Staff

Karen Sterk is a champion for women, a champion for education and a champion for social justice. She has served as the CEO of Jeannette Rankin Foundation since September of 2015. Since then the fund has grown five fold in size and impact.

Previously, Karen was the Chief Advancement Officer and Chief Program Officer for the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, responsible for both the YWCA’S program development and fundraising. She was part of the Senior Leadership Team that revitalized the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, taking the organization from a $300K deficit to break even in one year. During her time there, she created and implemented It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race.

From 2000-2010 Karen served at the YWCA of Minneapolis, leaving as the Vice President of Health and Wellness. Her drive to create and grow programs while building financial vitality for the organization was welcomed. During her tenure, her team tripled the number of members and revenues. She was part of the team that launched the YWCA’s Racial Justice Program It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race in 2002.

Karen is married to Ron Warren. They have two adult daughters, a son-in-law, two beautiful granddaughters, Zora and Zadie Jean, and a rescued greyhound.

LaTrena Artist is a woman who knows that ALL things are possible to those who believe.

LaTrena was destined to link arms with Jeannette Rankin Foundation in the summer of 2011 as a Rankin Foundation Scholar. Fate would have it that she now links her passion with the Rankin Foundation as a staff member. LaTrena’s perseverance has propelled her to succeed and to help those that she crosses paths with do the same. LaTrena has a passion for people and is dedicated to excellence. She has a BA from the University of Georgia in Human Development & Family Science and a BA from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Theology. LaTrena has received a number of awards including GA Woman of the Year Scholar and UGA Amazing Student.

LaTrena is the proud parent of two boys Cameron and Jeremy Stokes.

Based in Missoula, Montana, Jackie Slovak brings a mix of authenticity, joy, and sharp strategic thinking to everything she does. A daughter of eastern Montana, she has built her career at the intersection of philanthropy, technology, and social justice—always with humility, humor, and a deep belief in what’s possible for people and communities.

Jackie’s experience spans fund development in the arts, software development with Easter Seals–Goodwill NRM, and operations leadership at an Atlanta tech startup. Most recently, she has raised resources and built mission-driven partnerships as a Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer for the American Red Cross and as Development Director at Adventure Cycling. She is especially drawn to organizations that expand educational and economic opportunity for people who have been historically overlooked.

Jackie holds bachelor’s degrees in political science from the University of Montana and computer science from the University of Great Falls, pairing policy insight with data fluency and practical problem-solving. After years in Georgia and across the West Coast, she was delighted to return home to Montana. Outside of work, she loves biking, hiking, and sharing adventures with her grown daughter, Emily, and Emily’s Pomeranian, Baggins—her favorite tiny trail companion.

Jane Broyles recently relocated from Corbin KY to Athens to be close to her son, daughter in law and three grandchildren.  She has an extensive background in finance with a specialization in Quickbooks.  Jane works with small businesses, nonprofits and churches  to make sure their finances are in order.  We’re grateful for her expertise and happy to have her on the team.

Breezy Barcelo began her adventure with the Jeannette Rankin Foundation as a scholar three years in a row while completing her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Services. She loved school so much that she moved right along into her M.S. in Occupational Therapy (OT) and proceeded to work in the field of mental health. She currently offers nature OT for children in West Michigan and teaches in the  Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness program at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. When Breezy presented as the Scholar speaker at the Rankin Foundation STAR Party in 2017, she left thinking she would love to work with the Rankin Foundation.

Prior to attending college, she worked many nights and days as a birth and postpartum doula for over ten years. This led her to a deep love of caring for women and their families.

Breezy is a mother of 7 and lives with most of her kids and her silly goldendoodle in Kalamazoo.

Shiloh Elisabeth is a proud alumna of the Jeanette Rankin Foundation. She is a first-generation college graduate who earned a dual degree in Applied Psychology and Business Administration from Wesleyan College. Shiloh’s life has been full of adversity, but it has helped to mold her into a compassionate and resilient woman who believes in lending her strength to others as they maneuver through life’s challenges. As a survivor of domestic violence, she has a great passion to help women transform their lives and knows firsthand the role education plays in the ability to do so. Although Shiloh has worked in various sectors, she considers her 3 daughters to be her life’s greatest work. In her free time she enjoys reading, being in nature, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Tiana embodies a compassionate spirit, motivated to empower and support fellow women through education. Coming from the Diné (Navajo) community in Arizona, she pursued her bachelor’s degree in health sciences with an emphasis on public health at Northern Arizona University (NAU), graduating in 2021. Inspired by her mother’s dedication and strong desire for post-secondary education, Tiana continued her academic journey. She earned her master’s degree in public health in 2024. Witnessing firsthand the transformative power of education, especially for women with unique paths, Tiana felt called to support them on their journeys. With experience working in clinics, she provided tailored education to mothers and their children, witnessing the profound impact education can have on individual lives. 

She continues to reside near the reservation in Arizona alongside her husband, daughter, and dog. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and walks in nature.

Lori Smoker is an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. She was born and raised on the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, MT, where she currently resides with her husband, four kids and three cats. Lori's life has been deeply rooted in her tribal community, influencing her passion for championing higher education, literacy, and the empowerment of tribal women to ensure that the needs of Native communities are met with care and purpose.

Lori previously served as the Library Director at Fort Peck Community College. A graduate of Montana State University-Northern, she earned her BA in Education in 2021. She will earn her MA in Education, Instruction, and Learning from Montana State University-Northern, Fall 2024. Lori was honored as Employee of the Year during her first year at Fort Peck Community College Tribal Library, a testament to her commitment to developing a love of learning and discovery among tribal members. Lori has also served in volunteer initiatives, such as AmeriCorps and Poplar Women's Club. She actively serves as the treasurer at the First Baptist Church Poplar and is a trustee of the Poplar School Board, where she advocates for educational opportunity and resources for the community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, photography, and cooking.

Tamara is grateful to collaborate with the Foundation’s dynamic team to expand opportunities for women. Blending enthusiasm, empathy, strategic thinking, strong communication, and attention to detail, she approaches her work with both head and heart, whether she’s connecting with a supporter or configuring a spreadsheet.

A believer in the power of human connection to fuel personal transformation, Tamara earned a Master of Social Work degree, which equipped her to make a meaningful impact in a field built on relationships and community. As a school social worker supporting unhoused students and their families, she saw how a job loss or a broken-down car can set off a downward spiral toward homelessness. By the same token, a supportive intervention can spark an upward trajectory toward stability and security.

Born in Athens, Tamara lives in her hometown with her husband, Shawn, and their kids, Lydia and Ezra. She loves to read, hike, do puzzles, and have conversations that make her brain buzz.

Geneva is thrilled to be the newest member of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, working alongside such a positive and uplifting group of women towards such a noble purpose is truly a dream come true for her.

Geneva is a proud mother of two, active member of the Missoula Elections team and League of Women Voters, a mentor and the “teen formalwear fairy godmother” for Queer Prom and a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention through her work with the AFSP. 

She loves being out in nature with her kids, running with her dog, baking pies from her grandmother’s vintage dessert cookbook, thrifting (aka treasure hunting!) and restoring mid-century modern furniture to its former glory. She adores growing flowers but has always had mixed luck with houseplants - skills she is determined to improve this year and all tips are welcome! 

She couldn’t be more pleased to join to JRF community and is looking forward to getting to know everyone involved. 

Nathalie is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, who obtains her bachelor's degree in Economics and International affairs. She is a values-based, results-driven individual with a passion for effectuating change for minority communities through advocation, outreach, and service. She hopes to use her experience in community service and marketing to advance Rankin Foundation’s mission and advocate for women’s pursuit of education. In her free time, Nathalie enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring new places.

Sara Sehhizadeh has a BA in international affairs and a minor in gender studies. She is an upcoming Georgia Tech graduate student. Currently she is working with the communications team, utilizing her experience in journalism, social and digital media marketing, and international humanitarian support to advance the foundation's mission to empower women and nonbinary individuals through education. In her off hours, Sara loves to travel, cook, and take care of her dog.

Katie recently graduated from Georgia College & State University with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy alongside a minor in International Studies. She's passionate about educational accessibility and worked in various tutoring and advocacy roles during college and is thrilled to join the mission of the Rankin Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.

Mayerlyn is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Georgia pursuing a bachelor's degree in International Affairs with minors in French and International Human Rights and Security. She has a special interest of study in Human Rights and is passionate about advocating for those without a voice. She hopes to use her passion for outreach and community building to assist the mission of the Rankin Foundation, promoting and uplifting women and non-binary people's pursuit of education. 

Michele has been President of the Rankin Foundation since 2020. She served as the President of the Women’s College Coalition from 2015-2019. A history and political science graduate of Douglass College, with a Master’s degree in city and regional planning from Rutgers, Michele has more than 20 years of successful leadership experience with organizations focused on the empowerment and well-being of women and girls. She was recognized as one of FAST Company’s Extraordinary Women of 2013. Previously, she headed up the San Francisco-based membership organization Women’s Funding Network, a global network of women’s foundations with a membership of 166 women’s foundations in 27 countries. Before that, she served for over a decade as President and CEO of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. Prior to that, Michele served as a Program Director of the Division of Public Health for the GA Department of Human Resources and as a research associate for the Georgia School-Age Care Association.