Who we are
In 1993, Fargo - Moorhead metro area leaders held several forums to identify community issues needing urgent attention. It was determined that the community needed to embrace its increasing ethnic diversity and assist diverse populations in overcoming barriers to community participation. Consequently, a cultural diversity project was established in 1994 with programs to increase understanding of the value of diversity, inclusiveness, develop a permanent system-wide framework aimed at celebrating the ever increasing cultures of the community and reduce racial, social and economic disparities.
A project development team was formed to develop the mission and long term goals; to coordinate involvement with key stakeholders in the community; and to seek funding for the project. Consequently, Cultural Diversity Resources (CDR) was incorporated in 1998, as a 501 © 3 tax exempt non-profit organization. CDR serves the Fargo/Moorhead metro area, Cass County in North Dakota, and Clay County in Minnesota.
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CDR serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA sponsor in 2021 for antipoverty, with programming in economic opportunity (employment and financial literacy) and education (tutoring and after-school activities)
Our wonderful staff
Yoke-Sim Gunaratne
Executive Director
Kristen Liebl
Fund Development Coordinator
Sifa Ntivu
Community Activities Coordinator
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Julia Schott
Communications Manager/ VISTA Member
Leena Po
Entrepreneurship Program Manager
Amanda Williams
Program Coordinator/ VISTA Member
Yoke-Sim Gunaratne
Yoke Sim has functioned as Executive Director Cultural Diversity Resources (CDR) since its inception in 1994. She has more than 27 years of knowledge and work experiences on nonprofit issues working with ‘Black, Indigenous & People of Color’ (BIPOC) population and diversity issues. Past work experiences include Community Development Officer at North Dakota State University and Refugee Resettlement Manager with Lutheran Social Services of ND. She has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree and a Master of Arts (Sociology). She provides diversity, equity and inclusion training and consultation to diverse organizations and businesses.
Executive Director
Kristen is CDR's Fund Development Coordinator, and serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member. Her role focuses on managing diversified funding strategies, and ensuring donor, sponsor and partner engagement for long term support. She actively pursues grant opportunities that align with CDR's mission.
Kristen earned a B.S in Dietetics from North Dakota State University, and is a registered Dietitian with a Certificate in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. Her achievements include being named North Dakota's Outstanding Young Dietitian in 2011.
Kristen previously served as a Nutrition Education Agent for NDSU Extension Services, Community Dietitian at Sanford Health in Fargo, and Project Coordinator for the Impact Foundation where she focused on a SAMHSA Grant aimed at strengthening community connections and reducing substance abuse. In these roles, she conducted outreach, developed community health programs and supported grant initiatives.
Kristen volunteers as a Board Member for Heart-n-Soul Community Café, serves as Vice Coordinator for American Heritage Girls Troop ND2711, and is involved in her church and children's school.
Kristen resides in West Fargo with her husband Greg and their four children. She is passionate about Holistic Health, addressing food insecurity, and believes in the power of community collaboration to achieve impactful change.
Kristen Liebl
Fund Development Coordinator
Julia is CDR's Communications Manager since January 2021.
From the Dominican Republic, she has more than 10 years experience as a teacher in her home country, and over 6 years experience as a Spanish Interpreter in the FM area, working for several agencies including Lutheran Social Services of ND, working in hospitals, schools and the court system, along with being a translator for different businesses. She's also an alumni of the Minnesota Young American Leaders Program.
Julia's background is in the Arts, with a degree in Design with a minor in Photography, but she's always enjoyed working in PR the best.
She's responsible for the upkeep and design of their web and mobile sites, Social Media communications, and any other design related work. One of her passions is to tell others about the wonderful work these wonderful people do every day.
She's also a board member for Kondial Kel International, a non profit focused on bettering the lives of women through education and community related activities, and Vice-president of CASA (Cultura-Amigos-Salud-Ambiente), a new non-profit from Latin@s and for Latin@s, which focuses on helping and fostering communication among the people in this area that come from all countries in Latin America.
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Julia Schott
Communications Manager
Leena, our Entrepreneurship Program Manager, started on August 2022 at Cultural Diversity Resources. She's passionate about helping small business owners grow and succeed to reach their next level.
Past work experiences include Food Operations Manager at the Athletic Village Dining Center for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, the 2012 Asian Games, MSUM, Bemidji State University and the University of Jamestown.
Leena graduated at Winona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She has more than 20 years of business operations and management experience.
She also volunteers at the VA Hospital and the Heart & Soul Community Café.
Leena Po
Entrepreneurship Program Manager
Amanda is our Programs Coordinator, and also serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member. Her role focuses on increasing capacity building efforts and assisting with the operational and financial aspects. She is responsible for positioning the organization and its' partners for long term sustainability, as well as increasing ethnic community engagement.
Amanda holds a Cum Laude Bachelor of Social Work degree and intends to complete a Master's program, with a concentration in Social Change and Leadership. She plans to continue cultivating her professional expertise by building highly proficient project management, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Amanda has had experience working in direct client services, employee relations management, and executive administration, just to name a few sectors. She is passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and empowering disadvantaged communities.
Solution, goal and team orientated, she values, organization, strategic planning, and effective collaboration.
Amanda Williams
Programs Coordinator
Board Members
Joe Parise
Attorney, District Public Defender, retired
Kavitha Gundala
Tax Credit Property Manager
Dianne Briggs
Librarian, retired
Jennie Thoreson
Executive Director, Daughters-of-the Earth nonprofit
Lynn Fundingsland
Past executive Director, Fargo Housing & Urban Development, retired
Samina Zaidi
Community Volunteer