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Our GLADC Staff and Board of Directors

Staff

Arlette Miller, B.S. Psychology

arlette@glaxdiversitycouncil.com
GLADC Executive Director

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Arlette is a proud alumna of Campbell University. Driven by a passion for effecting positive change, Arlette is committed to promoting diversity, health, and wellness. She has dedicated her career to non-profit program development and crisis response, providing resources and services that empower individuals to achieve their goals. Founder of The Wellness Network with a background encompassing over 25 years of experience in community engagement, program management, family and individual therapy, advocacy, community development, ESL teaching, communications, administration, executive responsibility, and English/Spanish interpretation. Arlette's vision is rooted in the belief that evidence-based methodologies and practices can cultivate well-being, purpose, professional growth, and overall fulfillment.

Board of Directors

Mollie Grady

megrady@gundersenhealth.org
GLADC President-Elect
Manager, Learning & Development, Gundersen Health System
Pronouns: She/Her

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Mollie (she/her) has her Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology and 15 years of experience in Leadership and Organizational Development. She has honed her expertise in creating spaces where everyone feels heard and valued. Drawing on her extensive experience, Mollie has successfully designed and implemented comprehensive development programs and strategies for organizations across various industries. Her commitment to fostering a culture of belonging has enabled her to effectively guide organizations in promoting environments where individuals of all backgrounds thrive.

Shane Gesler

sgesler@juneaucountywi.gov
Community Health Educator
Strategic Initiatives, Juneau County Government
Pronouns: He/Him/His

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Shane Gesler (he/him/his) joined the Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council in March of 2015. Shane’s roles have included Secretary, in 2015, Vice President in 2017, and Board President since 2018. As a board member, he continues to strengthen workplaces and communities of the greater La Crosse Area by promoting and cultivating diversity, access, inclusion, and equity though a variety of projects and programs through the council.

Shane graduated from UW-La Crosse with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health Education. Shane currently works at the Juneau County Health Department as the COVID Response Coordinator. He previously worked from Manpower Group for the past 8 years in Onalaska as a Sr. Recruiter/Client Relations Leader. Prior to Manpower, Shane worked for Workforce Connections, Inc. for 11 years as an Employment and Training Coordinator; connecting adults, displaced workers and at risk youth to meaningful work. Shane provided counseling, mentorship and connected participants to educational opportunities to promote self-sufficiency.

Shane has a passion for helping others, the LGBTQ+ community, helping rural businesses with D & I, finding equity and inclusion for all, and making the world we live in a better place. Shane is actively a proud member of the New Lisbon Lions Club, the motto, WE SERVE, where he sits on the Board of Directors, Past President and incoming President of July 2022.

Ricardo Acevedo

duluthace@yahoo.com
GLADC Board Member
Past President of GLADC Board

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Mr. Acevedo has been involved with varies community organizations:

Past President of the Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council 2018-2019.
Member of the Coulee Region Immigration Task Force
Representative in the Eighth Congressional District for the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People (appointment by Governor Jesse Ventura, 1999-2003) – Council advised the Office of the Governor and the Minnesota State Legislator on issues that affect the Hispanic community.
Vice Chairperson for the Duluth Public Schools Desegregation/Integration Council 1996-2002 – focused on recruitment of Teachers of Color and closing the performance gap between students – also volunteered as a student parent to go with the school district’s human resources employees to recruit Teachers of Color at college job fairs.
State Chairperson for the Minnesota Knights of Columbus 2009-2011 - focused on Diversity and Inclusion recruitment in a non-profit.
American Legion and Lifetime VFW member
Current La Crescent, MN Post 595 Commander 2022-continuing.
Welcome the opportunity to discuss how to recruit a diverse workforce in the Coulee Region and the advantages to having diversity in any service organization or any work environment that represents all the people we service. No matter how small that segment.
Aspire to inspire till I expire on the value of diversity.

Carolyn Colleen Bostrack

carolyn@carolyncolleen.com
GLADC Board Member
Owner Acton Academy Midwest, Founder Fierce Foundation
Pronouns: She/Her

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Carolyn Colleen Bostrack, Ph.D., MBA is a multifaceted entrepreneur, former keynote speaker, and accomplished author who is deeply committed to helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. As a dedicated mother of three, she fully understands the importance of finding balance between family, career, and lifestyle.

Carolyn is the founder of a non-profit organization that empowers underserved women and children in the 7 Rivers Region to achieve generational self-sufficiency and create life strategies that enable them to live their dreams.

Carolyn has authored "F.I.E.R.C.E.: Transform Your Life in the Face of Adversity, 5 Minutes at a Time!" and co-authored "Academic and Educational Entrepreneurship." She is the owner of Acton Academy Midwest, a private STEM entrepreneurial and trades school that fosters collaborative learning and differentiated instruction through real-world projects and experiences rooted in Servant Leadership.

Alongside her professional achievements, Carolyn is also a delegate for the Commission on the Status of Women United Nations 2023, where she has the honor of advocating for gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide.

Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman

mdelacruzguzman@viterbo.edu
GLADC Board Member
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Viterbo University
Pronouns: Ella/She/Her

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Marlene De La Cruz-Guzmán, Ph.D. serves as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Viterbo University. An experienced facilitator with over 25 years of professional experience in higher education teaching and administration, she has held leadership positions at Ohio University, Marquette University, Towson University, University of Notre Dame, Michigan State University, and Barry University. She also serves on various community boards in La Crosse.

Executive Assistance
Melissa Schultz, Alpha Omega Professional Services
melissa@aops7r.com

Event Notice

Strategic Visibility: Marketing Your Business with Clarity, Sensitivity, and Impact in a Polarized World

You’re invited to join us for March’s Forum, a one-hour presentation designed to foster learning, explore solutions, share resources, and strengthen our workplaces and community across the Greater La Crosse […]

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Multicultural Resource Guide

This guide lists established and emerging resources that reflect and celebrate cultural diversity in our area.

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Our GLADC Staff and Board of Directors

Staff

Arlette Miller, B.S. Psychology

Board of Directors

Mollie Grady

Shane Gesler

Ricardo Acevedo

Carolyn Colleen Bostrack

Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman

Event Notice

Strategic Visibility: Marketing Your Business with Clarity, Sensitivity, and Impact in a Polarized World

Multi­cultural Resource Guide

Multicultural Resource Guide