meet our board

GUIDED BY VISION.

ROOTED IN COMMUNITY.

CAMELEA MENDOZA

Camelea is the Chief of Staff to the CEO at North End Teleservices and a strategic architect of operational excellence. Her professional journey—ascending from an entry-level administrative assistant to a trusted executive advisor—serves as a powerful blueprint for the next generation of Black women leaders. With over a decade of experience, Camelea specializes in synthesizing complex information and aligning strategic priorities to amplify organizational impact. A passionate advocate for mentorship and diversity, she is dedicated to proving that executive leadership is accessible to those who lead with compassion, integrity, and excellence. Having been mentored into leadership herself, she now champions the professional development of minority women, advocating for systemic access to the C-suite.

JOANNA LEFLORE-EJIKE

JoAnna offers a thoughtful approach to  historic preservation with more than 15 years of leadership in nonprofit administration, cultural arts programming and community development. She is the Executive Director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation since 2022 and after volunteering there for 10 years prior. She is the 2025 USA Today's Woman of the Year (for Nebraska) and a 2025 Urban League of Nebraska African American Leadership Awardee. She believes in empowering those who are hungry to build a better community and live in their purpose; and is grateful to the village that helped raise her consciousness as a Black Woman. JoAnna holds a Master's in Managerial Communication from Bellevue University and a Bachelor's in Journalism and PR from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

TUNESE GOODWIN

Tunese believes that leadership is not solely defined by strong systems, but by the care and intention given to the people those systems serve. With a career spanning over 35 years, she has learned to balance operational responsibility with genuine human connection. An educator, entrepreneur, and founder of a professional product line, Tunese’s professional roots are in the beauty industry, where teaching, mentorship, and hands-on leadership are essential. She views accountability and stewardship not as rigid constraints, but as supportive frameworks, bringing practical insight, creative insight, and compassion to every place she serves, lending her time, talent, and resources to non-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bellevue University. 

SHERRYE HUTCHERSON

Sherrye joined Bellevue University in 2018 as the Executive Vice President responsible for the Guild Partnership, Corporate Markets, Human Resources, Dean of Students’ Office, and Legal and Compliance. She serves on the University’s executive leadership team and has spearheaded efforts to build the University’s nationally-recognized “Great College to Work For” culture. She previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Union Pacific serving as a strategic partner and change agent. Throughout her career, Sherrye has been recognized as a passionate community advocate, serving as a board member for the Omaha Chamber of Commerce (Ex-Officio), the Lauritzen Garden Board of Trustees (Secretary), the Boys Town National Board of Trustees, and 75 North Revitalization (Chair).