LAKOTA LANGUAGE CONSORTIUM STAFF

LLC has gathered together a group of inspired, dedicated professionals
with diverse backgrounds to carry out our day-to-day work in language preservation and revitalization

Leadership Team

Wilhelm Meya
Jan Ullrich
Albino Junior Garcia
Carla Brock

Wilhelm Meya is the Chief Executive Officer of Lakota Language Consortium.

Mr. Meya is a national advocate for endangered languages and draws on more than 20 years of experience in higher education, linguistics, and nonprofit management. Under Mr. Meya's leadership, the LLC has become the chief promoter of worldwide action for protecting the Lakota language and culture.

meya@lakhota.org
Jan Ullrich is the Chief Linguist of Lakota Language Consortium.

Mr. Ullrich is one of the world’s leading applied linguists and the foremost authority on the Lakota language. He brings these skills and specializations in curriculum development and teacher-training to his leadership of LLC's language programming work.

jfu@lakhota.org
Junior Garcia is the Education Director at the Lakota Language Consortium.

He has taught various courses at the Lakota Summer Institute since 2012 and is a leader in the field of Lakota language instruction and teacher training. Previously, Junior was the Dean of Culture and a Lakota language Instructor at the Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, NM. His teaching experience and positive energy are fundamental to LLC's work.

junior@lakhota.org
Carla Brock is the Chief Financial Officer for the Lakota Language Consortium.

CFO Brock has been Chief Financial Officer for numerous businesses over the past 15 years and is also an Associate at Prall & Co. CPAs. CFO Brock has worked with the LLC as a Finance and Accounting specialist since 2015. She is responsible for every aspect of accounting work A/R, A/P, payroll, payroll taxes and filing of all payroll tax forms, project financial reports, EEO reports, AIA documents including billings, reconciliations as well as the filing of annual tax returns. She attends project meetings, work directly with Senior Staff to provide documentation as required.

bookkeeping@lakhota.org

Junior Garcia teaching at the Summer Institute.

Jan Ullrich lecturing at the Lakota Summer Institute.

Perla Brown is the Graphic Design Specialist for the Lakota Language Consortium.

Perla holds two design degrees and brings 9 years of experience in the graphic design industry to the LLC. She is passionate about what she does and views every project as a puzzle that, with the correct creativity, can be solved brilliantly to capture the attention of the targeted audience. Perla creates every type of media for the LLC, including designs and logos for the Lakota Summer Institute as well as the Rising Voices/Hótȟaŋiŋpi documentary.

perla@languageconservancy.org
Yuliya Manyakina is the Communications and Events Manager at the Lakota Language Consortium.

Yuliya has an M.A. in Linguistics from McGill University and has fieldwork experience working with an endangered language (Mi’gmaq). She is responsible for maintaining all communication within the organization, as well as with the public, to advance awareness of language revitalization and the goals of the LLC.

yuliya@lakhota.org
Jim Davis is the Development Manager at the Lakota Language Consortium.

Jim has over 10 years of development experience with both national and regional nonprofits including the Rain Forest Foundation, March of Dimes, the National WW II Memorial, and Middle Way House. Jim also has been a senior marketing executive with L’Oreal, Saks Fifth Ave, and The 3MD Group; as well as a consultant for Disney, Nordstrom, Taco Bell and Hard Rock Café. He holds both a M.B.A. and a J.D. degree. Jim is an avid hiker and has completed 27 of America’s 50 state highpoints. His knowledge of the non-profit sector, building business plans, and developing relationships with donors is integral to sustaining funding for LLC projects.

development@languageconservancy.org
Alan Balkema is the Grants Manager at the Lakota Language Consortium.

After years away, Alan is happy to be back in Bloomington and undertaking a new challenge at LLC. Rich with experience, this English major has all the skills to be successful. He is a published author and playwright, ran a market research business for many years, and had a go at organic farming.

alan@lakhota.org
Bob Rugh is the Publication Specialist at the Lakota Language Consortium.

He brings over 15 years of experience in photography, print production, and teaching English as a second language to LLC. Bob is responsible for content development and production of the print and electronic textbooks LLC's language projects. In the past, he has been heavily involved in Literacy and Adult Education in Chicago as both a marketing consultant and award-winning tutor.
Nate Dodson is the Office Manager at the Lakota Language Consortium.

Nate worked to preserve biological diversity for many years as a Restoration Ecologist and is now excited to be supporting cultural diversity through Lakota language revitalization. Nate also brings several years of experience managing his personal arts and crafts e-commerce business, shipping products, and providing customer support. He’s also a passionate gardener, cook, snowboarder, and family man.

nate@lakhota.org
Elliot Thornton is the IT Specialist at the Lakota Language Consortium.

He has been web programming, managing servers, and developing IT solutions for non-profits and businesses for more than 8 years. He is an avid gardener and wood worker sometimes bringing his bounty to local farmers’ markets. He is excited to help maintain and expand the wide array of LLC apps, websites, and technologies.

tech@lakhota.org

Staff

LAKOTA LANGUAGE CONSORTIUM STAFF

Leadership Team

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