Leadership Team
Nadine Stecklein
President
Nyasha Taruvinga
Lindsey Luna
Nadine Stecklein is a dedicated leader with a passion for community service. She serves as the current president of the non-profit Color Our Community on Awareness also known as COCOA and brings a wealth of experience, having served as a founding member, treasurer, and secretary.
In her professional life, Nadine serves as the Assistant Director for Internship Programs at Whitman College. With a background spanning alumni relations, development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as student affairs, she holds a B.A. in Public Policy and a master’s in Public Administration.
Nadine is renowned for her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. She played a pivotal role as the inaugural chair of College Place's Diversity, Inclusion, and Advisory Board. Notably, Nadine made history as the first Hispanic president of the College Place Lions.
Beyond her professional and community roles, Nadine is actively engaged in leadership positions within the American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Washington and the MD-19 Lions. Recently venturing into entrepreneurship, she is the proud owner of a photo booth rental company. Additionally, Nadine is an instructor at Walla Walla University’s Wilma Hepker School of Social Work & Sociology.
Vice President + Secretary
Nyasha Taruvinga is a Canadian-American advocate for social justice and Walla Walla University alumni — with a relentless commitment to ensuring every child has equitable access to education and resources. Her mission is to light up lives and put smiles on faces through meaningful actions. She strives to discover ways on making a difference for a brighter future for others and herself.
Lindsey Luna is a Boston-native and Walla Walla local with a passion for uplifting the local Black community. She is from an Afro-Dominican/American family.
She attended Walla Walla University studying English and Communications before going on to pursue a career in marketing, working with major brands locally and across the west coast.
She founded Black Lives Matter Walla Walla in April 2020 and led a variety of rallies throughout the year while sitting in leadership positions on the WW Police Advisory Board, the Washington State Supreme Court Racial Justice Consortium and more.
A lifelong musician, Luna’s passions for community paired up beautifully with her marketing career when she created Sounds of the People in 2022, a local company who’s goal is to create inclusive stages while showcasing undiscovered Black and brown artists in Washington State. Her focus has been Black joy, and it has been so well-received by the community and greater Washington State.
Luna performs under the moniker HNY and has performed in New York City, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Walla Walla, WA and Richland, WA.
Luna was recognized by the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin in 2023 as one of Walla Walla’s 39 Under 39.
Leadership Team Member
Former Leadership Team Members:
Kathy Mulkerin | Victoria Lidzbarski | Kaelyn Pyke | Tracy Williams | Cia Cortinas | CT Montgomery