Ellen Goodman, 28th Annual Luncheon Keynote Speaker

Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist, author, speaker and commentator, refuses to call herself a pundit. A long time chronicler of social change in America, especially the women’s movement and its effects on our public and private lives, Goodman was among the first to open the national op-ed pages to women’s voices.  She went on to become the most widely syndicated progressive columnist in the country.   

Though recently retired from her column, Ms. Goodman continues to ask the critical questions so many reporters avoid. Writing and speaking with authority and uncompromising honesty about the challenges women face in a world without full justice and equal representation, she inspires young women with living “proof that the written word has power – to challenge the status quo, shape ideas and ultimately create change.”



Teresa Daly, womenwinning Board Chair

Teresa Daly is a businesswoman with more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership and consulting. Her expertise lies in building strong leaders by working with individuals to uncover their assets and capitalize on their strengths.  She has worked with politicians, CEOs and entrepreneurs.

In 2008, Teresa co-founded Navigate Forward, a boutique consulting firm that works with executives in transition.  True to their core values, Teresa and her partners dedicate more than ten percent of revenue to featured charities and causes that they are passionate about and that make a difference in the lives of others.  In 2009 it was the Jeremiah Project, this year the Cookie Cart, a north Minneapolis nonprofit that gives teens their first job experience.
A dedicated mentor and public servant, Teresa ran for the U.S. Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd District in 2004 and served on the Burnsville City Council from 2002-2006. She currently chairs the board for womenwinning: Minnesota Woman’s Campaign Fund.  She also chairs the Executive Board for Hope for Tomorrow, a mentoring program for 8th grade girls; and is a member of the Normandale Community College Foundation Board.

Teresa has been recognized with numerous awards and recognitions including the Individual Champion of Women Award from the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Spirit of Caring Award from the Community Action Council, and the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Minnesota Economic Development Association (MEDA).  In 2009, she was recognized as one of 25 “Women to Watch” by the Minneapolis Business Journal. 

Teresa has a Masters Degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota.  For over 5 years, Teresa taught classes on strategic human resources at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and still presents as a guest speaker.  She is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and community organizations on various topics including ‘Women in Leadership’ and ‘Leadership & Legacy’.



Sarah Taylor-Nanista, womenwinning Executive Director

Sarah joined womenwinning in October 2007.  In appointing Taylor-Nanista the committee sought to bring her research regarding the recruitment and election of women to local office in Minnesota to the work of womenwinning.  Her thesis “A Push to the Pipeline: An Analysis of Efforts of Parties and Organizations to Recruit Women to Local Office in Minnesota,” speaks directly to our efforts. 

Prior to joining womenwinning, Sarah most recently served as Director of the StreetWorks Collaborative where she provided leadership, vision, and organizational direction for the collaboration of ten nonprofit youth-serving member agencies in the Twin Cities.  In 2005, she served as acting director of the Humphrey Institute’s Center on Women and Public Policy where she planned and implemented training for prospective women candidates and in 2006 she received her master’s in public policy from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.  Taylor-Nanista also earned a master’s in social work from the University of Minnesota with a concentration in community organizing and advocacy.