Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Joanna Lohman is a global keynote speaker who is building a new generation of authentic leaders who redefine success. She is a former professional soccer player and member of the United States Women's National Team. During her 16-year professional career, Joanna built a platform for social impact and became the first player in Washington Spirit history to have her jersey retired. She is the author of "Raising Tomorrow's Champions," an extraordinary parenting and life lessons book told through the eyes of the greatest women's soccer players of all time.

She attended Pennsylvania State University on a full athletic scholarship and became one of the most decorated players in the school’s history. With her trademark blonde mohawk, multi-hyphenated existence, and her own experience with injury, defeat, and setback, Joanna strives to live an unabashedly authentic life based on deep-rooted acceptance and helping others discover comfort in their own skin.  

As a human rights activist and sports diplomat traveling the world running programs in less developed nations, Joanna now takes on her greatest adventure yet as wife to Melodie and parent to Luna.

Kern Michael Jackson is the African American Studies Program Director and an Assistant Professor of English at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Jackson, the former curator of minority history for the Museum of Mobile, was the project coordinator for the City of Mobile's Tri-centennial Celebration Video Oral History Project. He holds a doctorate in Folklore from Indiana University-Bloomington and a Masters's degree in African American Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. An active lecturer in the areas of oral history, material culture, and literary folkloristics, Dr. Jackson is the co-writer and co-producer of the award-winning international documentary Descendant and is currently working on a book tentatively entitled, Listening to the Wise Ones: Personal Narrative as a Window into Traditional Black Neighborhoods in Mobile, AL.

Sara Brenner, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation in Greater Washington, D.C. (part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington), is a thought leader, talented strategic thinker, skilled community builder, and multi-faceted social entrepreneur. Having to manage $300 million in assets, Ms. Brenner advances her organization’s philanthropic practices and partnerships while building communities of learning and funding to accelerate impact to advance systematic change. Additionally, she partners with philanthropists to advance their goals; and invests their resources, talents, and expertise in the Jewish community and broader world to advance an equitable and just society where all people have the opportunity to thrive.

In addition to her role at the Jewish Community Foundation, Ms. Brenner serves as an executive coach, orator, and writer on topics that relate to transformational change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and how to drive social change in the areas of wealth building and financial inclusivity and sustainability; workforce development; affordable housing; health equity and access; and advancing democracy.   

As a community leader and social service professional, Ms. Brenner has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Gesher Jewish Day School, Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association, and the D.C. Chapter of After School All-Stars. When she’s not leading or serving her community, this University of Wisconsin-Madison and Georgetown University graduate is an avid swimmer and Pilates enthusiast who enjoys traveling, writing poetry, and learning about different cultures.