Board of Directors
My work with Project Interfaith is extremely rewarding, meaningful and a source of great satisfaction. There are few causes more relevant to the times we live in than the work of building understanding, respect and relationships across peoples of all faiths and beliefs. In the United States we are fortunate in to live in one of the most religiously diverse countries on earth where churches, temples, mosques and synagogues have historically enjoyed relatively peaceful co-existence. Sadly, however, the 21st century is emerging as an era of political and social tensions rooted in religious and ethnic differences. Working with Project Interfaith I am especially enriched by diverse friendships I’ve built as we’ve worked to create a community where people of all faiths and beliefs are valued, included and protected.
Michael Alley, AIA
Board President
Hillary is currently employed as the Director of Donor Accounts for the Omaha Community Foundation. Her job responsibility includes working with donors in assisting them with their charitable giving and philanthropy. Hillary has been professionally fundraising for various organizations in the Omaha community since 2000. Hillary believes everyone has the right to their own personal faith, spirituality and beliefs. Project Interfaith is helping to conduct much needed programs and dialogues around interfaith diversity which is needed in order for our community to grow.
Hillary-Nather-Detisch
Board Vice President
I am pleased to be a part of the dynamic organization of Project Interfaith. Omaha grows more diverse each day. Project Interfaith continues to play an important role of nurturing education and understanding between all faiths in our community. Over the last 32 years of marriage, Jan and I have allowed her faith of Judaism and my faith of Catholicism to thrive. In 1977, our mixed religious marriage was unusual, today it is more common. We have had first hand experience of seeing the education and understanding that has come from our casual encounters with people. Jan and I have three children and we were both raised in Omaha. We own Fun Services, a national franchise company that provides entertainment and fund raising for corporate, school and organizations.
Bob Egermayer
Board Member
It is my belief that even the smallest effort to understand people and their religious or moral values opens up the possibility for us to collectively face the challenges of our increasingly diverse community. After all, regardless of our personal faith practices, we all have in common the desire to be fair and just and respect the dignity of each other. Project Interfaith provides me the opportunity to be part of the dialogue in our community and I am grateful for the chance to help broaden its efforts in Omaha and beyond!
Tina Hubbell Cherica
Communications Committee Chair
Michael first became interested in Project Interfaith after meeting Beth Katz and she explained to him her start up efforts in getting Project Interfaith off the ground. He attended an interfaith education program and was very impressed. Beth later asked him to join the new Board and he has been an advocate ever since.
Michael Elias
Development Committee Chair
I joined Project Interfaith’s Board to participate in an active dialogue on interfaith issues and to bring about a better understanding, respect and acceptance of other faiths/traditions. I am a Hindu by birth but consider myself open to ideas and concepts from other faiths and find that the world’s great religions fundamentally have much more in common than what appears to set them apart from each other. I firmly believe that maturing as a multicultural society will require a greater degree of communication between faiths and PI activities provide a forum for this open exchange of ideas. The training programs for educators and health care providers are novel and innovative and I am proud to be associated with an endeavor that is visionary in concept and execution.
Dr. Mohan Mysore
Board Member
My involvement with Project Interfaith provides me with an opportunity to experience diverse cultures and religious beliefs right here in Omaha, Nebraska. I like the fact that Project Interfaith is in the forefront in promoting interfaith issues in our community. It is exciting to be a part of an organization with such potential.
Cyndi Parrott
Board and Staff Development Committee Chair
I believe that now, more than ever, there is a need within our community and the world at large to practice tolerance and respect. Faith and religion have been the foundation for so much of what is in good in the world. Yet, unfortunately, the very same has also been a source of conflict and division. I became involved in Project Interfaith because it is committed to advancing a mission of bringing people together through education and celebration of religious diversity.
Ari Riekes
Governance Committee Chair
Terri McFarland
Board Secretary
Jude Knipper
Board Treasurer, Budget and Operations Committee Chair
Othello Meadows
Board Member
Naushad Qureishi
Board Member
Dr. B.J. Reed
Board Member
Dr. Lourdes Secola
Board Member
Tehmina Zeb
Board Member
Dr. Edward Malashock
Honorary Board Member
John Kotouc
Board Advisor