The ICFRC board of directors is active in the community and passionate about international issues and supporting local individuals and organizations. Drawing from decades of experience in public and private sectors throughout the state of Iowa, the board works together to identify compelling and relevant programming, bring the brightest minds to speak from across the world while collaborating with members to build on community input and impact that has been foundational ICFRC's mission for over 40 years.
JANET LYNESS
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Janet Lyness served as Johnson County attorney for 16 years and worked previously as the Assistant County Attorney in that office for 16 years. She's been interested in international affairs since her family hosted foreign exchange students while she was growing up, and she was fortunate to be an exchange student in Turkey. She's continued her interest in international relations, although her job mainly involved working on domestic issues.
"Knowledge about and connections with others are the best way for our world to move forward peacefully. The ICFRC promotes both of these. Being on the Board has helped me support the organization to continuing to provide the exceptional programs as well as looking as how ICFRC can reach more people. The mission of promoting international understanding is what I am passionate about." |
SUE DULEK
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Sue Dulek has a BA from St Olaf College, a law degree from Iowa, and is also the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Iowa City. She has been attending programs for over 30 years and a Board member for 15 years.
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SANDRA MORROW
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Sandra was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States with her family when she was ten years old. After completing her undergraduate degree, she attended the University of Iowa College of Law and obtained a Juris Doctorate in 2005. After a number of years in private practice, Sandra joined the Trust Department at MidWestOne Bank in Iowa City in 2013. She became a member of ICFRC in 2013 and over time expanded her involvement and support of the organization first as a member of the program committee and then later as a board member. In addition to the ICFRC, Sandra has also been a long time supporter of the Iowa Women’s Foundation.
"Being Hispanic and having moved to the United States at a young enough age that was able to easily adapt, but yet not so young that I do not remember a life in my native country, the ICFRC provided me with a wonderful forum for keeping connected with issues and happenings from the wider world." |
William Reisinger
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Bill received his BA in Political Science from the University of Oregon, then an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He studied international and comparative politics, focusing on the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and spent the 1983-84 academic year conducting research in the Soviet Union. He taught for the University of Iowa's Department of Political Science from 1985 to 2023, offering courses on Russia and post-communist countries and democracy and authoritarianism worldwide. His research has taken him to countries including Ukraine, Russia, China, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. His commitment to promoting a better understanding of foreign countries and cultures led to him serving from 2003-2008 as the University of Iowa's associate provost and dean of International Programs and his long-time involvement with the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council.
"I am fascinated by many aspects of world affairs beyond what I study professionally, so I greatly value the opportunity to hear from knowledgeable people about international places and problems I wouldn't otherwise know about. I also want to live in a well-informed community, to know that others have access to timely and thought-provoking information about the world." |
Karen Chappell |
Karen graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in International Relations and a minor in Asian Studies. She completed graduate studies at the East-West Center in Hawaii earning an M.A. in Overseas Operations/Foreign Affairs. Language study was at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.
Retired now, Karen was Associate Director of the Center for International and Comparative Studies at the University of Iowa. She has served on many boards including several while living in Iowa City. She was a Board member and twice Chair of FilmScene. She continues on the Board of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC) and, for two and a half years, served as ICFRC’s Interim Executive Director. Most recently Karen received one of the Iowa Governor’s Arts Award as an Arts Champion for her work with FilmScene. |
BRETT CLOYD |
Brett works with several academic programs on the University of Iowa campus including Global Health Studies, International Studies, Geographical & Sustainability Sciences, Political Science, and International Programs. He also meets with students and faculty to help them with their research, teach class sessions on research skills and finding information, and purchase materials for the Libraries. Brett is the Fulbright Librarian and helps students with their extensive Fulbright applications and enjoys engaging with the campus and community around international topics.
"Internationally, issues and people play a big role in how I experience the world. I am inspired, concerned, and curious about other cultures, and challenges we need to work on together. There are great organizations in the corridor and I support their work too, but I think ICFRC offers a unique venue to gather and connect with expert speakers and address the issues of our day." |
Dimy Doresca |
Dimy 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. |
Sunday Goshit |
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." |
sylvia jons |
Sylvia Jons is a seasoned global academic diplomacy professional specializing in strategic partnerships. With extensive experience in programs such as the Global Fulbright Program, International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP), SUPHEP (Sustainable US-Palestinian Higher Education Partnerships) program, as PI for NSF's IIE-GIRE (Graduate International Research Experiences), IIE Global E3, Brazil Scientific Mobility Program, Whitaker Biomedical Program, USAID, and IIE's Generation Study Abroad, Sylvia excels in developing and nurturing international collaborations. Currently serving as the Lead for the Institute of International Education (IIE) Initiatives and Manager of the IIE Center for International Partnerships, she is pivotal in driving impactful global educational initiatives.
"I firmly believe that education is the universal language of diplomacy, and partnerships act as the bridges we build to connect nations, nurturing a world of informed collaboration that propels progress and understanding." |
Katharine Lasansky |
Katharine 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." |
Dave Martin |
Dave is a retired librarian from the University of Iowa Libraries, having served as head of the Pomerantz Business Library for many years. During his career as a librarian he had the opportunity to work in Venezuela as a consultant to libraries in the city of Caracas. When he returned, he got involved with ICFRC and has been on the board for 10 years. He tries to play golf as much as possible weather permitting. During retirement he has volunteered at Southeast Junior High, as mentor with InsideOut Reentry Community, volunteer at the IC public library used book store (The Bookend). He is trying to improve his Spanish with classes at the Senior Center. He is a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Society in Coralville. He is married to Diane, and they have 2 grown sons and 4 grandchildren all in California--one family in Sacramento and one in Folsom.
"I believe it important to stay abreast of issues in international relations; we have a powerful program committee that keeps getting us important programing; we present programs on topics that cover the world with experts in their fields; sometimes very complicated topics and we help explain the complexity." |
ONYECHE OCHE |
Onyeche is a licensed pharmacist, and current PhD Candidate with a Health Services Research specialization, at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. She has been involved with international student-affiliated groups on campus such as the International Student Advisory Board and the International Student Committee of the Graduate Student Senate. As Secretary of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), an organization which advocates for the needs of international students in order to improve their experience, Onyeche worked with other members to raise awareness about the winter clothing needs of new international students through a winter clothing drive.
"I believe in the ICFRC’s willingness to engage in discussions about, and promote understanding of, current issues impacting communities across the world. As someone who is passionate about the international student community on campus, the organization’s commitment towards supporting the international community drew me to support it through my board membership." |
THAIS WINKLEBLACK
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Thais 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." |
