Carmen DeRusha

Carmen E. DeRusha is an Extension Educator in the area of Economic and Community Development at the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service in Marion County. Carmen is originally from Colombia and moved to the United States in 1986. Carmen has a bachelor’s degree in Educational psychology and administration and a master’s degree in education and social development. Carmen is a certified Diversity Practitioner, by the National Training Laboratory. During her career Carmen has worked successfully building capacity to promote neighborhood development, providing educational opportunities to enhance leadership and organizational development, developing and providing educational programs in the areas of diversity and cultural competency. Her bilingual and bicultural skills provide Carmen the opportunity to offer services in English and Spanish, primarily in Marion County as well as across the State of Indiana. Carmen believes very strongly in the power of people working together towards a shared vision and inspired by the desire to serve. In 2002, Carmen received the Indiana Extension Educators Association Innovator Award for Leadership and Community Development. She has also received a Cultural Vision Award from NUVO news weekly, the Hispanic-American Service Award from the Hispanic Education Center and the “Paul B. Crooks Award” from Purdue University Extension Service.

Extension Educator
Purdue Extension – Marion County
6640 Intech Blvd., Suite 120
Indianapolis, IN 46278
317/275-9305
Email:cderusha@purdue.edu

Juana O. Watson

Dr. Juana O. Watson is Professor of Latino Affairs with the Graduate Theological Foundation, as well as an adjunct at Marian University. She has founded two Latino/Hispanic community centers and the non-profit organization Badges Without Borders (Placas Sin Fronteras) which provides public safety personnel with education in the Spanish language and cultural and diversity training in order to increase the quality of service to communities in Indiana. She also founded Friends of Hidalgo, a not for profit organization that helps the village where she was born. Dr. Watson is a co-founder of the Indiana Diversity Women's Network, a not for profit organization. In 2008, she earned the Doctor of Education from the Graduate Theological Foundation. In 2009 Dr. Watson was recognized by the Indiana Women’s Commission as one of six outstanding women in Indiana. Dr. Watson presently serves as Vice President of Eye2theWorld, Inc., in Goshen. She directs the organization’s Michiana Office for Multi Ethnic and International Affairs.

Private Consultant
(812) 343-3725
juanawatson@sbcglobal.net

Caterina Cregor Blitzer

Administrator for the Indiana Department of Education, Caterina Blitzer served as the state’s first Director of International Education from 2006 through 2009. She is a graduate of Indiana University in French, Italian and German and has a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in Comparative Literature and Linguistics. Leadership roles include the International Center of Indianapolis, from 1995 through 2006, and service in the public and private sector in international education, trade and economic development. She was awarded the Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award, Sagamore of the Wabash and National Network for Early Language Learning Advocate Award. She serves on the Board of Visitors of the Butler University College of Education, the Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies at Marian University, the Immigrant Welcome Center and the Tourism Tomorrow Board of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association.

Director G.E.D. Programs
Indiana Department of Education
Room 229, State House
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-234-2475
317-234-1328
Email:cblitzer@doe.state.in.us

Joe Rueff

Joseph Rueff has been associated with education in various degrees for more than 50 years. Joe graduated from DePauw University with majors in American History and Political Science, and received a comprehensive secondary school teaching certificate in social studies. He went on to receive a master’s degree from Indiana University in School Administration. He taught social studies at North Side Junior High School in Elkhart for 11 years, chairing the department for one year before leaving to coordinate a special program in social science research with Purdue University. Joe has also taught and coordinated economics programs for teachers with the Indiana Council for Economic Education at Purdue, has been an adjunct instructor in the School of Education at Indiana University South Bend, and since retiring in 1990, started four non-profits devoted to education. He founded and is President of Eye2theWorld, a non-profit corporation whose mission is to help persons become aware of and meet the challenges of our global community.

President
Eye2theWorld
1725 Juniper Place # 303
Goshen, IN 46526
574-238-3572 (cell)
jrueff@eye2theworld.net

Kanwal Prakash Singh

Born in India, Kanwal Prakash (KP) Singh came to the United States in 1965 for higher studies and has made Indianapolis his home since 1967. KP was educated in India and received a B.A. from Punjab University, Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Technology in Regional Planning from The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and Master’s of City Planning from the University of Michigan. KP has been a tireless advocate and supporter of historic preservation, cultural diversity and the importance of arts to life and human spirit. KP considers community service as a major focus and commitment of his Sikh faith and as a civic responsibility. KP is a Founding Member of The International Center of Indianapolis and presently serves as a board member of The Asian American Alliance; Advisory Board of The Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young Persons and Butler Center on Faith and Vocation, Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network and many interfaith initiatives and presentations. KP is a recipient of many awards and honors. Some include the Daverman Award in Architecture (University of Michigan -1965); Sagamore of the Wabash (State of Indiana -1992); International Citizen of the Year (International Center of Indianapolis - 1995); and KP was nominated for The Sarah Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award (United Way of Central Indiana - 2008); Men of Distinction (Indiana Minority Business Magazine - 2008).

KP Singh Designs/Asian American Alliance/Sikh Community
7832 Susan Drive-South
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317-849-7340
317-578-4780
kpsinghdesigns@lycos.com

Ralph Taylor

Ralph is an International Resource Advisor consultant, partnering with local organizations as well as newcomer communities in Indianapolis to create a more welcoming environment for Indianapolis’ growing international community. He was recognized in July 2009 by the Chin Community of Indiana for his outstanding service and is one of the few people in Indianapolis who has established ongoing relationships with the Asian, African, West Indian, Middle East, Eastern & Central European and American Indian communities. Ralph previously worked for the Mayor’s Office (Indianapolis) of International & Cultural Affairs, where he has been a grants officer for the Central Indiana Community Foundation, director of community service for The Indiana Youth Institute, recreation administrator for Indy Parks, Extension Educator for the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and a teacher for Indianapolis Public Schools. Community and professional activities include President of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, color analyst for Purdue Men’s basketball, Treasurer of the American Indian Center of Indiana, Treasurer of the Asian American Alliance of Indiana, Immigrant Welcome Center Board, United Way of Central Indiana Committee on Diversity, IPS Education Foundation Board, Advisor for the Chin Refugee Community and 2010 Indiana MultiEthnic Conference Planning Committee.

International Resource Advisor
3737 N. Meridian Street, suite 507
Indianapolis, IN. 46204
317-927-9777
317-684-0943
rtaylor@africancommunity.net

Jessica Moore

Jessica Moore earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from DePauw University and a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Indianapolis. Moore currently works as an Immigrant Outreach Specialist for the Indianapolis - Marion County Public Library. Jessica works to improve access to library resources for immigrants and refugees by developing programs and events to celebrate the city's growing diverse population. She is a member of the Indianapolis Chapter of the League of Women voters and encourages civic engagement and voter registration among new citizens. In March 2009, she became the recipient of the Indiana Commission for Women's 2009 Young Woman of Promise Torchbearers Award.

Immigrant Outreach Specialist
Indianapolis - Marion County Public Library
jmoore@imcpl.org
(317) 275-4088

Ansuyah Naiken

Ansuyah Naiken was born and educated in South Africa, where she taught high school science before immigrating to the United States in 1999. Ansuyah joined the International Center in September 2005. Currently Ansuyah manages the Community Orientation Program for Expatriates, which assists newly arrived families in the transition from their home country to the United States. She also develops and facilitates cross cultural training workshops for businesses, service providers, educational institutions and community organizations to increase knowledge, skills and understanding throughout the community so that we may live and work more effectively with diversity at home and with clients in the global environment.

Manager Community Orientation Program for Expatriates
International Center of Indianapolis
23 E. Washington Street, Suite 1625
Indianapolis, IN. 46204
317-955-5150 ext 226
Email: anaiken@interindy.org

Erin Kelley

Erin Kelley completed her master’s degree in public history from IUPUI and previously served as the Education Director for the Indiana Medical History Museum. She currently serves as the Public Programs Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society. Among the projects she manages at IHS is the Indiana Town Hall Series – a program series that tackles contemporary issues by using history to appreciate the past, understand the present and creatively envision the future. In 2008, the series examined America’s ongoing immigration debate. Erin is also the project manager for the History Lab component of the Indiana Experience. An active community member, Kelley’s volunteer work includes serving as President of the League of Women Voters of Indianapolis.

Public Programs Coordinator
Indiana Historical Society
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
450 W. Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317/234-3161
317/234-0427
ekelley@indianahistory.org

Verónica Arauz

Verónica Arauz was born in Managua, Nicaragua. Her parents migrated to Miami, FL in the mid 1980s where she was raised. In 2002 she moved to Indianapolis, IN and began her search for a company “where she belonged” after many years in the insurance industry. Finally in April 2006, Verónica was given the opportunity to enter into the field she always wanted, Human Resources, and better yet, Employee and Organization Development (EOD) with Goodwill. In September 2008, Verónica became the Talent Strategy Specialist focusing on the front-end of the hiring process. As a recruiter, she has learned that networking is an essential part of any successful career and Verónica can’t wait to share her network with you.

Talent Strategy Specialist
Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Inc.
1635 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222
317-524-4249
317-524-4398
Email:varauz@goodwillinduy.org
www.goodwillindy.org

Catherine O'Connor

Catherine O’Connor holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University. Her career in public service spanned the terms of four governors. She served as executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and later as policy director for public safety for Governors Frank O’Bannon and Joseph Kernan. Catherine has participated on a variety of boards and commissions including serving as chairman of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Board of Trustees and the Indiana Sentencing Policy Commission. She also has served as a member of the Indiana Juvenile Law Study Commission, the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council, the Indiana Supreme Court Judicial Technology and Automation Advisory Commission, the Indiana Juvenile Code and Youth Gang Study Commission and as an advisor member of the Indiana Coroners Training board.

Vice-president
Indiana Humanities Council
1500 N. Delaware St.; Toll Free 800/675-8897
www.indianahumanities.org
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317/638-1500
317/634-9503
Email:coconnor@indianahumanities.org

Susan S. Boyle

Susan Boyle is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her public service career began with Indian River Community College, Fort Pierce, Florida in 1974, where she served students in the Registrar’s, Student Services and Financial Aid offices. From 1994 through 2004, Susan served the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs overseeing and approving post-secondary institutions including degree and technical programs for veterans and other eligible persons seeking to utilize the GI Bill for their education. At the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Susan was a technical mentor and served as a trainer for the State Approving Agency of Puerto Rico, conducting post-reviews of changes made to the Code of Federal Regulations. Boyle became the State Refugee Coordinator for the Family and Social Services Administration on October 20, 2008.

Refugee Resettlement Coordinator
In. Family & Social Services Admin. Division of Family Resources
402 W. Washington St.
P.O. Box 7083
Indianapolis, IN 46207
317/233-0827
Email:susan.boyle@fssa.in.gov

Jimena Cabello-Salazar

Jimena Cabello-Salazar is originally from Monterrey, México. Jimena holds a B.A. in Organizational Psychology and is pursuing her M.S. in Adult Education at Indiana University. In addition, she is working towards a Certificate in non-profit management through the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI. Jimena has been involved with the Indiana MultiEthnic Conference committee since 2008. Her full time responsibilities lie as the Talent Strategy Manager with Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Inc, where she works with a team of experts to create and implement processes and tools that help the organization develop through its employees. Jimena and her husband, Arturo, have lived in downtown Indianapolis since 2007.

Talent Strategy Manager
Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Inc.
1635 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222-3899
Phone: 317-524-4292
Fax: 317-524-4398
E-mail: jcabellos@goodwillindy.org
Website: www.goodwill-indy.org

Devina Jani

Devina Jani received her Master of Social Work in December 2005 from Indiana University at Indianapolis. She has been employed with Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Inc. since November 2007. Here she serves as the Central Region Minority Health Field Consultant. Devina has experience facilitating training sessions, as well as working with youth and adults that struggle with child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and education systems.

Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Inc
3737 N. Meridian St, Ste. 300
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-920-4915
317-926-4012 (fax)
d.jani@imhc.org

Lydia Armstrong

Lydia Armstrong is currently the Development Officer for Purdue Extension-Marion County. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Business from Anderson University. She has been involved in fundraising and development for over ten years. She facilitates grant writing workshops as well as reviews grants for organizations. She is also active within her community and church assisting with chairing and co-chairing special events. She enjoys songwriting and singing. She continues to sing at local churches as well is a Festival Singer for Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis) and a former Indianapolis Opera Chorus member.

Purdue Extension – Marion County
6640 Intech Blvd
Indianapolis, IN. 46278
317-275-9274
317-275-9309
Email:lbootz@purdue.edu