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Meet the Commissioners

Co-chairs
Don Shelby
Don Shelby, WCCO 4 News anchor and reporter, joined the WCCO staff in 1978. He has won all five of the nation's top journalism awards, including three national Emmys, the Columbia duPont Citation, the Scripps-Howard Award and the Society of Professional Journalists Distinguished Service Award.

In 1997, Don was honored with a second Peabody Award for his ongoing work with the youth of Minnesota. Don's commitment to mentoring has energized the station and the community. He has received several honors for his work in the community, including Minnesota Sportsman of the Year; Martin Luther King Humanitarian of the Year in 1993 and 1995; the Great American Traditions Award by B'nai Brith; Minnesota Broadcaster of the Year; and the coveted Josten's Mr. Basketball ring, an honor rarely given to an adult.

He is a rock and ice climber, canoeist, gardener and beekeeper, to name just a few hobbies. Don is married and has three daughters who all share his passion for the outdoors.

Carol Truesdell
Throughout the majority of her career, Carol Truesdell has focused her employment and civic involvement on the leadership and management of nonprofit organizations and programs. Carol served as Executive Director of the Youth Trust from 1991 until October 1999. The Youth Trust served children and youth from the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), K-12, through e-mail mentoring, classroom and workplace tutoring, career workshops and workplace internships. To provide these services, the Youth Trust created and managed partnerships among schools, corporations, nonprofit organizations and youth-serving agencies to improve student achievement and develop marketable skills. Representing the City of Minneapolis, Carol served as a delegate to the Presidents’ Summit for Youth held in Philadelphia; following the Summit, she served on the Planning Committee, the Minneapolis Promise for Youth.

From 1985-1990, Carol served as Vice President, Community Relations, for The Pillsbury Company and as the Executive Director of The Pillsbury Company Foundation. Grantmaking and program development focused on at-risk youth development and hunger, with an emphasis on childhood hunger. As a Pillsbury Loaned Executive from 1990-91, she led the development of the MPS Business-School Partnership Program which was transferred to the Youth Trust in Fall 1991. Carol was part of the founding team that created CHART, a nonprofit organization serving women seeking skills in personal growth, career development, job search and career management; she served as its Executive Director from 1984-1985. Since her retirement in fall 1999, Carol serves on a variety of nonprofit boards with emphasis on children and youth, church management, affordable housing and the election of women to public office.

Commissioners
Maya Babu
Maya Babu is a dual-degree student in Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Maya was the former co-chair, with the Lieutenant Governor, of the Minnesota Alliance with Youth. She is active in leading the Twin Cities Urban Debate League, which develops public speaking, research, and analytical skills in high school youth; serves on the Youth Partnership Team of American’s Promise; and is also active in the University of Minnesota’s University Promise Alliance. Maya serves on the America’s Promise Board of Directors, the University of Minnesota’s Children, Youth and Family Consortium Advisory Council, and the Volunteer Resource Center of the Twin Cities’ Board of Directors. Maya is the 2001 National Forensic League National Lincoln-Douglas Debate champion and the 2000 Minnesota State Debate champion.

Joanne Benson
Joanne Benson currently serves as President and Chief Education Officer of the Minnesota Business Academy where she directs the fundraising campaign, oversees staffing and development of the curriculum, and acts as the chief spokesperson for the school. Prior to this position she was Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (1995-99) and a Minnesota State Senator from the St. Cloud area (1991-95). Education of Minnesota’s youth has been a cornerstone of Joanne’s public career. As Lieutenant Governor she served as co-chair of Minnesota Alliance with Youth/America’s Promise and the State Employees for Students Success committee. During her legislative tenure she sat on the Education Committee and the Legislative Task Force on Post-Secondary Education Funding, and chaired the Task Force on Mandates in Education. From 1973-90, Joanne held a number of positions at St. Cloud State University including instructor, assistant professor, director of Alumni and Development, and coordinator of Kids Teaching Kids. She received her Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in Elementary Education and Special Education from St. Cloud State University.

Peter Benson
Peter Benson joined the Search Institute as a research scientist in 1978 and has served as its president since 1985. He directs a staff of eighty professionals dedicated to advancing the well being of children and adolescents though scientific research, evaluation, consultation, training, and the development of practical resources. He speaks and lectures widely and consults with numerous communities and organizations on youth development issues. In addition to his work at the Search Institute, he is adjunct professor of Educational Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the Search Institute, Peter was chair of the psychology department and chair of the program in human development and social relations at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Peter is widely recognized as one of the leading contributors to the fields of child and adolescent development. His research and writing have pioneered new thinking about how communities can mobilize and unite to raise healthy, successful, and caring children and adolescents. In 1991 he received the prestigious William James Award from the American Psychological Association for career contributions to psychology. His work has been covered extensively in popular media including Time, Newsweek, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and over two hundred television and radio programs.

McKinley Boston
McKinley Boston completed his undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota (1968) and earned his Master of Science degree from Montclair State College (1973) and completed his Doctor of Education from New York University in 1988.

Dr. Boston has over 30 years of experience in higher education with progressively greater levels of administrative responsibilities and leadership based on high ethical, moral and professional values. Dr. Boston is currently the President/CEO of MB&A, Inc., a marketing/consulting company, which focuses on building partnerships and creating business relationships with higher education and corporate America.

Before becoming President of MB&A, Inc., Dr. Boston was employed by the University of Minnesota as Vice President for Student Development and Athletics. The Vice President is the chief student affairs officer for those services and programs that support and enhance student’s academic experiences and contribute to their healthy personal and social development. The Vice President was a member of the President’s Executive Committee and a direct report to the President. The Vice President oversaw 422 FTEs and an annual budget of $95 million dollars with $79 million dollars as non-sponsored funds. During his tenure at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Boston generated through sponsorship and fundraising over $75 million dollars in support of student life and Intercollegiate Athletics. Programs included building a new residence hall, renovating the campus Union, Williams Arena and building a new Ice Hockey arena. In addition, Dr. Boston developed curricular/co-curricular undergraduate initiatives to include new student convocation, a leadership minor, “Gopherville,” an online computer connection program, and Parent program to better integrate parents and families of students into the University Community.

Dr. Boston is an active member in the community and currently serves on a number of non-profit and for profits boards. Dr. Boston is published and active in a number of social justice strategies aimed at supporting non-custodial fathers and their desire to be partners in rearing their children.

Delroy Calhoun
Richard Delroy Calhoun is currently the Center Director for Loring Nicollet Bethlehem Community Centers Inc. He holds a B.S. and a M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota along with numerous certificates including a certificate of completion from the Community Fellows Program for community leaders at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Delroy has been working with youth in the Twin City area for over 30 years and was one of the originators of the Minneapolis Education Recycling Center (MERC) Alternative High school. He is also active in the Whittier Community in south Minneapolis where he both works and lives. He is a member of the Community Education Advisory Counsel, co-founder and member of the Whittier Campus Collaborative for Youth, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Whittier Alliance as Chair of the Youth and Family Committee. Delroy is also a facilitator for the Community Leadership Institute at St. Thomas University and is a facilitator and advisor for the Pew Foundations “Leadership Plenty Project” through the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). Delroy currently teaches a class on Youth Organizations in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota.

Emmett Carson
For over 15 years, Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D. has been a catalyst for progressive social change in the nonprofit sector in the United States and abroad. A practitioner-scholar, Dr. Carson has developed an international reputation for innovative philanthropy and for conducting research that has helped to define key trends in the nonprofit sector. He has published over 75 works on philanthropy and social justice issues and is perhaps best known for his seminal research on Black philanthropy.

Currently, Dr. Carson is president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States. Since his arrival in 1994, the Foundation has received national recognition for its grantmaking and communication efforts as it increased total assets under management from $186 million to well over a half billion dollars. Previously, Dr. Carson was the first manager of the Ford Foundation’s international and U.S. grantmaking program on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. He also has worked for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the Congressional Research Service where he conducted public policy research.

Dr. Carson serves on several nonprofit boards including the Council on Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He is the recipient of several nonprofit leadership awards and has been recognized several times by The Nonprofit Times as one of the 50 most influential nonprofit leaders in the United States.

Dr. Carson received his Ph.D. and M.P.A. degrees in public and international affairs from Princeton University and his Bachelor’s degree in economics from Morehouse College where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Married to Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, Ph.D., together they have the privilege, pleasure and occasional challenge of raising a teenage daughter.

Andrea Platt Dwyer
Andrea Platt Dwyer has been the Chief Executive Officer of Camp Fire USA Minnesota Council since 1999. In this position, she provides local leadership for an organization that has been in the forefront of youth development efforts for almost a century. She also serves as a national trustee for Camp Fire USA and chairs the Association of Councils, which is a professional association for council executives and board presidents from Camp Fire councils across the country. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than twenty years, focusing primarily on issues that affect women, children, and the environment. In 1995, she traveled to China with her mother and daughter to attend the UN Conference on Women. She has five children, and has served as a volunteer in many capacities including political campaigns, church committees, youth athletics, and community organizations. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for Minnesota Film and Arts and Rainbow Families. She has a B.A. in English from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Blair Gagne
Blair Gagne, YMCA Community Services/Mentor Duluth Director, holds a Masters Degree in Community Counseling and has had more than twenty-five years of experience in the successful development of programs for youth. Blair has served as a trainer at youth conferences around the country, and as guest expert on numerous statewide panels addressing issues affecting youth. Blair is a faculty trainer (trainer of trainers) for the YMCA of the USA, and a past Field Consultant for the Midwest and Southern United States in family work. He has actively served on many local Boards and Advisory panels including the Minnesota Alliance with Youth, Duluth Men as Peacemakers, Woodland Hills, and Kiwanis. Blair has worked with mentoring programs for the past 16 years and most recently guided the development of a city-wide Mentoring Collaboration known as Mentor Duluth. Blair was a 2002 recipient of the Minnesota Karen Kydd Angel of Mentoring award, given to individuals who make a great impact on the lives of children through mentoring.

Anne Ganey
Anne Ganey, MPH, is the Chief Executive Officer for Ganey Consulting, a firm that builds the capacity of community-based organizations. Ms. Ganey's expertise is in grassroots leadership development; coalition building; program development, implementation and evaluation; culturally specific program development and evaluation, non-profit management and proposal development. She was a featured speaker on effective citizen action at PEW Partnership for Civic Change's Wanted: Solutions for America research dissemination media roll out at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Ms. Ganey developed one of 19 programs in the nation selected for participation in the Wanted project, a three year study of what makes effective programs work.

Prior to beginning Ganey Consulting, Ganey was the Director of Prevention and Healthy Communities at Region Nine Development Commission in Mankato for 12 years. She developed and directed several programs serving nine counties in south central Minnesota. These include the rural Prevention and Healthy Communities Network, the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Institute, Saludando Salud, Grass Roots Leadership Development and Mankato Area Healthy Youth. Ganey has worked statewide and was a founding member and first Chair of the Star of the North Statewide Prevention Coalition. She served as chair of the State Incentive Grant Advisory Committee to redesign prevention services for the State of Minnesota.

Ganey has a Masters in Public Health from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science from Minnesota State University at Mankato. She was named to the Department of Children, Families and Learning Community Leadership Development Group and the National Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee. She has presented her work at national meetings for PEW Partnership for Civic Change, the American Public Health Association, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the National Association of Development Organizations.

Ganey served a four year term on the Mankato City Council where she worked for affordable housing solutions, livable wage jobs, welcoming diversity and balancing planning with growth.

Jennifer Godinez
Jennifer Godinez has served as Executive Director of La Escuelita for five years. La Escuelita is a youth development agency focused on after-school tutoring, service learning, and cultural programming for Latino youth ages 12-18 in South Minneapolis. La Escuelita serves over 150 youth in year-long programming opportunities. La Escuelita works in conjunction with several nonprofits and the Minneapolis Public school district in regard to strategies that will impact Latino youth social and academic progress in this geographic area. Since 1991, the organization has developed curricula around leadership development and service-learning targeted at Latino youth cultural assets and bilingual talents. In 2002, La Escuelita initiated Juventud Viva, a teen pregnancy prevention program that empowers Latino, immigrant youth with awareness on reproductive health issues. This program has impacted over 80 teen educators around teen pregnancy prevention issues and health careers information for future doctors, reproductive health specialists, and medical professionals in general from the Latino community. La Escuelita was awarded MOAPP program of the year in 2003 for Juventud Viva and has been a National Latino Children’s Institute Promesa award winner since 1998.

Ms. Godinez has been involved nationally with the movement for immigrant youth rights in education and has spoken locally on issues regarding education policy, teacher training, and systemic educational reform strategies aimed at impacting Latino U.S. realities. She has a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Drake University and received a Masters in Nonprofit Management and Education Policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Ms. Godinez was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Policy Fellowship to pursue her Masters degree. She is proud to be the first in her Mexican immigrant family to graduate from college and pursue a Masters degree. She attributes her own success to her family's involvement in education coupled with youth development opportunities all of her life.

Bridget Gothberg
Bridget Gothberg is an international speaker and trainer who loves learning, people, and leadership challenges. The spark and effectiveness of her lively, interactive style are based on principles of adult learning. Her work will stretch the minds of those with whom she interacts, and she creates an atmosphere that promises fun and learning at the same time.

With 27 years as a community educator, Bridget brings a wealth of skills and experience to her current positions as Coordinator of Organizational Development for the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and as a Regional Associate for the National Center for Community Education. She also serves on the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Training Task Force and serves as a consultant to the National Center for Community Education.

Bridget earned her undergraduate degree in social work at the University of North Dakota, and her masters degree in education leadership at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was also a Bush Public Schools Executive Fellow.

Bridget served as a term as president of the National Community Education Association, and enjoys a wonderful reputation across Minnesota and the nation for her leadership roles in organizations focused on education and leadership. Her community involvement also keeps her connected to many other organizations which draw on her strengths as a leader, facilitator, and trainer.

Her dynamic and engaging style has established her as a successful and sought-after speaker all over the country and internationally as well. Bridget has made presentations, conducted training workshops, and delivered keynote speeches throughout the United States and in Canada, Japan and Australia.

Julie Green
Julie Green has been the program director for the Ginew/ Golden Eagle Program at the Minneapolis American Indian Center for the past six years. She is Native American, an enrolled member of the White Earth Reservation. She has worked with the program for the past thirteen years, and during those years has supervised many different components within the program. In this capacity, she is in charge of, (along with three supervisors), an after school program which serves over 200 Native American youth ages 5 through 18, parent groups, two health and wellness councils, and is also involved in many community initiatives. She comes from a family of seven sisters and was raised here in Minneapolis, MN. She is also a mother, and has helped raise two children, and most recently became a grandmother. She loves children and people and states that this is where she gets her energy and what keeps her working in her community.

Lester Heitke
Les Heitke, M.A., L.P., is serving his tenth year as mayor of Willmar. He is past-president of the League of Minnesota Cities, past-president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and now is serving on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. He chaired the Cultural Diversity Taskforce of the League of Minnesota Cities, which met for one year. The Taskforce published and distributed their findings and research in 2003 in Cultural Diversity, Programs and Plans for all Cities.

Prior to moving to Willmar in 1985, Les worked as Executive Director of Discovery House in southwest Minnesota for thirteen years providing youth outreach services, counseling and wilderness canoe trips to the BWCA in northern Minnesota, backtracking trips to Wyoming and Colorado, rock climbing training and long-distance bike trips for troubled youth, church youth groups and adolescent probation services.

For the past eighteen years Les has worked as a licensed psychologist at Woodland Centers, a community mental health center in Willmar. Les is a graduate of St. John’s University and the University of St. Thomas.

Susan Hoff
Susan Hoff is senior vice president of Corporate Communications and chief communications officer for Best Buy, a Fortune 100 Company. In this role, she is the primary communications strategist for Best Buy Co., Inc., representing the brands of Best Buy, Future Shop and Magnolia Audio Video. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing plans through Public Affairs, Retail and Merchandising Communications, and Community, Investor and Public Relations to consistently communicate the Company’s themes in a timely manner to its audiences, including Wall Street’s financial analysts, the media, the community, employees and Capitol Hill. She also plays an integral role in making sure the Company’s communications align with the strategic pillars of customer centricity, the efficient enterprise, win the home with service and win in entertainment.

Hoff founded the Best Buy Children’s Foundation in May 1994 and has served as the president of its board of trustees since its inception. Hoff also developed the Best Buy Charity Classic, the major fundraising event for the Foundation. This annual event, now in its 10th year, is the largest fundraiser in Minnesota, raising $2 million last year. Since 1995, the Foundation has donated more than $13 million to youth-serving organizations throughout the country. In July 2000, City Business recognized her as one of the “Most Innovative Women in the Twin Cities” for her efforts with Foundation and “Forty under 40” in May 2001 for her accomplishments in the communications field and community involvement. In February 2002, she was elected as a member of the Arthur Page Society, an election-based national public relations professional organization for chief communicators.

Hoff is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Twin Cities Communication Council, MN Women’s Economic Roundtable, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and past board member of National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI). She is chairman of the board for Children’s Hospitals and a trustee of the board for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Hoff, former chair of the 2002-03 Emerging Leaders program of the Twin Cities United Way campaign, also serves as a mentor in the Menttium 100 program. She has a bachelor’s degree in applied graphic design and advertising from the University of Minnesota.

Daniel Knutson
Dan Knutson grew up on a farm in Fairfax, Minnesota. His family raised soybeans, corn and small grain crops as well as farm stock (chickens, pigs and cattle). He was active in 4-H throughout his youth. He began his career with Land O’Lakes in 1978 in the Internal Audit department and has since held several positions in finance and accounting. In January, 2000 he became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

He is a past board member and treasurer of the Twin Cities International Program, past member of the finance committee of the Arden Hills community and past board member of the Land O’Lakes Credit Union. He’s currently a member of the Twin Cities Chapter of Financial Executives International. He received his B.S. in accounting and his M.B.A. with an emphasis in Finance in 1988, both from Mankato State University. He has also earned his CPA and CMA designations.

He and his wife, Char, have three boys ranging in age from 14 to 20. He is active as a basketball coach, Boy Scout Leader and troop treasurer. His leisure activities include home handyman and boating.

Joe LaGarde
Joe LaGarde serves on the Advisory Council for the College of Human Ecology at the University of Minnesota. He is a longtime human rights activist from White Earth Indian Reservation. In 1978, Joe started the Circle of Life School, which partnered with the University of Minnesota to offer an award-winning summer school program that helps to pave the way for increased college enrollment from White Earth. He also works with more than twenty honor students from colleges around the state. His efforts to organize a campaign to restore lost White Earth land and to clean up corrupt tribal government resulted in seven trips to Washington, D.C. Joe works with other reservations within the Minnesota Chippewa Tribute on justice issues and integrating tribal traditions. Joe is in the preliminary stages of making a film on the journey of the Anishinaabe from the St. Lawrence River to White Earth. In his spare time, he teaches youth traditional drumming, hunting, and trapping.

Scott Lyons
Scott Lyons is presently the Coordinator of the Law Enforcement program for Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota. The program is responsible for the training of peace officers pre-education as well as continued education and customized training for existing law enforcement agencies. Prior to his education assignment, Scott Lyons was the Chief of Police for the Duluth Police Department serving in that capacity from 1992-2003. He has a 27-year background in law enforcement.

As the chief of police, Scott Lyons was heavily involved in after school programming in and around the city of Duluth. He served on the Family Service Collaborative Board and prepared, reviewed and authorized many neighborhood grants for after school programming within the city of Duluth. He served on the Board of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, State Gang Strike Force and Narcotics Enforcement Coordinating Committee. He has served on the Board of Duluth Men as Peacemakers, Woodland Hills Youth Treatment Center, and Youth Advisory Board.

He is presently involved with youth serving as a high school football coach and is on the Board of Directors of the YMCA for the city of Duluth.

Harold Mezile, Jr.
Harold Mezile, Jr. is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Minneapolis YMCA. He was appointed to the position effective January 1, 1995.

Mezile served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Baltimore YMCA from 1988 and 1994. The Baltimore YMCA became the largest single provider of childcare and Head Start services in Maryland during his tenure. He also developed innovative partnerships with business, government, and other organizations. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Harold attended high school there and was an Eagle Scout. He received his B.A. degree and his M.S. degree – both in social work – from the University of Missouri. Mezile began his YMCA career in 1973 as Executive Director of the Linwood Branch of the Greater Kansas City YMCA.

Pursuit of excellence and service to youth and families have been Mr. Mezile’s themes since he assumed leadership of the Minneapolis YMCA. To address a period of dramatic change and transition in our society, he initiated a new organizational plan for staff and the Board of Directors.

He also implemented a new youth development vision encompassing values, education, character development, and outcome-based programs. He has developed an innovative partnership with the Minneapolis School System and community-based organizations to establish a Beacons Adaptation Project, which provides services to low-income neighborhoods. Under Mezile’s leadership, the YMCA is the only youth-serving youth organization in the state of Minnesota to sponsor a charter school, Woodson Institute of Student Excellence (WISE) for K-4 students. Mezile also developed an innovative ‘shared services partnership’ with the YMCA of Greater St. Paul, which has resulted in significant efficiencies and cost-savings.

The Minneapolis YMCA received the Excellence Award from the United Way of the Twin Cities in 2001 in recognition for their outstanding work providing services to low-income kids and families.

He is the Vice Chair and Past Chair of the Board of the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Foundation, Vice Chair of the Board of Search Institute, current board member of The Minneapolis Club, and member of Minneapolis Rotary Club #9. He is past Treasurer of the Board of Youth Trust and its Executive Committee, past vice chair of the Board of Seed Academy and also served as a delegate to Minneapolis Promise for Youth and chaired the Youth Involvement Committee.

He and his wife, Peggye, have two adult children, Rheyna and Elana and granddaughter, Morgan

Sandy'Ci Moua
Sandy'Ci is a University of Minnesota student. From elementary school to high school, Sandy'Ci Moua has had the opportunity to grow from being in various enriching after-school programs: from The Martin Luther King/Hallie Q. Brown Center's City Songs Choir to Central High School's Dramatic Dance Program.

She currently volunteers for YouthCARE/Camp Sunrise and the Center for Hmong Arts & Talent, two non-profit organizations that have after-school programs for children.

Sandy'Ci Moua is a Univ. of MN- Twin Cities junior studying Theatre, Asian American Studies, Film-making and Communications. She is also Student Programs Assistant for the U of MN's Career & Community Learning Center- assisting in coordinating service learning training for students working in after-school and non-profit organizations, and facilitating diversity training.

She is currently in LIFT THE BAN! the activism group confronting St. Paul's public parking policy in regards to the annual 4th of July Hmong Sports Festival at Como Park's McMurray Field and the local neighborhood parking policy with its overtones of perceived racism and discrimination.

She has also served as Education Chair for the U of MN's Asian Student Union (1999-2001) and Publicity Chair for Midwest Asian American Student Union (2000-2001).

Sandy'Ci Moua is a published writer- from Random House's 2001 anthology "Yell-Oh Girls" to currently covering news for HmongTimes, MN's Hmong newspaper.

She has also associate produced, done camera work and floor directing for the public television show Kev Koom Siab: Path to Unity (1999-2001) and currently for Liberate Films.

Sandy'Ci Moua is also a professional actor, having performed at the Center for Hmong Arts & Talent, the Univ. of MN and the Great American History Theater as well as being in several short and full length independent films, voice-overs and industrial work.

Among many things, she enjoys playing with her nieces and nephews, canoeing, tango-dancing and film-making.

Mary Ann Nelson
Dr. Mary Ann Nelson assumed the position of Assistant Commission for the Office of Academic Excellence in the Minnesota Department of Education in July of 2003. The Office of Academic Excellence includes the following divisions: Choice and Innovation, Academic Standards and Professional Development, Statewide Assessments, Personnel Licensing and Education Support.

Mary Ann came to MDE from Fridley Public Schools where she served as superintendent of schools from 1994. She was assistant superintendent for instruction at St. Louis Park (1985 – 94), assistant and acting high school principal in Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (1979 – 85), and a high school English teacher, department chair and speech director in Farmington (1969 – 76). She earned both a Ph.D. in educational administration and a bachelor’s in English education from the University of Minnesota along with a master’s degree from Mankato State University. A native Minnesota, Mary Ann was raised in Eveleth.

Greg Owen
Greg Owen, Ph.D., is a consulting scientist at Wilder Research Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. He directs statewide research on homeless children and families and has completed several recent studies of delinquency and child abuse for the McKnight Foundation. Recently Greg served as principal investigator for a study of welfare reform experiences among Somali, Hmong, American Indian, and African American families for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2003, with his colleagues Ellen Shelton, Michelle Gerrard, and Nicole Martin, he also published a research summary entitled, “Minnesota Kids Who Don’t Live at Home,” with funding from the Target and Minneapolis Foundations. Greg has 25 years of experience in the design and implementation of applied research studies for foundations, non-profits, and government agencies. He currently serves as the principal evaluator for two of the White House based Compassion Capital Fund initiatives.

Valerie Halverson Pace
Valerie Pace received her B.A. degree from the University of Iowa and her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation, she taught urban studies at Augsburg College, Minneapolis. She then joined the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs, Inc. and served as director of the Metro Urban Studies Term and became executive director of HECUA in 1976.

In 1979, she joined IBM. After marketing to manufacturing customers, she became location manager for IBM’s sales and services operations in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1985, she joined the newly formed IBM Educational Systems as state education advisor for Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. In 1988, Valerie joined the IBM corporate staff in Armonk, New York, as administrative assistant to the IBM Director of Education and Management Development.

In 1990, Valerie became State Manager of IBM Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs for Minnesota. Her responsibilities include community and government relations. The mission of her function is to leverage IBM people and technology in effective partnerships to bring solutions to the systemic problems that impact society and our quality of life. Valerie's special emphasis is on the issues of education and diversity and the application of quality management and technology for systems improvement.

Valerie serves on the boards of the Minnesota High Tech Association, Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation, Greater Rochester Area University Center, and Minnesota Council on Foundations. She is active in the Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas and Rotary International. In 2000, Valerie was awarded the Athena Award by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.

Michael Rodriguez
Michael Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor of research methods in Educational Psychology and Director of the Office of Research Consultation at the U of M. He earned a PhD in Educational Measurement & Quantitative Methods from Michigan State University and an MA in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute, U of M. Michael is a member of the American Educational Research Association and the National Council on Measurement in Education. He is an Advisory Editor for the Journal of Educational Measurement. He is currently engaged in research in measurement and assessment, investigating issues related to test item format effects and reliability theory. He also investigates issues related to validity of youth development program evaluation tools for Spanish vs. English speaking youth. Michael has recently published two pieces related to youth development, including (1) Rodriguez, Morrobel, & Villaruel, (2003). Research realities and a vision of success for Latino youth development. In Villarruel, Perkins, Borden, & Keith (Eds.), Community youth development: Programs, policies, and practices (pp. 47-78). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; and (2) Rodriguez, & Morrobel, (in press). A review of Latino youth development research and a call for an asset orientation. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences.

Neal Thao
Neal joined the Hmong Cultural Center board of directors in 2002. He came to this country in 1976. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1983, his Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Minnesota in 1988, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Social Work at the University of Minnesota. He has four years of paraprofessional experience in resettlement services for Southeast Asian refugees, and fourteen years of social worker experience at Ramsey County Community Human Services. Neal is St. Paul’s second elected Hmong official. He replaced Choua Lee, who decided not to seek re-election to the Saint Paul School Board in 1995. In 1995, Neal Thao ran a well-organized campaign appealing to many new Americans in the city. Thao has now served on the Board of Education of the St. Paul Public Schools for 7 years, and has been an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Metropolitan State University since 1997.

Kathleen Vellenga
Kathleen Vellenga currently serves as chair of the Minnesota State Higher Education Services Council, which has oversight of financial aid for all Minnesota students in higher education. She was appointed by Governor Arne Carlson in 1994 and reappointed for a second term by Governor Ventura. Her life long passion is working to improve opportunity for all children. Early in her post-graduate years she taught in St. Paul, first public school kindergarten then a parent-coop Montessori pre-school. During the time Kathleen was a full time mother with three children, she combined parenting with volunteer work, including five years as a peer mentor to young mothers at the first community based maternal infant care clinic in St. Paul. This experience led to her involvement in preventing child abuse and neglect. Kathleen continued her advocacy for children while representing her Saint Paul neighborhood in the Minnesota State House of Representatives from 1981 to 1995. During that time she chaired the judiciary and education finance committees, concentrating her legislation on children and families, including the 1992 Crime Prevention bill, State special education coverage for children from birth, the first State funding for Head Start, increased funding for Early Childhood Family Education and the first funding for school breakfast. In 1994 Kathleen became executive director of the St. Paul Ramsey County Children’s Initiative which established eight Family Centers for collaborative school, city and county services. While director of Children’s Initiative, Kathleen was a member of the University of Minnesota Children, Youth and Family Consortium Advisory Council. Kathleen retired in 2000 and for the next two years cared for a grandson from his fourth month until he began Montessori at age 2 ½. She continued her volunteer activity including Citizens League Board and served on its study committee on high school graduation rates for Minneapolis and Saint Paul Schools. In addition to Higher Education Services Council, she currently is on the Serve Minnesota and the Sexual Victims Center boards. Kathleen is now writing a historical novel. She and her husband are an active support team for their six grandchildren.

David Walsh
David Walsh, Ph.D., is the president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis. He is a psychologist, educator, author, speaker, and parent of three. He has written seven books including the award winning Selling Out America's Children as well as dozens of articles for the professional and popular press. He has spoken to audiences throughout the world and is a frequent guest on national media. He is a lecturer in the Family Education Department at the University of Minnesota. He earned his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Christopher Wilson
Chris Wilson is a 20 year old sophomore at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He stays active in youth leadership and development by helping to facilitate weekend and week-long workshops offered through 4-H and the University Extension Service and made available to youth across the state of Minnesota. Someday he hopes to have a bio as long and prestigious as the other members of this commission.