Our Team
Rev. Dr. Alex Gee
President Emeritus and Chair of the Board
The visionary of Nehemiah. He is a loving husband and father and also a pastor, writer, community activist, life coach, international lecturer, relief worker, and social entrepreneur. His interests include: understanding the impact of fatherlessness on the African American community, cross-cultural leadership empowerment, spiritual life coaching, motivational speaking, mentoring, and transformational leadership development. You can find more of his own personal thoughts and insights at his personal website: AlexGee.com.
Dr. Gee studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Fuller Seminary’s Distance Learning Program and Bakke Graduate University, where he earned his doctorate. The author of two books and a local radio host, his relief work and motivational lectures have lately taken him to Cambodia, Korea, and South Africa.
Harry H. Hawkins, III
President
Harry was born in Washington, D.C., and lived in the Atlanta area for 30 years before moving to Madison with his wife and three children in 2012. After early success as the leader of a retail jewelry store, cultural differences and a refusal to compromise on his standards led Harry to leave one job, then be fired from the next.
For the first time in his life, Harry struggled to find meaningful work or get an in-person interview to showcase his talents. After launching a small business aimed at supporting other entrepreneurs, Harry asked Rev. Dr. Gee for help in obtaining references for his fledgling business. Their meeting resulted in Harry taking Nehemiah as his second client, then eventually joining the team. In January 2018, Harry took on a new role as the Executive Vice President of Nehemiah.
Harry is an author, artist, and implementation specialist. He holds multiple degrees: an associate and bachelor’s degree in business administration and Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Innovative Leadership Development, researching the best ways to take black hobbies and turn them into thriving micro-businesses.
Harry loves people in short bursts and is an accomplished introvert whisperer. He hates bad systems and sharing food. An admitted story addict, Harry immerses himself in grand stories in almost any format. He feels fortunate to work in the Madison community with so many talented people that Rev. Dr. Gee and Nehemiah have attracted to the work. Harry eagerly expects the day when racism and oppression are eradicated, so Nehemiah can concentrate on fostering and developing black leaders.
Alexandra Gee-Lewis
Vice President of Leadership Initiatives and Youth Innovation
Alexandra went from hanging around in a playpen at her mom’s side in Nehemiah (back in the early 90s) to now serving as its Executive Assistant and Creative Solutionist, under Harry Hawkins. She comes with unique experiences of serving some of Madison’s most underprivileged communities: including those who struggle with addiction and children with special needs. She is passionate about helping youth and adults take hold of true freedom and justice, unlocking the purposes and promises God has for their lives. She is able to live out this call through her work at Nehemiah and through serving as a 4th-generation Minister at Fountain of Life Church.
Her hobbies include traveling, reading, improv, cooking, finding new restaurants, and being outdoors.
Dr. Karen Reece
Vice President of Research and Education
Karen Reece holds a Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and brings a unique blend of expertise that includes public health, social science, and community leadership. She began her career as a research scientist in academia and biotechnology before transitioning to the nonprofit sector to amplify social impact through research, program evaluation and strategic planning.
Currently, Karen co-leads Nehemiah’s initiatives in criminal legal system reform and community-based programs that focus on racial justice, including educational series and workshops that address racial disparities. Her work with Nehemiah’s reentry program supports advocacy efforts for people affected by incarceration. Karen serves as a bridge between academia and community facilitating research partnerships that illuminate and respect the expertise of people with lived experiences to foster understanding and to design impactful, health-focused studies centered on community priorities.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys the local music scene (particularly Hip-Hop), singing and playing the cello, vegetable gardening, and participating in a wide variety of civic engagement efforts focused on social justice.
Lilada Gee
With more than 30 years in the fields of education and social services, Lilada founded Black Woman Heal—a Madison-based non-profit organization that inspires Black women to join her in her life’s work to defend Black girlhood, by creating safe places for Black girls as well as themselves, to heal. Unapologetic advocate and audacious Healer, Lilada organized the international healing movement—Black Woman Heal Day. Black Woman Heal Day is held worldwide every April 1st.
Lilada is a life-long resident of Madison, Wisconsin, and a proud mother of two awesome adult children–Alexandra and Christian.
Jackie Hunt
Community Support Specialist
Ms. Hunt is a caring, compassionate professional with 20+ years of experience in the Substance Abuse/Mental Health field. She provides culturally relevant, strength-based, and trauma-informed care.
Jacquelyn knows first hand what it is like to be marginalized and in need of supportive services. Her own testimony of recovery, redemption, and restoration provides the foundation for her work and allows for just the right balance to support the community and instill the belief in them that they too can overcome and become all that they want to be. Hunt provides services right there in the heart of where those who were most impacted by racial disparities dwell. Ms. Hunt is also the founder and CEO of F.O.S.T.E.R of Dane County.
Siobhan Jackson
Director of Adult Education
As Director of Adult Education, Siobhan is the wizard behind the curtain of Nehemiah’s Justified Anger Courses programming. On courses.justifiedanger.com, Siobhan manages collegiate-level Black history courses as well as making Nehemiah’s decades of lived experience available for allies to educate, empathize, and grow into active antiracist allies who affect larger systems change led by Black leadership.
She is a facilitator, educator, and a community advocate through and through. Siobhan‘s lifelong goal is to always be active in her community no matter how big or small the role may be. Prior to Nehemiah, Siobhan spent many years in the musical theater nonprofit world, teaching music and performance to public school students with little or no arts programming. For any questions on what Justified Anger Courses can teach you, feel free to contact Siobhan.
Andrea J. Dearlove
Director of Donor Engagement
Andrea’s career spans 35+ years of experience in both staff and leadership roles for nonprofit organizations and foundations. Her introduction to Nehemiah was as a participant in the first cohort of the Justified Anger Black History for a New Day course in 2016. That experience significantly altered her passion and path and she has remained committed to racial justice work from that point forward. Her role as Director of Donor Engagement allows her to forge relationships with individuals who share Nehemiah’s values, including respecting the inherent worth and value of each person, serving with cultural awareness and humility, and believing that a community that honors the wisdom and leadership of its marginalized populations will result in a stronger community for everyone. Please reach out to Andrea if you have any questions about supporting Nehemiah’s work through annual or planned giving.
Born in Washington, D.C., she has been a Madison resident for 30 years and lives here with her husband, son, and parents. Andrea hopes her legacy will be changing how philanthropy views community experience and voice in order to achieve genuine and lasting impact. She is also quite obsessed with dogs and the South Korean pop group, BTS. Please ask her about either of these anytime.
Rebecca Barber
Director of Reentry Housing, Advocacy, & Program Oversight
Having experience with being system-impacted, Rebecca bridges the gap between people who are formerly incarcerated and finding housing, support, and improving their current situation. A firm believer of the “see one and be one” approach, she loves to connect with others to embrace the idea that community is stronger when we work together.
Outside of Nehemiah, she has a strong background in connecting people through music. Well known as “Boss Lady”, she has been the host of the Universal Soul Explosion on 89.9FM WORT, in Madison, for 15+ years and continues to use that platform to connect those incarcerated with loved ones outside the walls. An advocate of social justice and community support, she is a board member of the Urban Community Arts Network, the Midwest member of Wazzup Radio Group NYC, and former board member of 89.9FM WORT. Rebecca is a mother of two and holds degrees in marketing, business administration, and human resources. She brings experience in early childhood education and teaching, corporate training, and handy-woman skills.
Jonathan Adeyanju
Reentry Case Manager
Jonathan’s passion was born in the crucible of fire, where he learned firsthand what it is like to have everything taken away. Through faith and grace he was empowered to navigate the nuances of his own inner turmoil, which propelled him to conquer the behemoth of his outer turmoil. Now free, he endeavors to help others enjoy that same freedom. The truth that guides his life is: “Your wounds and scars can become the anointing that grants you the grace to heal those same wounds in others.”
Shawna Lutzow
Adult Education Coordinator
Shawna Lutzow has spent the majority of her career coordinating community engagement and adult education initiatives. She has led programs that support adults and youth impacted by the carceral system, including a mentoring program for youth who have a parent in prison and visitation programs for youth to have time with their parent in prison.
Shawna has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Blackhawk Technical College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies from Edgewood College. She is passionate about social and racial justice and she is committed to continued learning and building her anti-racist identity. As the Adult Education Coordinator at Nehemiah, Shawna is responsible for supporting groups and individuals participating in our Black History courses. Please reach out to Shawna if you have any questions about participating in our Black History classes, coordinating group participation, or contracting with Nehemiah.
Outside of work, Shawna enjoys going to the dog park, going on bike rides, being by the water, soaking in sunshine, eating good food, and performing stand up comedy.
Eli Steenlage
Director of Communications
Eli Steenlage has a Masters in Cinema and Media Studies from DePaul University and has previously taught Film and Media in higher education. Eli is a filmmaker and instructor with experience ranging from community development, digital marketing, and cross-cultural interaction. He is passionate about storytelling and highlighting the amazing work that individuals are doing in their community. Eli has three energetic kids with his wife Jess and enjoys podcasting, traveling, trying new restaurants, and debating film theory.
Tyler Nylen
Faith Community Liaison
As Faith Community Liaison, Tyler loves connecting, building relationships, and strategizing with faith communities to determine how they can partner with Nehemiah to strengthen the African American community, while addressing racial justice and cross-cultural leadership in their own faith contexts. Tyler began his work with Nehemiah as an intern in 2016 in conjunction with Fountain of Life Church (FOL). After this experience, Tyler joined the staff of both organizations after receiving his Master’s of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago in May of 2017.
Tyler currently also serves as an Associate Pastor at FOL, a Black-led multicultural church. He loves podcasts, conversations at coffee shops, and all things Chicago and fantasy sports. You can ask Tyler about how to partner with Nehemiah as a faith community and why faith matters in this work. To see more of Tyler’s work, check out his Linktree at linktr.ee/tjnylen.
Liz Hadachek
Director of Adaptive Systems
Liz designs and implements internal systems and processes in support of her colleagues. She also supports the Vice President of Research and Education with special projects and initiatives. Liz brings more than a decade of experience supporting nonprofit organizations including those focused on education, food access, and environmental justice. An avid learner, Liz is currently working toward a graduate degree in information science. Born and raised in California, Liz cares deeply about the diverse communities that have formed her and is committed to investing in the wellbeing of the communities within Madison. Outside of work, she can be found spending time with family and friends or exploring the Midwest with her spouse and their dogs.
Harry J. Hawkins
Creative Content Specialist and Youth Empowerment Coordinator
Harry J’s main responsibility as Creative Content Specialist is to post on Nehemiah and Justified Anger social media accounts. This includes promoting current events in the greater Madison area and community.
Harry J’s main responsibilities as Youth Empowerment Coordinator is to help create the curriculum for and lead the M.R. (Male Responsibility) Program.
Harry J came to Nehemiah because he felt that here he had a place to invest and give back to the community and also to grow as others invest in him as well. Some of his interests or hobbies include making/listening to music, anime (Naruto, Vinland Saga, Dragon Ball, etc.), and going on walks.
