Renita is the Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA Greater Green Bay. Prior to this post, Renita spent over 30 years serving women and children. Formerly licensed as a graduate social worker (LGSW), and 6-12th grade English and Social Studies teacher, Renita has developed effective programs and influenced policy related to services for youth and their families. She has been an advocate, educator and supporter for the homeless, and for victims of sexual and domestic violence across the life, gender and race span.

For over 20 years, Renita has developed curriculum, designed conferences and programs and conducted workshops and addressed a wide range of audiences as the owner of Teach ‘Em To Fish, LLC–a non-profit consulting business dedicated to curriculum development and training on a variety of social justice issues. During this time, Renita has developed effective programs and influenced policy related to services for youth and their families. She has been an advocate, educator, and supporter for victims of sexual and domestic violence across the life, gender, and race span.

Renita has served as:

* Senior Grant Specialist, State of Minnesota Department of Commerce

* Executive Director of the Committee Against Domestic Abuse, Inc., the largest provider of domestic and sexual violence services in southern Minnesota

* Director of the Duluth Family Visitation Center, a program of the world-renowned Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (DAIP)

* Adjunct Instructor at three Midwestern universities teaching a range of courses to undergraduate and graduate students in education and sociology

* Domestic Violence Cultural Liaison and Team Lead for Lincoln, Nebraska’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) “Keepers of The Flame” project

* Director of Domestic Violence Services, and the Family Shelter and Women’s Transitional Housing programs at the People’s City Mission, a 400+ bed homeless shelter, in Lincoln, Nebraska

* The Director of the Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Studies/Culture Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

She has completed all course work for a doctorate in teaching and learning at the University of Minnesota Duluth. As a highly sought-after presenter of tools to create culturally responsive work spaces, and the impact of witnessing violence on children, Renita’s vita lists over one hundred presentations, courses, and keynotes. Though honored as Teacher of the Year by the Anti-Defamation League in 1997, her favorite accomplishment is raising two compassionate sons.

Rev. Janice Hope Gorman

Was born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota. She is happily married to her best friend of 33 years, Dr. Paul Gorman. They are blessed with five children and six grandchildren. Rev. Gorman has a Bachelor of Science degree from MSU and she is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She was ordained by the National Interfaith Seminary and she is a Certified Oneness Blesser of Deeksha’ from the Oneness University of India. She is the Founder and the Director of the Hope Interfaith Center, which is 501(c)(3) Spiritual Wellness Center located in Mankato, Minnesota. The mission of the Hope Interfaith Center is to inspire all in Oneness to create a better world by empowering people to recognize and honor the Divine in self an all. “Hope” as many people call her, was given that name by one of her early teachers – Hope means “Help Open Planetary Eyes” which is the foundation of her work. Her vocation is mainly focused on spiritual teaching and mentoring to help people realize their own magnificence and personal power. She is passionate about the profound spiritual awakening, which is the hallmark of these times; that we are all ONE. Her teachings are universal in nature and do not represent the beliefs of any one religion or spiritual practice or movement.In addition to one-on-one spiritual counseling, she offers a yearlong leadership program for people who are called to become Ordained Interfaith Ministers. Hope was awarded the YWCA Woman of Distinction. This award recognizes prominent women in the Greater Mankato community who have lived the goals and mission of the YWCA, which are to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. She has begun a program called WOW- Women of Wisdom, dedicated to helping women to work together toward the greater good. She has played the role of activist all her life. Bringing people together to empower them and to give them a safe place to speak up and cultivate a connection with other woman that will be powerful. She understands the importance of healthy partnerships with woman. They stimulate her and encourage her to be her most powerful self!Hope also hosts The Pure Hope Show, which is broadcast monthly through an online radio network called the Blog Talk Radio. Her show includes interviews with healers and teachers from several different countries as well as from the local community. The live and archived episodes of the Pure Hope Show have accumulated over 50,000 listens since the program was launched in March 2013.Ten years ago, Hope started the “Peace Pass It On” Peace Pole Project. Peace poles have been planted in the Mankato area as well in France, Israel and Palestine. The Peace Poles promote peace and positivity to all who connect with them. Janice and the Hope Interfaith Center were awarded The Kessel Peace Institute’s Peace award. This Peace Award honors individuals and organizations in the community that promote social justice and peace. She is an incurable world traveler and has taken groups of people on pilgrimages to Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Mexico, Belize, Peru, France, Cuba and Hawaii.Hope is truly grateful for the opportunity to live each and every day doing her life’s work and she is deeply committed to continuing to do it with the same passion and dedication that she had when she first began. This “IGNITE Retreat” as well as her “IGNITE” 30 minute sessions are her latest endeavors to move people out of their old story and into the path of Joy, Sweetness and Happiness.