoine  is also a Motivational Speaker who inspires others to be greater, to be leaders, and to be winners in the game of life. DeMoine is originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas and is a former University of  Nebraska standout football player. DeMoine played an instrumental role in helping the Huskers win a Big 12 Conference Championship in 1999 and helped lead the Huskers to the National  Championship Rose Bowl in 2002. He also spent time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers,  Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ners. As a first- generation student, DeMoine received his  bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Political Science with minors in English,  History, Communications, Ethnic Studies and African Studies. He went on to receive his master’s degree in Educational Psychology and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree at the University of Nebraska DeMoine currently resides in Lincoln, Nebraska and his motto is: “Once you see where you’re going, then everything  you do must correspond with where you’re going.” 

Kelli King is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL). As a member of the UNL student affairs senior team, King oversees student  advocacy and support, student conduct and community standards, and student well-being and  sexual violence prevention programs. For nine years, King served as the Director of the University’s William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community, a college transition program guiding and supporting recipients of the Susan T. Buffett Scholarship. In this role, King built a dynamic team that works with nearly 1,200 Buffett Scholars on campus, with many of these  scholars identifying as first-generation and low income. King’s service to the campus community extends beyond her work with the Thompson Scholars, including the university’s  Behavioral Intervention Team, the Student Success Team, the Advising Coordinating Board, the  initial Husker Dialogues Steering Committee, the Retention Leaders Committee, African and African American Leadership Caucus and the Lied Center Statewide Advisory Board. King has been recognized for her work with  students and the university at large. Her honors include being a multi-year recipient of the Parents’ Council  Association Award for Contribution to Students; the University of Nebraska Foundation Builder’s Award for  Outstanding Academic Advising; People Who Inspire Award through the Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board;  finalist for the Excellence in Education, Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Leadership Award through the Lincoln Journal  Star, and induction as an Honorary Member of the Innocents Society. A Nebraska alumna and first-generation  college student„ King received a bachelor’s degree in history and education and a Master of Arts in historical studies  from Nebraska Wesleyan University before pursing graduate course work at Columbia University in New York. She is  currently pursuing a doctorate in educational studies at Nebraska.

Jamel J.W. Connor grew up in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska and was a single teen-mother to five children. She worked as a phlebotomist for sixteen years. Mrs. Connor graduated from Kaplan College in 2009 with an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in International Business with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Johnson & Wales University in 2012. Mrs. Connor moved back to Omaha in 2017 to pursue her law degree. In 2020, Mrs. Connor was sworn-in as a Nebraska attorney. Her first position was with the Immigrant Legal Center working as an immigration attorney. Since December of 2022, she has been serving her community as a Lancaster County Public Defender. 

Mrs. Connor served on the Board of Directors for ROSS Leaders, an Omaha-based non-profit serving the South Sudanese community. She also serves on several Nebraska State Bar Association committes, as well as the American Immigration Lawyers Association's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee since 2021.

I'm currently in my 2nd year as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska. I'm the father of 2 beautiful girls Brooklyn 4 and Kamryn 2.  Having lived in a single parent home during my youth,  I've always felt compelled to help those in similar situation.

Kwabena (KB) Mensah graduated from the College of Hair Design in 1997 and became the owner of Oasis Barbershops in 2008. Fueled by a passion for making people feel good, KB has now been a barber for 26 years, has grown the business to include a second location, and has built a staff of like-minded individuals that are dedicated to their craft, serving others with genuine love and acceptance, and giving back to the community. He now serves as a mentor for barbers across the community including experienced entrepreneurs and students.

KB has used his connection to community through the barbershop to give back to youth and families since 2012 with the annual Free Haircut and Backpack Event and two additional events beginning in 2019 under the umbrella of the nonprofit founded by Mensah, Visionary Youth. As Executive Director of Visionary Youth, KB has grown the organization to a sustainable and thriving nonprofit that maintains and grows these three events yearly and has implemented an innovative combination barbershop mentoring/peer group therapy program for minority youth, Mentoring in New Dimensions. In addition to his titles as barber, barbershop owner, and nonprofit executive director; KB is also a successful DJ and photographer, father, and husband. 

Kris Whisenhunt earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with highest distinction from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a Master’s in Public Administration with a Nonprofit Management specialization from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and is a Certified Public/Nonprofit Manager through University of Nebraska-Omaha Professional Programs. Kris currently serves as the Deputy Director for Visionary Youth, and prior to this position, served as the Assistant Vice President, Youth Economic Success at Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. Kris also has worked for several years as a fundraising, program design, and nonprofit management consultant. Along with her commitment to serving youth, Kris is a passionate advocate for poverty prevention and serves as a Facilitator for Omaha/Council Bluffs Bridges Out of Poverty, a Certified Financial Social Worker and Financial Education Instructor.