Staff
Strategic Execution
Anika Rahman
Anika knows that individuals and organizations inspire movements that benefit us by advancing human rights for all and promoting a just society. These ideals are crucial to addressing the challenges of marginalized communities and women, particularly as they relate to an intersectional approach to gender and racial justice. She has dedicated her life to championing gender justice, reproductive rights, and sustainable global development, and to fighting racism in all its forms.
Throughout her career, with leadership positions at the Center for Reproductive Rights, USA for UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Rainforest Alliance, and NRDC, Anika has been a voice—and a catalyst—for change. Her commitment to advancing equality is also reflected in the boards on which she serves, including the Bangladesh International Tutorial (BIT) School and MADRE, as well as her role as management consultant to progressive nonprofits.
Anika has spoken and published on topics of leadership, public service, nonprofit management, gender justice, reproductive rights, DEIB, and sustainable development at venues ranging from the United Nations to universities and international conferences. In addition, her writings have been published by the New York Times, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Crain’s New York Business, Philanthropy News Digest, Rewire, and CNN.com. A lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Anika has received the Women’s eNews “21 Leaders for the 21st Century” award and Columbia Law School’s Lawrence A. Wien Prize for Social Responsibility. She was also recognized as “21 Desi Women Who Are Game Changers.” Anika practiced law at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton.
Anika earned her Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs and her Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School. She lives in New York City and enjoys spending time with her daughter and cat, traveling, the visual arts, cooking and reading. Additional information on Anika can be found at http://www.anikarahman.org.
Cecilia Orellana-Rojas, Ph.D.
Cecilia Orellana-Rojas serves as senior vice president of strategy and research for the National Diversity Council. In this role, she oversees the execution of the organization’s strategic goals to generate new revenue streams. She leads the consulting function as well as innovative, high-quality educational and research initiatives in diversity and inclusion. She is the creator of the NDC Certification Program curriculum, which prepares professionals for successful careers in the DEI space, and the NDC Index, a tool that measures organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion among companies in the United States. She is also the developer of the NDC Toolkit, a unique diversity reference portal and research consolidator.
Cecilia brings 15 years of experience at AT&T, where she started as a manager in diversity marketing. She spent most of her career at the telecommunications giant as associate director and lead consultant of corporate diversity. In this role, she offered support in the formulation, implementation and direction of AT&T’s diversity and inclusion strategy including metrics, communications, and training. She also provided consulting in all aspects of workforce diversity. Prior to her corporate role, she worked as a journalist and later taught in academia for more than 10 years in the area of sociology, with emphasis on U.S. race relations, gender, Latin America, and research methods.
Cecilia is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She was instrumental in the launch of the Texas Diversity Council and served as the first president of the San Antonio Advisory Board. As a founding member of the Texas Hispanic/Latino Summit, she played a leadership role in establishing the mission of the summit as a venue for Latino/a voices within the Texas Leadership and Diversity Conference. She has been recognized numerous times with the Diversity Champion Award and Diversity Leadership Award for her commitment and dedication to diversity business practices.
Cecilia has served on the Emeritus Board of Directors for the Masters Leadership Program of Greater San Antonio and as an external member of the Workforce and Diversity Committee for the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). In addition, she has served on the Immigration and Refugees Action Team for the City of San Antonio’s Faith-Based Initiative.
A native of Chile, Cecilia earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of New Mexico. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota. She resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Henry, and their son, Rodrigo.
Leon Fraser
Leon Fraser brings his versatile experience in the corporate, academic, and certification arenas to help organizations diagnose and resolve persistent team performance and interpersonal challenges.
He was formerly Director of Corporate Strategy at Verizon and has taught Corporate Strategy at Rutgers University. He earned the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and thereby understands the importance of having a company’s HR and diversity initiatives to be fully in concert with a company’s overall strategy.
He has taught Managing Workforce Diversity at Rutgers University where he also received the Faculty Leader in Diversity Award. He is a Certified Diversity Professional by the National Diversity Council and teaches in the DiversityFIRST training program. He received the Most Engaged Leader Award from the Tri-State Diversity Council for delivery of diversity programs. He received the Mentor of the Year Award from National Black MBA Association New Jersey Chapter.
He has extensive consulting experience through a boutique firm which specializes in helping clients to address management and strategy issues. Not only does he have solid practical experience in consulting, he is the originator of the Management Consulting course at Rutgers, with proven techniques and sage case studies. On an individual basis, he is an Associate Certified Executive Coach per the International Coach Federation and has taught Executive Leadership at the graduate level.
In addition to Verizon, Leon has corporate experience in marketing and market research at Newsday and Aetna. He was also vice president of an international start-up and a legislative aide to two Congressional committees in Washington, DC. He earned a BA cum laude from Harvard University and MBA degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Yalitza Carrillo
Yalitza Carrillo serves as supervisor of strategic initiatives at the National Diversity Council. She works closely with the Senior Vice President of Strategy to support the implementation of high-impact initiatives including the oversight of the NCD Certification Program, which prepares professionals for successful careers in the DEI space. Prior to this role, she managed the NDC Virtual Suite, which features learning solutions on a range of DEI topics, and the NDC Toolkit, a diversity reference portal.
Yalitza graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Irvine. She trained in anthropological methods, approaches, and theories to understand and appreciate cultural differences. She brings to the National Diversity Council nearly 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry as a Registered Dental Assistant and a patient health coordinator.
Yalitza is from Los Angeles, California, and currently resides in Prescott Valley, Arizona, with her husband and daughter, and their dogs.
Dhenebb Coull
Dhenebb is currently a graphic designer for the strategy and research team. She oversees NDC Services branding and marketing. She joined the NDC in 2021 as a graphic design intern for the NDC Emerging Leaders Program where she worked on the I am an emerging leader social media campaign, as well as other branding projects for the launch of the program. She then transitioned to intern for the strategy and research team where she began to update some of the branding assets for their NDC Services. She has since continued to expand on its branding assets.
Prior to the NDC, Dhenebb volunteered for Destino a Cru Ministry where she would design print media for the Destino San Antonio team. She currently volunteers for their annual conference Legacia on their social media team.
Dhenebb is a graduate of the University of Texas-San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. She also graduated from San Antonio College where she obtained graphic design certifications. When she is not designing, you can find her cooking, running, or exploring San Antonio with her husband.
Operations
Fargol Hasani
Fargol has a B.A. and an M.S. in electronic engineering, and a Ph.D.. in Electronics, which she received from the University of Wollongong in Australia. She was also a research fellow there before moving to US. She has been teaching several engineering and programming courses at University of Wollongong since she started doing her Ph.D. there.
Since arriving in the U.S in 2015, she started applying her programming skills to user interface design and web development. She has extensive knowledge of HTML, CSS, bootstrap, JavaScript, WordPress, PHP, Python, ReactJS, and AngularJS. As a Web Developer, she has designed, coded, implemented, and managed websites for a variety of clients.
She has always been passionate about web development, and she is constantly seeking out new technologies and staying up to date on trends in the industry.
Mohammad Erjaei
Katrina Glenn
Katrina Glenn is the Communications Manager for the National Diversity Council (NDC). She oversees our communications department, social media marketing, public relations, and internal/external communications efforts. Under her oversight, the NDC was published as a brand contributor for Forbes and featured on Grammarly.com for their nonprofit communications program.
During her professional communications career she has worked in community engagement with the CW network in Houston, NBA All-Star Game production, and communications team for the Diversity & Leadership Conference with President Barack Obama. Katrina’s passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, stems from her belief that representation is important for the advancement of all. As she continues in her role, she works towards bridging the gap between representation, media content and providing DEI resources on a larger scale.
Katrina is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a B.A in Communications with an emphasis in media. She is also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. When she is not keeping busy with NDC you can find her being an all-star cheerleading coach, content creator and a mom to her daughter Makenna.
Kamaria Monmouth
Kamaria Monmouth, MBA, PMP, CDP is the Sr. Communications Specialist for the National Diversity Council (NDC). She utilizes a project management based approach to creating effective systems and processes for internal and external relations for the council and its partners. Under her leadership, she managed a partnership with Forbes EQ Brand Voice, secured a DEI digital multimedia partnership with various stakeholders, led a cross-functional team in various iterations of website development projects and secured features in various publications for the NDC leadership team including USA Today and Forbes/Fortune.
During her career, she has focused on combining her background in communications and marketing with implementation and delivery of agile methodology for the b2b space, along with coaching scrum teams to ensure projects are delivered within budget and time constraints in accordance with both organizational and external stakeholder requirements. Through her combined experience, she has ensured successful delivery of projects with Google Business Group and a range of enterprises across sectors. Kamaria believes that diverse teams create innovation, increased project efficiency and delivery and in turn, successful projects. Kamaria is passionate about creating an environment where diverse ideas are valued and everyone is given a platform.
Kamaria graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication: Public Relations and a minor in marketing. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in project management and process improvement from the University of Houston System and is a DiversityFIRST ™ Certified Diversity Professional (CDP).
Field Support
Sofia Anthony
As the Senior Vice President of Business Operations, Development and Training for the National Diversity Council (NDC), Sofia Anthony works with fellow leadership team members to ensure that the NDC caters to partners' needs and remains at the forefront of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) arena. She oversees 14 virtual team members who manage various initiatives and markets, including FL, GA, IL, MI, PA, OH, and Tri-State. Sofia leads the organization's 5-Year Strategic Plan via data collection and analysis and presents quarterly updates to the national Board of Directors. As the primary liaison to multiple Board of Director teams nationwide, she facilitates, manages, and leads Board meetings, strategic planning, brainstorming, and goal setting sessions. After developing the idea for the NDC to launch the National Coalition for Racial Justice & Equity in 2020, Sofia manages its operations, Board of Directors, grant reporting, and project teams.
Some of Sofia’s key contributions to the NDC over the past 11 years include securing over $1 million dollars in fundraising revenue recruiting, developing and growing the nationwide staff team spearheading the organization’s first five-year strategic plan launching and maintaining the Training & Development department implementing a holistic performance appraisal process and most recently, spearheading the launch of the National Coalition for Racial Justice & Equity.
Sofia graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a B.A. in Anthropology and Ethnic Studies and obtained an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University. She has been recognized as a Top 20 Latino Leader by the Council for Latino Workplace Equity Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leader in DEI by DiversityMBA a Next Generation Latino Philanthropy Leadership Fellow and HR Tampa’s Young Professional of the Year. Sofia is a DEI leader with NDC Certified Diversity Professional and Executive Diversity Professional credentials. She is also an HR leader certified as a PHR and SHRM-CP.
Sofia was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, yet spent the majority of her life in Tampa, Florida. She currently lives in Tampa, happily married to her soul mate and loves spending time with their sheltie, Bodhi.
Darlene King
Darlene King began her career with the Michigan Diversity Council-MIDC (a division of the National Diversity Council) in 2015. As the Executive Director, her charge is working with corporations and organizations in developing Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, programs, processes and procedures. Growing the organization in the area of business development as well as growing the organization throughout the entire state of Michigan.
Prior to her tenure with the MIDC, she held the role as Director of Event/Consultant Services/Training and Development for all 34 school districts under the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency for over 10 years. Her territory covered implementation and execution of all workshops and conference as well as maintaining CEU’s for teachers and administrators within Wayne County MI. Although she managed more than 60+ consultants, county wide events such as the Teacher Job Fair, County K-12 Art Fair and the Cultural Collaborative for Learning were signature events managed by her department as well. Darlene was also an inaugural member of the Diversity Strategic Planning committee which rolled out a county wide Diversity plan for all districts. Darlene’s background is widespread. She spent 6 years as a national concert promoter, traveling around the world with some of today’s most popular artist in the industry. She has produced and promoted shows at every concert venue in Detroit and beyond.
In 2008 she launched her consulting company, Life’s Journey Training and Consulting. They are competing in today’s competitive global market – in industries ranging from education, automotive, medical, non-profits and manufacturing. Their area of expertise consist of diversity and inclusion, leadership development, marketing and public relations.
Life’s Journey has provided service deliverables to: Wayne County Head Start Programs, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, The Order of the Fisherman, The Detroit Medical Center, Revival Home Health Care, RTM Music Group, Real Times Media, Stonecrest Behavioral Health, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Universal Studios, Detroit Community Schools, MASCO Corporation, Diversity Lansing plus many more.
She is a native of Michigan and enjoys spending time with her family, nephews and niece. She says her faith in God, family, passion for people and her love of traveling and gardening are the dri Darlene has a passion for people and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Wayne State University, Detroit MI. She has been operating in this capacity as well as education and organizational development for 25 years.
Kelsea Haught
Ivy Hunter
TyKiah Wright - Wilson
TyKiah Wright - Wilson is a Columbus, Ohio native and respected leader with 18+ years experience in nonprofit executive leadership, workforce development and relationship management. Known for her smile, TyKiah is passionate about connecting with people.. Adept with business operations, partnership development, stakeholder engagement and DEI. She is committed to helping organizations understand that differences drive innovation and is intentional about creating environments where people feel empowered to be their authentic selves. TyKiah is a champion for disability-inclusive diversity and strives to normalize the conversation.
In 2016, Wright was recognized as a YWCA of Central Ohio “Woman of Achievement”. She also was appointed and served as a Commissioner for President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans and is a past member of the Alumni Board of Directors for Wright State University. TyKiah is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Onjalai Brown
Laura Grajczyk
Laura Grajczyk joined the Ohio Diversity Council in July 2019 as the Event Programmer - where she plans all logistics and execution for all Ohio Diversity Council events. Laura has over ten years of event planning, coordinating, and programming experience. Previously she was the Event Coordinator for the Glass City Center, formerly known as the SeaGate Centre in Toledo, Ohio.
Before that, Laura Grajczyk worked in collegiate athletics at various universities as one of their Athletic Event Managers, including the University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
To further her experience after graduating from Bowling Green State University (2012) with a Sport Management degree - she interned at the Athletic Departments of the University of Tennessee, the University of Detroit Mercy, and the University of Georgia.
Laura is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and now resides in Maumee, Ohio. Laura is a proud alum of Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority and is currently a Junior League of Toledo member.
Haleigh McDonald
Haleigh currently serves as the Business Development and Event Programmer for the Pennsylvania Diversity Council - a chapter of the National Diversity Council. In their role they lead the development of the Pennsylvania chapter bringing on corporate partners and managing the chapters 2 Advisory Boards and Board of Directors. They also plan and oversee the events for the chapter. They also assist in planning the National Healthcare DEI Conference and assist in overseeing the Healthcare Diversity Council Board of Directors. They graduated in 2016 from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Legal Studies. In their free time they love to read, hike, and volunteer in the LGBTQ+ community and in combating food insecurity in Philadelphia.
Emily Pfister
Emily (she/her) currently serves as the Event Programmer for the Tri State Diversity Council, a chapter of the National Diversity Council, serving New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Emily works to plan and oversee Tri State Area events, in addition to managing the chapter’s three Advisory Boards and Board of Directors. She has a background in education and comes to the NDC after teaching special education in the state of New Jersey for six years. Emily graduated from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, with her bachelor’s degree in Arts and Sciences in 2015, and master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education in 2017. Emily resides in Northern, NJ, and is passionate about the field of DE&I. Emily, a woman of color, with the unique perspective of being adopted from China as an infant, is inspired by the vision of the NDC to '[transform] our work places and communities into inclusive environments where individuals are valued for their talents and empowered to reach their fullest potential.'
Jacinda Sterlin
Jacinda Sterlin serves the Florida Diversity Council as the Partnership Development and Engagement Coordinator. Jacinda graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, and a double minor in Nonprofit Management and Legal Studies. She was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts with her parents and two older sisters. Jacinda has experience working on philanthropy projects, development efforts, and HR items through her prior internships at UNICEF USA, the Risk Management Association, and Accion Opportunity Fund. She is passionate about amplifying marginalized communities, especially women of color, as well as supporting youth.