Minds Matter volunteers come from diverse career backgrounds including advertising, banking, consulting, education, law, marketing, non-profit, and others. Volunteering with Minds Matter is not only rewarding, but allows professionals to meet new friends and business contacts in our growing network across the country.
“I was looking for a volunteer experience when I learned about Minds Matter from a previous volunteer and mentor. Currently working in higher education, I see the transformational experience it provides and wanted to share and demystify that experience for current high school students. My favorite part about being in Minds Matter is learning more about my mentee – her artistic passion and dreams of becoming a doctor. I am excited to continue to support her through the next few years as she navigates the college exploration process.” – Jennifer, Minds Matter Mentor
Board of Directors
Kelly Miller, Board Chair; Managing Director, JPMorgan
Rich Renikoff, Board Treasurer; Retired Financial Services
Chandra Kilgriff, Board Secretary; Chief Talent Officer, Saul Ewing
Travis Bezella, Board Member; Partner/Managing Director, Creative Planning
Sara Schnadt, Board Member; Retired School Counselor, John F. Kennedy High School
Scott Wade, Board Member; Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Breck School
Steve Cunning, Board Member; Human-Centered Change Manager, Salesforce
Executive Committee
Margaret Jaques-Leslie, Executive Director
Undergrad: Grinnell College, English
Graduate: Harvard Graduate School of Education, Higher Education
Matt Fahey, Director of Programs
Capital One, Data Science Manager
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis, Mathematics
Graduate: Harvard Law School, Law
Brenna Bloome, Director of People and Director of Volunteers
VuMedi, Education Coordinator
Undergrad: Hamline University, Chemistry and Secondary Education
Graduate: Hamline University, Secondary Education and Teaching
Tan Do, Director of Operations/Director of Art
Thrivent, Research Analyst
Undergrad: Macalester College, Psychology
Heidi Heitzman, Director of Sophomore Program
General Mills, Sourcing Manager
Undergrad: University of Northwestern – St. Paul, Marketing
Kendra Wiswell, Co-Director of Senior Program, Director of Fundraising, Sophomore Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor
SPS Commerce, Senior Technical Account Manager
Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Technical Writing and Communication
Graduate: Metropolitan State University, Technical Writing and Communication
Debra Larson, Co-Director of Senior Program
Mary Keel, Director of Summer Program
Retired, Technology Consultant
Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Business and Economics
Graduate: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MBA
Michelle Calabrese, Co-Director of ACT Test Prep
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Assistant Professor
Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Energy, and Sustainability
Graduate: University of Delaware, Chemical Engineering
Katie Stock, Co-Director of ACT Test Prep
3M, Analytical Scientist
Undergrad: College of Wooster, Biochemistry
Graduate: Ohio State University, Nutritional Biochemistry
Markus Keel, Co-Director of Math Matters
University of Minnesota, Professor
Undergrad: University of Chicago, Mathematics
Graduate: Princeton University, Mathematics
Luc Mainguy, Co-Director of Math Matters
Wells Fargo, Senior Business Execution Consultant
Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Philosophy and Political Science
Kaleigh Cadogan, Sophomore Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor
Land O’Lakes, Customer Insights & Analytics Foodservice Analyst
Undergrad: Saint Joseph’s University, Marketing and Business Intelligence & Analytics
Tanya Pazhitnykh, Senior Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor
PwC, Senior Manager
Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania, International Studies and Economics
Christine Crow, Senior Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Senior Staff Attorney
Undergrad: American University, International Studies
Graduate: University of Michigan Law School, Law
Lucia Ray, College Advisor
University of Minnesota Medical School, Medical Student
Undergrad: Carleton College, Psychology
Lucy Olson, College Advisor
Lauren Leverty, College Advisor
Wiktoria Pasek, Class of 2027 Team Lead
HealthPartners, Clinical Research Coordinator II
Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Psychology
Questions? Contact Us At: twincities@mindsmatter.org