Our People

Our people—staff, board members, coaches and volunteers—are dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for every participant and family. Learn more about the individuals who bring our mission and vision to life.

Our Staff

Kathleen Cannon

Executive Director • She/her

Rebecca Scherpelz

Program Director • She/her

Kristi Pogatchnik

Development & Communications Director • She/her

Brenda Trok

Operations Director • She/her

Johnna Bratt

Operations Manager • She/her

Liz Gallardo

Program Manager • She/they

Ana Freeberg

Program Coordinator (Twin Cities) • She/her

Brianna Kammel

Regional Coordinator (Southern Minnesota) • She/her

Elise Rigney

Regional Coordinator (Northern Minnesota) • She/her

Sarah Horner

Development & Communications Coordinator • She/her

Sophie Beaulieu

Program Coordinator (Twin Cities) • She/her

Steph Martinez

Operations Coordinator • She/her

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Board of Directors

Danielle Gangelhoff, Board Chair

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Sianneh Mulbah, Vice Chair

Yellow Brick Road

Samty Xiong, Secretary

Travelers

Gauri Jadhav, Treasurer

Stonebridge Capital

Emily Larson, Development Chair

The Family Partnership

Sumaya Ali

Youth Board Member

Michelle Benson

Macalester College

Emily Chapman

Children's Minnesota

Julie Cosgrove

Affinity Plus Credit Union

Leslie Hitchens

Maxfield Elementary, St Paul

Sarah Kaja

University of Minnesota

Traci Klein

Gillette Children's

Katie Lingras

University of Minnesota

Amber Manke

Optum

Rosa Marroquin

Retired Physician

Deepa McGriff

Minnesota Department of Health

Ellie O'Brien

Women's Advocates

Juliana Panetta

Allianz

Jessie Purl

Mayo Clinic

Ania Rodriguez

U.S. Bank

Erin Saewert

Mortenson

Evie Snyder

Faegre Drinker

Erin VanLanduit

Cargill

Lilly Wiese

Student, Youth Board Member

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Associate Board

Annika Allen

Board Co-Chair

Hannah Bowlin

Board Member

Maggie Ellis

Board Member

Amanda Erickson

Board Member

Maddie Hanten

Board Member

Kayla Malik

Board Co-Chair

Valerie Morel

Board Member

Anne Murphy

Board Member

Allison O'Neill

Board Member

Raffie Parke

Board Member

Katrina Rudisel

Board Member

Emily Thompson

Board Member

Leah Thorson

Board Member

Kayla Tigges

Board Member

Anna Vitale

Board Member

Our Culture

Our mission, vision and core values are at the heart of everything we do. Learn more about our organization how you can join our team.

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