The Power Of Her
Saturday, March 7th | 9 am - 11 am
Americana’s International Women’s Day Breakfast Briefing is a morning of connection, reflection, and shared purpose—honoring the strength and leadership of women across cultures and communities. As we recognize this global day dedicated to gender equity, we will highlight the voices and experiences of immigrant and refugee women and explore how we can continue building pathways to opportunity together.
Amina Shale is a community advocate, nonprofit executive, and social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing equity, access, and opportunity for immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities in Kentucky and beyond. She is the Founder and Executive Director of More Than a Smile Foundation, a Louisville-based nonprofit that has grown from a small volunteer tutoring effort into a multi-program organization serving hundreds of youth and families annually through mentorship, youth leadership development, women’s empowerment, sports and wellness programming, and community engagement initiatives. Amina is a first-generation refugee who grew up navigating complex systems on behalf of her family, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to ensuring that no child or family is left without access to critical resources. Under her leadership, More Than a Smile has expanded its reach locally and internationally, implementing trauma-informed, culturally responsive programming that centers youth voice, family engagement, and community-driven solutions. Recognized for her resilience, vision, and impact, Amina is a sought-after speaker and thought leader on immigrant integration, youth leadership, and community-centered innovation. Her work is rooted in the belief that dignity, opportunity, and belonging should be accessible to all—and that lasting change is built by investing directly in the voices and leadership of those most impacted.
Amina Shale
Executive Director: More Than A Smile
Meet The Panelists
Minerva retired as a Louisville Metro Police Officer in 2012. She served 11 years as the Citizens Police Academy Coordinator in the Community Relations Unit. During her career with LMPD, she also worked as the District Resources Officer in the 5th District (at that time), Professional Standards and as an Intelligence Unit Detective. She was the first Latina hired as a sworn Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Kentucky. Minerva speaks fluent Spanish, which has helped her career in law enforcement. She has translated and/or interpreted in almost every unit in the police department. Minerva hosted a weekly Spanish radio talk show at La Poserosa, the only Spanish radio station in Louisville for eight years. The talk show informed the Latino community about personal safety and crime prevention. Minerva was the founder and owner of the Purple Butterfly, Inc., dba Teen Circle—a teenage girls’ mentoring program. They published a free quarterly magazine written by teenagers and distributed throughout Louisville. Minerva holds a Master of Science Degree in Conflict Management from Sullivan University. Several certifications from Cornell University in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is a facilitator for an international organization called Mankind Project and its program called Understand Power, Privilege and Differences. (UPPD). Minerva is a facilitator in training for the Woman Within organization, and one of the founders of the Diversity committee in that organization for 8 years. Minerva is committed to change within and supporting the police department in equity and diversity. Minerva has two grown children. She enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, running, hula-hooping, and reading. --bio courtesy of LMPD.gov
Minerva Virola
Director of Equity & Inclusion:
Louisville Metro Police Department
Nima Kulkarni is a Louisville native, attorney, and State Representative whose life and career have been shaped by a deep commitment to community, education, and opportunity for all. At six years old, Nima immigrated to Louisville from India with her family so her brother could receive specialized education at DePaul School. Watching her parents build a new life from the ground up—running a small neighborhood grocery store in Germantown—instilled in her a lasting belief in hard work, resilience, and the power of community support. Service runs deep in Nima’s family. Her father went on to become Metro Louisville’s first Director of Globalization, and her mother founded the Beaded Treasures Project, a nonprofit serving disadvantaged women that later became part of Volunteers of America. Inspired by their example, Nima has dedicated her life to standing up for working families and expanding access to the American dream. A proud product of Louisville’s public schools, Nima attended Watterson Elementary, Highland Middle School, and Atherton High School. She earned her BA in English Literature and MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Louisville, followed by a Juris Doctor degree from Antioch University–UDC Law School in Washington, D.C., a nationally recognized public interest law institution. During law school, she interned with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Government Accountability Project, and completed more than 700 hours of clinical legal work serving the community. In 2010, Nima founded Indus Law Firm, focusing on immigration and employment law. She is a member of the Kentucky and Georgia Bar Associations and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is widely recognized for her advocacy on behalf of immigrants and workers. She has provided trainings and educational seminars across Kentucky and believes strongly in updating immigration and employment laws to reflect economic realities and strengthen a diverse workforce. Nima has also served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Community Foundation of Louisville, Louisville Public Media, the Kentucky Science Center, and Fund for the Arts. In 2013, she founded the New Americans Initiative to educate, engage, and build awareness around immigrant communities and immigration-related issues. She lives with her partner, Raegan, in the St. Joseph’s neighborhood of District 40 and is proud to represent a vibrant, diverse district that includes the University of Louisville, the Speed Art Museum, and Churchill Downs.
Nima Kulkarni
Kentucky State Representative: District 40
Juliana Rodriguez is the Executive Director of Adelante Hispanic Achievers (AHA), a Louisville-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Hispanic/Latinx youth through educational preparedness, career exploration, cultural awareness, and community engagement. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for AHA’s out-of-school time programs, guiding initiatives that support Latinx middle and high school students in becoming college- and career-ready with the confidence and agency to pursue their goals. Under her leadership, AHA’s flagship Mentoring and Enrichment Program offers career mentoring, college-oriented workshops and campus visits, experiential learning with community leaders, cultural field trips, community service, and skill-building in areas such as financial literacy, technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Since its founding, Adelante Hispanic Achievers has served more than 890 students and families, with cohorts consistently exceeding national norms for Hispanic young adults in graduation rates, postsecondary enrollment, and career outcomes. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Julianna brings a deep commitment to cultural identity, creative expression, and community-centered education to her work. She is also an accomplished professional singer-songwriter and educator with over 25 years of experience performing and recording across genres, and more than 15 years of teaching music and vocal technique in Colombia and the United States. Her multidisciplinary background informs her holistic approach to youth development—centering voice, self-expression, and empowerment as tools for long-term success.
