The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC) board of directors is a vibrant group of community leaders, professionals, and academics deeply committed to fostering international understanding and collaboration. With decades of experience spanning public and private sectors across Iowa and beyond, the board actively shapes ICFRC’s mission by identifying compelling programming and engaging the brightest minds to discuss global issues. Rooted in the principles of community collaboration and cultural exchange, the board’s efforts have sustained ICFRC’s impactful work for over 40 years.

We'll be inviting new board members to join our thriving community in Spring 2025

Becoming an ICFRC board member offers a unique opportunity to influence meaningful global dialogue right here in Iowa. Members enjoy the chance to:
    •    Shape programming that connects local audiences with world-renowned experts.
    •    Engage with a network of passionate and accomplished professionals.
    •    Contribute to initiatives that build cultural bridges and foster informed global perspectives.
    •    Explore personal growth through exposure to diverse perspectives and thought-provoking discussions.
    •    Gain enhanced professional networks and collaborative opportunities with like-minded individuals.
    •   Have a tangible impact on fostering global awareness in Iowa City and beyond.

The ICFRC board invites those passionate about global issues and local impact to join in advancing our mission of building connections and promoting international understanding. By serving on the board, you’ll help ensure ICFRC continues to thrive as a cornerstone of community learning and dialogue.

For more information on board service opportunities, contact [email protected]

2024-25 Board members

​JANET LYNESS 
PRESIDENT

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.
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"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."

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​Sunday Goshit
VICE 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.​"

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​SANDRA MORROW
​SECRETARY

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."

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William Reisinger
​TREASURER

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."

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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."

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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.
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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.

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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.
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"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."

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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." 

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Christine Shea

Christine 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.”

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Ayushi Sood

Ayushi was born and brought up in India and moved to United states in 2018 for her higher education. She completed an undergraduate degree in microbiology and certificate in creative writing from the University of Iowa in 2022. Ayushi is currently a second year Ph.D. student in the Biomedical Sciences program at the University. She has been interested in advocating and supporting the international student's community since she was an undergraduate student through groups like the International Student Advisory Board and continues to do so. 

"Being an international student comes with the responsibility of adapting to the new culture in the states but also spreading awareness about my roots, culture and country's climate. ICFRC provides the perfect platform to have engaging discussions and spread awareness about different global issues."  

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Daniel Vorwerk

Daniel is the assistant director of events and stewardship, for International Programs at the University of Iowa, where he oversees event services and donor stewardship for the unit. In college, he developed an interest in the international community while on several trips to Jamaica to serve on mission's teams at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf. The relationships he built in Jamaica surrounding the work of the CCCD and their social enterprise, Deaf Can! Coffee, is what drives Daniel to connect Iowa with the world. He received a BA in communications: public relations with a minor in marketing, and a MA in postsecondary education: student affairs, from the University of Northern Iowa.

"I believe our community is stronger and better able to tackle local issues when we have an understanding of what's going on in our state, nation, and around the world. ICFRC's commitment to fostering global understanding and collaboration in our local community is driving that discussion in the Greater Iowa City area."

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THAIS WINKLEBLACK

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."

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