Our board and staff represent a cross-section of our community, have a passion for our organization and those we serve, and work hard to ensure long-term impact and sustainability of the organization.
Board of Directors
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Dr. Lawrence Chatters, President
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 and is licensed as an Independent Mental Health Practitioner. 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.
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Michael Blake, Vice President
Michael Blake has a 20-year IT Operations career with various Infrastructure and Development roles previously with Dell Services, Nelnet, and currently is the Senior IT Manager at Spreetail. His professional passions are baked into the idea of shared agreement. He brings a strong and consistent commitment to success through a personal, detailed work ethic and accountability. Michael gives credit to growing up all over the US as a military brat for helping to shape his perspectives and work well in a variety of areas and environments. Personally, and professionally his passions are anchored in helping people and specifically helping the youth. Michael was a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lincoln, on the United Way Steering Committee at Nelnet, a proud member of the 8- gallon club at the Community Blood Bank of Lincoln, part of the Calvary Community Church Growth Track ministry team, coached a variety of teams over the last 12yrs in Lincoln, on the Investigations sub-committee of the Hold Cops Accountable, and Inclusion Network implementer at Spreetail. Despite his packed schedule, Michaels's #1 passion is raising his four amazing boys. His absolute joy and never ending recharge come from watching his 17yr old, 9yr old, 7yr old, and 4yr old navigate their way through this world.
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David Rasmussen, Secretary
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.
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Frank Faughn, Treasurer
Frank Faughn is an Enrolled Agent at JarMin & Associates, has been a business and tax accountant since 1990 and has been licensed as an Enrolled Agent to practice before the IRS since 2002. Mr. Faughn has over 40 years of grants management experience and has served as a board member for two neighborhood associations as a homeowner. Mr. Faughn has been married for 48 years to his wife Coleen and is a parent to two children and grandparent to six grandchildren. He is a lifelong Lincoln resident and enjoys sports, especially golf.
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Shannon Martin-Roebuck
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.
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Demoine Adams
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.”
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Kelli King
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.
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Matt Tewes
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.
Staff
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Kwabena (KB) Mensah, Founder and Executive Director
KB
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Kris Whisenhunt, Deputy Director
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.