Leadership Circle

Midwest Regional Representative
Cyneatha Millsaps
Cyneatha is a wife, mother, grandmother, pastor, community advocate, quilter, and golfer - just to name a few - who lives in Elkhart, IN. Cyneatha was drawn to MW USA because of its history and the power it exemplified of women making a way out of no way. She is passionate about women’s voices and seeks to make sure all women regardless of age, race, socio-economic class, or education are heard and treated with the same level of respect.

Rhoda Keener is the Sister Care Director for Mennonite Women USA. She has also worked as a psychotherapist and a university psychology instructor. Rhoda has long believed that the church can be a place of healing and hope. She is an active member of Hebron Mennonite Church. She and her husband Bob live in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and are the parents of three adult children and have four grandsons.

Administrative Assistant &
Graphic Designer
Suzanne Ayer Lay
Suzanne named her two young daughters after their foremothers and they can often be found reading together. She learned knitting from her mom who leaerned it from her mom and she loves dancing like her paternal grandmother. Suzanne joined Mennonite Women for the chance to walk with women, learn from them and facilitate their learning from each other. She hopes she can contribute as much as she receives furthering this vital ministry that engages the prophetic voice of women to see God more fully and make God's kingdom more real.

East Coast
Regional Representative
Brooke Natalie Oyana
Brooke lives in Philadelphia, PA and serves as MWUSA's East Coast Regional Representative.
She's a super-duper Mennonite--as ethnically Mennonite as one can get! She was a Bible and religion major at Goshen College, and loves doing theology. Being part of Mennonite Women USA fits her perfectly since she's both Mennonite and feminist, and she loves doing God's busy work. She and her husband have two young children.

Southwest Regional Representative
Erica Lea-Simka
Erica [she/her] is a pastor[a], wifey, advocate, writer, furmom, homechef, peacebuilder, herbivore, spoonie, nun-groupie, feminist, and powerwalker. She has served as Pastor of Albuquerque Mennonite Church since 2017, previously serving mostly Baptist congregations. She is excited to serve MW USA because she believes a community of empowered women is unstoppable in our collective quest for peacebuilding and equity. Lord, send a revival and let it begin with women!

Northwest Regional Representative
Nelly Ascencio
Nelly is an active member of Ministerios Restauración, in Portland, OR. She is very involved at her church and has a strong leadership. She has been moderator of Concilio De Iglesias Anabautista del Noroeste-CIHAN and has volunteered with MCC for four years. Nelly feels it is a privilege to be a part of this ministry (MW USA) and also feels blessed, being a part of this amazing leadership and working with talented, wonderful women

Trustee
Yvonne Diaz
Yvonne Diaz is a trustee for Mennonite Women USA. Although she worked in engineering for a number of years, the last 25 years were devoted to working for various Anabaptist-related agencies. She is a member of Comunidad de Vida congregation. She and her husband currently live in Terlingua, Texas near the Mexican border and own a construction company. They are the parents of 5 adult children and have 6 grandsons and 3 great-grandsons.

Trustee
Marlene McKitrick
After living for many years in Colorado and New Mexico, Marlene and her husband recently moved to Texas. She has worked as a therapeutic foster parent and in early child education. Marlene has 4 adult children and 5 grand children. Since moving to Texas, Marlene has been volunteering with asylum seekers at San Antonio Mennonite church and attending Austin Mennonite church. She’s been exploring the connections between nature and our present day stress and continues to support our young children.
