Foundation board
Meet the board of directors for Children’s Health Care Foundation. An asterisk (*) denotes people who serve on both the hospital and foundation boards.
J.T. Arseniadis
Api Group, VP, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
J.T. Arseniadis is the Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for APi Group, a global, market-leading business services provider of safety and specialty services in over 500 locations across more than 20 countries. Arseniadis is responsible for the global accounting, reporting and control function across APi.
Prior to joining APi, Arseniadis served as Vice President, Assistant Controller of OptumRx, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. Prior to that, he held various roles of increasing responsibility at UnitedHealth Group, including leading technical accounting for its Optum business and the Controller for OptumRx Specialty Pharmacies. Arseniadis began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a global public accounting firm, spending nearly 12 years serving a variety of industrial and consumer product clients based out of the offices of Minneapolis, Singapore, and Chicago.
Arseniadis is originally from the east coast of the U.S., but became a Midwesterner after earning an accounting degree from the University of Notre Dame. For nearly a decade, he has been involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, serving as a member of the Associate Board and as its President in 2019 and 2020. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He and his wife live in Shorewood with their two daughters. When not acting as a chauffeur to various kids’ activities, he enjoys traveling and cooking.
Ryan Bartley
Senior Vice President – Market Officer, Link Logistics
Ryan Bartley is the Senior Vice President-Market Officer for Link Logistics Real Estate, a Blackstone Company founded in 2019, and board member and immediate past President of NAIOP Minnesota. Prior experience includes Vice President of Industrial Brokerage for Paramount Real Estate Corporation. Bartley is a graduate of Iowa State University – Ivy College of Business and Cretin-Derham High School in St. Paul. He and his wife Christine and three daughters live in Highland Park in St. Paul.
Marty Bassett
President and CEO, Walman Optical Company
Martin L. Bassett has been the president and CEO of the Walman Optical Company, the largest independent wholesale optical company in the U.S., since 2001. Prior to that, Bassett served Walman in the areas of finance and operations. Walman has 1,200 employees and serves 9,500 customers through 41 offices located throughout the U.S. Walman is recognized as one of America’s 100 largest employee owned companies. Bassett has served on the Board of Directors of the Vision Council, where he served as the chairman, vice chairman, chair of the Government Relation and Advocacy Committee as well as serving as the secretary and treasurer. During his tenure as chairman of the Vision Council, Bassett was instrumental in building alliances throughout the industry in support of the growth and expansion of the Think About Your Eyes consumer awareness campaign. Bassett serves as the immediate past chairman of the Governance Board of Children’s Minnesota.
Bassett is a member of the World Presidents’ Association (WPO) and The American Institute of CPA’s. Bassett holds a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting from the University of Minnesota.
Jon Biermann
Associate Director of Reporting and Analytics, Optum
Jon Biermann is currently Associate Director of Reporting and Analytics at Optum. With over 15 years of experience in data analytics, Biermann has built a career helping businesses tell a story through their data while providing insights on standardizing metrics. He is presently focused on optimizing data architecture in the cloud with a concentration on AI/ML functionality. Biermann has been involved with Children’s Minnesota since 2018 when is his daughter had a brief stay in the NICU and was blown away by the care both his daughter and family received.
Biermann holds a B.A. in Economics from St. John’s University. He resides in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with his wife Laura and their three children.
Traci Bransford
Partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP
Entertainment, media, and sports clients turn to Traci Bransford for strategic counsel on the full range of their legal needs. She is the leader of Parker Poe’s Sports & Entertainment Industry Team and has over 30 years of experience.
Bransford focuses her practice on transactional law with an emphasis on clients in music, television, film, literary publishing, and sports. She serves as outside general counsel in those industries and others, including retail, education, and health care. She guides her clients through many aspects of their businesses, including intellectual property management, contract negotiation, and brand strategy. Her clients benefit from her multi-jurisdictional experience from California to New York, and most recently Georgia and Minnesota, as well as her commitment to the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This background allows her to offer comprehensive solutions to key legal challenges.
Bransford regularly speaks before national audiences about entertainment, media, sports, and celebrity philanthropy. She is a member of leading sports and entertainment law associations and serves on several nonprofit boards. Earlier in her career, Bransford served as general counsel to the world-renowned performing artist Prince and served as the chief executive for the legal affairs of his corporate entities, including Paisley Park Enterprises. That experience shaped much of her work ethic in serving high-profile entertainment clients and meeting their specific legal needs. It continues to inform her work today as she negotiates agreements for entertainers, athletes, and leading media companies.
Bransford earned her Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College in Atlanta and her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law.
Willie Burton
NBA Legend, and University of Minnesota, Educator
Burton is a former professional NBA athlete, an accomplished state, national, and international program turnaround specialist, and a keynote speaker. He turns failing youth programs into nationally recognized programs.
As a basketball player, he won two Michigan Class C State Championships. He then attended The University of Minnesota and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and the Elite Eight. He was twice an All-Big Ten selection and team MVP three consecutive years. He was inducted into the Catholic High School; Michigan Basketball and the University of Minnesota retired his number 34. He received his B.S in Multi-Disciplinary Studies from the University of Minnesota with three areas of focus in communication, history and social science, and technology.
Burton is a current NBA record holder who played for the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, and Charlotte Hornets.
In his post-sports career, he draws on his credentials from the Detroit Health Department and his non-profit work to provide parents and students with practical skills that will help them make better decisions. In addition, he has worked with NBA Cares, NBA Team Awareness Program, NFL Play 60, the NHL and NCAA Tournament. Using this experience he developed Project Safe Campus, a program that has been approved by the Justice Department, FBI, Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Education, where he worked with 8 counties with 400,000 students at K-12 schools.
He was also a Sociology of Sports Assistant Instructor at Wayne State University where he completed his master’s degree.
Burton is also the Founder of Excel U, evidence based behavioral change curriculum. Excel U is a university measured program that empowers students, student-athletes and the adults who guide them. Designed for grades K-12 in partnership with Starr Commonwealth and NASA Institute for Space Studies. Burton is a Director at the Michigan Physical Fitness Foundation and is appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Governors Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. In January 2021, Burton received his Certification from NYU in Fundamentals of Global Sports Management.
In 2022 Burton was selected by the Pro-football Hall of Fame as National Ambassador to Behavioral Health. Burton is presently a Ph.D. candidate in Sports & Exercise and Psychology at the University of Minnesota, where he also serves as an instructor.
Emily Chapman, MD*
President, CEO, Children’s Minnesota
Emily Chapman, MD, was appointed president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota in August 2025. She is deeply committed to delivering exceptional care and experiences for patient families, staff and community.
With over 30 years of experience in pediatric health care, Dr. Chapman previously served as chief medical officer and senior vice president of medical affairs at Children’s Minnesota. In that role, she oversaw clinical care delivery, strategic service line growth, quality and continuous improvement, interprofessional education and research. She has received recognition for notable contributions to quality improvement, patient safety and education.
Dr. Chapman has deep roots in medical education, having served as the associate director of medical education at Children’s Minnesota and an associate program director of the University of Minnesota Pediatric Residency Program, where she is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics.
Before joining Children’s Minnesota as a pediatric hospitalist, Dr. Chapman practiced general pediatrics as owner and president of the Wayzata Children’s Clinic. She started her career as a child life specialist where she developed a deeper curiosity for medicine and the healing connection between care teams and patient families.
Dr. Chapman received her medical training at Dartmouth and the University of Minnesota. She completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She holds a B.A. in psychology from Williams College.
Terry Clark
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, UnitedHealth Group
Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, Optum
Terry Clark was named chief marketing officer for UnitedHealth Group in 2014 and added responsibility as chief marketing and customer officer for Optum in 2022. In his role, Clark leads UnitedHealth Group’s marketing, brand and customer experience efforts – focusing on transforming how people experience our products and services. Previously, Clark served as chief marketing officer, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, leading UnitedHealthcare’s direct-to-consumer efforts. Clark joined UnitedHealthcare in 2006 from IAC/InterActiveCorp, a consumer marketing and technology company comprised of leading digital brands, where he last served as executive vice president, sales and marketing, for the Entertainment Publications division.
Brett Edelson
CEO, Genoa Healthcare
Brett Edelson has spent more than 20 years at UnitedHealth Group, dedicated to partnering with community organizations, employers and health care providers to advance health equity, expand access to care and address social drivers of health.
He currently serves as CEO of Genoa Healthcare, where he leads a compassionate team operating more than 740 pharmacy locations nationwide. Together, with the recently aligned PharmScript, Genoa is committed to improving quality of life for individuals living with mental health conditions, substance use disorders and other chronic health issues.
Prior to this role, Edelson served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Minnesota, North Dakota & South Dakota, where he led the team serving 800,000 members across these states. Brett previously worked in national leadership positions across UnitedHealthcare, including as Senior Vice President of its Community & State (Medicaid) business, where he led teams focused on product, consumer experience, strategic planning, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans and Medicaid proposal development.
Earlier in his career, Edelson worked in the strategy & operations practice of Deloitte Consulting where he advised clients on strategy and business performance. He received his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, M.S. in Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College and B.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis.
He has served on the Board of Directors for the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Hennepin Health Foundation, Close Gaps by 5, American Cancer Society CEOs Against Cancer, Children’s Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota and has been a mentor through Techstars and MBOLD.
Jacqueline Lloyd Cunningham, MBA
Deputy Director of Livability Marketing, Explore Minnesota
Jacqueline Lloyd Cunningham serves as the Deputy Director of Livability Marketing at Explore Minnesota. In this capacity, she leads strategy and marketing for Explore Minnesota for Business, a novel division dedicated to championing the livability and economic potential of Minnesota.
With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades and a background in diverse sectors, including non-profit, health care, and retail, Lloyd Cunningham’s expertise lies in understanding and influencing human behavior, leading cross-functional teams, and formulating strategic and integrated marketing plans that propel brand relevance and drive tangible business outcomes.
Lloyd Cunningham currently sits on the Foundation Board of Directors of Children’s Minnesota and is co-chair of Star Gala 2024. She was also appointed by Governor Tim Walz and serves as a Public Member on the Board of Nursing. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY; an MBA degree from Fordham University Graduate School of Business in New York and completed Master in Public Health courses at St. Catherine University. Lloyd Cunningham is married, has two adult children and finds joy spending time walking and at the lake.
Joe Francis
Owner and CEO, Central McGowan
Joe Francis is Chief Executive Officer and sole owner of Central McGowan, a family business that was founded in 1947 by his grandfather. In addition to leading strategy for the various businesses held within the company, Francis also leads the real estate operations that supports the growth of the business. Central McGowan is comprised of a welding, industrial and gas supply company, a beverage carbonation/dry ice/CO2 company and a robotic integration business spread across 10 locations in the Midwest.
Francis is active on various non-profit boards in Minnesota, serves on the Board of Directors for St. Cloud Industrial Products (SCIPI) and is involved in a number of industry related associations. He is also an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), most specifically the Twin Cities Chapter. Francis received his B.S. in Business Administration from St. Cloud State University and resides near the Twin Cities with his wife Bri and three children.
Sharon Murphy Garber
Community volunteer
Sharon Murphy Garber is a dedicated volunteer and supporter of Children’s Minnesota. Over the past 32 years she has held a number of volunteer leadership roles. Ms. Murphy Garber has served as chair of Children’s Minnesota’s Pain, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine task force. She also co-chaired Children’s Minnesota’s 2016 and 2017 Shine Bright Bash and she has served on the planning committee of Shine Brighter since 2018, which raised funds for Children’s Minnesota’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program. Ms. Murphy Garber previously served as president and communications chair of The Children’s Association – Minneapolis, an organization dedicated to raising funds to support Children’s Minnesota. In addition to her support of Children’s Minnesota, Ms. Murphy Garber is a board member of the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation, District Committee for the Midwest Interscholastic High School Sailing Association and board director for the National Interscholastic High School Sailing Association. She also volunteered for Como Zoo for more than 40 years.
Archelle Georgiou, MD
President, Georgiou Consulting
Chair, Children’s Minnesota Board of Directors
Archelle Georgiou, MD, is a nationally recognized physician, health executive, medical reporter and author who is known for her commitment to patient advocacy. She maintains a diverse portfolio of advisory relationships with companies and organizations that improve health and the health care system. In addition, she is an executive in residence at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Dr. Georgiou is also an on-air medical expert with a weekly segment on KSTP-TV, the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and has covered over 1,600 medical topics. In 2017, Dr. Georgiou published her book, Health Care Choices: 5 Steps to Getting the Medical Care You Want and Need – a book that explains how consumers can be an equal partner in their care and have a voice in their medical decisions. From 1995 to 2007, Dr. Georgiou served as chief medical officer of UnitedHealth Group. She has served on boards of directors for non-profit, private and publicly-traded companies.
Dr. Georgiou graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and was board-certified in Internal Medicine.
Marc Gorelick, MD*
President, chief executive officer, Children’s Minnesota
Marc Gorelick, MD, was appointed chief executive officer of Children’s Minnesota in December 2017. He joined Children’s Minnesota in March 2017 as president and chief operating officer. He is deeply committed to identifying sustainable ways Children’s Minnesota can continue to deliver exceptional care in an evolving health care environment.
Dr. Gorelick previously served as executive vice president and COO of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. A pediatric emergency medicine physician by training, his prior experience includes faculty positions at Medical College of Wisconsin and University of Pennsylvania, and clinical and leadership roles at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, AI DuPont Hospital for Children, and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
His education includes an A.B. degree in history from Princeton University, an M.D. degree from Duke University, and a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gorelick trained in pediatrics at Children’s National Medical Center, and in pediatric emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Gorelick’s interests include running, cycling, and paddling; homebrewing; and playing the tuba.
Julianne Hanscom
Vice President Program Management, U.S. Bank
Children’s Hospital Association Representative
Julianne Hanscom is a seasoned strategic leader with over 15 years of experience driving change, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering operational excellence. As a Senior Program Manager in the Finance Transformation Office at U.S. Bank, she plays a key role in leading complex initiatives that improve financial operations and efficiency.
Julianne is deeply committed to supporting organizations that align with her passions for children’s health and welfare, animal advocacy, and sustainable environmental practices. She currently serves as the President of the Children’s Hospital Association Board of Directors, where she helps raise funds to support programs and services at Children’s Minnesota.
Residing in Mahtomedi, MN, Julianne enjoys traveling, embracing Minnesota’s many outdoor activities, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Chris Harrington
President and CEO, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Christopher L. Harrington, Ordway president and CEO, has a passion for connecting people from all walks of life through arts and culture and has a successful track record in audience development, revenue generation strategy, innovative programming and leadership.
Harrington joined the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota as its 12th president and CEO and provides strategic and community leadership that leverages the expertise of the board and staff in advancing and championing the Ordway’s mission, vision and values for the benefit of the community. He oversees the organization’s wide variety of performing arts, community engagement and education programming which take place in state of the industry campus featuring a 1,900-seat Music Theater and the 1,093-seat Concert Hall.
Before joining the Ordway, Harrington served as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Senior Director of Jazz and @ The Max, where he was responsible for marketing, programming local, national, and international talent, and ensuring a sustainable business model. Harrington also worked in various capacities for the Detroit Jazz Festival and WDET-FM, Detroit’s NPR station.
He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Music from Wayne State University. He completed National Arts Strategies’ eight-month Executive Program in Arts & Culture Strategy, a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, and a ten-month intensive leadership program with the League of American Orchestras.
Harrington served as a proud mentor in Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business Corporate Mentor Program, and has served on grant review committees, on the executive team for Detroit Young Professionals, and as a panelist at national conferences.
A trusted advocate for the arts and local community, Harrington currently serves on the boards of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), Live Arts Centers of North American (LACNA) Foundation, the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, and the Arts Partnership, a unique collaboration comprising Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Schubert Club, and the Ordway. Harrington is the recipient of the inaugural Marlowe Stoudamire Award for Innovation and Community Collaboration, presented by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Wayne State University’s Arts Achievement Award.
Simone Hardeman-Jones
Executive director, GreenLight Fund Twin Cities
Simone Hardeman-Jones is the founding executive director of GreenLight Fund Twin Cities, an organization that partners with community, nonprofit, government, academic, philanthropic and business leaders to bring socially innovative solutions to the Twin Cities to fill unmet local needs, break down entrenched barriers and address deep-rooted disparities in order to create opportunities for children and families to thrive.
Hardeman-Jones has a deep understanding of the role that systems play and the impact they have in the lives of some of the most underserved in our communities and has committed her career to dismantling them. She served as national director of policy and partnerships at Educators for Excellence (E4E), a national education non-profit. She also served in the Obama Administration in a variety of roles, including Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education where she served as a key advisor to two U.S. Secretaries of Education. Hardeman-Jones spent six years as policy advisor to two United States Senators, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and the late Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) and also spent time working on multiple political campaigns including as Director of African American Outreach for Senator Klobuchar’s 2006 Senate race.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Hardeman-Jones currently resides in the Twin Cities with her husband and toddler son. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a Senior Fellow with the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) and the Breck School Alumni Council. She serves on the boards of the Minnesota Alliance With Youth and Ed Allies. Hardeman-Jones holds both a bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from The American University in Washington, D.C.
Jessica Henrichs
President, Colle McVoy, Inc.
Jessica Henrichs is a brand transformation and turnaround specialist. Working with many of the world’s best brands, she has a proven track record in building high-performing teams, helping brands influence consumer behavior and driving business growth.
As president, Henrichs set a course for Colle McVoy to become an agency that’s truly built for change by reinventing the agency’s model, investing in emerging capabilities and fostering transformational leadership. Her innate passion to blaze new trails, combined with her mastery of client relationships, make her a trusted strategic advisor and inspirational leader.
Henrichs has more than two decades of experience creating award-winning integrated strategies and solutions for global brands. At Digitas for more than a decade, she became an expert in data- and technology-led creative that led to 100+ awards, including a Cannes Lion Grand Prix for Data, while overseeing management of the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Bank of America, Sprint, P&G, General Motors, PPG and Goodyear accounts. Prior to Digitas, Henrichs spent nine years in charge of marketing and sales promotions for CBS television stations.
Erin Herman
Children’s Hospital Association Representative
Erin Herman is returning to serve on the Foundation Board as a representative for the Children’s Hospital Association where she has been a board member for 10 years including roles as Treasurer, Vice President and 2020 President.
Erin has worked in the medical technology industry for over 20 years. She has worked at mid to large multi-national companies in the Twin Cities including Synovis Surgical Innovations, Boston Scientific and is currently a Global Marketing Director at Medtronic. Serving on the Children’s Hospital Association Board and Children’s Foundation Board combines her two passions of children and healthcare by supporting the critical work to ensure children and their families in our community not only have access to the highest level of clinical care but also the wrap around services that supports treating the whole patient. Erin and her husband Brent reside in the Twin Cities with their 3 children; aged 8-14.
Nestor Jaramillo, Jr.*
Retired CEO
Foundation Board Chair
Nestor Jaramillo, Jr. has been a key player in health care industry for more than 30 years and has led commercial organizations in both multinational and startup companies.
Jaramillo spent 23 years at Medtronic in sales and marketing roles, both domestic and international assignments. In addition, he also spent seven years as a managing director of health care investment banking at both Cherry Tree & Associates and Craig-Hallum Capital, both firms located in Minneapolis.
Jaramillo has served as president and CEO of Nuwellis, Inc., a publicly traded company, from 2019 through 2025, and of Innerspace Neuro Solution, Inc., a Tustin, Calif.-based commercial-stage medical technology company that developed, manufactured, and distributed an intracranial pressure monitoring system. He also worked in a variety of capacities at startup Transoma Medica, and Abbott (St. Jude Medical). He served in the board of directors of Accumold Inc. (DesMoines, IA) and NPI Medical (Ansonia, Conn.)
Jaramillo holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. He serves on the Finance Committee of the Basilica of St. Mary Landmark Foundation. For ten years he was on the board of NPH, serving as chairman for two years. NPH is a non-profit organization supporting abandoned and disadvantaged children in Central and South America. Jaramillo lives in Edina with wife Laurie where they raised their children Carmen and Nicholas, now adults with children of their own.
Briana Koch
Account Manager, Tenet Solutions
Briana Koch is an Account Manager for Tenet Solutions. She is responsible for collaboration and development of initiatives that drive business efficiencies, culture, grow business and enhance customer interactions and support. Prior to Tenet, Koch spent seven years at Ryan Companies US Inc., and before that Koch spent eight years in the banking industry in various roles throughout Wells Fargo bank. Through her experiences, Koch has created spaces and platforms for team members and leaders to connect and share vulnerability to humanize themselves and enhance true connection and collaboration. She believes that any process can be improved and done more efficiently. We can never get back time, so the best thing we can do is be efficient and protect people’s time.
Koch was introduced to Children’s Minnesota while caring for her son Aiden in 2015. Aiden was diagnosed with Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome II and was the 46th case in the world. Aiden lost his fight with Mitochondrial Disease in June 2015 at 14.5 months old. Without Children’s, Koch and her family likely would have not received a diagnosis. To say Aiden made an impact on her and others’ lives is an understatement. The family continues to give time and support to Children’s in honor and memory of Aiden. Koch has been on the Executive Children’s Committee since 2021. She served as a co-chair for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House. Aiden has helped his family look at life with a new lens of empathy, compassion, service., and giving back.
Koch was born in East Aurora, NY. She graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Bachelor of Social Sciences- Early Childhood Education. She arrived in Minnesota in 2009, and although her intent was to go back to New York, she fell in love with Minnesota. She received her Certificate in Small Business Management in 2010. She married the most supportive husband, Nick, in 2013. Together they have their angel baby Aiden, Greyson and Owen. The family resides in Maple Grove, MN.
Jeryn Konezny
Lawyer and community volunteer
Jeryn Konezny is a non-practicing lawyer and community volunteer. From 2008-2014, Konezny served on the Board of St. David’s Center in Minnetonka from 2008-2014, on the Board of the Hennepin History Museum from 1999 to 2002, and from 1998 to 2000 served on the Minnetonka Heritage Commission. She practiced law at Dorsey & Whitney from 1994 to 2000, specializing in the areas of nonprofit, tax-exemption, and health care law. While practicing law, Konezny volunteered for a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Junior League of Minneapolis, Tulip Foundation, and Free Arts for Abused Children of Minnesota. Konezny earned her law degree from the University of Michigan and her political science degree from the University of St. Thomas. She and her husband live in Deephaven and have three daughters, Adelaide, Emma and Hannah.
Katie Crosby Lehmann
Founding Partner, Ciresi Conlin LLP
Katie Crosby Lehmann is a Founding Partner of Ciresi Conlin LLP, a boutique trial firm based in Minneapolis. She served as the firm’s Managing Partner for its first eleven years. Prior to forming Ciresi Conlin in 2015, Crosby Lehmann practiced patent and business litigation at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, where she began her legal career in 1995.
Over the last 30 years, Crosby Lehmann has handled matters spanning business and contract disputes, patent infringement litigation, and complex trust trials. Her work has also included cases focused on long-term environmental stewardship, including protecting sustainable water resources in the metro area and helping to safeguard the Boundary Waters for future generations.
Raised in Faribault, Minnesota, she earned her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame and her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. She and her husband, Carl, have three grown children and enjoy spending time at their northern Minnesota cabin.
Rebecca Lieberman
Vice president human capital, Optum
Foundation Board Immediate Past Chair
Rebecca Lieberman is known as an inspiring, transformational leader who builds winning teams. Her hallmark trait is engaging and partnering with senior leaders to develop innovative solutions and expand their capabilities in fast-paced, everchanging global environments.
Lieberman is currently the vice president human capital for Optum Technology. In her role she is focused on advancing the business through forward thinking human capital strategies, building teams with the skills needed to meet current and future customer needs and creating an inclusive culture.
Prior to joining Optum in 2021, Lieberman spent 5 years at Radisson Hotel group in a variety of roles, most recently as chief human resources officer leading the Human Resources, Communications, Responsible Business and Facilities Functions for the Americas. In this role, she was responsible for leading and enabling the business to deliver on the achievement of strategic and operational business goals. Additionally, she developed and deployed globally aligned strategies throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific regions for both Performance and Talent.
She was the owner and principal human resources consultant for RTL Consulting, where she specialized in HR strategy and organizational effectiveness for various companies going through M&A and divestitures. She also spent 10 years at Target Corporation serving in a variety of roles and leading organizational transformations for both corporate and store divisions.
As a community volunteer, Lieberman has served in various roles with Children’s Cancer Research Fund, YPO and Junior League of Minneapolis. She previously served in a chair position for the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. Lieberman holds a BA in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.
Julie McDonough
Private Wealth Management Executive, Minnesota Market President, Old National Bank
Julie McDonough is a Private Wealth Management Executive and the Minnesota Market President for Old National Bank. She has over 20 years of financial services experience including wealth management, private banking and commercial banking.
McDonough is a graduate of Iowa State University with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication. She attended ISU on a full athletic scholarship and was a 4-year letter winner on the women’s basketball team. As a senior McDonough helped lead her team to its first ever NCAA tournament bid.
McDonough and her husband, Matt, reside in Plymouth with their sons, Chase and Cole. She is a community volunteer with passions around early childhood education, cancer research and support for families dealing with cancer diagnosis/treatment. She was a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Lifeblood Award Winner in 2014 and the LLS 2018 Woman of the Year for her volunteer work and fundraising in honor of her son, Cole, a leukemia survivor. It was through Cole’s cancer journey that the McDonough family experienced firsthand the incredible level of quality and compassionate care delivered by Children’s Minnesota.
Ann McGarry
Head of enterprise marketing & branding, Securian Financial Group
Ann McGarry is the Head of Enterprise Marketing & Branding at Securian Financial Group. At Securian, McGarry leads all business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing efforts to drive consideration of Securian Financial. She also oversees brand strategy and reputation management, as well as corporate communications. She has more than 30 years of financial services experience and has held strategic marketing roles at United Health Group, Wells Fargo, Mackenzie Marketing, and American Express.
An active supporter of the local community, McGarry has served on the board of her children’s schools, volunteered as the manager of her daughter’s soccer team, and currently volunteers at the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. McGarry earned her BA in Business Administration from the College of St. Benedict and her MBA with an Emphasis in Marketing from the University of Saint Thomas – School of Business.
Raquel Melo
Vice President of Product Innovation, Dairy Farmers of America
Raquel Melo is Vice President, New Products at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a farmer-owned cooperative. Prior to this capacity, Melo has held roles as Vice President, Innovation and New Business Development at Land O’Lakes Inc as well as other marketing and innovation roles in the Twin Cities including General Mills.
Melo was most recently the Chair of the Board for The Brand Lab. She has held board or board chair roles with Rainbow Families, The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (Twin Cities chapter,) The MN AIDS Project, RI Project AIDS and the Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL).
Melo holds a BA from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A native of the Dominican Republic, she grew up primarily in NYC and Boston, and has lived in the Twin Cities for 25 years. Melo holds a BA from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She and her wife adopted their three children Tyler, Sofia, and Bennet (now young adults) through Hennepin County.
Cathy Muggee
Community Volunteer
Cathy Muggee retired from 3M after a long career recognized as a collaborative leader with a passion for organizational efficiency. She worked in a variety of functional areas at 3M, including IT, Global Supply Chain, and Mergers & Acquisitions, developing cross-functional teams who delivered results.
In addition to her role on the Children’s Minnesota Foundation Board, Muggee is involved in a variety of volunteer activities including serving on the Planned Giving and Endowment committee at the Greater Twin Cities United Way, Board Member of Spirit Song Choir, Finance Council at St. Pascal Baylon Church, and has served with Loaves and Fishes at Catholic Charities.
Muggee has been a long-time supporter of Children’s Minnesota and cancer research, beginning when her youngest son was diagnosed with leukemia and received comprehensive care at Children’s Minnesota in St. Paul.
Her academic background includes a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and an M.S. in Microbiology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Muggee and her husband John enjoy spending time with family and friends, learning more about our world through travel, and indulging their passion for music as members of two choirs. They have three adult children.
Hao Nguyen
Director of the Trials Division, Ramsey County Attorney’s Office
Hao Q. Nguyen is the Director of the Trials Division at the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, where he oversees a division of 37 attorneys and about 20 support staff. In addition to his directorial duties, he also serves on the Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team. Nguyen handles a wide variety of cases ranging from murder, sexual assault, and other serious person related offenses. Prior to becoming a lawyer Nguyen served the state of Minnesota as a police officer and sheriff’s deputy. Nguyen came to this country as a refugee from Vietnam at the age of nine. He grew up in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and was raised alongside his two older brothers by their single mother. After graduating college he served as a police officer in a patrol unit responding to 911 calls for service. He later went on to law school attending Hamline University School of Law and received his jurist doctorate in 2010.
The recognition that prosecutors at their core are ministers of justice as opposed to solely utilizing the justice system to punish others has been at the forefront of Nguyen’s dedication to public service. He believes education is the great equalizer, in that spirit he previously taught several semesters of Constitutional Criminal Procedure as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. He is the board chair of Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM, a nonprofit that provides housing and care for women and children who experience domestic violence and homelessness). Nguyen is also the Chair of the MCAA (Minnesota County Attorney’s Association) Diversity Committee and is a board member for MNCIT (Minnesota Critical Incident Training) a nonprofit that trains law enforcement and other professionals on how to serve people who are experiencing mental health crisis.
Nawal Noor
Founder and CEO, Noor Companies
Nawal Noor is the dynamic and visionary CEO and Founder of Noor Companies. Noor Companies is an award-winning social benefit corporation, real estate development and construction firm in Minnesota. Noor Construction is also one of the largest minority and women owned general contractors in Minnesota. Noor’s mission, as a social benefit corporation, is to do business that demonstrates progress in achieving positive social impact. The “benefit” part of our mission is a big deal to us. We use business as a force for good in everything we do.
Noor is the first East African Real Estate Developer and is recognized as the Power 30 Developers in Minnesota. Noor has amassed almost a decade of hands-on experience in the construction and real estate industry. Prior to launching Noor Companies, she had over 10 years of a successful career in corporate finance, audit, strategy, and marketing experience. She also spent four years working for a non-profit organization that focuses on affordable housing. Starting her career as a Licensed General Contractor, she quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing exceptional leadership skills and technical acumen.
She is a transformational leader creating opportunities and advocates for women of color and minorities to make commercial real estate accessible. She launched a successful business to build affordable housing, and community-based development projects employing, and training workers historically left out of real estate development and construction projects. Her leadership style is characterized by a blend of innovation, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, making her a respected figure in the construction industry.
Noor is a 2019 Bush Fellow and is continually active in the community. She served on several boards and committees including, Minnesota Children’s Hospital Foundation, Hennepin County Workforce Leadership Council as the Co-Chair with Commissioner Fernando, ULI MN Market Council member, Friends of Hennepin County Library. She served on the board of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), State of Minnesota Disparity Study External Stakeholders, University of Minnesota National Diversity Advisory Board, Vice President of National Association of Minority Contractors Midwest Chapter, Board Secretary for Ecolab Credit Union, and the Board Chair of Nurul-Iman Institute/Mosque and Community Center.
Noor is a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas, with a degree in Finance and Computer Science and an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg. She is also a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified Project Manager.
Anne Novak
Wealth Advisor, Cresset Capital
Vice President, Cresset Trust Company
Legacy Advisors Representative
Anne Novak is a Wealth Advisor at Cresset and Vice President of Cresset Trust Company. She brings over 20 years of experience working in family office. She is responsible for providing highly sophisticated, customized and comprehensive financial solutions to ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families. Anne’s client advisory role is enhanced by her extensive experience in accounting and tax. She also manages and oversees the growth and operations of Cresset Trust Company.
Novak earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of St. Thomas. She is a CPA, CTFA, PFS.
Emily Reitan
Managing Director, Project Consulting Group
Emily Reitan is currently Managing Director at PCG, a management consulting firm empowering transformation from strategy to execution for their clients. With over 18 years in financial services, Reitan provides strategic guidance, industry knowledge and tactical experience to her clients and consultant teams alike.
Prior to joining PCG, Reitan spent sixteen years in various executive leaders roles in the financial services industry from Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff, VP of Strategy and Business Development, VP Allianz Life Ventures and VP Fintech Strategy. She holds a M.A. in International Economic Policy from American University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from University of Puget Sound where she graduated with honors.
Reitan has been involved with Children’s Minnesota since 2008 when her son became a patient of Children’s Heart Clinic and was impressed with the care both her son and family received.
Anna Richo*
Retired Chief Legal & Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary
Anna Richo retired from Cargill, Inc., where she was the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary. In addition to her global responsibilities for law and compliance, she oversaw Global Government Relations, Global Security and Shareholder Relations, and was a member of Cargill’s Executive Team. With a law career spanning more than 35 years, Anna wore multiple hats and has extensive experience in compliance and business ethics, intellectual property and corporate litigation.
Before joining Cargill, Richo was executive vice president and general counsel at UCB, a biopharmaceutical company based in Belgium, where she resided for many years. She also served as senior vice president and chief compliance officer at Amgen, a global biotechnology firm, and as chief litigation counsel, associate general counsel and vice president of law at Baxter Healthcare. Her broad international experience extends throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia and has served to strengthen her commitment to championing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
A native New Yorker, Richo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor degree from the College of Law at DePaul University. Anna is a member of the Board of Directors of Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), the nation’s largest energy delivery company, a member of the Board of Directors of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), a global human genomics DNA sequencing company, a member of the Board of Trustees of DePaul University, and is a member of Children’s Minnesota Governance Board. Anna formerly served on the Board of Directors of Adamas Pharmaceuticals, a publicly traded neurology company, from 2020-2021, subsequently acquired by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, and on the Board of Directors of Cytyc Corporation, a publicly traded medical diagnostics company, from 1998-2003, subsequently acquired by Hologic Inc. Additionally, Richo served on the Board of Directors for the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, a statewide nonprofit association, from 2000-2003, where she was Vice-Chairman of the Board.
Mara Ryan
Managing Partner, Baccus Group
Foundation Board Vice Chair
Mara Ryan is a former Fortune 500 marketing leader with 15 years of experience building global brands, leading marketing strategy and digital transformation efforts. Most recently Ryan was at The Mosaic Company with oversight of advertising and public relations campaigns, global brand management as well as the evolution of digital properties and social engagement strategies.
Ryan was first introduced to Children’s Minnesota as she and her family navigated their first daughter’s food allergies. The journey inspired her to become an advocate and investor in advancing the food allergy care model.
In early 2020, the Ryan family’s relationship with Children’s Minnesota deepened as they navigated a high-risk pregnancy and welcomed their third daughter via emergency C-section at 26 weeks gestation. Ryan and her daughter spent a combined 129 days at The Mother Baby Center, Children’s Minnesota and Maple Grove Hospital NICUs.
Ms. Ryan currently sits on the Foundation Board of Directors of Children’s Minnesota, the Joint Governance committee and is co-chair emeritus of Star Gala. Previously, she served on the executive committee of Children’s Council as well as the Corporate Giving Committee and Marketing Advisory Committee. In addition, Mara has served on the board of directors for Avivo, WomenUnited for Greater Twin Cities United Way and The LEAD Project.
Ryan holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the Opus College of Business and an undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of St. Thomas. She’s also attended courses at Stanford University and Aspen Institute. Ryan is most proud of her husband, Colin and three strong-willed daughters Cooper, Quinn and Whitney.
Steve Ryan
Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Foundation Board Treasurer
Steve Ryan joined the Minneapolis law firm of Briggs and Morgan, P.A. in 1994 as a real estate and finance attorney, became a shareholder in 2001 and was named the firm’s Chair in 2015. He served as President and Managing Partner of the firm from 2017 to 2020, and presided over Briggs and Morgan’s merger with Taft Stettinius & Hollister in 2020. Ryan served as Partner-in-Charge of the Minneapolis office until 2021 and currently serves on Taft’s executive committee.
Ryan has nearly 30 years of experience representing a broad range of clients in the areas of banking and finance, capital markets and real estate. Among other significant matters, Ryan represented the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins on the financing, development and construction of U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Field, respectively.
Ryan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota Law School. He and his wife Anne live in Orono, Minnesota and have six children.
David Saber
Park Financial Group, Inc. and Park State Bank, Chairman and CEO
David Saber is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Park Financial Group Inc. and Park State Bank. Over the past decade, he has guided the organization’s growth from approximately $35 million to over $1.5 billion in assets and is widely recognized as a top-performing financial institution at both the national and local levels. His leadership has been recognized with honors including the MSP Business Journal Most Admired CEO Award, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Heartland Finalist, and MSP Business Journal 40 Under 40.
Previously, Mr. Saber served as Director of Strategic Advisory Services at Wipfli LLP, where he advised financial institutions across the country on strategy, capital planning, and mergers and acquisitions. He began his career in the Markets Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Mr. Saber graduated with honors from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in finance and has served on the faculty of Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and currently serves on the YPO Twin Cities Chapter Board. David and his wife, Jill, reside in Edina with their daughter. Outside of work, he enjoys time with family and friends, travel, time on the water, and a wide range of athletic and recreational activities.
Brian Sefton
President, Clearwater Equity Group
Brian Sefton is the President of Clearwater Equity Group, which is a Minneapolis-based holding company that invests in a variety of businesses looking to realize long-term growth and potential. Sefton’s collaborative and strategic skillset allows him to take a partnership approach toward each company he works with, creating greater opportunities for the people and companies in which he has invested.
Sefton’s commitment to helping others translates to his role as an active and engaged community volunteer. He is a member of the board of the Basilica Landmark and has been a board or committee member of over a dozen other nonprofit organizations – with a focus on education, homelessness, medical research, and mental health initiatives. Sefton’s first long-term volunteering role was providing support to ICU patients and families at Children’s Minnesota, so he is excited to return to the place that ignited his love of volunteering.
Sefton was born and raised in the Twin Cities, a place he is proud to call home. He graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School and received a finance degree from the University of Notre Dame. He has also lived and worked in Chicago and New York. He and his wife, Emily, stay busy with their three very active children. They live in Edina, but spend most of their time in their cars, shuttling between school, hockey, dance, basketball and golf.
Jimmy Sioris
Managing Director, Wealth Advisor, Cresset Capital
Jimmy Sioris is a Managing Director, Wealth Advisor at Cresset, responsible for providing customized and comprehensive financial solutions to ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families.
Sioris has been involved with Children’s Minnesota as a member of the Children’s Council and currently serves on the Children’s Foundation Investment Committee.
Sioris earned an MBA in business administration with concentrations in finance and management, and a bachelor’s degree in business finance from the University of St. Thomas. Jimmy and his wife Larisa reside in Edina with their two children. Sioris’s interests include playing golf, food, wine, and Minnesota sports.
Tawnya Stewart
Vice President of Business Transformation, Grand Casinos
Tawnya Stewart serves as the Vice President of Business Transformation at Grand Casinos, where she leads initiatives to optimize operations, drive revenue growth, and align innovation with strategic goals. She previously held the role of Chief People and Culture Officer, transforming workplace culture by incorporating the Ojibwe grandfather teachings.
Tawnya earned a master’s in business administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, a master’s in human resources from Loyola University Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
She serves as a foundation board member for Children’s Minnesota, a judge for the MN Cup at the University of Minnesota, and is a member of the State of Minnesota’s Business Council. She is the creator of a card game called “Get a Walleye,” which teaches kids about the seven Ojibwe values. Tawnya resides in Golden Valley, Minnesota, with her son.
Shane Swanson
Attorney and Partner, Stinson
Shane Swanson is a partner in the Tax, Trust and Estates Division at the Minneapolis office of the law firm Stinson LLP. He works with families on estate planning and administration, with an emphasis on estate tax mitigation. As part of his practice, he also assists families with charitable giving.
Since 2012, Swanson has focused his non-profit board work on health care organizations, including serving as chair and vice chair of operating and fundraising boards. Prior to 2012, Swanson served on the board of Philanthrofund Foundation, an LGBT Community Foundation based in Minneapolis, including serving as its chair.
A native of Orange County, California, Swanson earned concurrent Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Spanish from Texas Lutheran University. He moved to Minnesota in 1995 to attend the University of Minnesota Law School where he earned his Juris Doctor degree, and more importantly, met his husband, Jeff Brockmann. Jeff and Shane live in Minneapolis with their teenage daughter, Nora.
Stephanie Thomes
Senior Investment Consultant, Mercer
Stephanie Thomes is a Senior Investment Consultant within the U.S. Insurance practice at Mercer. Her expertise includes investment and risk strategy, alternatives, asset allocation, and capital efficient investing for general accounts. Prior to joining Mercer in 2023, Thomes was the Head of Investment Strategy and the Head of Alternative Investments for Allianz Investment Management across a $150b GA. She formerly worked in asset management for firms including AB Carval Investors and Black River Asset Management, and was a Controller for a technology start-up company. Stephanie currently serves on the Foundation Board and Investment Committee for the Childrens Hospital of Minnesota, and was a prior member of the Advisory Board for OWNS; an impact ETF focused on equality in minority home ownership.
Thomes received her B.S. in finance and economics from St. Cloud University and her MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School.
Maria Troje
Vice president of sales and service, Minnesota Wild
Maria Troje is in her 21st season with the Minnesota Wild and fifth as vice president of sales and service. In her current role, she oversees the Wild’s Season Ticket Holder base to continually provide excellence in customer service and fan experience, which has led to renewal rates that have consistently exceeded 90%. Her duties also include managing ticket sales for the Wild, including season ticket packages, groups and single game tickets.
Over the past few seasons, Troje has instituted an overarching customer service philosophy campus-wide for the organization, called Service First, which connects full and part-time staff as well as key partners of the Minnesota Wild to focus on service and culture at the core of the business. She also serves as the lead contact with Levy Restaurants.
Troje played an integral role in two ground-breaking initiatives: the first-ever Wild Fan Advisory Board to gain fan insights and steadily improve the fan experience; and Wild Rewards, a loyalty program designed to reward Season Ticket Holders with merchandise and one-of-a-kind experiences. She also led the organization s task force for the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series weekend that took place Feb. 20-21, 2016, at TCF Bank Stadium and was one of the leaders on the task force for the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic that took place Jan. 1, 2022 at Target Field.
Troje received her undergraduate degree from the University of St. Catherine and her Masters from the University of New Haven, Connecticut. She currently serves on the Foundation Board of Children’s Minnesota and on the Schubert Club Board. She has been with the Wild organization since its inception in 2000 and was named one of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journals Women in Business in 2018.
She and her husband, Chris, have three children, Connor, Brady, and Addison. The family resides in Blaine, MN.
Nico Wyrobek
CEO and owner, Northstar Ballons, LLC
Nicola “Nico” Wyrobek is the CEO and owner of Northstar Balloons LLC and co-founder of Morris Packaging Minnesota. She is a mother of seven, an attorney, a volunteer, and owner of two businesses. Prior to owning Northstar Balloons LLC and Morris Packaging Minnesota, Wyrobek served as assistant general counsel for Excelsior Energy from June 2004 to January 2011. She was a Sloan Fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business and her prior experience includes working as a law clerk for Kaplan, Strangis & Kaplan.
Wyrobek earned a B.A. in Biology/Environmental Studies and Economics from Middlebury College. She then earned her JD from the University of Minnesota, a Master’s of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, and a Master’s in Management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Wyrobek is a youth hockey coach for both boys and girls for the Edina Hockey Association. She and her husband, Kristian Wyrobek, live in Minneapolis with their seven children.
