MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Teresa Daly, Chair

Teresa Daly has built a strong career on helping employ and making transitions easier for company executives. She completed her undergraduate studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, and received her Master's Degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota. Teresa served as Senior Vice President of Right Management Consultants, a company devoted to assisting companies through human resource consultations. In 2002, Teresa was elected to the City Council for the City of Burnsville, and in 2004 she was narrowly defeated in the race for the seat in U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota's 2nd District. In 2007, Teresa founded and became President of Navigate Forward, which offers consultations for companies undergoing the difficult process of changing leadership. She is a frequent speaker at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, and served as President of the Prouty Project, an organization providing company assessments and strategic planning.

Kim Albee

Kim Albee is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Einsof, Inc., a custom computer programming service located in Plymouth, Minnesota. After acquiring her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Systems from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, Kim worked with several companies building and perfecting Internet systems. Before founding Einsof in 2000, she moved to Minnesota and developed the first Web site for the Star Tribune. Kim continues to work in technology consulting and one day hopes to open an office in her hometown of San Diego, California.

Karen Anderson

Karen Anderson is a graduate of Metropolitan State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. From 1994 to 2006, Karen was elected to serve as the Mayor of Minnetonka, a suburb of Minneapolis and home to over 50,000 people. During her time as mayor, Karen was most noted for her progressive policies and continuous work on affordable housing. In 1996, she was elected the President of the League of Minnesota Cities, and in 2001 she was elected President of the National League of Cities. Although she has retired from public office, and in addition to her work with womenwinning, Karen continues to volunteer with the Family Housing Fund of the Twin Cities and the League of Women Voters.

Becky Bailey

Becky Bailey is the founder of Carrera Communications, a public relations and marketing communications firm that specializes in helping clients build brands and communicate about their products and services. Becky has been in the field of public relations, marketing communications and brand building for more than 20 years. She previously served as Senior Vice President and Partner at Fleishman-Hillard, one of the largest public relations firms in the world, where she was head of the Consumer Marketing Group in the Twin Cities. Becky is also an active Board Member of Perspective, Inc.

Ann Barkelew

Ann Barkelew is a well known leader in the public relations industry. After receiving degrees from Central Missouri State University and the University of Missouri, Ann began her career as a teacher in Missouri. She then spent 12 years as the Vice President of Public Relations for the Dayton Hudson Corporation (commonly known as the Target Corporation). Most recently, Ann was a senior partner at Fleishman-Hillard Inc., an international communications firm devoted to organizing successful publicity campaigns. Ann is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, a member of the National Schools Public Relations Association, and co-founder of the North American Public Relations Council. Her many achievements have allowed her the titles of "Public Relations Professional of the Year" and "one of the Most Influential Women in Business in Minnesota" by City Business.

Kristin Beckmann

Kristin Beckmann is the Government Relations Director of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Kristen attended the Humphrey Institute from 1998-2000. Kristin began working in politics as the Macalester College Campus Intern for Paul Wellstone in 1990, and since then has been involved in numerous campaigns. She was fundraising staff for Mary Boergers for Governor of Maryland, Nancy Kaszack for Congress in Illinois, Darlene Hooley for Congress in Oregon and Ann Wynia and Paul Wellstone for Senate in Minnesota. Kristen is also the former Executive Director for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) MN State Council.

Sharon Sayles Belton

In 1993, Sharon Sayles Belton was elected as the first African American and first female mayor in the 140-year history of the city of Minneapolis. This triumphant achievement is the result of years of dedication to civil rights and her strong ties to the Minnesota DFL party. Prior to her role as mayor, Sharon worked as a nurse's aide, and completed her undergraduate studies in biology and sociology at Macalester College in Saint Paul. She is also the co-founder of the Harriet Tubman Shelter for Battered Women in Minneapolis and co-founder of the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault. While serving as the Mayor of Minneapolis from January of 1994 to December of 2001, Sharon continued to pursue her interests in race equality, women's issues, and youth development. Sharon is currently the Director of the GMAC Residential Finance Corporation.

Ellen Breyer

Ellen Breyer is currently a principal at Cumberland Partners Limited, an office devoted to family business management. Ellen is the former President and CEO of the Hazelden Foundation, a rehabilitation center for individuals and families struggling with addiction. She has also worked as the head of marketing for Leonard, Street, & Deinard, a Minneapolis-based law firm, and was the director of corporate marketing for Campbell Soup Company and Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. Ellen earned her MBA in marketing from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York State University.

Erin Dady

Erin Dady is currently the Director of Marketing and Convention Planning for the City of Saint Paul. Recently, Erin was responsible for planning and coordinating for the 2008 Republican National Convention hosted in Saint Paul, a process which took nearly three years. In preparation for this event, Erin was a part of several public forums, aimed at including residents in planning for the convention. Erin previously worked as the fundraising director for Mayor Chris Coleman.

Fran Davis

Fran Davis is currently a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Burnet. Working with her sister, Barb Davis, Fran uses her expert knowledge on local communities to match clients with their dream homes. Fran assists both buyers and sellers throughout Hennepin County, including communities in Minneapolis, Edina, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka and Richfield.

Natasha Freimark

Natasha Freimark is currently the Director of Special Events and Sponsorship at Mpls St. Paul Magazine, a publication offering "The Best of the Twin Cities." In her spare time Natasha volunteers with the Junior League of Saint Paul, an organization devoted to enhancing the lives of women through education, training and community outreach. In addition to being a board member with womenwinning, Natasha is also on the Board of Directors for WomenVenture.

Maggie Gilbert

Maggie Gilbert is currently the Director of Betty Crocker Kitchens and has worked with the company for over twenty years. Maggie is also a member of Team Betty Crocker, a group designed to help families make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Some of her many roles include developing new recipes, testing new products, and designing family-oriented mean concepts. Maggie also contributes to many print and online media sources as a food expert. Maggie attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Julie Gillette Johns

Julie Gillette Johns earned a BA in history from Princeton University and an MBA from Stanford University. Julie recently moved back to Minnesota after living in Japan and Texas for five years. She has worked in marketing/brand management at Pillsbury and Kraft General Foods, and in finance for investment bank First Boston. Julie has participated in the political campaigns of Amy Klobuchar for Attorney General and Vivian Mason for Park Board as well as volunteering for the DFL party.

Geri Joseph

Geri Joseph is a pioneer in the acceptance of women in journalism and politics. She served as a Minneapolis Star-Tribune Contributing Editor, Columnist, and Staff writer. She was chosen by Sigma Delta Chi, the all-male journalism fraternity, for a national award for her serious of articles on Minnesota's mental hospitals. Geris is a former ambassador to Norway and was the first women to be elected to several business boards in Minnesota. Geri is a founding member and co-chair of Minnesota Women's Campaign Fund and a Senior Fellow for International Programs at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

Lynne Kirklin

Lynne Eaton Kirklin is currently a community volunteer in the city of Rochester. Her community work has centered on social justice and women's issues. These have included the Mankato, MN Human Rights Commission, Planned Parenthood State Board, and regional advisory committees in Mankato and Rochester.

Tammy Lee Stanoch

Tammy Lee Stanoch's career has crossed into a variety of territories. She started as a live news correspondent for Fox News in Washington, D.C. Using her BA in Political Science and Communications, Tammy served as the press secretary for U.S. Senator Byron Dorgen of North Dakota and worked for Hubert H. Humphrey's 1998 run for governor of Minnesota. In 2006, Tammy ran for Minnesota's 5th District Congressional seat, hoping to become the first Independent Congresswoman, but was defeated by Keith Ellison. Tammy is currently the Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Northwest Airlines Inc.

Cyndi Lesher

Cyndi Lesher is the former President and CEO of Xcel Energy in Minneapolis. Cyndi was appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. She was also the President of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Host Committee for the 2008 Republican National Convention and was responsible for raising $58 million to fund the convention. She was appointed chair of the Governor's Workforce Development Council in 2004 by Gov. Pawlenty and is a member of the Women's Economic Roundtable. CityBusiness magazine named her among the Twin Cities' most innovative women.

Amy Lucas

Amy Lucas spent 12 years working with the Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development. Amy is presently a firm principal for Landscape Research LLC, a company offering services in building evaluations, consultations, and reports on historic structures.

Lynn Moline

Lynn Moline has over 20 years of experience in executive leadership positions, and works as a consultant and motivational speaker. Lynn received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, and later went on to complete her MBA at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. Lynn has worked with Northern States Power Company (later Xcel Energy Company), and was the President of the Minnesota Council for Quality. Lynn currently offers courses through the Manufacturers Alliance on topics including effective work meetings, winning presentations, and persuasive coaching and influencing. She is the President and founder of Lynn Moline Associates, Inc. and President of the Leaders Alliance-Operations Group.

Kathryn Pearson

Kathryn Pearson is currently a professor at the University of Minnesota where she specializes in American politics, the role of women in politics, and public opinion. Kathryn completed her Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and has been the recipient of several awards from the American Political Science Association for her research and studies in American politics. Outside of the classroom, Kathryn regularly lends her academic voice to editorials for local, state, and national publications.

Sheila Riggs

Dr. Sheila Riggs received her dental degree (DDS) from the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry and went on to earn her doctorate of medical services (DMSc) in oral epidemiology from Harvard University. In 2005, Dr. Riggs was appointed President and CEO of Delta Dental of Minnesota, the largest provider of dental benefits in the state. Dr. Riggs continues to work to improve dental technology and increasing dental and health coverage. She has also volunteered with many local organizations, including the YWCA of Minneapolis, the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the Women's Health Leadership Trust, and she is a mentor with Menttium 100, a group advocating female leadership in business.

Amy Rotenberg

Amy Rotenberg is currently the leading attorney at Rotenberg Associates LLC, which advises clients who are experiencing negative publicity and provides media relations consultations. She has also worked as a litigator at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York, and as a media lawyer and trial attorney at Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Minneapolis. Amy also serves as the co-chair of Havard College in Minnesota's recruiting team. She is a member of the American Bar Association Communications Law Section, and in 2003, she was the recipient of the "40 under 40" award from Twin Cities Business Journal.

Dia Satori

Dia Satori is currently the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder at One Nation News/ Black Heart, Inc. One Nation News is the only multicultural media company in the state of Minnesota and through her work with the company, Dia hopes to reach and inspire a broad and diverse audience throughout the community. Dia has also launched Business Nation, a magazine aimed at promoting business leadership. She has also worked as the Director of Administration at Sinus Rhythm Technology.

Missy Staples Thompson

Missy Staples Thompson has over thirty years of business and community leadership with broad based local, regional and national relationships. She has a strong understanding of both the private and non-profit business sectors. Missy is a former Vice President at Greater Twin Cities United Way where she recalibrated and repositioned United Way's $35 million Success By 6 early childhood education initiative to reflect changes within the Twin Cities funding and policy community. She is the President of Thompson Associates which helps lower-class families finance their own homes, provides marketing and sales experience to small-scale real estate developers who want to do low-income housing.

Annelise Swigert

Dr. Annelise Swigert is currently a physician at Southdale Obstetric and Gynecologic Consultants. She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Dr. Swigert earned her Bachelor's of Arts degree in French Literature from Wellesley College in Boston, Massachusetts, and later attended Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois where she eared her Doctor of Medicine. During her residency at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Swigert was named Chief Resident. Dr. Swigert remains committed to providing excellent care to all her patients and continues to study French in her free time.

Mary Tambornino

Mary Tambornino has been a life-long advocate of increasing the quality of and access to public health initiatives. From 1994 to 2002, Mary served as the Hennepin County Commissioner for Minnesota's 6th District. During this time, Mary helped start programs aimed at helping children with serious emotional issues and mental health problems. Mary has also served as the chair of the Hennepin County Board's Health Committee, where she was recognized for her dedication to public health. She has worked throughout the community, with organizations such as CornerHouse, a group aiming to end child abuse, the Children, Youth and Family Consortium, and the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation.

Kate Tilney

Kate Tilney works as a research consultant in urban community development, and has a particular interest in the intricacies of culture, race, poverty, privilege and justice. Kate currently serves as Board President of the Rondo Community Land Trust, a community-based affordable housing land trust working to provide permanently affordable and sustainable housing in Ramsey County. Kate grew up in Canada, attended high school in the United States and Britain and graduated in 1992 from Bates College. She then attended the University of Minnesota and the Union Institute to complete her Master's and PhD.

Ruth Usem

Ruth Usem is a Minnesota Women's Consortium Advisory council member, board member of People for the American Way National Board, Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota, and Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library. She is also a member of the Advisory Council of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.