Roger Lusala is employed by the State of Iowa, in the Department of Health and Human Services, in the division of Child Well-being and Child Protection Services, focusing on the investigation and prevention of child abuse throughout the State of Iowa. He was hired into this current position in June 2023.

Previously, he served at the Executive Director of MYEP, a Non-profit organization focused on serving individuals with developmental disabilities and other challenges, where he oversaw the management of the entire organization’s affaires and initiatives, including the provision of the organization’s leadership, mission, core values, guiding principle, strategic planning, program development, and implementation. Provided direction and guidance to the board of directors, and worked collaboratively in the establishment of policies, quality improvement measures and metrics, and represented the organization throughout the state of Iowa.

Also previously served as the Director of Supported Community Living Services at Systems Unlimited Inc, guiding the services of children and adults with disabilities in the less restrictive environment in Iowa City.

Roger was appointed and served on the Department of Health and Human Services Committee to redesign the Mental Health and Disability Systems, in the State of Iowa.

Currently he serves as the Chair of the City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission, leading the commission as it celebrates its 60 years of existence committed to civil rights, and focusing on the dissemination of information to educate the public on illegal discrimination and civil rights, making recommendations to the City of Iowa City Council for further legislation concerning discrimination as it may deem necessary, planning programs and activities designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions including but not limited to sex, color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, and national origin.

He has led many City-wide campaigns in promoting human rights, such as the City of Iowa City Implicit Bias Challenge, led discussions and facilitations of Human Rights Commission’s sponsored film “Till” in collaboration with Film Scene.

Roger participates in many community events to promote Human Rights initiatives, and participated in collaboration in the creation and publication of statements of supports, such as

the statement in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020, statement of support of Roe V. Wade, after the iconic reversal in July 2022 by the Supreme Court, statement in support of the Iowa City Public Library’s Drag Storyline in 2023, and statement rejecting Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of identity-based hate in 2023.

He has spent life in serving others and truly believes in the quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the services of others”

Roger is a volunteer youth soccer coach for other 25 years to many local soccer youth clubs, previously served as the president of the Iowa City Kickers Soccer Club board of directors.

He served on the Arc of Iowa State board of directors, served on the Iowa City Community School District Advisory Board, served on the Kirkwood Community College Disability Services Advisory Board, and a member of the National Youth Sport Coaches Association, a member of the Iowa City Rotary Club.

He serves as the Iowa City Community School District, South East Junior High, Boys Soccer Head Coach and Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague’s Campaign Manager.

Lasty, he presents and trains organizations on Communication Across Cultures and Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging.

Roger is native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, immigrated to the Unites Stated of America at age 17 in pursuit of higher education.

He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa.

Roger is an enthusiastic and energetic group fitness instructor in Body Combat and indoor Cycling.

Finally, he is a staunch advocate for affordable housing, racial disparity is public schools, and child abuse prevention.