Our People

Our people—staff, board members, coaches and volunteers—are dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for every participant and family. Learn more about the individuals who bring our mission and vision to life.

Our Staff

Kathleen Cannon

Executive Director • She/her

Stacey Haynes-Benton

Program Director • She/her

Brenda Trok

Operations Director • She/her

Kristi Pogatchnik

Development Director • She/her

Johnna Bratt

Operations Manager • She/her

Ana Freeberg

Program Coordinator (Twin Cities) • She/her

Brianna Kammel

Regional Coordinator (Southern Minnesota) • She/her

Liz Gallardo

Program Coordinator (Twin Cities) • she/they

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Board of Directors

Kristin Rortvedt, Board Chair

Minnesota Twins

Danielle Gangelhoff, Vice Chair

Native Governance Center

Maria Baer, Secretary

Mayo Clinic

Andy Cerio, Treasurer

JP Morgan Chase

Michelle Benson

YMCA of the North

Emily Chapman

Children's Minnesota

Julie Cosgrove

Affinity Plus Credit Union

Leslie Hitchens

Maxfield Elementary, St Paul

Ali Issa

Boston Scientific

Gauri Jadhav

Stonebridge Capital

Traci Klein

Gillette Children's

Emily Larson

Duluth Community Member

Katie Lingras

University of Minnesota

Tammy McNish

University of Minnesota

Sianneh Mulbah

Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx

Juliana Panetta

Mall of America

Georgia Ross

Student, Youth Board Member

Abby Schmulewitz

Minnesota Hillel

Erin VanLanduit

Cargill

Samty Xiong

CSM Corporation

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Associate Board

Hannah Bowlin

Board Member

Shannon Buckner

Board Member

Maggie Ellis

Board Member

Amanda Erickson

Board Member

Maddie Hanten

Board Member

Kayla Malik

Board Member

Annika Mau

Board Member

Ciara McManus

Board Member

Anne Murphy

Board Member

Madelyn Murphy-Homer

Board Member

Raffie Parke

Board Member

Allie Pybas

Board Member

Katrina Rudisel

Board Co-Chair

Anna Starks

Board Member

Emily Thompson

Board Member

Leah Thorson

Board Member

Kayla Tigges

Board Co-Chair

Anna Vitale

Board Member

Our Culture

Our mission, vision and core values are at the heart of everything we do. Learn more about our organization, our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access, and how you can join our team.

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