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.
Cristine Almeida
Cristine Almeida is an attorney and owns her own public affairs consulting company. She represents corporations, trade associations and non-profit organizations before state legislatures, local governments and regulatory agencies. Her firm offers services in government relations and public affairs, media relations, issue and candidate campaign consulting, and alliance/grassroots development in Minnesota and other states.
Cristine has been active in politics and public policy for 21 years. She was Chief of Staff to Minnesota DFL Senate Majority Leader Dean E. Johnson, and prior to that was an attorney in private practice. She has also worked on numerous statewide and local campaigns, both as paid staff and as a volunteer. She was a Senior Advisor to the winning Clean Water, Land and Legacy Campaign, and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2008. She is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of Project 515, and a member and former officer of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Margaret Anderson Kelliher is the President of the Minnesota High Tech Association. Anderson Kelliher is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 60A. She was the DFL-endorsed candidate in the 2010 gubernatorial election. She is the second woman (after Dee Long) to hold the position of House speaker, and the first woman to earn major-party endorsement for a gubernatorial election in Minnesota.
After graduating from Mankato West High School, she received a B.A. in history and political science from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University.
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 chief of staff for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. She formerly served as Director of Marketing and Convention Planning for the City of Saint Paul. 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.
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.
Beth Fox
Beth Fox is a fundraising consultant specializing in small donor and direct mail fundraising. Beth offers consulting services to political candidates and non-profit organizations on writing fundraising plans, developing and managing direct mail operations, building membership programs and training staff. During the past 18 years Beth has raised over $50 million in small donor contributions for candidates running for Governor, the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and President.
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 Hennepin County Attorney and Vivian Mason for Park Board as well as volunteering for the DFL party. She previously served on the boards for Bridge for Runaway Youth, and the Ripley Foundation.
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 is the Vice President of Transformational Giving at the University of Minnesota Foundation, with a focus on global strategic initiatives and partnerships. Before joining the U, she spent a decade in the airline and travel industry -- holding executive positions in corporate communications, government affairs and marketing.
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.
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 McGuire Riggs is the director of the Office for Healthcare Transformation at the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center and chair of the Department of Primary Care at the university’s school of dentistry. In these positions, she leads health policy initiatives related to the financing and delivery of care in Minnesota. Prior to the University of Minnesota, she was president and chief executive of Delta Dental of Minnesota, which provides dental benefits to 3.4 million members working for 8,400 Minnesota-based employers. Dr. Riggs is also on the board of the YWCA of Minneapolis, the Great Twin Cities United Way, and Women’s Health Leadership Trust. In the 2002 election cycle, she served as Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party re-electing a Democratic Governor and US Senator for the first time in Iowa history.
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 spent the majority of her business career in the medical device industry; co-founded One Nation News, a multicultural media company and is currently the CEO of Strategic Dreaming, Inc., a media and publishing company and author of the cookbook, C Sweets, Desserts from the Executive Suite. She has extensive experience as an executive leadership and peer mentoring coach. Satori has a BA in Communications from Augsburg College and is completing her Master of Arts in Leadership. She is a recipient of the “Woman on the Way” award from the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the “Woman to Watch” award from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. She is actively involved in the American Red Cross-Twin Cities Chapter Tiffany Circle, womenwinning, Minnesota Women’s Consortium, Honoring Women Worldwide, the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis and the White House Project Leadership Circle and, of course, the Fun Club where her alias is “Frenchy.” She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Missy Staples Thompson
Missy Staples Thompson has been a leader in the field of finance, economic development, and community engagement for over thirty years. She currently is a principal in the Twin Cities based consulting firm, Xanthus Partners, which offers expertise in finance, development, and community engagement strategies for housing, economic development and education initiatives. Missy actively volunteers in the Twin Cities community and currently serves as a director on the boards of the Minnesota Historical Society, the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency, and MinnPost.
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.
Karen Wilson Thissen
Karen Wilson Thissen is Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Ameriprise Financial. She oversees a number of the company’s legal teams, including litigation, regulatory affairs, insurance, asset management and advice and wealth management. Karen joined Ameriprise in 2004. Prior to joining Ameriprise, Karen was a partner and trial lawyer at Faegre & Benson. Karen graduated from Georgetown University and the University of Chicago Law School. She also serves on the Boards of the Minnesota Historical Society and the James Sewell Ballet. Karen and her husband Paul and their 3 children live in Minneapolis.
