Agency Information

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance works to dismantle barriers to ensure people of all ethnic backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the life of the community.

Influenced by national dialogue and research on racial equity, LEDA forms a bridge between formal and informal leaders and individuals throughout our community and region. This model establishes credibility, expertise, and accountability; increases visibility and awareness; and fosters defined, sustainable initiatives and outcomes.

Today LEDA represents a broad cross-section of interests and cultures. Hundreds of volunteers and a growing staff work on initiatives throughout the region, alongside dozens of area CEOs and stakeholders engaged in moving forward a vision of racial equity. To view our extensive media archive, click here...

Staff
Executive Staff
Latoya Booker, Executive Director

Program Staff
Alfredo Hernandez, Program Director
Alice Jasper, Associate Program Director
Eunice Ruiz, Migrant Programs Associate

Administrative/Operations Staff
Patricia Strachan, Administrative Associate
Kris Hunter, Accountant/Operations
Jared Leys, Marketing Manager


Board of Directors
Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani, Chairperson

Abraham Gonzales, Vice Chair
Law Office of Abraham Gonzales

Heather C. Gluszewski, Treasurer
Haworth

Melissa Freye, Secretary
Community Foundation for Muskegon County

Amy Otis-De Grau, Ex Officio
Hope College

Nancy Haynes
Fair Housing Center of West Michigan

Sarah Howard
Pinsky, Smith, Fayette & Kennedy

Simone Jonaitis
Grand Valley State University

Reyna Masko
Ottawa County

Kelly Richards
Muskegon Area District Library

Diane Taylor
Herman Miller

 Quincy Williams
Grand Valley State University
Advisory Council
The CEO Advisory Council, comprised of chief executives and community leaders, helps establish leadership consensus regarding key priorities, action strategies and performance measures that will have the greatest impact on achieving community and organization cultures that are genuinely welcoming and inclusive to all.

James W.F. Brooks, Council Chair

Managing Partner, Brooks Capital Management

Franco Bianchi
President/CEO, Haworth, Inc.

Jud Bradford
Chairman, Bradford Paper Company

Leslie Brown
Chairman, Metal Flow Corp.

Tony Castillo
Owner, Milagro Six, Inc

Noel Cuellar
CEO, Primera Plastics

William Fettis
Partner, Investment Property Associates

Mike Goorhouse
President/CEO, Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Thomas Haas, Ph.D
President, Grand Valley State University

Scott Huizenga
Partner, Varnum Law

Nelson Jacobson
President/CEO, JSJ Corporation

Dorothy A. Johnson
President Emeritus, Council of Michigan Foundations

Holly Johnson
President, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation

Rodney Martin
Diversity Partner, Warner, Norcross & Judd

Dale Nesbary, Ph.D
President, Muskegon Community College

Mat Nguyen
President, Worksighted

Jeffrey Padnos
President, Louis Padnos Iron & Metal

Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D
President, Davenport University

Dale Sowders
President/CEO, Holland Hospital

Alan G. Vanderberg
County Administrator, Ottawa County

Brian Walker
President/CEO, Herman Miller