national coalition building institute board of directors
The National Coalition Building Institute’s Board of Directors represents decades of collective experience in social justice, community organizing, diversity and inclusion, and transformative leadership. Our board members are dedicated professionals committed to building coalitions and fostering meaningful change across sectors and communities worldwide. Together, they guide NCBI’s mission to train activists and leaders in the skills necessary to end the divisions that separate people.
Cherie Brown
Founder & CEO
Cherie Brown has had a lifetime commitment to doing social justice work. She founded NCBI in 1984 with a goal of training activists and leaders worldwide in coalition building skills necessary to end divisions that separate people. Ms. Brown has an M.Ed in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University. Over the last forty-one years, in partnership with many NCBI Leaders, Cherie has built NCBI into one of the leading grassroots training organizations teaching skills in coalition building—with chapters or Affiliate teams in dozens of communities worldwide. Cherie has been co-creator of the NCBI program: a Coalition Building Approach to Taking on Antisemitism on Campus and co-creator of the newest NCBI campus program: Stepping into the Divide. Cherie is also author of several publications including: Leading Diverse Communities: A How To Guide for Moving from Healing into Action (1997); Working it Out: Blacks and Jews on the College Campus, produced by American Jewish Committee (1985); and The Art of Coalition Building: A Guide for Community Leaders, published by American Jewish Committee (1984).
Sue Parris
President, Board of Directors
Director, White Race Identity Affinity Group
Sue Parris is President of the NCBI International Board of Directors and Director of NCBI’s White Race Identity Affinity Group. For more than 30 years she has assisted government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations throughout the U.S. with inclusion and organizational development. She has conducted work environment assessments, training, team-building and conflict resolution. Sue particularly enjoys working with nonprofit, community-based organizations and finding coalition opportunities. She has been adjunct faculty for Golden Gate University and Antioch College, and a certified trainer for California Board of Corrections staff. She served on California State University Monterey Bay College of Health Sciences and Human Services External Leadership Council. As a volunteer, Sue serves on the leadership of Coalition for Asian Justice, on committees for the NAACP, and as co-facilitator for COLIBRI racial equity project. She co-founded Whites for Racial Equity in Monterey County and serves on its Steering Committee presently.
Deborah Terry-Hays, MSW, MHD
Vice President, Board of Directors
Leader, Women’s Affinity Group
Deborah Terry-Hays serves as Vice President of the Board and leads the NCBI Women’s Affinity Group. With nearly 40 years of experience in education, human development, social work, and activism, Deborah is an accomplished international trainer, consultant, and facilitator. She previously directed NCBI Seattle Chapter and Western Region, partnering with Seattle Police Department, universities, Girl Scouts, and nonprofits throughout Washington State, Oregon, and California. After serving as Senior Director of Organizational Development at Sound Generations and teaching at University of Washington’s School of Social Work, Deborah now channels her leadership and communication skills to address challenges in her local California community. Her commitment to community engagement includes serving on Seattle Women’s Commission, being board member of African American Jewish Coalition for Justice, and participating in Black Women’s Alliance. Outside professional life, Deborah enjoys spending time with extended family, writing, and perfecting ballroom dancing skills.
Ira Baumgarten
Immediate Past President, Board of Directors
Director, NCBI School Programs K-12
Director, Albany, NY Chapter
Ira Baumgarten has been with NCBI since 1995. He’s a Senior Consultant and National Coordinator for NCBI’s school-based diversity and leadership programs and coordinates the NCBI Chapter in Albany, New York. Most recently Ira has been combining NCBI training with area high school theatre programs to create youth-written and performed stories that highlight overcoming prejudice and building strong relationships across diverse cultural groups. Prior to becoming an NCBI consultant, Ira worked for over twenty-five years administering education and training programs for Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA) and United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Company. At CSEA he was responsible for negotiation and administration of educational benefits for CSEA-State represented workforce. In that capacity Ira was instrumental in bringing diversity training to New York State agencies to assist state workers serving an increasingly diverse population. Ira has a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Oneonta and Master’s Degree in Adult Education from Syracuse University.
Joyce Shabazz
Director, NCBI Affinity Group Work | Director, Black African Heritage Affinity Group
Campus Steering Committee Member – Thetford Center, VT
Joyce Shabazz is an accomplished social justice entrepreneur, mediator, facilitator, educator, and coach with over five decades of experience. Ms. Shabazz is the founder of Evolution LLC a consulting practice that works with individuals and organizations addressing challenges to the relational dynamics of race in organizations and leadership. She works to reframe leadership and relationships, based in humanity and empathy. Her analysis and understanding of affinity as a pathway to transformation is groundbreaking. Through her consulting practice, Ms. Shabazz has provided coaching and strategic planning support to organizations and community/business leaders in the United States, Canada, England. Switzerland, South Africa and Brazil. Ms. Shabazz partners with NCBI as a consulting associate to the CEO, Primary Trainer, Member of the Board of Directors.
Guillermo Lopez, Jr.
Board Member Director, LatinX Affinity Group
Co-Director, Law Enforcement & Community Trust Building Program
A first-generation mainland born Puerto Rican from Bethlehem, PA, Guillermo Lopez, Jr. has dedicated over 30 years to fostering leadership and facilitating positive change. His extensive experience in building trust and collaboration within diverse communities has led him to train and consult with numerous organizations, including universities, police departments, and school districts across the US and internationally. Guillermo has trained over 1,400 police officers and consulted with 12 police departments. He was a delegate to the 2001 United Nations World Conference on Ending Racism and is founding member and Leadership Committee co-chair of Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley. He co-designed the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation CORE Fellowship Program and is former Executive Director of Casa Guadalupe of the Lehigh Valley. In 2021 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award – Golden Latin Awards of the Lehigh Valley. He is Senior Advisor to Marcon Justice Institute Lehigh University and Chair of Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley.
Andi Geu
Board Member
Co-Managing Director, NCBI Switzerland Section Head
Vice President, DOK
Andi Geu, from Bern, has been working for NCBI Switzerland since 1998. He studied philosophy, sociology and religious studies at the University of Bern and has been working full-time for NCBI since 2003. He is co-managing director of NCBI Switzerland and represents NCBI on the board of NCBI International. He also heads the Bern section and is Vice President of the umbrella organization for open work with children in the city of Bern, DOK. With over two decades of experience in coalition building and community development, Andi has been instrumental in expanding NCBI’s reach throughout Switzerland and strengthening international partnerships. His work focuses on creating inclusive communities and fostering dialogue across diverse groups. Andi’s leadership combines academic insight with practical community engagement, making him a valued member of both the Swiss and international NCBI leadership teams. His commitment to social justice and intercultural understanding continues to shape NCBI’s work throughout Europe.
Stephanie Low
Board Member, Executive Committee Leader, Jewish Affinity Group
Stephanie Low is an educator, facilitator and leader who focuses on creating inclusive environments in work settings, schools, and communities. As a youth advocate Stephanie worked with students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members to address issues such as acceptance, reducing violence and working through issues that polarize individuals and groups. Stephanie has been working with National Coalition Building Institute as a senior consultant and trainer, leader of Jewish affinity work and as a member of the executive committee of the NCBI Board of Directors. As International Jewish Affinity Leader, Stephanie has designed and led programs on college campuses to increase understanding of the impact of anti-Jewish oppression on Jews and to build alliances and coalitions across all groups. Her work emphasizes creating safe spaces for difficult conversations and building bridges between diverse communities. Stephanie’s leadership in Jewish affinity work has been instrumental in developing NCBI’s approach to addressing antisemitism while maintaining strong coalitions with other marginalized communities worldwide.
Dr. Lori Miyo Ideta
Board Member
After nearly a 32-year career in higher education administration, Dr. Lori Miyo Ideta recently retired as Vice Provost for Student Success at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Dr. Ideta is also a tenured Faculty Specialist and graduate faculty of University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, where she teaches courses and serves in guiding master’s and doctoral students through their graduate programs. Dr. Ideta also served as co-coordinator of the EdD in Professional Practice Program. She received her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Higher Education Administration, with a focus on student affairs administration, from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Dr. Ideta holds regional, national, and international positions with National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE). As an internationally trained facilitator, Dr. Ideta has conducted diversity, social justice, conflict resolution, and leadership development workshops in Hawaiʻi, on continental United States, and in Europe. Dr. Ideta is a proud product of Hawaiʻi’s public school system (Go Nā Aliʻi!) and is a first-generation college attendee.
Phyllis Alexander
Board member
Phyllis Alexander has been a champion for social justice for several decades and civil rights professional for over twenty years working for both corporate America and city government. Phyllis is an experienced coalition builder and trainer and credits her skills to her 30-year plus affiliation with National Coalition Building Institute. Phyllis has had several roles with NCBI including senior trainer and President of the NCBI Board of Directors from 2012-2017. Phyllis has a Bachelor of Science in Economics and later received a Master of Science in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. After retiring from the City of Allentown, PA, Phyllis leaned even more into the work that supports freedom and liberty. As a consultant, Phyllis works primarily with non-profits, supporting their efforts to center justice in their work and within their communities. A former resident of Allentown, PA, Phyllis has been recognized for her community service, receiving several awards. Most recently in 2024, Phyllis received the inaugural Phyllis Gail Peaches Alexander award for her leadership and community service. Phyllis has two daughters.
Idella Goodson Glenn, Ph.D., CDE
Board Member
Dr. Idella Goodson Glenn brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education and over 25 years of deep expertise in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB). She most recently served as Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact at University of Southern Maine (USM), where she led institutional efforts to foster a more inclusive and equitable campus environment. Prior to her role at USM, Dr. Glenn held prominent DEI leadership positions, including Special Advisor on Inclusivity and Diversity at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, and Director of Diversity Education and Retention Initiatives at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She also spent a significant portion of her career at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, culminating in her role as Assistant Vice President for Student Development and Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion. A long-standing leader within NCBI, Dr. Glenn has served on its Board of Directors since 2011.
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