The Foundation
Our Board
Leadership
Governing Board
Bruce Nelson
Founder & President
Bruce Nelson is the Founder/President of The Laura & LD Nelson Foundation.
I am a product of the Civil Rights Era, I grew up in the segregated community known as Washington Park, in Mesa AZ. We had our own school, churches, community/activity center, swimming pool, three cornerstores where we could purchase fresh fruit, vegetables & meats, and a restaurant. I worked in the cotton fields, picking and chopping cotton, on Sunday's they would baptize folks in what we referred to as the "Big Canal." In the mid-1980's the community was under siege for gentrification, fortunately the elders pushed back. That was my first encounter with social justice and activism.
In around 2009 the city of Mesa again decided to attack the community once more. I was part of the Washington-Escobedo Advisory Committee that pushed back as the elders did years ago. As a result, I produced my first documentary, North Town: Heritage of A Black Community. In 2021 the neighborhood was awarded by the governor's office with the Highest Historic Preservation Award in Arizona. Today Washington-Escobedo Heritage Community.
So, when I discovered the history of my grand aunt Laura & Cousin LD Nelson it immediately activated my social justice & activist channel. I am committed to telling the world about the wrongful lynching of my family through the performing arts, visual arts, and narrative arts. As well as creating educational community components as a part of each project. I am deeply honored to be part of this amazing legacy. Please join us in being part of the "Historical Accountability & Social Justice/Activism Movement."
Luis Herrea
ATTORNEY
Luis Herrera is a nonprofit immigrant rights attorney who has called Mesa home for most of his life. He is deeply committed to serving underrepresented communities and advocating for civil rights. A lifelong musician, Luis holds a deep appreciation for culture and the arts. Outside of his legal work, Luis enjoys spending time with his family and performing throughout the Valley as a violinist with his mariachi group.
Denise Oseni
Secretary
Denise Oseni is a resolute educator, mentor, and community advocate whose life's work is centered on empowering young women, strengthening families, and creating meaningful opportunities for underserved communities. With a deep passion for mentorship and youth development, Denise is committed to helping young girls build confidence, resilience, emotional wellness, and a strong sense of purpose while navigating today's complex social climate. Her leadership is grounded in compassion, lived experience, and a steadfast belief in the power of community to transform lives. As a native Washingtonian and devoted mother of three, Denise brings both personal insight and professional dedication to her service. Now residing in Avondale, she continues to use her voice, advocacy, and community engagement to inspire lasting impact and create pathways of hope, healing, and opportunity for future generations.
Advisors
Advisory Board Members
Sarah Moorhead
Sarah Moorhead spent most of her life in the Washington, D.C. suburbs until 1983. Her education included Oberlin College and a master's degree in Library Science. She spent two years in the Peace Corps, serving as an English teacher in Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo). In 1983, she moved to Mesa, Arizona with her family. Sarah worked as a librarian at Mesa Public Library for 16 years until she retired in 2002. She spent the last several years working in the Mesa Room, a local history and archives collection. The Mesa Historical Society asked Sarah to start an oral history project in 1999, focusing on the community of Mesa. Sarah interviewed long-time or retiring City of Mesa employees including former mayors, city managers, the first city attorney, a city planner, a city librarian and the first woman employee of the Streets Department. Through her several interviews with Angy Booker, whose family was the first Black family to settle in Mesa, she was privileged to hear about life as a Black in early Mesa. She took the Mesa Leadership Training and Development program and served on their board of directors. With a strong interest in history, she also served on the Mesa Historical Society Board of Directors and lately as a volunteer. The Southwest Oral History Association has been a valued interest, where she served on their board. With a long-time professional and friendly relationship with Bruce Nelson, she will be delighted to be on the Advisory Board of the Laura and L.D. Nelson Foundation.
Julie Spilsbury
Julie Spilsbury grew up in Mesa around the corner from her husband Jeremy. They have been married for 29 years and are the parents of 6 children, 5 girls and 1 boy and a bonus daughter. They are recently empty nesters. She attended Brigham Young University. Her parents were both teachers, instilling in her a drive to support those who lead our children. She has spent much of the last 23 years volunteering in the local schools. She and her husband owned a tree care company for over 20 years prior to her running for City Council. She served on the Mesa AZ City Council for 5 years where she was a strong advocate for education and workforce development, housing, small businesses, non-profits, and started a #mesakindness campaign. She is currently serving on 6 nonprofit boards and is passionate about civic discourse, peacebuilding and working to decrease polarization. She loves reading, music, nature, Face Timing with her kids all over the country and makes the best cinnamon rolls. In fact, she started #cinnamonrolldiplomacy — changing the world one cinnamon roll at a time!
Theresa Schlechty
Nadia Khalighi
Nadia Khalighi
Serving on the City of Mesa Museum and Cultural Advisory Board, the Arizona Museum of Natural History, and East Valley Children's Theatre has allowed me to give back to the community through arts, culture, and education. I am passionate about creating spaces where families, children, and the community can connect, learn, and feel inspired. My board experience reflects my commitment to supporting youth programs, preserving culture and history, and helping strengthen the creative spirit of our community.
Nadia Khalighi is a senior community engagement strategist passionate about strengthening trust between organizations and the diverse communities they serve. She specializes in building high-impact partnerships, stakeholder advocacy, and public outreach initiatives that support both community well-being and organizational goals. Her approach is rooted in diplomacy, listening-first communication, and cultural humility, helping organizations create meaningful and lasting relationships across diverse populations.
In recognition of her civic leadership and community impact, Nadia Khalighi was nominated for the 2022 Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Living the Dream Award." Throughout her career, she has successfully built bridges with municipalities, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and underserved communities statewide — even in challenging environments — ensuring people feel informed, respected, and meaningfully included in decision-making processes.
Nadia currently serves as Senior Events Coordinator at ASU Project Humanities, Executive Director of Zen Nights, Inc., Community Coordinator Chair for the Arizona NAACP, Vice Chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Mesa, and serves on the Race Amity Committee. She also serves on the Arizona State MLK Celebration Planning Committee.
Her professional and community leadership experience includes serving as former Director of Engagement and Education at the Arizona Fair Housing Center, former Director of Corporate Accounts for Mesa United Way, and former Community Coordination at Arizona State Conference NAACP. Additional past leadership roles include Executive Board Member positions with RAIL CDC as well as serving for two terms on the City of Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board, where she served as Vice Chairperson and Chair of the Youth Action Committee.
Together, our board members bring a wealth of experience in documentary filmmaking, law, education, community advocacy, and historical preservation — united by a shared commitment to honoring the legacy of Laura and L.D. Nelson.