Diana is a senior at the University of Georgia. She is majoring in International Affairs with a minor in Law and a certificate in Music Business. She strives to make a difference in local communities and plans to build a career that revolves around helping others. When not studying, she enjoys playing guitar and writing poetry.
Sara Sehhizadeh is a senior at the University of Georgia, pursuing a B. A. in International Affairs and a minor in Women’s Studies. In her extracurricular activities, she was awarded “Best Delegate” in the 2019 Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) in Atlanta and was placed in the top-three during the 2022 Virtual Policy Competition hosted by the UGA chapter of Georgia State Public Administration.
Sara has previous internship experience in journalism, politics, and non-profit work. This past summer, she studied abroad in London where she also interned for a non-profit called Age UK. Sara hopes to utilize the experience gained working at JRF to pursue a career in non-profit work, advocating for the national and international rights of women and the institutionally undeserved.
Nathalie is a sophomore at the University of Georgia studying Economics and International affairs. She is a values-based, results-driven student 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 JRF’s mission and advocate for women’s pursuit of education. In her free time, Nathalie enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring new places.
Maheen is a woman with a passion for storytelling and a sincere interest in the development of marginalized communities. With social media, podcasting, and journalistic experience, she’s eager to share the impact of JRF through various forms of media. Maheen is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, where she was a member of the Arch Society and an activist for reproductive rights and sexual violence prevention. She hopes to spend her career fighting for the rights and opportunities of women and queer folk, and finding innovative ways to build community along the way.
Ahwahnee Williams was born and raised on the Bishop Paiute Indian Reservation located in the beautiful Eastern Sierra mountains of California. She is a proud citizen of the Bishop Paiute Tribe. Ahwahnee is a mother of two teenage children who are enrolled citizens of the Blackfeet Nation from Browning Montana.
For many years she worked within her community on the Bishop Paiute Reservation in various administrative capacities. She has years of experience providing outreach and working with students from grade school to college. After working in this occupation she decided to go back to school to seek a degree. In 2018 she relocated to Pablo Montana to attend Salish Kootenai College (SKC.) SKC is a Tribal college in Northwestern Montana located on the homelands of the Confederated Tribes of the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’oreille people. She will be receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Tribal Historic Preservation.
While attending SKC she interned with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) in the Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) in Washington DC. After the internship she was hired for a nine month federal contract which was successfully completed in October 2022. Ahwahnee is excited to join the Rankin Foundation team and to advocate for Indian women in the state of Montana seeking undergraduate degrees.
JaShondra is a woman with a heart that is set out to serve others. As a native of Athens, GA, JaShondra has a passion to pour back into the community and serve those who are underserved. JaShondra is the definition of “Determined”. JaShondra lives by the saying “Delayed but not denied.” Although there were some unexpected twists and turns on her journey, she continues to beat the odds. JaShondra has a background in Business Administration and Human Resources Management. JaShondra holds an A.S. in Business Administration from Strayer University, B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Fort Valley State University, and a Masters in HR Management from Strayer University.
JaShondra is married to LaDerren, Sr. They have two sons, Jordan (14) & LaDerren, Jr. (LJ) (4), one daughter Lailaa (11), and a 6-year-old Yorkie, Jackson.
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 JRF STAR Party in 2017, she left thinking she would love to work with JRF.
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.
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.
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 JRF Scholar. Fate would have it that she now links her passion with JRF 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.
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 doubled 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.