Board of Directors
Jean Calandrino, PhD
Washington University, St. Louis, MO May, 2000 – PhD Clinical Psychology University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, May, 1977 – BS Biology Co-Facilitator, Why Powered Health Coaching; St. Louis, MO — 2021-Present - Began as a … Read More
Karen Coulson
Karen received her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from Virginia Tech and is a former executive for pharmaceutical research and development. She continues to guest lecture at Washington University for senior biomedical engineers and to partner with job seekers coming out of prison for Transformative Workforce Academy’s jobs fairs. Karen serves on the Board of the Kirkwood Social Justice Coalition and on the Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission, participates in Moms Demand Action and Kirkwood For Everyone, and serves on the Criminal Legal System Reform Committee for Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice. She loves to read, hike in National Parks, and travel to visit family and friends.
Kara Wurtz
Kara Wurtz is currently the Director of Finance at a construction company and holds both a BSBA and an MBA from Creighton University. She previously served on the Kirkwood City Council, where she championed initiatives to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and advanced policies to support attainable housing in her community. Kara is passionate about building stronger communities through connectivity, education, and diversity. She is excited to support Women’s Voices Raised and its mission to educate, mobilize, and energize around social justice issues.
Rochelle Kaskowitz
St Louis native, Rochelle Kaskowitz, graduated from Washington University Law School and was a research attorney for Missouri Court of Appeals Judge Gerald Smith. She was active in the early years of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. She also taught legal research and writing at St. Louis University Law School. The majority of her law career was spent at the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, first as a staff attorney in St Louis and then as Career Law Clerk for Eighth Circuit Judge Morris Arnold in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she mentored young law clerks from elite universities across the country.
After retiring, Rochelle returned to St Louis, where she serves on the Outreach & Justice team of her congregation. She has helped organize annual projects with Soldan International High School and booths at Tower Grove Pride opposing book-banning. She has also volunteered with ArchCity Defenders. She is co-chair of the Women’s Voices Criminal Legal System Reform Task Force. In this role, she has helped organize Clean Slate Advocacy Day in Jefferson City and testified at state legislative committee hearings.
Anne Litwin, PhD
Anne Litwin has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, a Masters in Community Psychology from Marist College, and a Masters and PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University. She is a member of The NTL Institute of Applied Behavioral Science, the International Coaching Federation and of the Organization Development Network. She is the co-editor of the book, Managing in the Age of Change, along with numerous articles on international consulting and women’s leadership. Anne has written a book on women’s relationships in the workplace entitled, New Rules for Women: Revolutionizing the Way Women Work Together (2014) based on her research. Dr. Litwin is an ICF-certified coach who provides executive coaching to help leaders, managers, and other professionals enhance leadership capacity by strengthening their interpersonal and strategic skills. She specialized in helping organizations develop leaders and leverage diversity to optimize organizational effectiveness.
Nancy (Nix-Rice) Litz
Nancy (Nix-Rice) Litz has been a programming chair and co-chair of the Racial Justice Committee of Women’s Voices. She served on the racial justice committees of the Jewish Council for Racial Equity and chaired the education committee of the Racial Justice Initiative at Congregation Temple Israel. She is just wrapping up her term as president of the National Council of Jewish Women – St. Louis, having previously served as VP Advocacy and VP Leadership.
Deshunai Barlowe
Deshunai Barlowe is a legal professional, business owner, and passionate advocate for equity and justice. She is deeply committed to uplifting marginalized voices and creating pathways for justice through community engagement and policy reform. As a proud member of the NAACP and the Organization of Black Struggle, Deshunai actively supports initiatives that center racial, gender, and familial equity.
Her work is grounded in dignity, integrity, and a belief in the power of women’s voices to transform systems. Her professional and lived experience has equipped her with the tools to engage in meaningful dialogue, challenge systemic injustice, and support women’s leadership across all sectors. Earning her bachelor’s in Political Science and Pre-Law with a minor in Women and Gender Studies, she is applying to law school to deepen her impact through advocacy, civil rights work, and public policy reform. She is honored to contribute her voice and vision to the Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice board. Michelle Obama once said, “There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.”
Michele Steinberg
Michele Steinberg is a St. Louis-based creative and storyteller, specializing in video editing, design, and photography. She is passionate about her St. Louis community and gravitates toward projects that further the conversation in areas such as social justice and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Michele has served on the Women’s Voices Raised advocacy committee since 2017 and served as Membership Chair from 2020-2025. She has served on the Board of Directors of her Synagoge, St. Louis Public Radio, and as chair of the Young Friends of St. Louis Public Radio (now Generation Listen). Michele also serves as liaison to the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.
Nancy Price
Nancy Price has advanced degrees in Plant Physiology & Biochemistry and Management. She has lived in many places across the U S and feels her life has been enriched by the people she has met and the experiences she has had. Since coming to St. Louis, she has served on the League of Women Voters Executive Board and been Chair of their Speakers Bureau. Nancy is currently a Trustee on the Kirkwood Public Library Board and serves as WVR Legislative Director. She is working with the MO ID Coalition, Empower MO and several other organizations to help as many people as possible have access to safe housing, food, a quality education and the ability to live a fulfilling life. Her original connection to WVR was through their Lock-It-For-Love program.
Karen Francis
Karen B. Francis is a retired public school educator having been a classroom teacher, counselor, and high school administrator with a specialist degree in educational leadership and administration from SIUE. Karen is currently the Advocacy Director for Women’s Voices. She is also the state president of American Association of University Women Missouri (AAUW) Karen has served AAUW in various local and state offices, as branch president for Ballwin Chesterfield Branch and as chair of the National Public Policy Committee. Locally, Karen has been on the board of Safe Connections, and National Women’s Political Caucus at the St. Louis Metro and state levels. Karen also serves on two committees with A Red Circle. She is passionate about issues facing women and families, equity in education, racial and social justice and voting rights. To quote Michele Obama, “Find people who make you better.” That truly is at the heart of the mission of Women’s Voices.