donate

Help Make the Holidays Brighter for Youth

  • Donate, News, Volunteer

Help Make the Holidays Brighter for Youth

As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to help bring warmth and joy to young people in our community.

This year, Face to Face is hosting two special holiday dinners for youth ages 14–24 at SafeZone:

  • Thanksgiving Dinner — Thursday, November 21, 1–4 p.m.

  • Winter Holiday Dinner — Thursday, December 19, 1–4 p.m.

These celebrations offer more than just a festive meal — they provide connection, comfort, and a reminder that youth are not alone during the holidays.

Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Volunteer
    Sign up to help at one or both events by greeting youth, helping with activities, or assisting with setup and cleanup.
    Volunteer Sign-Up Form

  • Donate a Thanksgiving Dish
    Prepare and deliver a Thanksgiving meal item to SafeZone on November 21 at 12:30 p.m.
    Sign Up to Donate a Dish
    OR
    Donate Funds to Purchase a Dish

  • Donate via Amazon Wishlist
    Purchase items directly from our Amazon Wishlist to help create holiday gift bags filled with thoughtful, youth-centered items.

  • Make a Financial Gift
    Support our holiday programming and year-round services with a donation at face2face.org/donate.

All contributions help create affirming, joyful spaces where youth feel seen, valued, and supported during what can be a difficult season.

If you have any questions about volunteering or donations for either event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elizabeth directly.

Thank you,

Elizabeth Vang
Community Engagement Coordinator
volunteer@face2face.org
651-772-5555
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Lexi Borgesen

Lexi Borgesen is the current Foster Youth Outreach and Engagement Specialist at the Minnesota Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson. In this role, she connects with Fosters across the state, and in out-of-state placements, to conduct know your rights and OOFY information trainings. Additionally, she works on legislative research and advocacy, in which she is currently working to pass the Minnesota Foster Youth Bill of Rights in their 2026 legislative session, a bill she wrote alongside dozens of Minnesota Fosters. 

In 2025, Lexi received a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, with a concentration in Social Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. In 2022, Lexi received a B.A. in Social Justice with a Concentration in Law and Advocacy and a Minor in Political Science from Hamline University. Lexi has worked for political offices on the state and national level, ran and transformed basic needs programming at Hamline University, engaged with VISTA programming to embolden anti-poverty initiatives across Minnesota and Iowa, advocated for sexual assault prevention, and engaged in years of foster care advocacy and engagement. 

 

Lexi’s work is deeply rooted in her lived experience in foster care, poverty, and a plethora of subsequent experiences that stem from the former. She believes that everyone, and in particular Fosters, deserves to live autonomous, fulfilling lives. To reach this goal, she believes that is imperative to have those with lived experience not only at the table, but the ones making decisions. 

alex klein bio photo

Alex Klein

Alex was first appointed to be a member of the Board of Directors in September 2024. He is an Associate Attorney at the Bloomington law firm of Bradford Andresen Norrie & Camarotto (BANC), where he practices in a wide variety of areas involving civil litigation. Alex was born and raised in the Metro area, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and Law Degree from the University of St. Thomas. From his time as a server at a family restaurant to his current firm, Alex has always been motivated by his interactions with those he serves. Alex is looking forward to bringing that passion for service to his role at Face to Face.
lauren reynolds bio photo

Lauren Reynolds

Lauren is the Associate Director of External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Partnerships at UnitedHealth Group (UHG). As a leader on the Global DEI team at UHG, Lauren leads the DEI partnership strategy for the company. This includes fostering strategic relationships, both internal and external, and leveraging these partnerships to convert diverse candidates to new UHG employees. Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Lauren was Director of Diversity Recruitment and Retention  at the Minnesota Department of Human Services from 2015 – 2022.  At DHS, Lauren led a comprehensive diversity recruitment and retention strategy that focused on embedding diversity, equity and inclusion.

 

An Indiana native, Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Indiana University-Bloomington and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, specializing in Human Resources Management. Lauren is an active community leader, serving also as a member of the Ramsey County Workforce Innovation Board. Lauren was  selected as a 2020 Honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for Women in Business.

Marcelus Ifonlaja

Marcelus Ifonlaja is a finance graduate of Metro State University with over a decade of experience in nonprofit programming and leadership. He has held roles with organizations including the Science Museum of Minnesota, LeadMN, Students United, and Foster Advocates. Currently at Neighborhood Development Center, Marcelus supports economic development initiatives for underrepresented communities.

His advocacy work includes championing mental health resources for students and testifying in support of the North Star Promise Act. Marcelus brings a unique perspective shaped by lived experience and a commitment to social justice, particularly for Black and Brown youth and those impacted by housing instability. He is a member of the MN Promise Act Team, helping direct $72 million in grant funding to local businesses.

Peter Peterson

Peter has nearly 20 years of experience in the health insurance and health services industries having spent 15 years at UnitedHealth Group and more recently with a number of startup organizations. This includes experience across finance/FP&A, call & claim operations, payment integrity operations, global operations and business strategy. He successfully optimized both domestic and international operations which included greenfield startups in both Dublin, Ireland and San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has also served in a several Chief of Staff & Corporate Strategy positions where he led overall business growth strategy and planning. He is a graduate of St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.

Laura Straw

Director of Finance

Laura Straw (she/her) comes to Face to Face with a strong background in non-profit accounting, administration and IT. A Certified Non-Profit Accounting professional, Laura has worked in the capacity of Controller for several non-profit, government, and for-profit businesses. With a passion for housing, and racial and social justice, Laura spent twelve years as Executive Director of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Bemidji expanding the capacity to serve the low-income, very low income, and unhoused population to three counties in northern Minnesota.

Amber Knudson, BA
Mental Health Intern
Amber (she/her) is a Mental Health Intern at Face to Face, where she uses her authentic, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach to support clients. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at St. Catherine University, Amber views therapy as a collaborative journey. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment that fosters personal growth and healing. She prioritizes building meaningful, trusting relationships with her clients to support their ongoing well-being and progress. In her free time, Amber enjoys exploring her creative side through photography, challenging herself with bouldering, and diving into a good book. Amber’s diverse interests reflect her belief in the importance of balance and self-care in both her personal and professional life.
Kimberly Mendez, BSW
Mental Health Intern
Kimberly (she/her) is a mental health intern at Face to Face. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work at the University of Saint Thomas. Kimberly has worked with youth in school settings for three years. She has worked with diverse communities and understands how different socioeconomic factors play a role in one’s identity and journey. Kimberly strongly values relationships and authenticity. Her therapeutic approaches include strength-based therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, narrative therapy, and holistic therapy. She hopes to create a positive difference and sense of belonging in her communities.
Natalie Yang-Roberts, MSW
Mental Health Practitioner
Natalie Yang-Roberts (she/her) is a mental health professional at Face to Face and culturally identifies as Hmong American. She has a background working with youth and families in the home and community. Natalie’s therapeutic approach aligns with her values of humility, curiosity, patience, and unconditional positive regard, believing that the core self in all is good. She draws from her training in cognitive behavioral therapy, Restorative Practices, Internal Family Systems, somatic experiencing, and MoveMindfully practices to teach mindfulness, body awareness, and nondirective play therapy. She understands healing is not linear and is here to support youth along their journey. Natalie has experience working with individuals and families overcoming challenges around identity development, traumatic experiences, generational trauma, relational connection, attachment, neurodiversity, anxiety, and depression. Natalie holds a Master’s in Social Work from Augsburg University. In her free time, she enjoys shopping at thrift stores, making hand-made cards, and going on walks outside with her family.
LaDonna Jackson, MA, MFT
Mental Health Practitioner
LaDonna Jackson (she/her), is a Saint Paul native, born and raised. She has experience as a Mental Health Practitioner with Saint Paul Public Schools, Change Inc., and the Bridge For Youth while pursuing licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves working in the community that fostered her passion for youth and youth work, as she believes children are the future. Her goal is to support families as they attain the skills they require to nurture the development of healthy (mentally, physically and emotionally) children. LaDonna incorporates Solution-Oriented and Transgenerational approaches in her practice. She focuses on encouraging clients to build on their strengths and resources, through practical and actionable steps toward problem-solving and healing. Her transgenerational methodology involves understanding the influence of family dynamics across multiple generations to address patterns and behaviors that impact clients’ mental health and relationships. When families are uplifted, children gain support in new ways which fosters healthier futures.
Brenda N., MA, LPCC, LADC
Mental Health Practitioner
Brenda (she/her) is an African American therapist who integrates empathic understanding, solution-focused, person-centered, and culturally sensitive methods into her approach. Brenda began her career in the field over 14 years ago working in women’s shelters with women and children. Brenda continued that path and began working with families affected by substance use/abuse, and mental illness. Brenda’s professional experience is in addiction counseling, mental health, culturally responsive, and trauma informed care and training. Brenda’s integrative approach to counseling is Person-Centered guided on Carl Rogers’ belief that “every human being strives for and has the capacity to fulfill their potential.” As a Person-Centered Therapist she recognizes and trusts human potential and for her, it’s that unconditional, positive regard that helps facilitate change. Brenda obtained her Counseling and Psychological Services (LPCC) degree at Saint Mary’s University in Minneapolis, MN; Drug and Alcohol Counseling (LADC) degree at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN; and is currently a PhD graduate student at Walden University; area of study, Developmental Psychology with a focus on Education and Training.

Degree’s/Licensures/Certifications obtained: MA – Mental Health Counseling (LPCC), BS – Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor, PhD – Developmental Psychology in progress, Women’s Studies Certification, Women’s Trauma Informed Care Certification

Trainings in: MAT (Medication Assisted Therapy), MI (Motivational Interviewing)
Laura Schlotterback, MSW, LGSW
Mental Health Practitioner
Laura (they/them) is a white, queer, non-binary, and currently able-bodied LICSW mental health provider with Face to Face, and they facilitate drop-in therapy at SafeZone and Oasis for Youth and outpatient therapy at both SafeZone and the Face to Face clinic. Laura understands everyone they work with is the expert of their own experiences, and they value connection, vulnerability, curiosity, self-compassion, and grace in therapy spaces. Laura feels passionate about centering therapy participants’ passions and interests, as well as exploring movement, mindfulness, and art during sessions. Laura also offers space in therapy to explore individual identities and systems-level privilege and oppression, and they solicit feedback about sessions and collaborate with participants and coworkers to incorporate feedback into meaningful change. Laura’s therapy style is relational and strengths-based, and they use tools from humanistic, somatic/sensory, cognitive-behavioral, and trauma therapy models. Laura can also facilitate EMDR therapy with interested participants.
Asiya Smith, MSW, LGS
Mental Health Practitioner
Asiya (she/her) is a shelter-based therapist at Face to Face. Asiya received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Minnesota and currently has her LGSW while working towards her LICSW. Prior to joining Face to Face, Asiya interned within the Robbinsdale School District, K-12, working as a school-based therapist with children mostly experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. Asiya’s approach to therapy is a client-centered and holistic approach. Asiya’s identity as a therapist of color fuels her passion for the work, particularly working with youth who are often scared away from engaging in mental health services due to historical harm the mental health industry has done to marginalized communities. Asiya loves to connect with youth of color and other marginalized identities as a shelter-based therapist. In her free time, Asiya spends lots of time coaching basketball at the collegiate and high school level.
Meg Sutter, MSW, LGSW
Mental Health Practitioner
Meg (she/her) is an outpatient therapist at Face to Face. Coming from a background in creative arts and youth work, Meg’s approach to therapy is holistic, relational, and client-centered. She believes every client is the expert of their own story and a trusting, collaborative therapeutic relationship is the foundation of healing work. She has experience with supporting clients explore their identity and relationships; and heal from personal and intergenerational trauma. Meg has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. In her spare time, Meg enjoys cooking, reading, getting outside, and getting creative with various art projects.
Albert Vargas, MA
Mental Health Practitioner
Albert (he/him) is an outpatient therapist at Face to Face. He has centered much of his therapeutic work on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychoeducation, Narrative Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy which prioritizes the unique strengths and experiences of each individual. He believes that every person who comes to therapy has their own goals and challenges that with additional supports and tools can be navigated in ways that leave them feeling more hopeful and balanced. With experience at different community-based and private clinics, Albert is open to working with those from a diverse range of backgrounds and is always excited to work with Spanish-Speakers or Non-English-Speakers more generally. Specific experience includes depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, immigration trauma/stress, stress management, and life transitions.
Kyla Ledger, MSW, LGSW
Mental Health Practitioner
Kyla (she/her) is an outpatient and shelter-linked mental health practitioner at Face to Face. Her other experiences include working as a case manager/care coordinator for adults age 65+, as a Positive Support Specialist for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, as a para-professional for elementary-aged children, and as a Residential Counselor at an out of home shelter placement for adolescents. Kyla’s approach to therapy is strengths-centered, attachment-based, and trauma-informed. She also believes it is important to recognize how systems of oppression and marginalization affect clients’ life experiences, and exploring how intersections of these identities inform the therapy process and outcome. Kyla values authenticity, empathic understanding, inquisitiveness, and warmth in the therapeutic setting.
Liz Anderson, MSW, LICSW
Mental Health Supervisor
Liz (she/her) is the Clinical Supervisor for the outpatient and shelter-linked staff. She has experience working with individuals and families ranging from 10 to 80 years old for the last 14 years, in community, medical, private practice, non-profit, and school settings. She also has been a clinical supervisor since 2016, enjoying the opportunity to guide and support pre-licensed therapists and graduate students as they develop their skills in the mental health field.Liz is a trauma-informed, relational, collaborative, and culturally considerate clinician, who is trained as an EMDR therapist, draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, psychodynamic, and Emotion Focused Therapy. She uses a whole-person and strengths-focused lens, has years of experience working across differences and identities. She has expertise working with immigrants and refugees, with interpreter services, and values training others to do this work. Liz prioritizes social justice, equity, harm reduction, and reducing barriers to quality mental health services, incorporating these into her leadership for Face to Face’s outpatient and shelter-linked therapist teams.Liz can be reached at 651-772-5610. All Mental Health Practitioners are practicing under the clinical supervision of Liz Anderson, LICSW.
Kenya Dalton
Director of Healthcare Services
Kenya (she/her) is a highly experienced healthcare professional with over 25 years of expertise in healthcare services, operations, and management. Her extensive background spans project management, IT, telecommunications, and clinic facility management, showcasing her ability to drive organizational excellence and streamline operations across various domains. Kenya excels at leading multiple teams across different service areas and locations. She has a proven track record of recruiting, training, and supervising successful teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. Her passion for process improvement has led her to evaluate systems and processes, recommend strategic reorganizations, and implement standardized systems to drive departmental and organizational improvements.
Rachel Greenwald
Director of Youth and Family Services
Rachel (she/her) has been with Face to Face since 2022. Her current role is to oversee all of Face to Face’s youth and family services. This includes SafeZone day shelter and all programs providing direct service to youth including education and employment, youth justice, and housing. Rachel has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience in areas ranging from shelter, housing, case management and leadership.
Melissa Peterson
Director of Development and Community Engagement
Melissa (she/her) has been at Face to Face since August of 2017. She graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in Indigenous Studies and she’s also certified as a coach for parents. Since 1987, she has worked in nonprofit organizations serving children, youth, and families in community and human services, family violence intervention and prevention, youth development, curriculum development and training, out-of-school programs and camping, residential treatment, tutoring and education programs, and childcare.
Peter Fischer
Director of Finance
In 2012, Peter (he/him) was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. For the last 12 years he was the Director of Finance and Operations at Avenues for Homeless Youth in Minneapolis. Peter is married to his wife Kristi, and they have three children.
Stephanie Reinitz
Director of Operations

Stephanie (she/her) has been with Face to Face in various roles since 2016. Her current role is to oversee Face to Face’s administrative functions so other staff can focus their energy on our clients. She manages IT, HR, data management, facilities, and public funding. Stephanie has 20 years of nonprofit experience in areas ranging from youth work to human trafficking.

Hanna Getachew-Kreusser Executive Director Face to Face Health and Counseling Inc St. Paul Minnesota
Hanna Getachew-Kreusser, MA
Executive Director

Hanna Getachew-Kreusser has been with Face to Face since 2015 leading programs. She assumed her current position leading the organization in 2018 after a comprehensive national search.

With over 25 years of nonprofit administration experience, Hanna Getachew-Kreusser is a visionary leader whose career reflects a steadfast commitment to equity, innovation, and community transformation. With a distinguished record of service and recognition, she has consistently demonstrated the power of inclusive leadership to drive systemic change.

At Face to Face, Hanna has led with vision and strategy through unprecedented times. Under her direction, the organization has grown, expanding services to meet the needs of the community, including increasing youth housing from 16 to 80 units, and now serves over 5,100 youth annually. During the pandemic and the reckoning following George Floyd’s murder, Face to Face not only sustained but expanded essential services. Today, Hanna leads the development of a 24-unit deeply affordable housing project, with 22% of the $14 million goal already raised.

Hanna is known not only for vision but for execution—mobilizing partners, resources, and systems.

Hanna is an active community leader, engaged in working to change systems that negatively impact marginalized communities. She believes in developing meaningful partnerships to get to the root causes of the problems communities strive to resolve.

Beyond Face to Face, she co-founded REAL, Inc., a nonprofit strengthening African communities through healing, connection, and empowerment. She also serves as a Qualified Neutral Restorative Mediator for the State of Minnesota, is Mental Health Practitioner, and a soon-to-be Adverse Childhood Experience, ACE Interface Trainer—bridging systems change with personal healing.

Currently serving on the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County, Hanna brings strategic insight to regional workforce development, ensuring that economic growth is both equitable and sustainable. Her long-standing roles on Boards and Commissions including St. Paul Ramsey County Community Health Advisory Committee underscores her dedication

to community well-being. As a member of the Ramsey County (Re)Imagining Justice for Youth leadership team, she works to reframe youth justice through a lens of compassion, opportunity, and empowerment.

Her leadership and impact have been recognized by Twin Cities Business Magazine “Notable BIPOC Executive”, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal “Black Leaders You Should Know”, and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota “Rest Up Award”. She has also been featured in the Pioneer Press, Finance & Commerce, VoyageMinnesota, KARE 11, WCCO-TV, and The Imprint for insights on youth empowerment, housing, and community resilience.

Hanna’s leadership has earned widespread acclaim. She was named one of the Black Leaders You Should Know by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and recognized as a Notable BIPOC Executive by Twin Cities Business Magazine in 2023. Her commitment to mentorship and advocacy was honored with the Excellence in Multicultural Mentoring Award at the African Mental Health Summit, and she received the Rest Up Award from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota for her work advancing gender and racial equity.

Hanna is a committed leader of social change globally. Her visionary leadership includes strategic direction setting, business acumen, creativity, innovation, and acute interest in learning and curiosity for transforming communities. Her voice and vision have been featured across

major media platforms, including KARE 11, WCCO-TV, Finance & Commerce, and the Pioneer Press, where she has spoken on critical issues such as deeply affordable housing, youth empowerment, and community resilience. She has also contributed to national conversations as a panelist for the National Women’s Shelter Network, sharing insights on engaging and empowering young adults in transitional housing programs.

Hanna’s leadership is not only recognized—it is deeply rooted in action. Her work continues to inspire and mobilize others toward a more just, inclusive, and hopeful future.

Laura Whipple

Laura Whipple became a member of the Board of Directors in 2023 and chairs the Development & External Relations committee. She has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and communications executive, primarily in the healthcare sector, and currently works as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Teladoc Health. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, corporate social responsibility, brand management and message development. Laura holds a bachelors’ degree in political science from DePauw University and completed the Executive Scholar program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is a resident of St. Paul, an active mentor and volunteer in the community, and a member of Chief and Women Business Leaders in Healthcare.
Alan R. Thometz

Alan Thometz is a corporate finance executive with extensive experience in commercial and investment banking, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. He has advised clients in dozens of transactions totaling over $1.0 billion and specializes in valuations and cross-border transactions. In 2011, he lived in Beijing as a director of transaction advisory services for Grant Thornton. He recently retired from teaching at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He has served on several for-profit and nonprofit Boards. Alan and his wife, Claire, served in the Peace Corps in Tunisia and have two daughters.

dennis cross md bio photo

Dennis Cross

Dr. Dennis Cross is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine. One of 11 children, Dennis grew up in rural Mississippi until his family moved to Milwaukee in the early sixties. At age 15 he joined the NAACP Youth Commandoes and marched with Father James Groppi for open housing. He served a two-year stint with the US Army, including 12 months in Vietnam. Dennis became a college student at the community college UWM (University of Milwaukee) just to collect the GI Bill so he could buy a car. He then became a member and Chairman the Black Student Union from 1968-1972. He went on to attend medical school.  His long career in medicine includes caring for hospice patients through Our Lady of Peace in St. Paul. He currently works as Administrative Physician with Health Partners. He joined the Face to Face Board of Directors to work with disadvantaged youth, as he was one in his teenaged years.
Rev. Dr. Ed Treat
Ed Treat has been in long-term recovery from addiction for 36 years. He received his Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Seminary. From 1994-2019, he was a parish pastor, serving congregations in rural Nebraska and around the Twin Cities including a mission start. Treat helped develop the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy (FRLC) in 1990, a non-profit effort between pastors of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. In 2001, Treat became the director of the FRLC and remains such today.

Through the FRLC and with some collaboration with the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church (RMEC), Treat launched the Addiction & Faith Conference in 2018 to educate, inspire and equip congregations in addiction ministry. In 2020, Treat founded The Center of Addiction & Faith, as a 501©3 nonprofit. He sits on the boards of the FRLC, the RMEC, the Center of Addiction & Faith, Minnesota Mental Health Connect, and serves on the PAC of Minnesota Recovery Connection.
Laverne McCartney Knighton

Laverne McCartney Knighton is Area Development Director for UNCF (United Negro College Fund Inc.), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization offering scholarships and opportunities to over a half million Black students in our country. She oversees fundraising, scholarship program development, and external relations to benefit UNCF’s 37 member private, historically black colleges and universities and area students in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and North and South Dakota.

 

She is a native Texan, “a child of the 60s and a child of segregation”, raised in the small rural town of Doucette, Texas. 1n 1968 of her eighth-grade year, she was one of the first Black students bussed from an all-black school to an all-white school across town to test desegregation. After integration was mandated in 1969 by Texas law and the school was fully integrated, Laverne went on to become the first African American valedictorian to graduate in 1973.

 

Laverne was recruited to Minnesota in 1978 upon graduation from University of Houston where she earned her BS degree in Consumer Science & Merchandising to start her career in retail fashion merchandising with Dayton Hudson Corporation. She returned to Houston, Texas in 1980 where she adapted her career

goals to work in the oil and gas industry for seven years with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline. As destiny would have it, she was recruited back to Minnesota in 1987 to continue in the field of fashion where she was a buyer for ten years with Dayton’s/Marshall Fields.

 

In pursuit of her passion to serve community and to make a difference, Laverne spent seven years as Public Information and Education Manager for Tubman Family Alliance, a domestic violence organization where she built community partnerships and created public awareness about the issue.

Laverne is also an experienced corporate leader having spent 13 years at Target Corporation in Community Relations/Corporate Social Responsibility where she helped advance Target’s reputation as a leader in education, arts, and diversity. She early retired in 2013 but returned to the nonprofit sector in 2014 as Program Director for The BrandLab where she led and managed an initiative to provide diverse high school students exposure, access, and opportunity to careers in marketing and advertising.

Laverne believes that service equals an authentic and deep connection to community. Whether as a volunteer, mentor, or board member, she serves with diligence, commitment, and enthusiasm. She is an expert connector and collaborator, a passionate ally and advocate for community building and engagement.

 

Laverne made a bold move in June 2020 and stepped into the arena of politics. In answering the call for change in response to the murder of George Floyd, Laverne was one of forty African American women recruited by Black Women Rising who stepped up to say “no more!” Laverne ran for Minnesota State Senator District 65 against a 30-year incumbent. With just eight weeks leading up to an August 11th Primary, Laverne ran a fast and furious campaign in hopes of winning a majority to be a new voice and new choice on the November General Election ballot. Although she did not win the Primary, she garnered over 36% of the votes as a first-time candidate and put the powers that be on notice that the status quo was no longer acceptable. Her platform addressed the need for changes in systemic racism, public safety reform and bringing much needed and long overdue diversity to the State Senate. Laverne was featured on MSNBC Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, Elle Magazine, BBC News, Pioneer Press, MPR News with Angela Davis, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Insight News.

 

Laverne serves as an External Advisor to Governor Tim Walz’s Community Resiliency and Recovery work group to address racial inequalities, and disparities due to COVID-19 and to look at policymaking and other opportunities to help communities of color. She was appointed in 2017 to Governor Mark Dayton’s Young Women’s Initiative Council working to improve equity for young women living with the greatest disparities in Minnesota.

 

In 2019 Laverne was recognized as a Woman of Excellence at the Celebrating The Sistas Award Ceremony in recognition of her outstanding leadership, contributions and commitment to the Twin Cities community. In 2021, she was honored as a Path Finder and featured in the Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar. She has been recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of 200 Black Leaders in the Twin Cities region and as a 2021 Notable BIPOC Executive.

 

Laverne is actively involved in local chapters of professional national service organizations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated and The Girl Friends, Incorporated. She currently serves on the boards of Face to Face and Black Women Rising.

 

She is an Alumni of Leadership Saint Paul and has served as Advisory Board Member for Cedar Riverside People’s Center, YWCA of St. Paul and Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. She is a former Board Member of Summit University Planning Council, APEX Charter School and various arts organizations. She

has also served as an active member of Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy, Minnesota Blacks in Philanthropy and Donors Forum and is currently a member of Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. She has served as Graduation Coach for Achieve Minneapolis, Reading Tutor for Reading Corps and mentor for Girls Taking Action and Project Diva. An avid reader since childhood, she has been a member of Our Book Club for the past 35 years.

 

Laverne resides in St. Paul with her husband of 28 years, Russell Knighton. They have three children -Jason, Kymba, Jaraux and six grandchildren. Laverne and Russell are proud members of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis.

Shamsur “Ramond” Mahmud
Shamsur has a professional career spanning almost 20 years in finance and information technology. Working at various fortune 100 for profit and non-profit organizations in health care as financial analyst and consultant roles, he crossed over to information technology side working for 3M Data Analytics where he grew a keen interest on data and systems security as a Product Manager. Shamsur has a bachelor degree in Business Administration and Management Information System from Winona State University and an executive MBA degree focusing on Finance from Saint Mary’s University. Shamsur originally hails from Bangladesh. He came to the United States of America as a student when he was 19. He has spent more than half of his life in the US and now calls Minnesota his home, living with his wife and two kids. Shamsur hopes to help Face to Face in any capacity for the betterment of the under-served youth of Ramsey County in Minnesota.
Cathy Lambert

Cathy Lambert has over 25+ years in the field of Human Resources and Talent Development. She has recently retired and her last role was as SVP, Human Resources of Global Talent for Ecolab. In this role, she had responsibility for Ecolab’s talent management practices, learning & development programs along with employee engagement and leading Ecolab’s global talent acquisition organization. She has held multiple different roles at Ecolab including leading the HR team for Global Supply Chain with over 12, 000 employees in countries across the world. She has supported multiple business units in Ecolab as well as had the role of director, Culture & Inclusion where she was responsible for driving employee engagement programs, work-life flexibility programs and employee resource groups. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Economics and French Literature from University of California Santa Barbara.

Thomas Kottke, MD
Tom has been a member of the Board of Directors since January of 2019 and is a member of the Development and External Relations Committee. He is a Health Partners cardiologist and epidemiologist and Medical Director for Well-being. Tom was the recipient of the 2018 President’s Award from the Minnesota Medical Association. This award recognizes physicians who have worked on behalf of public health. His work has improved health in our community by promoting public health measures that include: Tobacco cessation, Teen pregnancy prevention, bike safety, and gun violence prevention.
Jannine He’bert, MA, LP
Jannine He’bert has been a member of the Board of Directors since the summer of 2019. She is a psychologist who has worked in the area of sexual violence prevention for more than 25 years, and has worked across various settings (outpatient, inpatient, prison and civil commitment) with adults and adolescents who have sexually perpetrated, as well as those directly impacted by sexual abuse. She is currently the Executive Clinical Director of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program at the Department of Human Services. She is interested in restorative justice practices and creative prevention interventions at all levels. Jannine will be a member of the short-term Strategic Planning Committee as well as the HR/Governance Committee.
Madeline Gragg
Madeline has held a variety of marketing and business roles at 3M Company over the last 19 years, developing skills in strategic planning, marketing, change management and process improvement. She currently serves as a Global Commercial Operations Leader for 3M’s Safety and Industrial Business Group. Prior to joining 3M, Madeline served as a high school special education teacher, assisting students with disabilities to develop the life and vocational skills needed to be successful as members of the community. She later honed her understanding of adult education as an educational consultant in Japan and as a residence hall director at the University of Michigan. Madeline has a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as a Master of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Truman State University.
Jeremy Ellison

Jeremy joined the Face to Face Board of Directors in September 2021. He brings 25 years of service with the St. Paul Police Department and is currently the commander of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Unit, where he oversees enforcement, outreach, and partnerships to improve pedestrian and traffic safety. He holds an M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of St. Thomas and is known for building strong community relationships and serving residents in need.

Diana Brown, PhD
Dr. Diana Brown currently serves as Principal at Como Park Senior High School (ISD # 625) in St. Paul, MN. With more than a decade as an educator and administrator, Dr. Brown has served as a teacher and in administrative roles, she has a clear understanding of the significance of collaborating with staff, students, families and the community. She also is an adjunct professor with Concordia University and the College of St. Scholastica. She embraces the unique abilities of each student and is looking forward to serving as a board member of Face to Face. ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS: Ed.D, Educational Leadership, Concordia University, Ed. S, K-12 Principal, Concordia University, M.A., K-12 Teaching, St. Thomas University, M.S., Education, St. Scholastica, B.A., Psychology, College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University
Sofia Ali, MD

Sofia is a Family Physician with over 25 years of experience in community clinics and community medicine in the Twin Cities, including serving briefly as Medical Director at Face to Face in 1997. In addition to her clinical work, Sofia holds a Master of Public Health degree. She believes the understanding of public health is imperative and provides a different lens through which to view health care. Sofia is passionate about working with patients to promote health rather than just treating illness and disease. She currently works as a Family Physician at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. She has also worked as a consultant on several clinic systems change projects in clinics in and beyond Minnesota. Her public health experience has included serving as a consulting physician for the Asthma Program at the Minnesota Department of Health, Statewide Health Improvement Program, (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) and the Controlling Asthma in American Cities Project of the American Lung Association. Sofia received her BS from the American University (Washington DC), MD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and MPH from the University of Minnesota. She did her residency in Community Oriented Family Medicine at St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center.

Peter Scott
Chair

Peter joined Face to Face’s Board of Directors in 2021, and has been serving on the 50th Anniversary committee previous to joining the board. He spent his career leading physician education and medical writing programs at medical device companies Medtronic and Guidant. Peter has served on Boards which provide medical care, counseling, affordable housing options, and supportive services to adults living with HIV/Aids. He is also a member of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Board of Governors. Peter excels developing goals and objectives to drive the organization forward and then creating messaging and plans to reach those goals.