Dr. Lan Kolano
Lan Kolano is a Professor of Education and Chair of the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K12 Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She completed her Ph.D. in the Culture, Curriculum, and Change program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004 after working as a public school teacher in Virginia and North Carolina. Dr. Kolano teaches undergraduate and graduate level foundations courses on language, immigration, and anti-racist pedagogies. Her research focuses on the academic, language, and identity development of immigrant learners, and in the fostering of critical multicultural efficacy in teacher preparation programs. She has been awarded the College of Education’s Excellence in Teaching Award, the Sustained Service to Public Schools Award, and Diversity Award for her innovations and contributions to teacher education. Recognized as an advocate for social justice education, she also serves on critical advisory boards for several non-profit organizations serving local refugee/immigrant communities.
Dr. Claire Cronin
Dr. Claire Cronin is a passionate counselor and trainer who has been assisting children,families and the communities that support them for over 15 years. Claire is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) with advanced training in counseling children, adolescents and families. Claire provides training and technical guidance to organizations seeking to provide trauma informed and developmentally appropriate care to children and families from diverse backgrounds. Claire likes to integrate play, joy and fun into her trainings, as these are foundational to supporting healthy youth and staff alike. Another major focus of technical guidance and training is supporting frontline care workers to reduce compassion fatigue and burnout. Claire is constantly in awe of the work that ourBRIDGE does as it is one of the most child-centered, dynamic and play based programs she has ever had the privilege of working with! ourBRIDGE is a model for care in diverse communities due to its innovative approaches to learning, integration of cultural pride and acceptance through LERD values, and diverse staff reflective of the communities it works with. She is honored to be part of the team supporting the incredible children and families of ourBRIDGE.
Natalie Cowart
Natalie joined OBFK in 2019 as Program Director. Through the years, she has stayed connected to the organization through running diverse projects, programs, and workstreams. She is the author of the OBFK Curriculum Guide as well as many key components of the OBFK handbook and staff manuals. As the HR Executive Leadership Coach, she continues to offer her expertise to enhance overall organizational health, sustainability, and resilience. Natalie received her BA in Middle Eastern Studies from The Florida State University and her MS. ED in Global & International Education from Drexel University. Additionally, she received her SHRM-CP in 2022. In her full-time role, she works as the Director of People Operations and culture with the Acacia Center for Justice - a nonprofit that seeks to deliver and advocate for meaningful and effective access to freedom for immigrants at risk of detention or deportation.
Natalie has been involved with ourBRIDGE for over 6 years and in many capacities. Currently, she supports, coach, and advise ourBRIDGE leadership in creating a highly impactful workplace culture and environment. I'm here to ensure that all community members at OBFK have access to incredible leaders who prioritize their well-being and growth. From staffing to curriculum to organizational structure, I'm here to work through any challenges that arise.
Her favorite LERD value is Diversity. It takes all of us! "All people carry talents, gifts, and ideas. I believe in human-centered approaches that focus on the unique aspects of individuals and communities. Where diversity thrives, so does justice, creativity, and progress.
Dr. Taryn Greene
Dr. Taryn Greene is a US Air Force Veteran and Health Psychologist, whose research focuses on understanding factors that contribute to thriving, healing, and posttraumatic growth. Working with immigrant and refugee children and families is a mission that has been close to her heart since serving in the military overseas in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011. She previously worked at Heartland Alliance in Chicago, aiding unaccompanied children who crossed the border into the United States, particularly those who experienced high levels of stress and trauma. She has continued to serve the military population through research work at the Boulder Crest Institute and the Women Veterans Network, organizations developing and implementing interventions that support service members coping with transition stress, PTSD, and other mental health-related issues. She was trained in program evaluation during her doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and genuinely enjoys working with organizations to understand how the “active ingredients” of their carefully constructed programs are helping families.
How long with ourBRIDGE? 10 months
What does your role entail? Leads the conceptualization, development, and implementation of our trauma-informed, strengths-focused, community-based, comprehensive program evaluation. Over time the Director of Research and Evaluation will also establish an emerging research portfolio and produce publications and presentations based on the methodologies and impacts of ourBRIDGE for KIDS that can be presented at national conferences.
Favorite Lerd Value and Why? Love, because I believe every child deserves unconditional love and affirming relationships in their life.
Cathy Kocourek
Cathy is a retired finance and business professional having held various finance and consulting roles during her career, primarily in financial and manufacturing industries. Prior to retiring Cathy spent 20 years at various manufacturing companies as a Controller, CFO, and Process Re-engineering Consultant. Most recently Cathy joined the financial services industry and held positions in Financial Controls, Testing and Validation, and Operational Risk. After 40 plus years of working in corporate America, she decided to retire and spend more time with family.
Since retiring, Cathy has become involved in supporting organizations who provide senior living services and those who provide assistance to refugees and immigrant children. Cathy has a real passion for the services provided by ourBRIDGE, which are so essential for children and families in need of assistance to help them thrive in their new home.
After growing up in New York and receiving her Bachelor of Science degree, Cathy moved to Greensboro, North Carolina and received her MBA from UNC-Greensboro. Cathy and her husband currently live in Charlotte, where they enjoy travelling and spending time with their three children and five grandchildren, who keep them busy with soccer games, cheerleading and other sport activities.
Nancy Yang
Nancy is a first generation American whose parents immigrated to the US from China. She grew up in Plano, TX where she learned all about rodeos, football, and good barbeque. In addition to encouraging her to embrace her new country, Nancy’s parents were also very focused on maintaining her Chinese heritage and cultural roots. Her love of people, countries, and appreciation for cultural differences have greatly shaped who Nancy is. She feels grateful and privileged to be part of Our Bridge for Kids in her Treasurer role on the organization’s board.
For her day job, Nancy is a tax CPA with RSM, an international public accounting firm. She helps businesses address their tax needs and questions. Outside of work, she spends time with her husband and son at the dinner table, on baseball fields, and on greenway trails. If there’s any time left over after that, Nancy likes to read and will occasionally work on her yoga practice.