Who Are We

Brian E. Wilkerson, Chairman of the Board

Mr. Brian Wilkerson, one Spirt of the Sun's founders, is a specialist in driving innovative strategies and using cutting-edge planning techniques to help organizations secure their future. Mr. Wilkerson has extensive experience in leading planning and strategy development efforts across a range of clients in both domestic and international settings, with a particular emphasis on making strategy successful through the combination of operational excellence and human capital management. For the past 10 years, he has conducted research in the area of economic development in indigenous communities and has developed a cutting-edge model that accounts for economic, community, social, health, and cultural goals.

Mr. Wilkerson is a successful entrepreneur and was formerly the CEO and co-Founder of WisdomNet, a Strategy and Human Capital firm focused on delivering cutting-edge consulting and technology solutions. WisdomNet was the developer of the leading I-TMS software for integrated Talent Management and the Workforce Impact tool for advanced workforce planning and analytics. After WisdomNet was acquired by Watson Wyatt in 2007, he served as the Global Practice Director for Talent Management at Watson Wyatt from 2007-2009.

Mr. Wilkerson has held senior management roles in large corporations such as Level 3 Communications where he was the Vice President of Process & Planning, and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) where he was a Senior Manager on the Global Transition & Transformation Team. His industry focus at Andersen included telecommunications, energy, consumer products, and government.   In the past, Mr. Wilkerson has also worked in the non-profit sector and in governmental affairs. His extensive experience includes working around the globe (with a particular emphasis on Asia) in a variety of roles.

Currently, Mr. Wilkerson also serves as an adjunct professor at University of Denver in the Daniels College of Business. His educational background includes a Masters Degree in Regional Planning focused on International Development from University of Colorado and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. He also holds a Certificate in Human Resource Strategy & Practice from the Human Resource Planning Society.

John Lathrop, Executive Director of Business Enterprises

Before joining Spirit of the Sun, John served as the Director of Corporate Learning, Institute for Executive and Professional Development at the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business. During this time, John served as a Committee Member of the Denver Federal Executive Board's Methamphetamine "Call to Action" Task Force and was able to work with Northern Arapaho tribal leaders and federal executives to develop a Prevention Through Intervention Center on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.  Also while at Daniels, John developed a combined Native American and Others Advisory Board to design and create a Tribal Institute for Marketing Management related to the marketing of American Indian Casinos in the West.

Prior to his work at Daniels, John was Technical Director and Senior Consultant at ORI/Macro International Inc., an international consulting firm located in Calverton, Maryland (near Washington, D.C).   There, he was one of the lead consultants working with the U.S. Special Trustee on the Reform of the American Indian Trust for the Office of Trust Funds Management.

In his earlier career, John was associated with the University of Maryland's University College, the worldwide continuing education campus of the Maryland University system.   There he held various positions in the professional development, management practices, and leadership development fields.  

John Lathrop holds a B.A. degree from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. He has also completed advanced course work in International Public Administration at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University and extensive graduate course work in Corporate Organization Development and Business Strategy at the University of Maryland.

Danielle Gee Lieser, MA, Development & Marketing

Danielle Gee Lieser has 15 years’ experience in the non-profit sector spanning social services, marketing, public relations, event planning, and fund development. She has a long history of working with underserved populations and helping them to build capacity and self-sufficiency. Her career spans a variety of fields including mental health, housing programs, payee programs, healthcare and crisis management. Throughout her experience, her commitment to diversity and intercultural understanding has been a strong common thread.

Ms. Lieser has developed and delivered a number of training programs focused on diverse populations and underserved communities. In addition, she has written and managed numerous state and federal grants and managed large and small educational and donor events. She holds both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in
Communications from the University of Cincinnati with minors in Business Administration and African Studies respectively. She has also received numerous academic and community honors.

 Berit DeCosimo-Nelsen, Project Analyst (AmeriCorps)

Berit is one of the Spirit of the Sun’s AmeriCorps VISTA staff for 2011-2012. She is a graduate from Cornell University with a dual Bachelors in Rural Sociology and Communications. As an undergraduate she developed an interest in community improvement which she has actively pursued since, through public works projects in third world countries. Berit joins Spirit of the Sun with experience in research and technology which she will be utilizing in the advancement of current and future economic development plans in the upcoming year.

Jessie Wilburn, Project Analyst (AmeriCorps)

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