2016 Speakers

Allison Youatt Schnable PhD, Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Dr. Schnable is an assistant professor at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She received her PhD in Sociology from Princeton University, where her dissertation, titled “Voluntary Entrepreneurs: The Emergence of American Grassroots Development Organizations”, focused on how small development NGOs in the global south were influenced and shaped by American notions of social mobility and charity. Her research interests include globalization, NGOs, organizational behavior, nonprofit theory and management, philanthropy, development, and the sociology of religion. Prior to her studies Schnable served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal and as a Presidential Management Fellow with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Linda Hartke, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
Linda Hartke has served as the CEO and President of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) for the last five years. Prior to her work with LIRS Linda worked with the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and also served as chief of staff to Rep. Chet Atkins of Massachusetts, where she was involved heavily with the Southeast Asian refugee community in Massachusetts. She has also worked with Church World Service as the country director for Cambodia, where she helped reintegrate internally displaced persons and returning refugees. Linda Hartke’s fascinating career is encompassed by a wealth of experience advocating for and being a welcoming presence to refugees from around the globe.