Board of Directors

2026-27 BOARD MEMBERS

SUNDAY GOSHIT
PRESIDENT

Dr. Sunday Goshit moved to Iowa from Jos, Nigeria in 2000 to pursue a PhD in Geography. His first love in research and academics crosses the boundaries of physical geography with an emphasis in synoptic climatology, environmental planning, and information science. He is interested in the environmental impacts of climate variability and change. Later he developed an interest in intercultural communication generally and cultural adjustment of international students and recent immigrants to the United States of America, in particular. He focuses on immigrants’ adjustment process, and institutional and communal responses to the need and potentials of the newcomers.

"ICFRC provides a unique opportunity for understanding global affairs. Developing a global mindset requires knowledge and skills. ICFRC programs open the Iowa City community to the world in broad and specific (local) terms. Moving from Nigeria to the US more than two decades ago has provided me with unique learning experiences, but ICFRC gives me a depth I have always yearned for. The dynamic nature of global issues requires that communities are aware of those changes and their implications, and ICFRC provides the awareness in a community-based, engaging effort."

RICHARD DOBYNS
VICE PRESIDENT

Dr. Richard Dobyns is a Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Iowa, with a longstanding commitment to public health, medical education, and global collaboration. His work in family medicine, geriatrics, and palliative care reflects a deep dedication to compassionate, community-centered healthcare.With a background that includes international teaching and cross-cultural medical exchange, Rick brings a valuable perspective to ICFRC’s mission. His interest in global health systems and his efforts to foster dialogue across borders are in strong alignment with the Council’s goals.

THAIS WINKLEBLACK
TREASURER

Thais Winkleblack is Senior Vice President & Trust Department Manager with MidWestOne Bank, where she has worked for twenty-five years advising individuals and families on their banking and investment needs. Working for a regional community bank has allowed her to be active in many wonderful organizations over the years, but the first and longest-held board position she has held was with the ICFRC. One of her long-time mentors, Dick Summerwill, was CEO of MidWestOne Bank and one of the founders of the ICFRC. She finds the work that the ICFRC does continues to be compelling, especially as the organization has changed with technology and the role it can play in facilitating a robust dialogue on global issues right here in Iowa.

"I love being in the outdoors, walking my dogs, photographing birds and the Iowa landscape, and enjoying time with family and friends. I enjoy international travel for fun as well as for volunteer work, and I have gone on 5+ trips with the Iowa Miles of Smiles Team to Huehuetenango, Guatemala. I am a proud Rotarian and an avid volunteer. Two of my beloved volunteer organizations are 5224GOOD (a learning and giving circle in Johnson County) and the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council."

CHRISTINE SHEA
SECRETARY

Christine Shea is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa and has an appointment in the Departments of Spanish and Portuguese and Linguistics. She grew up in Toronto, Canada. Christine received her BA in Political Science from McGill University in Montreal. Following that, she earned her Bachelor of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages. She then left for Santiago, Chile, and lived there for two years, working as an English teacher and when not teaching, traveling around South America. Christine then moved to Mexico City where she completed her MA in Applied Linguistics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). After four years in Mexico, Christine moved to Calgary, Alberta to do her PhD in Linguistics. After graduating, Christine moved to Iowa City and has lived here and worked at the UI since 2010. Christine’s research focuses on issues related to bilingualism, education, and identity, and she is involved in outreach and engagement projects related to language and language justice.

“The ICFRC focuses Iowans outward and reminds us that we occupy a very small part of a much larger world. Through my work, I seek ways to make sure we remain open and outward-focused. The activities and goals of ICFRC align perfectly with what I value and what to achieve.”

DIMY DORESCA

Dimy Doresca is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), an International Business Specialist and Consultant, and a member on the Iowa District Export Council Department of Commerce. He is the Director of the Institute for International Business, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa. In the last 15 years, his professional experience includes international market research, doing business overseas, risk analysis, strategic planning, budgeting, financial management, business development and operations, contracts administration and negotiations, claim analysis, and international banking.

During his career, Doresca has set many international offices, worked with local suppliers, recruited local representatives, negotiated contracts and terms of payment, and dealt with foreign banks, insurance companies, and foreign government officials in many countries in the Middle East and Asia. Doresca earned a BA in international business from Augustana College (Illinois) and an MS in international affairs from Georgetown University.

MANNY GALVEZ

Manny Galvez has been a resident of Iowa for more than 22 years and works at the Iowa City Public Library as a public relations specialist since 2021. He is the co-founder and publisher of Galvez and Hoover Services, producing El Trueque, a Spanish-language publication serving the region for more than a decade, while supporting Latino businesses across Iowa, founding the Iowa City Latino Fest in 2012. Manny's work includes roles with the University of Iowa on the RAICES Project and as coordinator of the radionovela “La Noche te da Sorpresas,” focused on community education. He holds a master’s degree in Regional Studies and a bachelor’s in Public Administration and Political Science. He lives in North Liberty with his family.

"When we listen, when we walk, when we build with our own people, it is a symbol that solidarity is the best path, where hope does not die. But when we do it with others, with strangers, we are saying that the only thing that can save hope is love."

"Cuando escuchamos, cuando caminamos, cuando construimos con nuestra propia gente, es un símbolo de que la solidaridad es el mejor camino, donde la esperanza no muere. Pero cuando lo hacemos con el otro, con el extraño, estamos diciendo que lo único que puede salvar la esperanza es el amor."

AMANDA IRISH

Dr. Amanda Irish is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Epidemiology, and Infectious Diseases at the University of Iowa. A former Marine Corps Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Specialist and International Studies graduate from Iowa, she now holds a K12 career development award investigating zoonotic influenza transmission at the agricultural-human interface. Her work bridges emergency medicine, infectious disease epidemiology, and One Health. Amanda's international experience spans field research, clinical fellowship training in global emergency medicine, and tropical medicine studies. She is active in national and state policy through the American College of Emergency Physicians and Iowa Medical Society and follows global security and geopolitics closely.

"I've seen how health, security, and policy collide — in the field, in the emergency department, and in the headlines. ICFRC is where our community confronts those intersections through informed, open dialogue — and I want to be a part of that conversation."

KRISTY NABHAN-WARREN

Dr. Kristy Nabhan-Warren is Associate Vice President of Research, Professor and Figge Chair of Catholic Studies at The University of Iowa and is President Elect of the American Catholic Historical Association. Her research has focused on U.S. Latino Catholics; she has authored five books as well as numerous articles and book chapters. She is a frequent speaker at colleges, universities, nonprofits, and churches. She is creator of and acquisition editor for the book series Where Religion Lives, with UNC Press, which focuses on publishing innovative ethnographies of religion. Kristy’s overarching passion is servant leadership, whether she is in the classroom, in the field conducting research, giving a public lecture, or developing research initiatives in her role as AVP Research. She is a nationally and internationally recognized mentor of young scholars and is a 2024-2026 Senior Mentor with the Lilly-funded Young Scholars of American Religion. Kristy and her husband, the historian Stephen A. Warren, have been married since 1994; their sons, Cormac and Declan, are both students at The University of Iowa, and their daughter Josie, is currently a high school junior.

"It is truly an honor to be a elected to the Board of ICFRC, an organization that has long championed engaging in international issues on a large scale and supporting our Iowa City international community members on a local level. I am looking forward to working with fellow board members to ensure that our IC community remains a place of inclusion and belonging for all."

KATHARINE LASANSKY

Katharine Lasansky has spent her career working in nonprofits, and currently serves as Director of Development for the University of Iowa. In this role she works closely with International Programs and University of Iowa alumni living abroad. Having graduated from the University of Iowa with undergraduate degrees in international studies and nonprofit management, and a master’s in business administration, she has always been passionate about bringing global perspective and dialogue to local issues. Katharine is also a member of the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club and is deeply committed to the visual arts in Iowa.

"I am deeply committed to the idea of peace through understanding and the importance of exchange of ideas in a diverse space. The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council has done such good work to create a safe environment for this critical dialogue."

TED POWERS

Ted Powers is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iowa, where his research and teaching center on the intersection of health, politics, and social inequality. With a focus on post-apartheid South Africa, Ted brings a global perspective to urgent questions of public health, governance, and community resilience. His work draws from medical anthropology, political economy, and African studies to explore how people navigate systems of care and power.
Ted’s commitment to international understanding and equity aligns closely with ICFRC’s mission. Through his academic and public scholarship, he emphasizes the importance of dialogue across cultures and disciplines.

HARRY WOLBERG

Harry Wolberg is a Manager of Analytics and Business Intelligence at Providence Health and Services, where he leads a team of data engineers to translate data into meaningful insights for one of the West Coast's largest hospital networks. He holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor's degree from NYU. Harry brings a global perspective shaped by his service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar. He lives in Iowa City with his wife and their four-year-old son. Locally, he volunteers at the Free Medical Clinic of Iowa City and is passionate about advancing dialogue around international affairs. He is excited to advance the mission of the ICFRC.

"Fostering open dialogue around global issues is a powerful tool to break down biases and barriers. The ICFRC is uniquely positioned to facilitate conversations that can create a more informed, engaged, and empathetic community in Iowa City."