September 26, 2008 Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake
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Presenters
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Christopher and Anne Ellinger Founders, Bolder Giving Christopher and Anne Ellinger are nationally recognized writers, wealth counselors, workshop presenters and organizers on issues of wealth and philanthropy. In 1991, they founded More than Money, a nonprofit peer education network with more than 1,000 participants nationwide. In 2004 they launched the Zing Foundation to continue their philanthropic promotion and build on their lifelong interest in the effective use of participatory arts for social change. They also direct True Story Theatre, an improvisational performance company that builds community by "playing back" the life experiences told by members of the audience. |
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Lori Jacobwith Consultant, www.lorijacobwith.com Lori has been instrumental in assisting organizations to increase their fundraising goals as a senior instructor with Raising More Money (now Benevon) from 2001-2006. She then founded a dynamic consulting company that assists organizations, their staff and board members in creating situations that focus on ease, productivity and joy in fulfilling their mission and needs. |
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Steve Joul President, Central Minnesota Community Foundation Steve has served as president of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation in St. Cloud since February 1996. Prior to moving to St. Cloud, Steve served as the director of development for the Northwest Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji and director of marketing/fund development for Riverview Healthcare Association in Crookston. |
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Jennifer Leonard President and Executive Director, Rochester Area Community Foundation (NY) Jennifer Leonard is the president and executive director of New York's Rochester Area Community Foundation, a $225-million community endowment administering nearly 1,000 philanthropic funds given by, and for the benefit of, residents of a six-county region of upstate New York. The foundation has grown sevenfold since Leonard assumed her present position in 1993. Leonard is the former vice president of the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles and also served as a national consultant on marketing and development to community foundations. She served as chair of the Community Foundations Leadership Team at the national Council on Foundations from 2004-06, and helped develop the first national standards for community foundations and led their implementation from 2001-2004. |
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Carleen Rhodes President and CEO, Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation Carleen Rhodes became president of The Saint Paul Foundation in 2003 and brought nearly 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising. Previously, she was president of the Minnesota Children's Museum and a partner in a national consulting firm that provides counsel to organizations in strategic analysis, fundraising, staff recruitment and volunteer involvement. She is a member of numerous boards and advisory committees, including MCF's board of directors and the national Council on Foundations' Leadership Team. |
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Nancy Straw President, West Central Initiative Nancy Straw joined WCI in 1996 as its business and economic development chief, and was promoted to president in 1999. She previously worked as a business consultant and small business owner, and in a variety of management positions in nonprofit and private organizations. She has served on numerous nonprofit and government boards and committees. Straw grew up on a farm in rural Minnesota and has dedicated her career to helping rural families, businesses and committees. |
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George B. Thompson Chair, Blandin Foundation Board of Trustees A noted civic leader throughout the state, George Thompson led the Diversity Council of Rochester as executive director (1995-2006). He joined the Blandin Foundation board in 1997 and was named chair in 2006. Thompson also spent 26 years as an industrial engineer and manufacturing manager at IBM. His community involvement efforts include the Rochester Human Rights Commission, 12 years as director of United Way, leadership roles with Jobs in Transition, YMCA Big Brothers, Citizens Youth Violence Intervention Council, and more. He was awarded the NAACP Award for Community Service and Indo-American Award for Public Service. |
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Sandra Vargas President and CEO, The Minneapolis Foundation Sandra L. Vargas was named president and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation in 2007. She was previously Hennepin County administrator, the top executive position in county government. Vargas began her career as a small-business consultant in the Minnesota Department of Economic Development and held management positions at the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation before joining Hennepin County in 1997. She serves on the boards of the Guthrie Theater, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Metropolitan State University Foundation, Northwest Area Foundation and Twin Cities RISE. |
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