The NCLR team is growing in 2023! Help us welcome Lisa Oman and Rachel Berg.
Rachel Berg (she/her) – Staff Attorney
Rachel joined NCLR because of her passion for civil rights law and her concern for LGBTQ rights around the country, especially in states like her home state of Tennessee.
Before NCLR, Rachel got her BA in Political Science at Vassar College, her Master of Science at the London School of Economics, and her J.D. at Fordham University School of Law. She has spent her career thus far litigating complex commercial cases in private practice at two large law firms and has worked on a variety of pro-bono social justice issue cases. Rachel desperately wishes to be a proud parent of a labradoodle one day soon!
Where do you currently reside?
Nashville, TN
What is your educational background?
BA Political Science, Vassar College; Masters of Science, London School of Economics; J.D., Fordham University School of Law.
Where did you work before this?
I spent my career thus far litigating complex commercial cases in private practice at two large law firms (one in New York City and one in Nashville). While at these firms, I had a substantial pro bono practice focused on a variety of social justice issues. I also clerked for the Honorable Alan C. Kay of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii and the Honorable Eli J. Richardson of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
What brought you to NCLR?
I am excited to have joined NCLR to pursue my passion in civil rights law. I am deeply concerned about how parts of our country are addressing LGBTQ issues, including my home state of Tennessee. I felt that I had to do something more to address these injustices.
What are you most looking forward to as you start your position?
I am most looking forward to working with the incredible team at NCLR and learning from a new group of fantastic lawyers. I am also looking forward to working on cutting-edge legal issues.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family, go hiking in Nashville’s beautiful nature reserves, and try new restaurants that pop up in town (there seems to be at least one every week!).
Do you have any pets?
I do not have any pets, but I wish I had a Goldendoodle!
Lisa Oman (she/her) – Director of Finance of Operations
Lisa joins NCLR as our newly-hired Director of Finance and Operations as a member of the management team to help provide strategic financial leadership for the entire organization. Lisa chose to join the NCLR family after years of service for organizations ranging from arts and culture to higher education and land trust because of her desire to serve the LGBTQ+ community and join the fight for justice and equity.
Outside of work, Lisa has a passion for performing arts and music education, having founded Composers and Schools in Concert and currently serves as the organization’s President. She lives in the California desert town of La Quinta, CA in the Coachella Valley with her wife and two cats – both of whom now join the NCLR pet family as well!
Where do you currently reside?
I live with my wife and our two cats in the beautiful California desert town of La Quinta, CA in the Coachella Valley. The back entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is just twenty miles up the highway, and we visit often. (Though the cats generally opt-out.)
What is your educational background?
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Gonzaga University with an emphasis in Cultural History, a professional certificate in Management from the University of Massachusetts, and a professional certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University.
Where did you work before this?
Most recently I served in the role of Executive Director of San Francisco Contemporary Music Players which is an internationally-recognized and award-winning chamber orchestra and performing arts organization. I led the organization’s strategic vision, financial planning, and revenue development initiatives in addition to overseeing artistic planning, artist contracts and engagements, and production of live and digital concerts and events.
What brought you to NCLR?
Over my career, I’ve strategically served a variety of missions that are personally important to me including Arts and Culture, Higher Education, Land Trust, and Social Services. I’ve chosen to work for organizations that are doing exceptional and virtuosic work at a national level. NCLR is an extension of this. The opportunity to serve my LGBTQ+ community and to join the fight for justice and equity was a dream come true.
What are you most looking forward to as you start your position?
I look forward most to learning from the deep talent and expertise of my new colleagues with long histories working in the social justice field.
What issues are you most passionate about?
Equity and access.
Music education.
Performing arts.
I am the founder of Composers and Schools in Concert (Composers & Schools), a nationwide community arts provider that supports music education and the creation and performance of contemporary music. I currently serve as the organization’s President. We aim to empower students’ cultural identity and to leverage these identities to create new repertoire and curricula that reflect students’ passions. Since 2011, we’ve served 5,264 students in 95 schools in 35 states.
Do you have any goals for 2023? Personally and/or professionally.
Continue my current educational pursuits in Data Science.
Visit some dear, far-flung friends in the lovely, far-off places where they live.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Most weekends you can find me hiking somewhere epic, enjoying some sort of contemporary art, or checking out a new plant-based eatery.
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Our two beloved cats.
