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, J.P. Morgan
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
Executive Committee
Kelly Miller, Executive Director
J.P. Morgan, 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
WestRock, Business Operations Manager
Undergrad: University of Northwestern – St. Paul, Marketing
Kendra Wiswell, Co-Director of Sophomore Program
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
Capital One, Data Science Manager
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis, Mathematics
Graduate: Harvard Law School, Law
Lindsey Liu, Co-Director of Senior Program
Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Mathematics
Graduate: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Education and Human Development
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/Co-Director of Student Recruitment
Retired, Technology Consultant
Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Business and Economics
Graduate: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MBA
Shane Harjes, Co-Director of ACT Test Prep
Cresset Capital, Associate Director
Undergrad: Pepperdine University, Finance
Graduate: University of Colorado Boulder, Finance
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)
David Janssen, Co-Director of Math Matters
Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Associate Portfolio Manager
Undergrad: University of South Dakota, Finance
Graduate: University of Minnesota, Financial Mathematics
Tanya Pazhitnykh, Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor
PwC, Senior Manager
Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania, International Studies and Economics
Pepsi Margoles, College Advisor
Margoles & Margoles, Partner Attorney
Undergrad: Carleton College, Sociology and Anthropology
Graduate: University of Minnesota Law School, Law
Laura Rafferty, College Advisor
Optum, Healthcare Consultant
Undergrad: Carleton College, Economics
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
Lana Piwoni, Director of Volunteer Engagement
Yugo, Area Manager
Undergrad: University of South Carolina, International Business and Supply Chain
Ben Goldstein, Co-Director of Alumni Relations
J.P. Morgan, Associate
Undergrad: Haverford College, Economics, Math, and French
Sean Newton, Co-Director of Development
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
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