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Our GLADC Staff and Board of Directors

Staff

Arlette Rodriguez-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

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.

Amy Felber

Amy Felber, CPA

Amy.Felber@Couleecap.org
GLADC Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer, Couleecap, Inc.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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Amy (she/her) has her Master’s in Nonprofit and Public Administration and has worked in various nonprofit and municipal government roles throughout her career. Her current position oversees the finance department at a local anti-poverty nonprofit organization that covers La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe and Crawford Counties. She also co-chairs the Social Justice Committee at her organization that is focusing on promoting equity and inclusion both within the organization and the broader community in which she serves.

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.

Ashley Nowak

anowak2@uwlax.edu
GLADC Board Member
Director for the Center for Transformative Justice, UW-La Crosse
Pronouns: She/Her

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Ashley has worked in the field of education for over 12 years. She began her career as a classroom teacher. As her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) grew she transitioned to become a K-12 district equity coordinator. Today she is the Director for the Center for Transformative Justice at UW-La Crosse.

With her background in sociology, education, and a variety of DEI topics, Ashley also supports area businesses and school districts with professional development, book studies, and more.

Beyond her work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family including her partner and two young children. You can find her walking, hiking, or running in her free time. She also loves to read, especially historical fiction and memoirs.

Dalia Simpson

Migdalia.Simpson@Couleecap.org
GLADC Board Member
Homeownership Empowerment Manager, Couleecap, Inc.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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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.

Miranda Eisermann

miranda.eisermann@trane.com
GLADC Board Member
Talent Development Team Leader, Trane Technologies
Pronouns: She/Her

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Miranda Eisermann, MEPD bold Leader at Trane Technologies focused on our Early Talent student programs, with over 20 years of multi-functional experience in the areas of early talent, program/project management, human resources, training and development, safety, marketing, finance and leadership. My energy and drive come from uplifting our people, culture and communities, owning my actions and doing what is right, always. Also serves on the Western Supervisory Board and serves as a Trane Technologies leader for our community engagement events.

Mollie Grady

megrady@gundersenhealth.org
GLADC Board Member
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.

Clare Wight

DellapeWight.Clare@mayo.edu
GLADC Board Member
Nurse, Mayo Clinic Health System
Pronouns: She/Her

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Clare has been working in healthcare for the last 5 years, currently working as a Registered Nurse in Family Medicine at Mayo Clinic Health System. She loves that Mayo provides ample opportunities for her to be involved in projects, community outreach and internal committees that help develop and promote Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. Clare is very passionate about neonatal and maternal health, breastfeeding, and babywearing. For the last decade she has been an active member of the International Women of the La Crosse Area, the La Crosse Friends of International Students, which help welcome people new to our area. She also volunteers at St. Clare’s Mission Clinic and facilitates EID-focused seminars to all incoming nursing staff. Clare loves networking with likeminded folks and always welcomes a respectful discussion about anything.

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

There are many great reasons to become a member.

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Multicultural Resource Guide

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

View Guide

Our GLADC Staff and Board of Directors

Staff

Arlette Rodriguez-Miller, B.S. Psychology

Board of Directors

Shane Gesler

Amy Felber, CPA

Ricardo Acevedo

Ashley Nowak

Dalia Simpson

Carolyn Colleen Bostrack

Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman

Miranda Eisermann

Mollie Grady

Clare Wight

There are many great reasons to become a member.

Multi­cultural Resource Guide

Multicultural Resource Guide