Our Leaders

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, Chairperson, JPMorgan

Rich Renikoff, Treasurer, Retired Financial Services

Chandra Kilgriff, Secretary, Saul Ewing

Travis Bezella, Partner/Managing Director, Creative Planning

Sara Schnadt, Director, John F. Kennedy High School

Scott Wade, Director, Breck School

Steve Cunning, Director, Salesforce

Executive Committee

Kelly Miller, Executive Director

JPMorgan, Executive Director

Undergrad: University of Kansas, Business Administration

 

Ryan Thimjon, Chief Operations Officer

RT Analysis and Development, Managing Partner

Undergrad: The University of South Dakota, Business Administration

 

Tan Do, Director of Operations/Director of Art

Thrivent, Research Analyst

Undergrad: Macalester College, Psychology

 

Heidi Heitzman, Co-Director of Sophomore Program

General Mills, Sourcing Manager

Undergrad: University of Northwestern – St. Paul, Marketing

 

Kendra Wiswell, Co-Director of Sophomore Program and 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

 

Matt Fahey, Director of Junior Program and Director of Student Recruitment

Capital One, Data Science Manager

Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis, Mathematics

Graduate: Harvard Law School, Law

 

Carrie Blakeslee, Co-Director of Senior Program

Equifax Workforce Solutions, Release Coordinator II

Undergrad: University of Minnesota, Political Science and Art History

 

Lisa Bailey, Co-Director of Summer Program

Medtronic, Product Performance Engineer

Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Biomedical Engineering

 

Mary Keel, Co-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 (PhD)

 

Luc Mainguy, Co-Director of Math Matters

Wells Fargo, Senior Business Execution Consultant

Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Philosophy and Political Science

 

Seth Johnson, Co-Director of Math Matters and Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor

University of Minnesota, Postgraduate Researcher; UM Physicians, EMT/Infusion Support

Undergrad: St. Olaf College, Biology

Grad: University of Minnesota, Stem Cell Biology

 

Tanya Pazhitnykh, Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor

PwC, Senior Manager

Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania, International Studies and Economics

 

Christine Crow, Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Senior Staff Attorney

Undergrad: American University, International Studies

Graduate: University of Michigan Law School, Law

 

Pepsi Margoles, College Advisor

Margoles & Margoles, Partner Attorney

Undergrad: Carleton College, Sociology and Anthropology

Graduate: University of Minnesota Law School, Law

 

Lucia Ray, College Advisor

University of Minnesota Medical School, Medical Student

Undergrad: Carleton College, Psychology

 

Brenna Bloome, Co-Director of Volunteer Recruitment/Director of Curriculum

Spring Lake Park Schools, Chemistry Teacher

Undergrad: Hamline University, Chemistry and Secondary Education

Graduate: Hamline University, Secondary Education and Teaching

 

Sean Newton, Co-Director of Alumni Relations

Medtronic, Senior Upstream Product Manager

Undergrad: University of Chicago, Economics

Graduate: The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Finance, International Business, and General Management

 

Khadija Hersi, Co-Director of Alumni Relations

Thrivent, Business Risk Analyst

Undergrad: California State University - Sacramento, Business Administration

 

Titus Kennedy, Co-Director of Alumni Relations

Labcorp Clinical Trials, Head of User Experience Design & Research

Undergrad: Bethel University, Intercultural Communication Design and Music; Minnesota State University - Mankato, English & Technical Communication

 

Laurie Reding, Salesforce & Data Administrator

Bluestem Brands, Marketing Campaign Analyst

Undergrad: Minnesota State Mankato, Mathematics

 

Tony Blustein, Director of Social Media & Marketing

Bio-Techne, Marketing Automation Specialist

Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Marketing

Questions? Contact Us At: twincities@mindsmatter.org