The Cardinal Team

Joanna L. Jenkins (Ph.D.) is a powerhouse scholar, administrator, educator, speaker, and strategic communications creative professional known for her expertise in engagement and interactivity. Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, she has led numerous educational trainings and provocative discussions for a range of clients including Nielsen, The Urban League, The Department of Justice, Philadelphia Mural Arts, Pop Culture Association, McCann Worldwide, The American Advertising Federation, and various schools and institutions. A creative director and strategist by trade, Joanna also has extensive entrepreneurial and professional industry experience with expertise in branding, design, audience engagement, and communication.  She has previously served as the Executive Director of CapComm, a strategic communications firm, as a Senior Creative at Globalhue, and as a professor at various universities.  In addition to her role at Cardinal Change, Joanna is currently an Associate Dean at Moore College. 

 Arlene Knighten is a seasoned attorney, compliance expert, and legal ethics specialist. Trained in alternative dispute resolution, she is an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She is also a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional and holds the designation CCEP from the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.  Arlene joined the Louisiana Department of Insurance in 2004 as a supervising attorney. During her 14 years with the Department, she served as a staff attorney and deputy general counsel of the Legal Division, and as the Department’s Ethics Officer. In that time, she was appointed as Executive Counsel to the Commissioner, a position that she held for five years. Prior to her employment at the Louisiana Department of Insurance, she served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Louisiana Department of Justice, where she was a Section Chief of the Insurance and Tobacco Sections. Arlene was also the Court Compliance Officer for the Tangipahoa Parish School Board for twenty years, starting in 1985. Her duties included monitoring the school system for compliance with the Federal Court Order issued to desegregate the school system. 

 Aryn A. Frazier’s expertise stems from her intersecting roles in campus activism and politics. Having called for, analyzed, and coordinated anti-racist trainings at a number of universities around the world, Aryn has seen what works, called out what doesn't, and pushed for substance over symbolism in all she does. Prior to law school, Aryn completed two masters degrees at the University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, and she served as the Deputy Campaign Manager and Chief of Staff on the Krish for Maryland gubernatorial campaign. In addition, Aryn has worked in strategy, policy, communications, finance, and organizing for political campaigns in Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia. She has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and various other publications, and has specialized in American racial justice movements. She got her start as a racial justice student organizer in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, where she received her B.A. with Honors in Politics and African American and African Studies as a Jefferson Scholar. Aryn is currently a second-year Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford Law School.  

Nicole M. Hall is a driven Executive Coach with a solid understanding of the strategic role of Human Resources as a core component of organizational growth and development. She is focused on delivering outstanding results, through the deployment, coaching and development of organizational talent. Experienced in leading internal employee development, team effectiveness, advisement, and leadership development consulting to all levels of an organization, Nicole has a strong ability to balance strengths of individuals with cultural needs of an organization. Further, she has developed an in-depth understanding of how coaching, training, and collaboration creates a culture of inclusivity, growth, and success. Nicole is not only technically proficient in all aspects of human resource management, but she has proven experience developing human resources infrastructure, talent initiatives, and training programs for high-growth challenging environments. In addition to her work with Cardinal Change, Nicole is the Founder and CEO of Kol Consulting. 

Sheilah Vance, Esquire is an experienced legal counselor, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues, particularly in educational institutions. During the 2020-2021 academic year, Vance was Chief Officer for EEO and Compliance at Stockton University, heading the Office of Equal Opportunity and Institutional Compliance, implementing best practices and novel procedures to increase university compliance with DEI laws and regulations; serving as the Title IX, Title VI, and Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Coordinator; and applying unique approaches to resolving complaints through alternative dispute resolution.  She also worked on overall university compliance. Vance was formerly Chief of Staff and Deputy to the President at Cheyney University, overseeing all operations of the President’s Office, assisting the president on all major initiatives, and serving as the Title IX Coordinator and Social Equity Officer, among other roles.  Formerly Special Assistant to the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, Vance contributes to the DEI field nationally as an Advisory Board member of the Association of Title IX Administrators, Vice Chair of The Clery Center, and TNG Affiliated Consultant.