Niila is a passionate and energetic community leader who has worked with nonprofit organizations for more than 15 years. She carries a zest for developing collective strategies to increase community access, wealth, and opportunities. Highly skilled in creating partnerships, Niila centers her work on being a catalyst for transformative change through collaborative engagement. She also carries a wealth of experience as a DEI trainer, bringing the core values of equity, inclusion, and justice in what she advocates for Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Niila is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach University, majoring in communications and Black studies. In addition to her bachelor’s degree, she holds CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) and CPPM (Certified Professional Project Manager) certifications.

Jen Thorson is a St. Paul-based nonprofit executive with more than 25 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations. Her most recent role was Chief Operating Officer for Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the nation. Before joining Girl Scouts, she worked in higher education in the fields of marketing, communications, and enrollment management. Her first career was as a journalist, serving as a newspaper reporter and editor. Jen is an active volunteer, advocate, and public speaker. She serves on the boards of Little Free Library, Leaders of Today and Tomorrow, and the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement and is a City of St. Paul Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commissioner. A heart attack survivor, she is also a frequent presenter about women's heart health and is a former national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and board member for the American Heart Association-Minnesota. Jen earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from St. Catherine University and a bachelor’s degree in English and women’s studies from Hamline University. She also holds certificates in HR and Talent Management (Michigan State), Fundraising Leadership (Indiana University), and Excellence in Business (Carlson School of Management). Jen and her husband have two nearly adult sons.

Jetta Wiedemeier is the Manager of the Volunteer & Outreach Team at Trellis and has nearly 20 years’ experience working in a variety of nonprofits–ranging from serving babies all the way to serving our elders. During her career, she ran a National Resource Center in the arena of foster care and adoption, served as the Executive Director for the March of Dimes–Minnesota, was a lobbyist, as well as a speaker and advocate on national tour, and built four volunteer programs in various nonprofit and government agencies in the Twin Cities. In July 2023, the team Jetta leads won a National Innovation Award for Diversity Equity and Inclusion from USAging, and in October 2023 Jetta was honored with the Mary Wiser Leadership Award for Volunteer Management from the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA). Jetta currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for MAVA and is an adjunct trainer for the Training Institute affiliated with People Incorporated. Her role at Trellis is to build authentic relationships with organizations throughout the Twin Cities metro area to better serve our beloved seniors, support and celebrate volunteers in all areas of the agency, and laugh every single day! Jetta’s personal motto is “Built to Serve” and she loves presenting educational workshops as part of her professional work. She has a master’s degree in Policy Analysis from the Humphrey School of Public Policy at the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Communication from Arizona State University. Her lifelong goal is to be fluent in Spanish, and her greatest accomplishment is raising two beautiful children.

Ashley Tepe is a dedicated non-profit professional with 8 years of experience in the Twin Cities' non-profit sector. Currently serving as the Director of Volunteer Engagement at Girl Scouts River Valleys, Ashley leads a substantial team in the management of hundreds of volunteers, in addition to overseeing the volunteer training team. Throughout her tenure at Girl Scouts River Valleys, Ashley has held various roles within the organization, cultivating a diverse skill set that encompasses project management, systems, data quality, business process improvement, leadership, and volunteer management. Before joining Girl Scouts River Valleys, Ashley dedicated over 2 years to AmeriCorps, focusing on youth-serving organizations committed to equity and access in education and learning. This experience honed her passion for social impact and provided a foundation for her subsequent roles in the non-profit sector. Ashley earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology of Law, Crime, and Deviance from the University ofMinnesota-Twin Cities. This academic background, coupled with her practical experience, positions Ashley as a well-rounded and knowledgeable professional in the non-profit landscape.

Brady Johnson is an analytics professional with nearly a decade of experience providing data-driven insights for multinational companies. He currently serves as an Analytics Manager at DIRECTV, leading a team of analysts and data scientists to uncover trends in consumer behavior in the media and entertainment industry. Prior to DIRECTV, he spent time as an Economics Consultant at Optum. Brady is an avid supporter of Wallin Education Partners, a St. Paul-based nonprofit that provides low-income students with college scholarships, education advisors, and career guidance. He can often be found mentoring current scholars, connecting with other alumni, or volunteering at Wallin events. Brady received his MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a B.S. in Actuarial Science from the University of St. Thomas. He currently teaches graduate courses in the College of Business & Technology at Concordia University-St. Paul.

Alivia Boddie is a Minneapolis/St. Paul based non-profit professional with more than 10 years experience in social sciences and leadership. Her current role is as Volunteer Accelerator Network manager for a local CDFI, MEDA (Metropolitan Economic Development Association). She has built a volunteer program within this organization that can further connect resilient BIPOC Entrepreneurs to resources, mentors and management education. Ms. Boddie recently obtained certification form the Harvard School of Business in Leadership Principles. She is also a Minneapolis area realtor for Keller Williams Classic Realty NW, with the focus on helping close the racial wealth gap through investment and real estate. Over the past decade, Ms. Boddie has owned and operated her own non-profit, volunteered on varying social causes committees and boards-many causes focusing on economic empowerment and civil rights and activism. Aside from serving on the MAVA board of directors, she works closely with organizations around the metro to help create connections and opportunities for volunteers and individuals. Her passion for giving back during her undergraduate degree at the University of St. Thomas and UW-Stout, where she founded and became president of the UW-Stout American Red Cross Club. She then worked for a community action agency and created their volunteer program from the ground up. She is grateful to have found her purpose and passion by helping others reach their own personal excellence through community and leadership. Alivia is working on her MBA from Purdue University and has a bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout in applied social sciences. She holds a certificate in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a specialization certificate in Principles of Leadership: Leading Oneself with Personal Excellence, from University of Colorado Boulder.

Annette Duncan is the president of the United Way of Steele County. She has been working with nonprofits in the Human Services Sector for over 20 years. Prior to United Way, Annette served as the Executive Director of the Exchange Club Center for Family Unity. Prior to transitioning into the nonprofit sector, Annette worked in sales and marketing. Annette is an active volunteer, serving as Regional Vice President for Region 3 and a Volunteer Field Representative for the National Exchange Club and Club President for Moonlighter’s Exchange Club. She serves on the board of the South Central Minnesota SHRM chapter and serves in the capacity of secretary for the local CAER chapter, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Meriden’s church council. Annette is passionate about serving those in need, so most of her time is spent fulfilling this mission in a variety of different capacities. Annette has earned a BA in Organizational Management and Communication from Concordia University St. Paul and a MA in Nonprofit Management from Adler University Chicago, in addition to numerous certificates, including Youth Mental Health First Aid facilitator and VITA Tax Preparation.

Yeidymar Sierra Moya, a dedicated learning enthusiast holding a Master's in Plant Pathology and a Bachelor's in Medical Microbiology, distinguishes herself through exemplary leadership and strategic thinking. In her capacity as the Manager of Volunteer Services at a non-profit organization, she fuses her scientific background with love to community service, playing a pivotal role in uplifting and enhancing the well-being of the communities she serves. With Puerto Rican roots, Yeidymar brings a unique perspective and a profound appreciation for cultural values to her approach to community development. Recognizing the importance of fostering inclusive environments that uplift communities and create a sense of belonging, she passionately advocates for individuals with both apparent and non-apparent disabilities. Beyond mere words, Yeidymar actively promotes initiatives prioritizing inclusivity, and valuing the diverse voices of underrepresented groups. She actively works to dismantle barriers and ensure equal opportunities for everyone. She envisions and actively works towards creating spaces that are not just accessible but also supportive, fostering an environment where individuals of all abilities can truly thrive. Yeidymar's community service approach is characterized by a deep comprehension of the individual challenges within diverse communities. She actively strives to cultivate environments that empower and uplift every member, underlining her belief that true community development unfolds when all individuals, regardless of background, are afforded the opportunity to contribute and prosper.

Cairn Reisch is a community engagement professional based in Fargo, North Dakota. A transplant to North Dakota, Cairn received her bachelor’s degree in health promotion and nonprofit management from Central College. She went on to obtain Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA), the first person in North Dakota to do so. As Marvin’s Community Relations Manager, she focuses on working with and listening to community partners to build long-term relationships and develop meaningful solutions to complex issues. Before joining Marvin, Cairn served in various roles supporting causes throughout rural America to bring community members to the table to address challenges and celebrate successes. She is also a strong advocate for community service, serving as a board member, committee member and volunteer for a variety of organizations across the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Travis Salisbury serves as the Director of Mission Advancement for St. Paul’s Monastery and Benedictine Center, a role he has held since 2022 and does remotely from Seattle, Washington. Before serving the Benedictine Sisters in their advancement efforts, he was Coordinator of Liturgical Celebrations at The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis engaging volunteers in the public worship roles of The Basilica. Over the years, he has worked with and for Plymouth Congregational Church, The Episcopal Church in Minnesota, and the Minnesota Orchestra. Travis is an active volunteer, a trainer, and presenter. He regularly volunteers in various capacities for his parishes in Seattle (Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and Epiphany Episcopal Parish). He is a trainer in MAVA’s Volunteer Impact Leadership Training series, a past presenter at MAVA conferences and workshops, and a past retreat leader for sacramental preparation days in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Travis studied at the University of Minnesota, St. Thomas, and Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.

Kathleen Cannon enjoys people, problem-solving, and dreaming big, and as the executive director of Girls on the Run Minnesota, she has ample opportunity for all three. She joined Girls on the Run Minnesota in 2014 and has helped the program grow from serving 200 girls per year in the Twin Cities to a statewide movement reaching more than 25,000 girls and gender-expansive youth over the last decade. Previously, she was the executive director of Girls on the Run of Eastern Iowa. Earlier in her career, she worked as an attorney, instructor, and writer. As a senior non-profit leader and perpetual optimist, her professional passions include smart strategy, top-notch communication, inclusive volunteerism, and making new mistakes. Kathleen is a proud member of MAVA's Board of Directors, and also serves on the National GOTR Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Commission. She earned her law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School and her bachelor's degree in Political Science and English from the University of Utah. Outside of Girls on the Run, you can find her laughing at her own jokes, chasing her three kids around, walking her goldendoodle, cheering fro the Minnesota Lynx, and/or chatting about her new favorite podcast.

Currently serving as the Operations Director for Southside Harm Reduction Services. A nonprofit organization based in South Minneapolis, that works to promote the human rights to health, safety, autonomy and agency among people who use substances. As the previous Director of Volunteer Engagement with the ACLU of MN I was introduced to MAVA. MAVA being very instrumental in both my professional and personal volunteer efforts, I joined the MAVA Board of Directors. Where I serve on the Diversity Equity and inclusion committee to promote a framework for fair and full participation of all people. Working as a highly versatile, proactive and collaborative Director with 25 years of career expertise in public and nonprofit sectors. Adept in relationship cultivation, event organization and DEI training to advance nonprofit best practices. Distinct experience spans civil liberties, healthcare, real estate development and property management. Demonstrated success with visionary strategic planning, entrepreneurial aptitude for problem-solving and systems/operations efficiency. Highly effective in managing and training diverse teams from executive leadership to front-line employees and building relationships with key stakeholders, donors and vendors. Rodrick earned his undergraduate degrees in Liberal Art and Biology in 1994 from Pace University in New York, NY, and his Masters in Business Administration From Georgia State University in 2000.

Michelle Sherman is a versatile leader with over 20 years of experience in the information technology sector. Her most recent leadership role was at Deluxe Corporation, leading enterprise-wide technology and transformation initiatives in digital payments, data management, website accessibility, and human resources. Prior to joining Deluxe, she led several technology teams in delivering inclusive online K-12 educational assessments, mobile billing systems, and banking software. Throughout Michelle’s career she has demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism in her workplace, church, and community. She was an inaugural member of the Deluxe Twin Cities Volunteer Council and served on the Deluxe Foundation grants committee. She is actively involved in youth ministries at her church, the Polar Plunge for Minnesota Special Olympics, Soles4Souls, and several church-community partnerships helping people in poverty both locally and internationally. Michelle completed a graduate certificate in organizational leadership at St. Catherine University in 2021 and is scheduled to complete her Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in December 2024. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Denver. She completed the United Way of Atlanta non-profit board training program and is excited to be serving her first board appointment with MAVA.

Paulette Bonneur is a passionate changemaker trailblazing her path on her own terms. With a M.S. in Educational Leadership, she puts her education in practice working with over 12 years of service in Higher Education with Student Affairs experiences ranging from recruitment, retention and DEI. As a four-time transplant recipient who is grabbing life by the horns, she teaches others to take action and own their own story. The proud daughter of Liberian immigrants was raised by a single mother, and knows a thing or two about hard work. Paulette’s contributions as a consultant, speaker, storyteller, educator, community volunteer and author have helped thousands. When she is not working and making an impact in the community, she is racing to keep up with her busy three and seven-year-old and enjoying quality time with her loud, loving, Liberian family!

Rojo Andriamihaja is a Twin Cities-based Communications professional, specifically in the nonprofit sector. She is currently the Communications & Marketing Manager at Tubman, a multi-service nonprofit providing resources and services to people who have experienced trauma or violence. Previously, she was a member of Tubman’s Intern & Volunteer Services Team as a Volunteer Services Coordinator. Before coming to Tubman, she served a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA with YouthLink’s GED program, after which she briefly became interim manager of the program. Along with serving on MAVA’s board, Rojo is also a Volunteer Impact Leadership Training Series trainer, and DEI training facilitator. Passionate about DEIA in the workplace, she was also instrumental informing Tubman’s Racial Justice Collective, a staff-led group committed to furthering Tubman’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and goals. Rojo holds a bachelor’s degree in History, with a concentration in African History and focus on Comparative Racism, from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Sarah Peterka joined UGMTC in 2022 after serving for four years as Director of Opportunity Saint Paul & Congregational Engagement at Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul. Sarah has worked professionally with children, youth, families and communities through roles in nonprofits and churches since 2000. She brings extensive experience in collaboration and partnerships between organizations. Sarah’s work at the Mission has been focused on building partnerships with church leaders, clergy, community leaders and nonprofit partners. She also oversees Events, Marketing and Communications, and our Volunteer Program. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry from Augsburg University in 2001 and a Master’s Degree in Religious Education and Leadership from Luther Seminary in 2006. Sarah currently resides in Woodbury with her husband and two dogs.

Todun Afolabi studied Law and earned her master’s degree in Public Service and currently Public Policy Management. She joined World Relief in 2018, and currently serves as the US Volunteer Engagement Program Manager. Todun is passionate about humanitarian efforts and engaging communities in their stories of change and volunteers her time with local organizations in the Chicago land area. In her current role, she supports volunteer engagement efforts across World Relief offices in the United States.