Board of Directors | Junta Directiva
Contact the Board
board (at) americas.org
Current Board Members
Allison Anastos
Formerly of La Conexión. Allison is a private immigration attorney specializing in crime victim visas and removal defense. She has lived for extensive periods of time in Mexico City, Mexico and in Seville, Spain. Her work with La Conexion has allowed her to provide free legal advice regarding a variety of immigration issues confronting the La Conexion community.
Barbara Benner
Formerly of La Conexión. Barbara is a psychologist at University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service. Since first learning Spanish several decades ago, much of her volunteer energies have been dedicated to Spanish-speaking communities. In early 2011, she spent time in Cuenca, Ecuador providing clinical input to a program working with youth experiencing homeless and drug abuse. She is an explorer of cultures and enjoys traveling as much as she can afford. With our organization, her particular focus areas are program development and support of staff.
Christian Engen
Formerly of Resource Center of the Americas. Chris was a statistician with the Department of Agriculture until retiring in 2007. He serves on the board of directors of the Interchange Institute, whose mission is to promote dialogue and create understanding between immigrants and their new communities. As a Peace Corps volunteer (1969-71) he worked on water development issues in Kenya.
Sarah Humpage, Secretary
Formerly of Resource Center of the Americas. Sarah is a PhD student in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. She volunteers with the Lake Area Group Organizing in Solidarity with The People of Guatemala (LAGOS) and Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA).
Christina Jennings, Co-Chair
Formerly of Resource Center of the Americas. Christina is a returning Board Member from several years ago, and is the Executive Director of the Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund. As a small non-profit Executive Director Christina brings significant industry insight to share with the Resource Center, including fundraising and operations management. Christina is also building a company specializing in connecting micro-finance investors with Central-American communities.
Eduardo Jurado
Formerly of Resource Center of the Americas. Eduardo is an interpreter with Allina Hospitals and Clinics. He is active with Jane Adams School for Democracy, Lake Area Group Organizing in Solidarity with The People of Guatemala (LAGOS), and the American Red Cross - Volunteer Disaster Action Team.
Jean Lougee, Co-Chair
Jean is a co-founder of La Conexión and served as Board Chair leading up to the merger with Resource Center of the Americas. As a long-time resident of South Mpls, Jean actively supports cultural diversity, embracing the gifts diversity brings to our community. She leads the Service Administration department of Yale Mechanical with 27 years as an employee. Jean is active in her church council, co-facilitator of women’s retreats and bible study groups, and actively volunteers with Lutheran Social Services’ Camp Noah.
Rene Madrid
Rene is an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager with US Bank. He has been recognized by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for community and private sector leadership.
Joy Nelson
Formerly of Resource Center of the Americas. Joy is a retired social worker, active in her church social outreach committee, volunteers with Minneapolis Public Schools, and is a group facilitator in the Longfellow-Seward Restorative Justice Partnership.
Don Olson
Don is a retired business professional of 36 years, having held leadership positions with Deluxe Corporation, First Bank, and Pillsbury Company in the areas of product development, marketing, communications and long-range planning. He holds BS and MS degrees in business administration from the University of Minnesota, where he also taught quantitative methods. Don is a co-founder of La Conexión, focusing his expertise on grant writing, strategy and program development.
