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"I learned that acting with courage, having strength, and being yourself is something that I would like to do." |
Board of DirectorsAnn BancroftFounder Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to follow their dreams. Through her various roles as an explorer, educator, sought-after speaker and philanthropist, Ann believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can help inspire a global audience to pursue their individual dreams. Ann's teamwork and leadership skills have undergone severe tests during her polar expeditions and provided her with opportunities to shatter female stereotypes. The tenacity and courage that define her character have earned Ann worldwide recognition as one of today's most influential role models for women and girls. Ann's passion for exploring our natural world is matched by her enthusiasm for teaching children. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from the University of Oregon, Ann taught physical and special education in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. schools and coached various high school sports. She currently is an instructor for Wilderness Inquiry, an organization that helps disabled and able-bodied individuals enjoy the wilderness year round. Joe CavanaughCEO & Founder Joe Cavanaugh is a nationally-known advocate promoting timeless values and personal character to audiences of all ages. He is one of the foremost communicators on the topics of respect, courage, and compassion, challenging our schools to teach students to be both smart and good. Joe has over 25 years of experience working with young people. In that time, Joe has witnessed for himself the pain many kids experience when they walk down the halls of their school. In 1987, as a response to this enormous challenge, Joe founded Youth Frontiers, Inc. Joe has been the subject of countless newspaper articles as well as radio and television interviews including "The Osgood Report" on CBS radio and a 90-minute PBS television special titled Respectfully, Joe Cavanaugh. Joe has also been recognized by General Colin Powell of America's Promise as a leader in our nationŐs effort to rescue America's young people. He is author of the book Healing Hearts, expanding his message of showing compassion to others and embracing true and timeless values, and he currently serves on St. John's University Alumni Board of Directors. Dave DornPresident Nate GarvisVice President of Government Affairs Nate Garvis is Vice President of Government Affairs for Target Corporation, one of the largest retail companies in the United States. He is responsible for political, legislative and regulatory affairs at the international, federal, state and local levels of government. Nate also consults internally on a variety of business issues that have a public component and require engagement strategies. He is widely recognized in public affairs circles as a thought leader in the areas of integrated public engagement strategies as well as emerging trends in the inter-relationships between multi-national corporations, non-governmental advocacy groups and governmental institutions. Nate is a past chairman of the Washington D.C. based Public Affairs Council as well as immediate past chairman of the Foundation for Public Affairs. He is on the executive committees of a number of other boards throughout the nation, including the California Business Properties Association on which he serves as chairman. He serves on the executive committee of the non-partisan Citizens League civic think tank. Nate also serves on a number of academic boards including his recent election to the board of the Boston College International Center for Corporate Citizenship. He is a former policy fellow at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Policy at the University of Minnesota and serves on the board of the Institute's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. In 2004, Nate was honored as the first ever corporate public affairs recipient of the Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award. Nate has a B.A. in History from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from the University of Oregon. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife Trissa and his two daughters Ivy and Violet. Articles: Emerald City of Giving Does Exist, The New York Times. Lucy Hartwell HeegaardCommunity Leader and Teacher Lucy Heegaard is a licensed elementary school teacher. She taught at Breck School, a private school in Golden Valley from 1984-2000, and before that taught at The Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts. An active community leader concerned with youth development and education, Lucy has served on many boards and committees including YMCA Camp St. Croix from 1995-1996, and the Friends of Belwin Steering Committee at Belwin Environmental Learning Center from 1995-2001. In 1994-1996 Lucy managed the Early Childhood Family Education, doubling the capacity of the toy lending library. Lucy co-chaired the Book Fair and Book Week at Mounds Park Academy in 2006. She started and ran a bookmaking workshop program at Afton-Lakeland School from 2000-2001. Lucy co-founded and managed a school publishing company at Afton-Lakeland School from 1999-2000. She was a Girl Scout leader from 1998-2002 and coached a 2nd/3rd grade soccer team in 2005. Two of Lucy's favorite pastimes are photography and playing tennis. Lucy is married to Jeff and has three children. Lucy lived in Gijon, Spain from 2002-2004 with her family. Scott LutzChief Marketing Officer Paul H. MaennerPrincipal Paul is our Board Chair this year, and a devoted supporter of Youth Frontiers since 2001. He is a Principal Partner with JMW Development, LLC, a Minneapolis-based commercial real estate development firm. Paul has been involved for the past 23 years in virtually every aspect of the commercial real estate industry. Trained as a commercial appraiser, he is a Member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI), as well as the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute (CCIM), based on his experience in leasing and selling investment-grade real estate. He also has detailed experience in property management, construction management and finance. His wide-ranging background in the industry has allowed him to focus exclusively on property development, where he has played leading roles in the development of multiple properties, including award-winning projects in downtowns Edina and Wayzata, Minnesota. Paul is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and is a 1984 graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He is a pretty good golfer and sailor; he's not quite fluent in German yet, but he's working on it. He and his wife Sally live in Edina, where they have two daughters aged 13 and 16 who are both enrolled in the Edina Public School System. Mike ManeyPartner The Excelsior Group Fred SennPartner Fred began his advertising career by managing advertising for First Bank System. Pat Fallon recruited Fred to the agency side at Martin/Williams Advertising and then asked him to be one of the founding partners of Fallon. Today, Fred's role is less involved with account management and more involved with talent development as Fallon expands both its scope of services and its geographic reach. In this capacity, he is the Chief Learning Officer, runs Fallon University, and guest lectures at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. To mark the 25th anniversary of the firm they founded together, Fred teamed with his partner, Pat Fallon, to write Juicing the Orange, a book about applied creativity to business problem-solving, published by Harvard Business School Press. A native of Minnesota, Fred is very involved in local business and nonprofit organizations. Fred has directed the successful advertising efforts of the Minnesota Business Partnership (a lobbying coalition of Minnesota companies) and the Minnesota Department of Tourism, as well as two gubernatorial campaigns. He is involved as an adviser or board member to several national children's organizations. He graduated from St. John's University and now serves on their Board of Regents. Gail ShorePresident Shore to Shore Communications, Inc. (SSC) was founded by Gail Shore in 1989 following 20 years of sales, marketing and corporate communications management for Republic and Northwest Airlines. Gail also served as public relations director for Women's Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Minnesota. Gail has served on committees for the MN Advocates for Human Rights, American Refugee Committee and Girl Scouts of America. She was also selected for membership of Horizon 100, a group of 100 women leaders from diverse backgrounds who share ideas about issues, particularly those pertaining to women. Gail is a past president and former national board member of Am. Women In Radio and TV (AWRT) and former board member of Int'l Assn. of Business Communicators (IABC). She was appointed to the National Press and PR Committee of the Travel Industry Assn. of Am. (TIA), and to the MN Tourism Advisory Council by the Lt. Gov. Gail, who has traveled internationally for 35 years, is an avid photographer whose solo treks take her to diverse cultures all over the world. Her photography business, Shore to Shore Images, focuses on international cultures and environments. In addition, Gail has launched Cultural Jambalaya, an non-profit organization that supports charities through cultural photography. Through her photography, Gail wants others to learn more about various histories, cultures, and religions so we can become more understanding of our differences. Gail has been a lecturer at University of St. Thomas Graduate School, University of Minnesota, Metropolitan State University and Minnesota Institute of Legal Education. She earned her B.A. in Communications from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN. Colleen Needles StewardPresident R. Craig VanaAssociate Superintendent David WalshPresident David Walsh, Ph.D. has emerged as one of the world's leading authorities on parenting and the impact of media on children's health and development. He spent 10 years teaching and coaching high school students before joining Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis to develop and direct innovative counseling programs for youth and families. In 1995, he founded the internationally renowned National Institute on Media and the Family. As president, Dr. Walsh spearheads the Institute's efforts to provide parents, teachers, and other concerned adults information about media through education, research, and advocacy. Dr. Walsh has written nine books, including the award winning national best seller Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen, Selling Out America's Children and The American Medical Association's Physician Guide to Media Violence. He writes a monthly column published in dozens of newspapers, and has written scores of articles for professional and popular publications. His book, Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen (Free Press) is a national best seller. In January 2007, he released his latest book, No: Why Kids - of All Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. The book, which serves as the focal point of the Say Yes to No campaign which teaches parents and educators how to instill self-discipline in America's children and ensure our kids our successful in school and life. He received his B.A. degree from Mt. Carmel College, his M.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife Monica live in Minneapolis and have three adult children - Dan, Brian, and Erin. |