Board of Directors
Art Berman
Chair & Treasurer
Art’s executive leadership experience includes Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit Twin Cities RISE!, and Senior Vice President and Treasurer at Ameriprise Financial. Art also serves on the boards of Graywolf Press and Stratis Health (Board Treasurer). He also served on the Board of Directors as Board Treasurer for the Public Health Law Center, Better Futures Minnesota, and Marnita’s Table. He received an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Economics from Bowdoin College.
Jennifer Tacheny
Lauretta Dawolo Towns
Lester Royal III
Lester is the founder and owner of Tri-Construction and possesses over 15 years of expertise in the areas of construction and carpentry. Lester’s leadership and experience with diverse and large construction projects have cultivated his ability to prioritize the support of women and minority groups in workplace and social systems. Lester provides leadership and direction for all aspects of construction throughout the company, including project management, negotiations, and building community partnerships. He teaches at Summit OIC, and has many years experience mentoring young people and working alongside community.
Harvey Rupert
Secretary
Harvey is a Strategic Sourcing Manager at Wells Fargo. He also has experience in a similar role at United Healthcare with marketing vendors, and as a Supplier Diversity Champion at Target Corporation. Harvey practiced law at Faegre and Benson LLP after graduating from Mitchell Hamline Law School.
Elizer Darris
Elizer is the ACLU Smart Justice Campaign Field Organizer in Minnesota. He is also Chair of a Hennepin County JDAI committee to reduce juvenile incarceration and a member of the JDAI Executive Steering Committee. He has experience as the Field Director with the Nekima Levy-Pounds campaign for mayor of Minneapolis. Elizer is also the founder of the Darris Consulting Group, which focuses on personal and communal empowerment.
Joselynne Fynboh
Joselynne has 15 years of experience building brands across General Mills and ConAgra Foods. With a Master’s degree in Marketing from the Carlson School of Management her vision is to transform the landscape of health through the healing power of food. By day Joselynne regenerates our food system as the Sr. Sustainability Manager at General Mills, by night she enjoys canning, volunteering and spending time with her husband, daughter and their pet dog.
Brent Marmo
Brent is the co-founder of a strategic creative communications firm in Minneapolis called Agency Squid – holding a grand scale strategic vision while executing in a day-to-day tactical reality to create opportunities and expand our clients’ businesses. He has the honor of working with some of the world’s top brands including KLM, the French Government Tourist Office, FitVine Wines, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Bank, Piper Jaffray, TCF Bank, Arctic Cat, Relais & Châteaux, Principality of Monaco, Estée Lauder, and Cargill. He has served the Washburn Center for Children both as a trustee and chairman and is currently serving on the Emeritus Board for The Center.
Ariel Tauer
Ari is a Principal at Boston Consulting Group and a leader in their social impact practice with experience in portfolio strategy, digital transformation, operating models and governance. Prior to BCG, she worked at Target and Apple in a variety of merchandising and negotiations roles. Ari is a college basketball enthusiast and enjoys practicing left-handed reverse layups with her 1-year son.
Lee Friedman
Lee Friedman
Trent Taher
Trent Taher