LuAnne Speeter
LuAnne Speeter is Director of Communications and Volunteer Recruitment for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter of Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly. She applies nearly three decades of business and nonprofit marketing and communications experience to helping organizations enhance their brand reputation, build support networks and foster strong community relations. A lifelong resident of the Twin Cities, LuAnne is a current board member of the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind Foundation. LuAnne can be contacted at: lspeeter@littlebrothersmn.org
http://www.linkedin.com/in/luannespeeter
http://www.littlebrothersmn.org
Dana Nelson
Dana Nelson is the executive director of GiveMN. In her role, Dana helps Minnesota nonprofits of all sizes reach new and different audiences and enables donors to find, learn about, and contribute to local and national programs that support the causes in which they believe.
Before joining GiveMN, Dana was at Target Corporation for the past 6 years. She led Target’s team member engagement strategy and national service initiatives, collaborating with organizations such as the Corporation for National and Community Service, Hands on Network and the Heart of America Foundation among others. Ms. Nelson brings many years of nonprofit experience to GiveMN, having worked in the Minneapolis Public Schools, served as a program officer and led development efforts for a start-up nonprofit organization.
Dana has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Washington University. She is an active community volunteer with organizations such as Emerson Spanish Immersion Learning Center, Pillsbury House, Powderhorn Neighborhood Association and Centro Cultural Chicano. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two sons and two Chihuahuas. In additional to playing with trucks and going to the park with her boys, she enjoys baking cupcakes for her neighbors and friends.
Dana can be found at The GiveMN Blog, Twitter (@givemn) and Facebook (GiveMN).
Christopher Maddox
Christopher Maddox is involved with various professional and community organizations and recently served as co-chair of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Twin Cities program, having been a participant in 2009.Employed by Wells Fargo since the mid-1990s, he has also served as co-chair for the Wells Fargo Community Funding Council, a body of 50 team members charged with funding non profit organizations in the Twin Cities area. Prior to this he chaired the Corporate Trust Diversity Council during which time he spearheaded a series of events focused on the vision of the company involving senior executives as guest speakers. In 2007 he was named “Diversity Champion” and participated in the company’s annual recognition event.
He is also a member of Toastmasters International, and with a passion to be involved in the community, he serves as a volunteer for Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly and has been a member of the board since 2009.
He is interested in languages and speaks Russian. He is also a founder of Europen, a friendship networking business that connected over 1000 members in over 50 countries around the world.
He graduated from Augsburg College Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English and Media Writing. Christopher currently resides in the Minneapolis area and enjoys the many of the recreation and cultural facilities the Twin Cities offers.
Susan Campion
Susan Campion is the founder of Camponovo Consulting, a firm that helps businesses and organizations develop strategies and improve execution in order to expand their impact and improve their financial results. Camponovo uses a combination of analysts and artists to provide consulting services, customized training, and business coaching globally.
Susan is also the co-founder of Giant Steps, an annual conference for “creative entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial creatives”. Giant Steps features a mix of speakers–ranging from furniture designers, physicians, and restaurateurs to actors, painters, and hip-hop artists–discussing topics ranging from alternative funding models to creative collaborations and legal issues.
Susan is heavily involved in education—teaching in the MBA and executive education programs at the University of St. Thomas and mentoring at the High School for Recording Arts (“Hip Hop High”). A global citizen who’s lived in five countries and traveled to many more, she’s been collecting good ideas and good music from all over the world for most of the last 20 years.
Jo-Anne Stately
Jo-Anne joined The Minneapolis Foundation in June of 2009, after serving as the vice president of development for the Indian Land Tenure Foundation based in Little Canada, Minnesota. Previously, to joining the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Stately served as senior program officer at The Saint Paul Foundation. Her responsibilities included management of special projects including the Diversity Endowment Funds, Combating Racism Initiative, and the Children, Families and Community Initiative.
An enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Pillager Band from the White Earth Nation, Stately remains active in issues and programs directly benefiting the American Indian community. She currently serves as a member of the American Indian Advisory Committee for Mankato State University, The Circle Newspaper, State of Minnesota Regents Advisory Council, and Chair of the American Indian Cancer Foundation.
Recently, Jo-Anne was honored by Native Americans in Philanthropy as the Louis Delgado Outstanding Grantmaker of the Year.
Jason Goux
Jason Goux is an avid fan of business guidance using common sense and tact. Now in his second career as a healthcare innovator and implementation director, his first career in hospitality management really trained him in the arts of generational, multi-dimensional, on-the-fly management and customer service that drives immediate goal oriented results. Or else. In Jason’s free time, he enjoys tinkering with alternative energy projects, running, singing and the occasional catering event through his own company, JasonCooks! Inc.
Steve Cramer
Steve Cramer, President and Executive Director, rejoined PPL in August 2003, after serving as director of the Hennepin County Department of Housing, Community Works & Transit, a post he assumed in February 2002. For the preceding three years he had served as executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency. From 1994 through 1999, Mr. Cramer served as PPL’s director of housing and development, chief operating officer and finally president and executive director. He was elected to the Minneapolis City Council and served as a council member from 1984 to 1993. Mr. Cramer received his M.A. in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota and his B.S. in Urban Planning from the University of Tulsa.
Steve currently serves on the Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers and is the chair of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority. He has served on the Minnesota House Advisory Committee, Fannie Mae National Housing Impact Advisory Committee, Minnesota Task Force to End Homelessness, the Minnesota Multi Housing Association Board of Directors, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, St. Joseph’s Home for Children Advisory Board, and as vice chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
Catherine Reid Day
Catherine Reid Day brings more than 20 years experience creating philanthropic legacies for others, including executive roles for Campus Compact, Public Radio International, Macalester College and Very Public TB. An artist, advisor, and producer, she founded Storyslices™ to use the power of story and help people, organizations and communities improve their performance, increase results and get them where they want to go. Trained in executive coaching and consulting through Adler Graduate School, she will complete her Masters in Organizational Leadership this June. Catherine embraces a passion for community building and leads an initiative to form a Creative Enterprise Zone at 280/University on the “edge” of St. Paul.
Laura Zabel
Laura Zabel is the Executive Director of Springboard for the Arts. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Springboard for the Arts is an economic and community development organization for individual artists-serving artists in the Upper Midwest and beyond. Springboard applies the creative process to reframe conversations, develop unconventional partnerships, and devise simple solutions. One of Springboard’s newest initiatives is a Community Supported Art (CSA) project based on the Community Supported Agriculture model which connects artists directly with patrons through a 3-month farm-share program. In 2010, Laura was named one of Twin Cities Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty and Springboard won the Social Entrepreneur’s Cup award which recognizes Minnesota’s most innovative and effective social entrepreneur and the organization they lead. Laura serves on the City of Saint Paul Cultural STAR Board and the Knight Foundation National Arts Advisory Committee. Laura has her undergraduate degree in theatre from the University of Kansas, where she serves on the Professional Advisory Board for the Department of Theatre.
Robyn Schein
Robyn Schein is a donor services advisor and coordinates The Minneapolis Foundation’s work around family philanthropy and outreach to younger donors. Robyn manages Fourth Generation, the Foundation’s program for next-generation leaders in the community, and is the point person for efforts around social media and philanthropy. She is a certified consultant with 21/64, a leading organization offering services to multi-generational families in philanthropy. Robyn also served on the planning committee of the 2011 Council on Foundation’s Family Philanthropy Conference. Robyn currently serves on the Board of Directors of Students Today Leaders Forever and is a past member of the steering committee for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, Minnesota Chapter.
Robyn has worked at The Minneapolis Foundation since 2006. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked at Orr Associates, a nonprofit consulting firm in Washington, DC, and with the Employee Volunteer Programs Office at JP Morgan Chase.
Scott Cummings
Scott Cummings is the Local Market Program Director for Accenture in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Scott is primarily responsible for market development, strategically positioning Accenture in Minnesota business community, and helping to improve engagement of the 1600 employees based in Minneapolis. He has a BA in Business Economics from Willamette University where he was a distance swimmer all four years. He also studied abroad on St. Olaf College’s Global Semester spending time in Egypt, India, China, Japan, and a few other countries. He is currently serves as the Chair of the Greater Twin Cities United Way’s Emerging Leaders, serves on the steering committee of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Twin Cities program, and serves on the Junior Achievement Project Lead Advisory Board. Scott lives in Roseville, MN.
JoAnn Schinderle
JoAnn Schinderle is a graduate from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Communication Studies. Her value of philanthropy, understanding of social responsibility and experience in leadership roles has led to various positions with several non-profits throughout the years.
Currently serving as an AmeriCorps National Direct member, JoAnn works for HandsOn Twin Cities as their Community Networking Coordinator. Through her outreach and social media promotion of volunteer opportunities, JoAnn strives to help bridge the gap between those who can help and those who are in need.
As a self proclaimed textile artist, JoAnn is a member of Handmade MN. Being a strong advocate for the arts and creative genius, she is thankful that Minneapolis has a number of outlets catering to the creative community.
Kate Cimino
Kate Cimino works at the Humphrey School’s Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the U of M. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Kate has called Minnesota home since December 2006. She and her husband live in South Minneapolis. Kate plays the bassoon in a trio at the MacPhail Center for Music and serves on the board of Community Shares Minnesota.
George Dow
George Dow is the owner of George Dow Consulting, LLC, an executive career transition consulting solo practice in Edina, Minnesota. Prior to that, George spent 21 years at Right Management, an international career transition and organizational consulting firm, in various roles associated with executive level career transition. A specialist in career planning and development, George has helped over 1,000 executives improve their career transition effectiveness, to ensure “fit” in their future position, and to review and help shape the strategic alignment of their chosen career path. He helps his clients develop either traditional reemployment strategies, define an alternative career direction, or move towards a more significant career transformation. George has also been involved in several community leadership development programs including Leadership Twin Cities, Leadership Philadelphia, The National Community Leadership Association and Social Venture Partners.
Jeff Pesek
Jeff Pesek is co founder of TECHdotMN, a digital media company that donates 51% of gross revenues towards providing under-privileged youth with access to technology.
Josh Reimnitz
Josh Reimnitz currently serves as a Co-Executive Director for Students Today Leaders Forever, a nonprofit designed to reveal leadership skills in young people and help fill the pipeline of future leaders. Prior to STLF he taught fourth grade in Atlanta through the Teach For America program and found his passion for a quality education for all Americans.
He is originally from Bismarck, ND and holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from North Dakota State University. Josh enjoys laughing, volunteering, writing song parodies, reading, playing basketball and disc golf, eating popovers and practicing his wicked skills on air guitar.
Natalie Valpiani
Natalie Valpiani is currently a doctoral candidate in nutrition, conducting research into factors that influence the affordability of fruits and vegetables. Through her masters degree coursework in nutrition policy and public health, Natalie developed an interest in the ability of local food systems to improve access to healthy food for people of all income levels.
Natalie’s interest in leadership stems from her experiences on the University of North Carolina gymnastics team and the leadership training she received as a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow. Living abroad taught her the importance of creating a supportive community wherever she goes, while also challenging and leading her own growth.
Natalie grew up in Plymouth, MN. Though her travels and work experiences have taken her to places as varied as Kentucky, France and Tanzania, she holds Minnesota close to her heart and still considers it home. In her free time, she dives into a book, pens letters to friends, and seeks to bring people together around good food and conversation.
Adaobi Okolue
Listed by Rosetta Thurman as one of the “Top 50 Young Nonprofit Professionals to Follow on Twitter,” Adaobi is one of the many emerging leaders driving authentic online engagement. She has been orchestrating fresh marketing and communication efforts for nonprofits for more than three years.
Currently, Adaobi is a strategic communications consultant, focusing primarily in nonprofit and education sectors. She also develops and manages the communication strategies for Young Nonprofit Professionals Network-Twin Cities (YNPN-TC), as its membership and communications co-chair. Prior to entering the world of social good, she focused on consumer relationship strategies at Best Buy Co., Inc.
Beyond the isolated cubicle walls, Adaobi is a driven advocate for the personal development of youth and communities of color, in particular African/African American youth and communities. She is also a photographer, poet, graphic designer, part owner of a fashion event production company, and a host of other things she has yet to discover—a stereotypical, cautiously optimistic Millennial.
Adaobi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Communications-Public Relations and African/African American Studies from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, and has been recently selected to participate in The Givens Foundation Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program.
Adaobi can be found at YNPN-TC Blog, Twitter (@aokolue) and Linkedin.
Mike Duzan
Mike Duzan and his wife Melissa live in Chaska with their three children, ages 11, 8 and 6, and are active in their church and their children’s schools and athletic endeavors. Mike is a patrol sergeant with the Chaska Police Department. In addition to his patrol supervision duties, he is responsible for the department fleet operations, equipment acquisition, and volunteer services. He values his officers’ knowledge and judgment, and strives to maintain an atmosphere that encourages growth in their leadership attributes and in organizational improvement. Mike is a graduate of several leadership academies, and puts his skills to use advancing his life’s work – serving his community, both locally and broadly.
Kari Davis
Kari Davis is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Kari joined GTCUW as our Children and Families Impact team as a program manager, where her focus was on the educational disparities goal of children reading at grade level by third grade. In her new role, Kari will focus on training and building awareness around the issues of diversity and inclusion for GTCUW staff and develop and strengthen relationships with our external community partners.
Kari’s past professional experiences include: Executive Director of Human Resources at Prince of Peace Church in Burnsville, Minnesota; Executive Director of The Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota; and Division Director of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship in New York, New York. In addition, she has held positions with R.H. Macy’s and Company, Boy’s and Girls Clubs of Newark, and the James Street Neighborhood House, all in New Jersey.
Kari graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Criminal Justice from Rutgers College, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Kari lives in Apple Valley, MN with her husband and they have a son who is a 2008 graduate of Carleton College.
Griff Wigley
Griff Wigley coaches business, non-profit, government and civic leaders on the art of leadership blogging and the use of other social media technologies. He teaches an online course, Blogging for Leaders.
He also works with organizations interested in developing hyper-local, citizen media projects, and produces online events, primarily on public policy issues for government and non-profit organizations.
In his free time, he’s a co-host, chief blogger and moderator for Locally Grown, a radio show/podcast and public affairs blog in his hometown of Northfield.
Wigley and Associates http://wigleyandassociates.com/
Blogging for Leaders http://bloggingforleaders.com/
Locally Grown Northfield http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/
Google profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/griffinjay
Michaela Brown
Michaela Brown is the Communications and Marketing Manager for Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, a position she assumed after completing a year of service with Rebuilding Together through AmeriCorps. Before joining Rebuilding Together, Michaela held several positions in New York State government. Most recently, she worked as the Special Assistant to the Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal. Michaela holds Master’s degrees from both Carnegie Mellon University and the College of St. Rose. Michaela and her husband are from the East Coast and relocated to the Twin Cities for two years. They recently moved to Saratoga Springs, New York.
Elizabeth Swanzy-Parker
Elizabeth Swanzy-Parker is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and Case Western Reserve University. She is a transplant from the East Coast (NY/CT/NC) and has resided in Minnesota for nearly 2-years. Elizabeth is a Technology Auditor at Target. and her previous work experiences spans across the public accounting, property & casualty and community development sectors. Elizabeth loves to travel around the world, volunteers at the Guthrie, Bridging, Jeremiah Program, is a Destination 2010 Mentor and is a member of ISACA, the NBMBAA and the Partnership.
