Workshop Presenters

Maria is a mentor and an advocate for women of color in the movement since the beginning of her advocacy. In the early 2000’s, she served on the committee for the Women of Color Advisory Network (WOCAN). Since then, she has been instrumental for the revival of the affinity group, now known as We Empower Culture and Networking (WECAN). Maria has a record of outstanding work to end sexual violence, but what is most admirable is the way she interacts with advocates of color. She assures that every advocate is seen, heard, and feels empowered, valuable, and connected to the movement. Maria often recognizes others for their contributions and listens intently and patiently before she shares wisdom. She is an advocate at Polk County Crisis and Advocacy.

Tanya Juarez received her associate of Arts degree from Des Moines Area Community College and bachelor of Arts from Grand View University, majoring in Social work with a minor in Psychology. She works at the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) as the Program Engagement Coordinator and is the liaison between our membership and outside resources. She also mobilizes and engages community partners, leaders, and volunteers to improve and create positive community change in metro and rural areas. Her professional experience also includes working with mental health, substance, and emotional issues for struggling youth. She is passionate about racial justice, a fearless advocate for mental health support, and prioritizing healing and self-care initiatives to improve our environment and overall lives.

Sandrah Nasimiyu is a dedicated Sexual Assault Advocate at Nisaa African Family Services, specializing in youth strategy and engagement. With a deep commitment to empowering young survivors of sexual assault, Sandrah plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing programs that resonate with the youth community. Her work involves creating safe spaces for dialogue, providing critical support services, and fostering awareness among young people about their rights and resources. Sandrah's passion for advocacy is driven by her belief in the power of education and community engagement to effect lasting change in the lives of youth. Her efforts have significantly enhanced Nisaa's services, ensuring that culturally and linguistically specific populations are effectively reached and supported

Born in Bahuichivo, Chihuahua, Mexico, Nataly Espinoza is the Health Equity Coordinator who has spent over 20 years advocating for domestic abuse victims and immigrant rights in southside Des Moines. Driven by a commitment to justice, Nataly has tackled wage theft and systemic injustices, and pioneered the Nuevo Ciudadano Project, which helps students pass the citizenship test with a 100% success rate. Currently, they work with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support those affected by abuse and health disparities, reflecting the resilient spirit of their hometown in their dedication to equity and justice.

Mariam "Mimi" Daoud is a Sexual Assault Advocate with the Riverview Center's Cedar Rapids office. Mimi graduated from Coe College in 2023 with a degree in Psychology and Social & Criminal Justice and a minor in Communication studies. As a Muslim-American and a long-time advocate for survivors of sexual violence, Mimi has witnessed first hand the inaccessibility to services within communities of color and communities of faith. Mimi, in her current position, remains committed to working towards a more inclusive approach to advocacy.

Katryn Duarte has worked directly with individuals harmed by power-based violence. She has provided comprehensive bilingual/bicultural sexual assault advocacy and counseling services for over eighteen years. Katryn is passionate about social justice, identities, equity, belonging, and in-between spaces. She currently acts as the Assistant Director of Sexual Assault Services at the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP), which is part of the University of Iowa. Katryn was also an ALAS and MAPA member, a national Latina/o/x/e-led anti-violence organization and group. Katryn has presented at national, state, and local arenas utilizing the intersection of social justice, leadership, and the anti-violence approach.f description of this person’s role and responsibilities, or add a short bio.

Kate Bailly is the youth program coordinator at Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity. She was born in South Korea but raised in Des Moines and identifies as Korean American. In 2021 Kate graduated from Iowa State University with a B.A. in Psychology and Financial Counseling. Prior to coming to Monsoon, she worked directly with youth students and clients at a non-profit based in Ames. There, she focused on education, advocacy, and community outreach to broaden her understanding of gender-based violence. In this position, she hopes to empower and encourage growth in AAPI students. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, having dinner with friends, and working on her art .

​Jourdan Reynolds (Choi Yung-Shik), is an adoptee from Seongnam, South Korea. He grew up near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved to Iowa in 2010. Jourdan holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Benedictine College (Kansas). He is pursuing a master's degree in social work with the University of Iowa, with expected graduation in May 2025. Jourdan began work in victim services in 2019 as a finance manager. He would eventually hold the titles of operations manager, sexual assault advocate and victim advocate. Jourdan is currently the manager for the Meskwaki Tribe's victim services program, RISE. Jourdan holds a great passion for helping victims of crime, with particular interest in advocating for survivors of IPV affected by trauma, mental health, and substance use. out violence, all iniquities must be addressed, not a select few.

Bleu Guadalupe Valladares received her Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College, double majoring in Social Justice and Spanish with a minor in Latin American Cultural studies. They are a bilingual Department of Justice partially accredited representative working in the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) Legal Clinic, focussing on Humanitarian visas for survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, and Violent crimes. They are also a graduated Fellow from the Positive Women's Network USA 2023 -2024 Cohort, promoting and creating change for people living with HIV through policy and movement building. They have extensive volunteer experience and involvement with community events and organizations that elevate the Latinx community and multiculturalism. They believe that to achieve futures without violence, all iniquities must be addressed, not a select few.

Danya Albert was born in Pohnpei, the Federated States of Micronesia, and speaks Pingelapese and Pohnpeian. She joined Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity in August 2020 as a victim services advocate; she has also worked on Monsoon’s campus program. Danya has previously worked in a nursing home, from where she grew interested in public health. Danya can be reached at danya@monsooniowa.org

Aiyuko Maun is a victim services advocate at Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity who represents the Marshallese community. She moved to Iowa in 2010 from the Republic of Marshall Islands. Aiyuko became interested in nursing as a career, but a detour at Monsoon a few years ago has inspired her to focus on addressing gender-based violence as well as activism in the Pacific Islander communities. Aiyuko can be reached at aiyuko@monsooniowa.org

Boey Lu is a Youth Program Associate at Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solitary. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, he identifies as Southeast Asian-American and was raised in the Lao and Taidam communities. Over the last seven years, Boey has been involved in entrepreneurship, running his own businesses. In his role as a youth program associate, Boey hopes to share his skills in community building, marketing and leadership with the youth for them to carry forward into their own futures. In his free time he loves to thrift, work on his vintage clothing business, and come up with new ideas for his clothing brand.