Leadership Circle
Cyneatha, Executive Director + Midwest Regional Rep
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.
Suzanne, Communications Director
Suzanne named her two young daughters after their foremothers and they can often be found reading or biking together. She learned knitting from her mom who learned it from her mom and she loves dancing like her paternal grandmother. Suzanne got involved with MW USA 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 come ever closer to realizing God's loving and peaceful imagination.
Nelly, Northwest Regional Rep
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.
Erica, Southwest Regional Rep
Erica [she/her] is a pastor[a], wifey, amma, advocate, writer, furmom, homechef, peacebuilder, herbivore, bookworm, spoonie, nun-groupie, eco-feminist, and powerwalker. She has served as Pastor of Albuquerque Mennonite Church since 2017, previously serving mostly Baptist congregations. Erica makes her home with her interfaith family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 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!
Dana, East Coast Regional Rep
Dana Cassell is a former Church of the Brethren pastor and denominational staff member. These days, she works as a freelance writer bringing the ancient wisdom of scripture to bear on our current chaos. She lives in her beloved Blue Ridge mountains of Southwest Virginia with her tiny chihuahua, Franny. Dana is excited to join the good work of Mennonite Women, and hopes that MW USA can be a resource for women to nurture their faith, strengthen their relationships and open their hearts to the work of the Spirit swirling among us. You can read Dana's weekly writing about scripture, books and life at danacassell.substack.com.
Yvonne, Trustee
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.
Marlene, Trustee
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.
Brooke, Trustee
Brooke lives in Philadelphia, PA. She shares invaluable institutional knowledge, having served MW USA as Adminstrative Assistant for over five years. She is now a Trustee. Brook is 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 being part of God’s work. She and her husband have two young children.
