Research Report: Local Workforce Development 2011

Bezabeh Assefa is the project manager for RISE, Inc. Rise supports people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment in attaining their personal measure of safe and affordable housing, vocational achievement, self-sufficiency, and belonging in their communities. He was previously on the board for Ethiopian Community Development Council in Arlington Virginia, the Center for Victims of Torture, and The Institute for Education and Advocacy.

Deborah Atterberry is the president of Resource, Inc. RESOURCE provides employment services, training, chemical health services and mental health services to 17,000 people annually in Minnesota. RESOURCE's mission is "to empower people to achieve greater personal, social and economic success." She was previously the director of Employment Action Center for 24 years, and managed a non-profit division that provided employment and related services to individuals seeking to enter the job market or upgrade their incomes. Deborah received her MBA from the University of Saint Thomas, and her B.A. in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is currently on the board of the Hennepin/Carver Workforce Investment Board.

Karla Bachmann is the director of economic advancement for the Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES). CLUES Economic Advancement Services incorporates the employment and education departments, financial empowerment program, homeownership services, and the Learning Together program, under one holistic system of service delivery. This approach develops economic vitality and strives to create and sustain wealth in low-income and underserved Latino and new immigrant neighborhoods and communities. Their innovative efforts are designed to produce both short and long-term answers to the challenging economic times. They employ a linguistically appropriate and culturally proficient family centric model to assist Latino individuals and families in overcoming barriers to family stability and economic advancement. Programs are coordinated to further clients along the self-sufficiency continuum as they increase English language skills and education levels, attain and retain better jobs, learn how to support their children to succeed in school and life, learn to save, accumulate assets and improve financial knowledge to make wise choices that benefit them now, and provide security well into the future.

Art Berman is the president and CEO of Twin Cities RISE! Their mission is to provide employers with skilled workers – primarily men who have been living in deep, generational poverty in communities of color. They train participants to earn and retain jobs paying an annual living wage of at least $20,000 with benefits. Most participants spend 12 to 18 months with TCR!, learning Personal Empowerment and core work skills in classes and through individual coaching. Art was previously senior vice president & treasurer at Ameriprise Financial, and a management consultant at Booz, Allen & Hamilton. He received his MBA from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, and studied Economics at Bowdoin College for his bachelors' degree.

Ed Boeve is the executive director of East Suburban Resources, Inc. East Suburban Resources is a nonprofit agency providing a variety of services to individuals whose unique support needs may present barriers to employment and the community. He is the director on the Minnesota Insurance Trust Board, a member of the board for the United Way of Washington County - East, and a member of the board for the Minnesota Habilitation Coalition.

Julie Brekke, Vice President, Programs and Fundraising and Communications, has eighteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector, concentrating on fundraising, program development, evaluation and measurement, and non-profit management. She has worked in various sectors of the nonprofit world, including human service, social change and the arts. Julie serves on PPL’s Management Team and works closely with program staff, nonprofit colleagues, donors, volunteers and community members to advance the organization’s mission. She directed PPL’s fundraising and communications work since 2000 and, in 2009, expanded her work in the oversight of PPL’s human services, youth development and employment skills training programs.

Maura Brown is the associate director of the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability. The Alliance for Metropolitan Stability is a coalition of grassroots organizations that advances racial, economic and environmental justice in growth and development patterns in the Twin Cities region. Maura ensures that each Alliance campaign emphasizes grassroots organizing, strong research support and strategic capacity-building that unites organizations in building an integrated approach to achieving regional equity. Her work to ensure that Alliance initiatives reflect the values of many people, particularly low-income people and people of color, has been nationally recognized by PolicyLink and the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. She previously served as the director of the Harrison Neighborhood Association, a citizen participation organization in North Minneapolis. Before that, she organized low-income tenants at Central Community Housing Trust, a nonprofit developer of affordable urban housing.

Armin Budimlic is the associate director of Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA). Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1984 in Rochester, Minnesota, IMAA provides culturally and linguistically appropriate support services that foster the well-being and independence of our foreign born residents. Last year IMAA programs helped 500 refugees and immigrants find employment and helped guide over 5000 people to meet their own health, language, legal, and social needs. IMAA’s programs include Interpreting & Translating, the Community Health Worker Program, Employment Program, Resettlement Programs, and culturally appropriate Victim Services.

Dan Cain is president of RS Eden, following the merger of Eden Programs and Reentry Services, Inc. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Eden Programs and Chair of the Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensing Advisory Council. He has 34 years experience in the Chemical Dependency field working as a counselor, counselor supervisor and administrator. He is past Chair of the Chemical Dependency Regulation Coalition and the Hennepin County Council of Chemical Dependency Programs. In 1987, Cain was asked to present at the White House Conference for a Drug Free America. In 2007, he was recognized with the prestigious Hazelden C.A.R.E. Award for continuous service to the recovery community. In addition to his many accomplishments in the field of substance abuse, he was recognized by the Corrections community as the 1991 Corrections Person of the Year and as the recipient of the Jack Young Award for Excellence in Community Corrections. In the corrections arena he served as Chair of both the Hennepin County Corrections Advisory Board and the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission. RS Eden, in addition to the aforementioned chemical dependency programs, operates correctional half-way houses, a drug testing lab, and electronic monitoring services, also provides supervision to work crews of offenders serving community service, trains people in food service, operates a coffee shop, develops affordable supportive housing, and provides support services and property management to its various housing projects. RS Eden currently owns or operates eight sober supportive housing communities, totaling 233 units for single adults, 39 units for unaccompanied youth and 67 units for families. It also has one project currently in development which will provide an additional 32 units for singles. In 1972, Mr. Cain was paroled from the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Prior to that time, he had been incarcerated as a three time felon.

Deb Colling is co-founder and executive director of Professional Learning Alternatives, Inc, which is a nonprofit organization that provides practical and useful learning opportunities and expert training, to function as a resource and support system, and to advocate for and empower the child care professional in Minnesota and the families they serve. Prior to that she owned Columbus Child Care and was active in the Licensed Child Care Providers of Anoka County (LCCPAC); she was also an elementary school teacher, legal office research assistant, corporate trainer, medical and construction office manager, and assistant executive hotel housekeeper. She has been an instructor, facilitator, mentor, and advisor for over 30 years, having further studied child development, music therapy, psychology, and business practices. She is also certified in most of the state education projects, and is a trained facilitator for Say Yes to No, and MediaWise, and MN Projects Learning Tree, WET, and WILD, and she holds an ECSATA Credential.

Steve Cramer, President and Executive Director rejoined PPL in August 2003, after serving as director of the Hennepin County Department of Housing, Community Works & Transit, a post he assumed in February 2002. For the preceding three years he had served as executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency. From 1994 through 1999, Cramer served as PPL’s director of housing and development, chief operating officer and finally president and executive director. He was elected to the Minneapolis City Council and served as a council member from 1984 to 1993. Mr. Cramer received his M.A. in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota and his B.S. in Urban Planning from the University of Tulsa. He currently serves on the Minnesota Task Force to End Homelessness, the Minnesota Multi Housing Association Board of Directors, and chairs the Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers and the Minnesota Ballpark Authority. He has served on the House Minnesota Advisory Committee, Fannie Mae National Housing Impact Advisory Committee, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, St. Joseph’s Home for Children Advisory Board, and as vice chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

As Operating Executive with EMERGE, Mrs. Davis oversees and is responsible for the overall leadership of three divisions: EMERGE Workforce, EMERGE Villages, & EMERGE Ventures. These three divisions are host to a variety of programs ranging from permanent supportive housing to welfare-to-work initiatives. Dawn works with Directors to develop, implement, and evaluate operations strategies. In tandem with the Executive Director, Dawn is responsible for an operating budget of $5.8 million, in addition to the management of agency human resources, purchasing, and assets and facilities. Mrs. Davis directly supervises three division Directors and indirectly supervises 40 staff, 75+ temporary employees, volunteers and adjunct staff. Mrs. Davis also ensures that these programs are consistent with the mission of the agency and on behalf of community-wide initiatives. Dawn has been employed with Pillsbury United Communities (a strategic partner of EMERGE) for over fourteen years and has become an emerging leader in the realm of community-based employment, training, social enterprise, and supportive housing services. Her previous positions within the agency include Director of Operations of Emerge Staffing (formerly New U Temps), a temporary staffing agency of Pillsbury United Communities - EMERGE; Associate Director of Employment & Training programs; and Division Director of Pillsbury United Communities’ - Community Employment Strategies unit. A resident of North Minneapolis, she is also a graduate of Business Management at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. In 2007, Dawn was named an Honoree in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” Award. Dawn has previously served two terms on the Hennepin County Workforce Investment Board (WIB), served as board member with Fremont Community Health Services (FCHS), and is currently serving a second term as a Commissioner for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA).

Trixie joined Lifetrack Resources in July, 2006.  She has a Masters Degree in Public Services from DePaul University and an undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.  Trixie has been honored as a Salzburg Seminar Fellow, a University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow and a Blandin Community Leadership Alumni.  Trixie serves as a member of the Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board and has previously served with Workforce Investment Initiatives in Southern Minnesota and Illinois. Prior to joining Lifetrack Resources, Trixie, lead the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for 12 years and developed and funded numerous initiatives in economic development, workforce advancement, early childhood, housing, diversity services and nonprofit development.

Diane Halvorson is the executive director of South Central Workforce Council, which oversees employment and training services provided by the South Central WorkForce Center System.

Mike Harper is the director of customized employment for region 7E and 7W at RISE Inc. Rise supports people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment in attaining their personal measure of safe and affordable housing, vocational achievement, self-sufficiency, and belonging in their communities.

Jesse Heier is the executive director of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA). He staffs the MGA Staff Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Midwestern Governors Association is to foster regional development, to attain greater efficiency in state administration, to facilitate interstate cooperation and improve intergovernmental relationships, and to provide a medium for the exchange of views and experiences on subjects of general importance to the people of the Midwestern states. He holds an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree in communications, legal institutions, economics and government from American University and a master's of health science degree from the Johns Hopkins University. Before joining the MGA, he worked in the Maryland governor’s office where he focused on natural resources, energy and smart growth issues. Previously, he worked in the Office of Management Services at the National Governors Association.

Diane Heldt serves as director of employment services programing in the areas of Transitional Work, Job Retention, MFIP and Refugee & Immigrant Services at Lifetrack Resources. Previously, she was the manager of World Relief, where she managed the refugee resettlement and placement department. She attended the University of Saint Thomas - School of Business, and received her bachelors degree in social work from Bethel University.

Ron Hick is the executive director at West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC). The WBC leads initiatives to bring business, non-profits organizations and neighbors together to create an inviting and vital West Broadway corridor that will transform the Northside into a thriving economic community. He was previously a consultant, a coordinator at the Bryant Village Initiative, and a program officer at the Minneapolis Foundation, where he provided proposal review resulting in grants totaling over $3 million yearly, policy development, convening issue related and topical meetings - especially covering neighborhood based initiatives, leadership development, community organizing, capacity building. He was the lead staff for neighborhood grants program for six years, and the lead staff person for The Minneapolis Foundation’s convening team. Ron has a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities.

Nancy Huizenga has over thirty years of experience in the rehabilitation field. She has worked in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. She began working at Courage Center in 1985 as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and since then has held a series of management positions: as manager of the Independent Living Skills program in 1990, as Community Based Services Director from 1995-2000, as Director of Community-Based and Vocational Services from 2001-2008 and now as Senior Director of that group. Huizenga received her masters’ degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her bachelors’ degree in anthropology/sociology from Ohio Wesleyan University. Huizenga currently serves as a Board member for the Minnesota Work Incentives Connection. She resides in St Paul with her husband and daughter.

Jess Ihrke is the vice president of education/workforce development at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. In this position she has built effective partnerships with education and industry through a system of engagement to drive quality education initiatives and ensure a skilled and capable workforce. She has designed, leveraged and provided leading-edge education opportunities for members, with specific focus on the needs of small and medium-size businesses. Previously she was the director of the education/workforce development, and was the program director for the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. Other positions she has previously held were program specialist for the Girl Scout Council of River Trails, the assistant property manager for Sunset Trail Apartments, reading specailist/kindergarten teacher for Riverside Central Elementary School, upper grade reading/math specialist and kindergarten teacher for the Ben Franklin Elementary School, and kindergarten teacher for the Crystal Lake Elementary School. Jess has a MA in Education from the Hamline University and a BA in Elementary Education, Spanish and Dance from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Nancy James is the employer services director for HIRED programs serving suburban Hennepin and Dakota counties, manages services for low-income adults and dislocated workers and plant-specific programs under the state's expeditious response initiative for major business dislocations. In 2005, she was instrumental in creating a partnership with Hennepin Technical College that led to their successful bid for receiving funding from the National Association of Manufacturers Center for Workforce Success Manufacturing Institute. Together, HIRED and HTC created a model training program for the precision metalforming manufacturing industry. Currently Nancy manages over 20 dislocated worker special projects as well as state and federal dislocated worker programs for Hennepin County. She manages 20 or more staff members in multiple locations. Nancy has over 22 years' experience in workforce development and has completed management certification at the University of Minnesota.

Randy Johnson is the executive director for Workforce Development, Inc (WDI). WDI is an independent, non-profit agency with a long history of serving the needs of job seekers and employers in Southeast Minnesota. WDI is dedicated to developing and advancing the workforce to meet the current and future needs of the communities we serve. He is also the chair of the Minnesota Workforce Council Association, chair of the Rochester Area Math Science Partnership, board member of the Area Health Education Committee in SE MN, executive alliance member of HealthForce MN, charter/board member of the 3-state (MN, IA, WI) collaborative for advancement of economic and workforce development, known as Aim-2-Win, National Association of Workforce Boards Rural advisory group, and U.S. Council of Mayors Committee for Workforce Development.

Grover Jones a resident of North Minneapolis for more than 25 years brings more than 30 years´ worth of entrepreneurial experience to the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (N.E.O.N.) N.E.O.N. is a collaborative network of nonprofit leaders who came together in 2005 to expand and strengthen the entrepreneur development system in North Minneapolis.Along with owning and managing several businesses, Jones provided consulting services to three of the five largest telecommunications districts in Minnesota as well as Minnesota colleges, vocational schools and the MPLS & ST. Pal public school districts. Mr. Jones worked as a Business Consultant who advised entrepreneurs, packaged SBA loans nationally and commercial loans within the state of Minnesota for several years. Mr. Jones´ extensive experience developing business strategies and starting companies makes him the perfect fit as N.E.O.N.´s Executive Director of Business Development.

Maureen Kenney is the executive director of Northern Connections. Northern Connections is a private, non-profit organization based in Perham, MN that serves families in west central Minnesota by connecting individuals to resources that help them achieve financial independence. In the past five years, the service region has grown from a nine-county to a 12-county regional program. Northern Connections counselor representatives work with individuals who have recently gone off cash assistance from the Diversionary Work Program (DWP) or the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), or with self-referrals from individuals, organizations, friends or family. Each customer receives one-on-one assistance to help them reach individual financial goals through re-employment, job retention, career advancement and asset accumulation. Kenney has held leadership positions in long-term care and nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities and NW Wisconsin. She has a Master of Public Affairs degree from the H. H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

Louis J. King II is the President and CEO of Summit Academy OIC, a merged organization of Twin Cities OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) and Two or More, Inc. Summit Academy is a non-profit, educational and vocational training institute that empowers Twin Cities residents to become self-reliant, employed members of their community. King is dedicated to creating better communities by providing educational opportunities to Academy students through a variety of programs, which emphasize self sufficiency, responsibility and accountability as well as leadership training. In 1996, King was elected to the Minneapolis School Board, and completed his four-year term. He is currently on the The Fairview Medical Foundation Board, The St. Thomas Academy Board, and he Chairs the Seed Academy Board of Directors and The Network for Better Futures Board of Directors. Mr. King has participated in two White House Conferences on Children and Families and works as a consultant in the area of non-profit management systems development. He has completed the Harvard certificate course on non-profit management and served as a consultant to many community based organizations and government entities in the Twin Cities. King has held leadership positions in several community organizations such as the Bryant Neighborhood Organization and the Glenwood-Lyndale Community Center, where he served as President of their respective Boards. Louis is a graduate of Morehouse College with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to joining Two or More in 1993, King served in the U.S. Army for 10 years, achieving the rank of Major. He is married to Beverly and has three children Aja, Kamaria, and Lauryn. He is also a member of the Minneapolis Club.

Lynnette Landry is the youth employment and training director at Guadalupe Alternative Programs. The youth employment and training services available to GAP high school and GED students are designed to prepare youth and young adults to enter a career pathway leading to a livable wage and self-sufficiency. GAP's YouthBuild/YouthLEAD programs inspire small-business creation and an increase in affordable housing. Lynnette is also the girls golf coach-varisty at St. Paul Central High School, and golf insturtor- first tee of St. Paul at Highland National Golf Course. She has a MA in Education and Art from the University of Washington, and a BFA in Graphic Design from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design.

Juanita Lauritsen is the executive director of the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council. The Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. (SW MN PIC) is a private, non-profit organization which provides employment and training services to residents and businesses across Southwestern Minnesota.

Ramon Leon is the founding President/CEO of Latino Economic Development Center, an ethnic based CDC serving the Twin cities area of Minneapolis St. Paul and Greater MN. He has been an entrepreneur and business owner from a young age, in both Mexico and the United States. He has been an active social justice leader in his community, and was one of the early faith-based Latino organizers in the Twin Cities through “Interfaith action” and “Isaiah." He is also one of the pioneers of the economic development movement in Minneapolis and was the first president of the founding board of directors of “Cooperative Mercado Central”, an economic justice, community based cooperative project that-sparked the revitalization of Lake Street in Minneapolis. He has served on several non-profit organization boards and government committees to represent immigrant communities; such as Whittier Community Development Center, Neighborhood Development Center, Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, the Charities Review Council, and the MN Council of OIC’s.

Roxana Linares is the executive director of Centro. Centro is a partnership with Latino and Chicano families. Centro is a place where we offer respite from troubles, understanding to solve crises, education and encouragement to make change, nurturing and healing to strengthen families, art and culture to reaffirm our identity and value, and resources to build a better future.

Randy Long is the development director and scholarship coordinator for Workforce Development, Inc (WDI). WDI is an independent, non-profit agency with a long history of serving the needs of job seekers and employers in Southeast Minnesota. WDI is dedicated to developing and advancing the workforce to meet the current and future needs of the communities we serve.

Janet Ludden is Chief Executive Officer of Employer Solutions Inc., a business consultancy and Workforce Intermediary Service. Ludden provides workforce related consulting services to business in the areas of talent management, employee engagement and development, organizational effectiveness, and customized training to help them achieve exceptional results with satisfied employees through well designed and maintained organizational policies and practices, and by connecting employees’ personal goals to corporate performance. Ludden is responsible for overseeing operations, product and service development, productivity and organizational effectiveness to achieve corporate goals, and exceed customers' expectations. Ludden helps businesses enhance productivity while investing in their greatest asset - their employees. In addition, Ludden acts as a Workforce Intermediary between businesses looking for employees and job opportunities for the Non-Traditional Workforce. Ludden assists public and non-profit suppliers of workforce development services in becoming results-oriented and more effective with business customers through business relationship training and consulting services, and in the development of more timely and relevant demand-driven policies, practices and programming.

Linda Meschke is the president and founder of Rural Advantage. Rural Advantage’s mission is to promote the connections between agriculture, the environment and rural communities in order to improve ecological health, economic viability and rural vitality. Objectives include: foster rural economic development that supports rural families and local communities, promote increased stewardship through education, demonstration and implementation, advance landscape diversification to improve ecological health, rural vitality and farm profitability, and cultivate a more sustainable approach to agriculture that is diverse, resilient and responsible; and supports natural and agricultural ‘systems’ thinking.

Saw Morrison is the program manager of employment and social services for the Karen Organization of Minnesota. He was born in Burma in 1972. Morrison graduated high school and attended college in Myaung Mya. After college, Morrison moved to the border of Thailand and Burma to work with media outlets covering the events on the Thai-Burmese border. In addition to working with media outlets, Morrison worked with various non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) in 2000 to evacuate refugees from the dangerous locations in Burma. Morrison also worked as a teacher on the Thai-Burmese border. Morrison and his family came to the United States in 2004 as refugees. After his arrival, Morrison worked as a social services provider and youth counselor at the Vietnamese Social Service office. Currently, Morrison is Program Manager, Employment and Social Services, at the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). He lives in Saint Paul with his wife, three sons and one daughter.

Dennison Nyberg is the vice president and chief operating officer of the education, employment and operations at American Indian OIC. The American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower American Indians to pursue career opportunities by providing individualized education, training, and employment services in a culturally rich environment.

Chris has worked as part and full-time staff at Youth Express since 1998. Since its inception, Youth Express has been a respected community source for programming that reflects the ideas, needs and interests of diverse young people in St. Paul neighborhoods. From the start, the organization has believed that personal success is not possible without personal investment. Therefore, staff and youth share responsibility for creating and shaping the opportunities that will help them transition into adulthood. Chris was program director at the Express Bike Shop until 2001, when he shifted to the Director of Communication position to assume communication and fundraising duties. As of 2007, Chris became Director of Education and Communication, which expanded his duties to responsibility for curriculum development, training for part-time staff, and assisting with small business and employment training through the Urban Apprentice Program, and evaluation. He holds a BA in Communication from Concordia University, St. Paul and received his teaching license (Communication Arts/Literature, grades 5-12) through the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Hamline University. He has represented Youth Express at the National Forum for Entrepreneurship Education and the Social Enterprise Alliance Summit. In fall 2010, he became Executive Director at Youth Express.

Dawn Paro is the employment program manager and the WIA/METP program manager at American Indian O.I.C.

Julie Sachs is an Operations Manager for Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program Inc (RMCEP). She received her B.A. degree in Sociology from Southwest Minnesota State University and has worked for RMCEP the majority of her professional career. RMCEP is a partner in the MN WorkForce Center system, and Julie’s teams are based out of the Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls and Alexandria WorkForce Centers. Her teams positively impact workforce development and the people in their region by teaching them life long skills to maximize their employment potential. Some of the committees Julie works with are the West Central Initiative Labor Force Development Council, Family Economic Success Group, Dream It‐Do It Steering Committee, Becker County Racial Disparity Action Team and Perham Youth Build. Julie and her husband Scott reside in Pelican Rapids where she is an active volunteer for the Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee. They have two daughters, Shauntae and Sarah.

Jane Samargia has been the executive director since 1983. She is currently responsible for a staff of 175 and a budget of more than $15 million. Jane specializes in the design of service delivery systems, program management and governmental relations. She is responsible for the operation of workforce development programs in four counties in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area that annually assist more than 11,000 at-risk youth, refugees, single parents, school dropouts, ex-offenders, dislocated workers, and others lacking adequate education, training and work experience. During Jane’s tenure, HIRED became a leader in the use of technology to link employers and job seekers at community based organizations. HIRED’s Job Link, a workforce development information management system, has been cited nationally as a model for more efficient gathering, organizing and communicating of job opening information. Jane also spearheaded the development of HIRED’s Internal Client Information System (ICIS) – a secure, proprietary database that interacts seamlessly with the state’s Workforce One structure. ICIS has received the attention of government officials and agencies across the nation for its design and the supreme efficiencies created for HIRED counselors. In addition, Jane has served on a number of local and state level committees to advise on workforce development issues. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines.

Paul Schulz is the Director of EMERGE Workforce, where he is responsible for developing and administering EMERGE’s workforce development programs, 18 FTE staff, and $1.5M in public/private funding. In addition to overseeing award-winning welfare-to-work, refugee employment, workforce reentry, and career services and financial education programming, Paul has been instrumental in spearheading several agency efforts, including the development of ex-offender programming, a new agency data management system, partnership-building efforts with local ABE providers, and establishing a new employment services site at Neighborhood House (at the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center) in St. Paul, MN. Paul graduated from the University of Minnesota- Morris with a BA in Sociology/English minor, holds GCDF certification, and has taken master’s level coursework in non-profit management. Paul joined EMERGE in August of 2005 and has previously worked in job development, employment and mental health counseling, and program management roles at EMERGE and other area nonprofits. Paul keeps active in the community by serving on the Board of Directors/chairing the Housing Committee of the North Minneapolis Victory Neighborhood Association (ViNA), and serving on the Executive and Fundraising Committees of the Minnesota Second Chance Coalition and the Events Steering Committee of the Somali Documentary Project.

Jamie Schumacher is the current executive director of the Northeast Community Development Corporation (NE CDC). The NE CDC is an organization dedicated to promoting the economic development of Northeast Minneapolis in a manner that furthers the interests of both residents and businesses. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree specializing in innovation in nonprofit management, she is also the founder of Altered Esthetics, a volunteer-driven nonprofit community art gallery and arts advocacy organization. She has a background in nonprofit management as well as leadership experience, abundant energy and passion for serving the community.

Emily graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007 with a major in Spanish and a career focus in Human Resources. While in school she worked as a bilingual staffing coordinator and upon completion moved to New York where she was a Human Resources Administrator for a large upscale restaurant group. There she served as the principal contact for the Spanish-speaking staff and made it her priority to provide equal opportunity to these employees. Emily has recently returned to the Twin Cities and will be working as a career counselor and job placement contact for the LEDC.  She has been immersing herself in the Latin culture ever since she lived in Argentina for one year through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

Bryan Stempkaq is the talent initiatives director for Greater Mankato Growth. Greater Mankato Growth is the area's integrated chamber of commerce and economic development organization that supports and promotes the economic growth and vitality of our members and the regional marketplace. He studied at the University of Minnesota.

Julia Tate is the workforce project manager of HIRED. HIRED, founded in 1968, is a leading Twin Cities area provider of job-skills training and employment training. HIRED assists disadvantaged people and other job seekers to become qualified for and obtain employment. HIRED enrolls more than 10,000 persons annually in a number of programs designed to assist low-income adults, dislocated workers, welfare-to-work individuals, refugees and youth. In addition, HIRED provides recruitment and retention services for hundreds of employers each year.She was previously the organizational management professional and business development consultant at Business Directives. She was also the human resource manager at EnteroMedics Inc. dShe studied at University of Saint Thomas, Concordia University in St. Paul, and Augsburg College.

Jason Telander is the executive director of Adult Training and Habilitation Center (ATHC). The purpose of the ATHC is to advance, promote and administer benevolent aims relative to the training and habilitation of adult persons with developmental disabilities or related conditions, and to do so for the purpose of supervising and assisting said adult persons in their training for supported employment and work-related activities in an effort to help them become productive, self-reliant and more independent by their interaction with non-disabled persons within the community and in the work-place and by enhancing their self confidence by teaching new skills at a pace in keeping with their level of ability.

Justin Terrell is the training coordinator for EMERGE. EMERGE develops human capital by connecting disadvantaged individuals with economic opportunities.

Pham Thi Hoa is the executive director of the Center for Asian and Pacific Islanders (CAPI). CAPI is a community-based social justice organization and a direct implementer of anti-poverty programs to create jobs, housing, food, health education, youth and senior social services. Through these direct services CAPI promotes economic independence, self-advocacy, and determination of 3,000 African and Asian refugees and immigrants, annually. Pham has 20 years of experience of managing programs for refugees and immigrants, including overseas relief and development experience in Asia, Africa, and the Balkans. Prior to joining CAPI, Hoa was the Regional Director at the American Refugee Committee where she managed its microfinance and gender-based violence programs in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. She also supported the ARC's work with Burmese refugees in Thailand and the Tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Previously, Hoa was managing relief and development country programs for refugees and displaced persons in Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia for the International Rescue Committee, Thailand and Indonesia for Save the Children/US, and Vietnam for the Norwegian Refugee Council. Hoa holds a Master in Public Policy from Columbia University and a BA from the University of Minnesota with a concentration in journalism and international relations. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Council for Nonprofits, MAP for Nonprofits, Center for Victims of Torture, and the MACC Alliance of Connected Communities.

Becky Thofson is the sector projects coordinator for Workforce Development, Inc. Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) is an independent, non-profit agency with a long history of serving the needs of job seekers and employers in Southeast Minnesota. They work with thousands of people annually, serving 10 counties in Southeast Minnesota. Becky's career have spanned career counseling in workforce development, office management at the Workforce Centers and now program development for the entire region. She is active at the state level in promoting workforce devlopment intitiatives, and was the initial driver of developing the highly successful Pre-employment Healthcare Academies that have been replicated across the state and in several states across the county.

Steve Thomas is the CEO for Network for Better Futures. The NetWork enrolled 224 high risk adults in 2008. Network for Better Futures is a nonprofit organization that reduces the economic and social costs of high-risk adults, primarily African American men, with histories of incarceration, substance abuse, mental illness, chronic unemployment, and homelessness. 124 or 55% of these men were still enrolled on December 31, 2008. All the men received a rent subsidy; they were working and paying child support, and every man secured health insurance. Preliminary data indicates that The Network’s approach appears to generate a positive return for the community and public safety. The men enrolled in The NetWork experienced lower return to prison rates, lower rearrest rates and lower rates of convictions for new crimes.

Cindy has served as Vice President of Programs at Lifetrack Resources since 2005, overseeing all programs within the agency, including Employment and Child and Family services. Prior to that she served as VP of Rehabilitation Therapies and Early Childhood and Family Services at Lifetrack Resources. Cindy represents Lifetrack Resources on interagency and government committees such as the Ready for K Partners, the Targeted Home Visiting Coalition, and the Foundations for Success Children’s Mental Health Steering Committee. She coordinates interagency collaborations including Head Start, public health, public schools and county human services. She is an advocate for public policy change for low income families who face multiple challenges. She served for 10 years on the Citizen’s Review Panel in Ramsey County, overseeing Child Welfare policies and practice. Ms. Toppin has a Master’s of Arts from the University of Minnesota and is a graduate of the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute.

Dale Umlauf is vice president of business development for West Central Initiative, where he is responsible for WCI’s business initiatives including loan making, technical assistance to businesses and entrepreneurs, and equity programs. He has a strong background in business development and banking and is a graduate of Bemidji State University. His past experience includes work with Small Business Development Centers.

Chong Vang is the executive director at Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). Kom provides employment, social, training, education, community health, and youth services to the Karen and other refugees from Burma living in Minnesota and the U.S. For employment services, KOM assists the Karen and Burmese refugees by providing job training, employment counseling and enrollment in English classes. Chong was previously the immigration and employment services director at world relief minnesota. She studied organizational leadership at Bethel University.

Sarah is the Chief Operating Officer at 180 Degrees, Inc. Sarah holds a BA in Political Science and African American Studies from Carleton College. Although on sabbatical, Sarah is a doctoral student in the department of political science at the University of Minnesota, Sarah brings extensive research experience to issues of politics, inequality, criminal justice reform and the role of philanthropic organizations in setting interest group agendas. Her current research hypothesizes that contrary to dominant views expressing the centrality of successful media campaigns to political agenda setting, unpopular or disenfranchised groups may benefit from an absence of media attention. This hypothesis has both practical and theoretical implications and challenges the basic tenants of pluralism in American politics. Her previous positions include Research Consultant at the Council on Crime and Justice, Director of Workforce Development at the Center for Court Innovation, Executive Director of the Youth Justice Funding Collaborative, and interim Research Director at the Council on Crime and Justice. Her awards and fellowships include but are not limited to: a Mellon Mays fellowship, a University of Minnesota DOVE fellowship, a Wingspread Fellowship, a fellowship from the Center for the Research of the Presidency and grants from the Mellon Foundation, the Sentencing Project and the University of Minnesota’s Graduate Research Partnership Program, and a HECUA Fellowship. She is also a past participant in the Blue Mountain Center’s “Prison Issues” residency. In addition to her research, Sarah serves as a Co-Chair for the Ramsey County "Juvenile Detention Alternative to Incarceration - Disproportionate Minority Contact" (JDAI-DMC) initiative's DMC Committee. The JDAI-DMC initiative's primary goal is to reduce the overreliance of incarceration for juvenile offenders and to reduce racial disparity in rates of incarceration. Sarah also serves as a board member of Rebuild Resources, the Kids Change Initiative, the William Mitchell Reentry Clinic Advisory Board (www.thereentryclinic.org), the Ramsey County Community Corrections Advisory Board, the St. Paul African American Leadership Council, The Youth Intervention Program Association, the Prison Policy Initiative (www.prisonpolicy.org) and is a member of the Minnesota Supreme Courts Racial Fairness Committee. In 2009 she joined the Minnesota Correctional Associations Legislative Committee (www.mn-ca.org). She is also a volunteer with the Women’s Prison Book Project (www.wpbp.org) and a founder of the Minnesota Second Chance Coalition (www.mnsecondchancecoalition.org). Sarah co-facilitates a book club at Minnesota's women's correctional facility Shakopee. In 2010 Governor Pawlenty appointed Sarah to the Council on Black Minnesotans and in 2011 Sarah was named President of the Coalition for Impartial Justice (www.impartialcourts.org).

As Director of Employment Services, Ms Williams supervises 5 program managers of three employment program: EMERGE Staffing, Northside Job Connections and Access to Jobs, two short-term trainings and the Unity House building staff and indirectly supervises 12 staff with annual program budgets exceeding $2 million. Dawn has worked with Pillsbury United Communities for nearly ten years and for the past four years has become more involved in the overall management and leadership of the community based employment and training programs. Her previous positions at Pillsbury include Business Development Representative of New U Temps and later as the Director of Operations. Born and raised in South Minneapolis, Ms.Williams is the mother of 5 grown children and 10 grandchildren. She resides in Northeast Minneapolis where she serves on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Community Development Corporation. Ms. Williams received a BA degree in 1977 in Accounting and Business Management, a BA degree in applied Psychology from Bemidji State University in 1990 and an MS degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from St, Mary’s Graduate School in 1995. She is on the board of Northeast Community Development Corporation, Powderhorn Phillips Cultural Wellness Center, and the Social Enterprise Alliance-Twin Cities.

Mike Wynne is the Executive Director for EMERGE Community Development, a Strategic Partner Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to his role, Mike served as vice president, program and center director and line staff person for PUC since 1988, an agency he participated at from his days as a youth. In 2006, Mike launched several new initiatives including a public/private community economic development center in north Minneapolis that convenes private development partners, a community credit union, retail entrepreneurs and EMERGE Workforce programs; and the co-development of a $6.2 million 23-unit family supportive housing program that targets single homeless fathers and their families which opened in February 2007 in North Minneapolis with on-site services offered by EMERGE Villages. Mike’s programs have been featured in various national studies, articles, and journals of best practices. He has been a featured presenter at many national and regional conferences and seminars including the National Gathering of Social Entrepreneurs, Alternative Staffing Alliance, United Neighborhood Centers of America and Corporation for Supportive Housing. Mike attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning his BA in Sociology and Urban Studies. He has completed master’s courses in non-profit management and finance at the University of St. Thomas. He is also a 2000 graduate of the James Shannon Institute for Renewing Community Leadership and a 2005 participant in the Executive Management Institute at the University of Michigan,School of Social Work.