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MEET YOUR FACILITATORS
Sharing calls will be starting in January! Scroll down for all the dates. Get to know your facilitators.
Administrative Support
Shadi Nardi (She/Her/Hers): Shadi Nadri serves as Office Administrator at Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice. She is grateful that her home is in the middle of our country—the
perspective it provides! It is a place teeming with voices ready to be heard. She learned to
respect flyover country while working for Tulsa-based This Land Press, which aptly dubbed the
region “the middle of somewhere.” At OCCJ, she continues to be informed by this vantage
point. Her role at OCCJ allows her to support the team as we work to make Oklahoma a state
that is inclusive, just, and hospitable for all and hopefully a leader in the nation in this
work. Shadi has experience in media and advertising, in both television and print. She also works as a freelance editor and fact-checker. Her passions include playing the piano, taking adult ballet classes, and spending quality time with friends. Shadi has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and French Language, with a minor in Linguistics.
Lyn Leopold (She/Her/Hers): Lyn Leopold began working at the NFJC of WNY in 2007 as the
Executive Assistant to then President, Lana Benatovich. As with most nonprofits her job has
changed to fit the needs of the agency and she currently holds the position of Office
Manager/Program Assistant.
Fund Development
Lachelle Rankins (She/Her/Hers): Lachelle Rankins joined Inclusive Communities in May 2022. Her love of IC started in 2016 when she started volunteering as an Omaha Table Talk facilitator and later became a contract facilitator. As Director of Strategic Partnerships, Lachelle’s focus is on fundraising, development, grant-writing, and building partnerships and relationships with individuals and organizations. Lachelle has a varied work history and has spent time doing
everything from customer service to small business underwriting and risk mitigation. She also
once worked as a door-to-door bookseller! Before making the leap to the nonprofit sector in
2018, Lachelle worked at LinkedIn, where she managed large enterprise accounts and was an
office lead for an employee resource organization, the social impact team, and a culture
champion. Lachelle lives in and is an involved member of the Omaha Community – she spends
her time, talent, and treasure volunteering with several local civic and nonprofit organizations.
She really wants to make a difference in the world and leave her corner of the world better than
when she found it. Lachelle loves reading, traveling, learning new things, cooking, hanging out
with friends and family (especially her three adorable nephews), and she is low-key obsessed
with popular culture.
Morgan Allen-White (she/her/hers): Morgan is the Director of Development at the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ) where she oversees fundraising efforts and community engagement alongside a great team working to create a state that is inclusive, just, and hospitable for all. She is a firm believer in the power of beloved community, connection, collaboration, and, above all, the power of young people to change the world. Morgan comes to OCCJ from Oklahomans for Equality, where she served as Center Director and oversaw youth programs, training facilitation, and played a role in the planning of Tulsa Pride and the Equality Gala. Prior to serving at OKEQ, she worked at Tulsa Public Schools and City Year through Americorps. Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts from William Jewell College in Music, Religion and Culture, and Applied Critical Thought and Inquiry.
Program
Dr. Kristy Tyson (she/her/hers): Dr. Kristy Tyson is dedicated to fostering equity and inclusion, anchoring her teaching in practical, real-world experience. She is an Instructor at Bryant and Stratton College, skillfully facilitates Racial Healing Circles, and serves as the Director of Diversity Education for The National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York. Dr. Tyson is also the author of "YOUR CALL: Critical Thinking for Decision Makers." Dr. Tyson earned a Doctoral Management degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. She is also the Buffalo Niagara Chapter Association for Talent Development President-Elect. She is a skilled educator and leader dedicated to helping others develop their professional skills and achieve their goals. As the Owner and Chief Talent Development Coach at Lifement LLC, Dr. Tyson offers personalized coaching to individuals and groups, catering to emerging leaders and organizations. In addition to her coaching work, she actively engages in guest lecturing and facilitating workshops for educational institutions. She is also honored to hold the esteemed positions of President at the Rhetorical Roar Toastmasters Club and Area 12 Director. Driven by her passions, Dr. Kristy Tyson supports individuals in overcoming challenges, thinking critically, making better decisions, setting goals, and realizing their full potential.
Youth Development
Em Richards (They/Them/Their): Em Richards is a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion)
Specialist with The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio. Em works within the School & Youth department to develop and facilitate programming for K-12 students and educational staff. They have also managed the Diversity Through the Arts (DTTA) programming for the last two years, creating diversity-arts opportunities for community groups and students. Em coordinates a monthly Youth Engagement Subcommittee (Y.E.S.) virtual meet-up for NFJC youth program staff to connect, support each other, and build community. Ask them how to get involved! Em’s background is in education (and a smidge of theater) and they’ve taught elementary, middle, and high school and have been a Social Emotional Learning Coordinator at the middle school where they taught. They received their Social Emotional Learning & Character Development certificate in 2020 through Rutger’s University and are currently pursuing a master’s degree in Restorative Practices through the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IRRP). Fun Facts: They have an adorable tuxedo cat named Alex, are very creative, and love reading YA books and memoirs.
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