Events

As a proud co-sponsor of Edina’s annual State of the Community, our club has an opportunity—and a goal—to show up strong this year. We’re aiming to have at least 20 Rotarians in attendance, and I hope you’ll be one of them. Registration deadline, Friday, April 3rd.

Join us on Monday, April 20 at Braemar Golf Course for this important community event featuring Mayor Jim Hovland and Edina Public Schools Superintendent Dan Bittman. Together, they’ll share updates on key initiatives shaping Edina’s future, including redevelopment and park projects, public safety, tree preservation and school district priorities.

This event is a great way to stay informed, connect with fellow community leaders and demonstrate Rotary’s ongoing commitment to service and partnership in Edina.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, April 20
• Location: Braemar Golf Course
• Time: Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; program begins at noon
• Cost: $35 (includes lunch)

Please register by Friday, April 3 at EdinaMN.gov/SOTC and select your meal preference.

Good in the ‘Hood is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives with simple acts of kindness and is committed to serving those in need.

Join in our first Rotary Club of Edina Shoe Sorting event on April 22 from 12pm-3pm at their facility in Plymouth, 15400 28^th Avenue North.  We will be sorting shoes (Good, Great, Grind) for Good in the ‘Hood to provide to those who may not otherwise be able to purchase quality footwear.  Park in the back of the building and look for the Good in the ‘Hood  Shoe Away Hunger warehouse.

Please empty your closets of new or gently used footwear, including sneakers, casual shoes, winter boots, sandals, and heels, and ask your friends and relatives to empty theirs and bring them to sort during our Shoe Sorting event.  Tie or band them together to avoid “shoe orphans”.

Website: https://www.goodinthehood.org/

Video Links for more details:

https://vimeo.com/53606534 

https://vimeo.com/713955996

https://vimeo.com/713955889

Please invite a friend and find a carpool buddy to make things easier.

-Community Service Committee

• Jamie Dolynchuk is Canadian!  He joined Cargill in 1994 as their General Counsel in Canada, and then ran Cargill businesses around the world for three decades.  
• Jamie led businesses and lived with his family in Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka, eventually coming back to Minneapolis to lead M&A for Cargill’s animal nutrition and health enterprise.
• In 2024, Jamie retired from Cargill after 30 years and now leads Community Emergency Service, one of the largest food non profits in the poorest community of the Twin Cities.
• Jamie is married and he and his wife have two children, Ella who lives in New York City and is in performing arts and Mitch who graduates from college this spring and will pursue his masters degree in the fall.  

Join your fellow Rotary Club of Edina members and guests for an evening of great conversation, stronger friendships and connections at our Fireside Chat hosted by Rich Kleber. Fireside chats are a casual and smaller gathering of like-minded Rotarians who get to spend an evening getitng to know each other better outside of our weekly meetings. Thank you to Rich and Elizabeth for hosting!

When: Tuesday, April 28, 5:30-7:30 pm

Where: Rich & Elizabeth Kleber's Home, 7133 Shannon Drive, Edina 55435

Are YOU interested in being a Fireside Chat Host? We are still looking for hosts! If you are interested, please reach out to Julie Westbrock at jwestbrock@trustpointinc.com.

Andrew Slama grew up in a farming community in Southern Minnesota.  He joined the Fire Service in 2004 and has worked in multiple Fire Departments with varying service delivery models, including Mankato, Savage, Mdewakanton, and Edina.  In 2021, he was hired as the Fire Chief for the Edina Fire Department.  Edina Fire is the only fire-based ambulance service in Hennepin County.  He is the vice-chair of the legislative committee for the MN State Fire Chiefs Association and co-chairs the Minnesota EMS Delivery and Sustainability Task Force.

Event Registration is closed. You may join us with no guarantee a box lunch will be available.

You’re invited to a fascinating Vocational Off-Site at the new Edina Fire Station 2! This meeting location replaces our meeting at Edina Country Club. There is no additional cost to standard RCE members. Senior active members and guests will be billed $27.

📅  Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
🕧  Time: Doors Open @ 12:15 Program 12:30 – 1:30 PM (Box lunch included)
📍  Location: 4401 W 76th Street
📝  Registration is required (Add sandwich preference in Comments - Turkey - Beef - Veggie)

Fire Station 2 in Edina hosted a dedication of the city's relocated and new fire station on October 30, 2025. 

In the past six years, Edina worked on relocating Fire Station 2. The original station 2 ran for nearly 30 years, but the Fire Department wasn’t able to fulfill its duties in controlling its response area making the station’s move from the smaller York Avenue facility absolutely necessary.

“In 2022, we discussed site selection with [the Edina] City Council, and then in 2023, we discussed the actual project and construction. Throughout 2022, after we identified and purchased the site, [we] began the process of construction and design. That was just throughout the next few years,” Slama said.

Andrew Slama grew up in a farming community in Southern Minnesota.  He joined the Fire Service in 2004 and has worked in multiple Fire Departments with varying service delivery models, including Mankato, Savage, Mdewakanton, and Edina.  In 2021, he was hired as the Fire Chief for the Edina Fire Department.  Edina Fire is the only fire-based ambulance service in Hennepin County.  He is the vice-chair of the legislative committee for the MN State Fire Chiefs Association and co-chairs the Minnesota EMS Delivery and Sustainability Task Force.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Ann Platt
Speaker Co-Chair, Rotary Club of Edina

Bridging empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household goods for those pursuing housing stability.

When and where?

Date: Wednesday, May 6th

Time: 3PM-6PM

Volunteers: 5-25

Location: Bridging- Bloomington 201 W. 87th St. Bloomington, MN 55420

What will we be doing?

• We’ll kick it off with a quick welcome.

• Then we will tour the warehouse and tasks for the afternoon.

What to bring:

• You should dress comfortably and in clothing that can get dusty.

• Comfortable, close-toed shoes (required).

• Donations: Bring a bag, box, or a carload (optional)! Look here for items we accept.

Additional information about Bridging is available on our https://www.bridging.org/.

Thank you for supporting this mission with your incredible gift of time and talents! Please let us know if you have any questions or requests for accommodation.

This weeek the Edina Rotary Global Scholars program, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Edina and the Edina Education Fund, is designed to help students develop global competency skills, prepare for a global career, develop understanding of world issues and learn to apply academic content to solve social and global issues.

To be a Rotary Global Scholar, a student must take coursework above and beyond graduation requirements, reach the highest level of a world language or already be fluent in a language other than English, be involved in activities of the Rotary Club of Edina, collaborate globally through travel or virtual experiences and complete a capstone course.

The first year of the program was 2021 with seven students earning the Rotary Global Scholar designation. Under the engaged and dedicated work of RCE member, Lindsey Smaka, this program grew to a graduating class of 36 students in 2025 and is anticipated to nearly double in size in 2026. Please join us to honor these bright future leaders of the world.

Celebrate friendship, connection, and a little fun at our Cindo de Mayo Gathering for Women in Rotary! 

Join us for a relaxed evening at the home of our Club President, Lisa Walker, filled with great conversation, laughter, and camaraderie as we celebrate the incredible women of our club. Enjoy light bites, drinks, and meaningful connection in a warm, welcoming setting.

Join your fellow Rotary Club of Edina members and guests for an evening of great conversation, stronger friendships and connections at our Fireside Chat hosted by Geetu Sharma. Fireside chats are a casual and smaller gathering of like-minded Rotarians who get to spend an evening getitng to know each other better outside of our weekly meetings. Thank you to Geetu and Pankaj for hosting!

When: Wednesday, May 20, 6 to 8 pm

Where: Geetu & Pankaj Sharma's Home, 5016 Kelsey Terrace, Edina 

Are YOU interested in being a Fireside Chat Host? We are still looking for hosts! If you are interested, please reach out to Julie Westbrock at jwestbrock@trustpointinc.com

Greg Page is retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cargill.   

Page joined Cargill in 1974.  Over the years, he held a number of positions in the United States, Singapore, and Thailand.   

Page serves as a member of the board of directors of Deere and Company, and Wayne Sanderson Farms.  He is non-executive Chairman of the Board of Corteva Agriscience, and non-executive Chairman of the Board of Eaton Corporation.  Page formerly served as a member of the board of directors of 3M.  He is past chair of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and past president of the Northern Star Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  

Page received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of North Dakota.  He was born in Bottineau, N.D. 

It is my privilege to serve as a trauma-informed anti-human trafficking consultant, educator, and healing conduit. I am an experienced researcher, a multifaceted writer, and an innate connector. Offering people tools to create life-long barriers to traumas and embark on their path toward healing is my mission.

​

After a rewarding experience working in Public Affairs for the Federal Reserve Bank, a suburban child sex trafficking scheme ignited a shift. After some recalibrating, I began researching and connecting with people in various sectors of the anti-trafficking space. I have been inspired by extraordinary people doing remarkable work and have learned that we all can share our unique gifts to do something for the greater good. I have blended my past professional experience and my current (and ever-expanding) awareness to aid in awakening, and solution-infusion measures - all under the umbrella of prevention and healing. Addressing how various sectors and individuals can come alongside this growing epidemic of human crimes, to infuse solutions and serve as protectors in their respective areas, is vital.

Sign up today to help Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) serve the hungry in our community! Volunteers welcome participants to the VEAP pantry, explain the process and respond to participant questions, keep the shopping area clean and tidy, sort through food donations, stock shelves, load groceries into vehicles and overall help VEAP promote a positive shopping experience for participants. VEAP staff explain the process before every volunteer shift in the pantry.

What makes a successful group volunteer?

1. Compassion: VEAP supports and cares for each other while always remembering to respect the inherent dignity of all people in our community. VEAP participants use services for a variety of reasons, and they expect all volunteers to interact with respect and to withhold judgment.
2. Flexibility: VEAP appreciates your willingness to jump in and help with tasks that may arise throughout your volunteer experience. VEAP staff will provide you with direction and support throughout your shift. In addition, not all activities are glamorous, but all roles are essential to providing access to healthy food for our neighbors.
3. Teamwork: VEAP welcomes all people to join them and relies on volunteers to work collaboratively to fulfill its mission. You may work alongside a fellow volunteer who is a retiree, a working professional, a teenager, a person seeking work experience and more!
4. Positive attitude: VEAP welcomes positivity; it will serve to motivate and energize your fellow volunteers.
5. Punctuality: Please arrive on time. VEAP relies on your volunteer service to operate and appreciates your full engagement throughout your time!

2026 Dates:

Wednesday, June 3 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

Tuesday, August 4 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

Tuesday, October 6 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

Tuesday, December 1 / 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm

For more information, contact Past President Jennifer Bennerotte, 612-201-3467 or jbennerotte@EdinaRotary.org.

Stephanie Pierce is a passionate mom, wife, connector, and coach, originally from Chicago, IL. After a 24-year career in Engineering & HR, Stephanie re-invented her work life to bring her passion for building communities together with her strong HR expertise. The collaboration of passion & skill led to the creation of 2 businesses: Stephpierce.com is all about bringing amazing, diverse women together in community focused on growing, learning, inspiring, laughing, and doing. KJP Consulting leverages Stephanie’s HR expertise by supporting businesses in maximizing the power of their talent.

James Pierce is a dedicated dad, husband and mentor, originally from Montgomery, AL.  James is in the midst of a 30-year career in Information Technology and Business Development with Cargill and is currently one of your elected City Council members.  He is passionate about ensuring the next generations have access to opportunity to fulfill their dreams.  James is a board member for ConnextMSP, MANRRS and the Cargill Foundation.  James is also a talented musician and voiceover artist.

James and Stephanie live in Edina, MN and have three daughters.

Their family quote:  The true meaning of life is to plant trees; under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” (Nelson Henderson)

Join us for our annual Friends and Family Picnic. Enjoy some paella and select beverages (beer, wine, soda) then head over to the park to enjoy St. Paul Peterson and the All American Rockers Grooves and Foods show. 

When: Tuesday, June 9

Time: 5:00-7:00 PM

Where: Hughes Pavilion

There is no additional cost to members (this event is included with quarterly meeting fees). Attending senior active, family members and guests cost is $25 per person. Children 6 to 16 are $12 per child. Children 5 and under are free. Guest fees will be charged to the member's July 2026 invoice.

Professor, Architecture, Director of the Minnesota Design Center, Director of MSM, Dayton Hudson Chair in Urban Design

Thomas Fisher, a graduate of Cornell University in architecture and Case Western Reserve University in intellectual history, was previously the Editorial Director of Progressive Architecture magazine. Recognized in 2005 as the fifth most published writer about architecture in the United States, he has written 12 books, over 60 book chapters or introductions, and over 450 articles in professional journals and major publications. Named a top-25 design educator four times by Design Intelligence, he has lectured at over 50 universities and over 150 professional and public meetings. He has written extensively about urban design, system design, and ethics. His newest books include The Architecture of Ethics (Routledge, 2019) and The International Geodesign Collaboration, Changing Geography by Design (ESRI Press, 2020), which he edited with Carl Steinitz and Brian Orland.

Credentials

Bachelor of Architecture, Cornell University

Master of Arts, Intellectual History, Case Western Reserve University

Brian has done it all with over 30 years in the restaurant industry. From creating new brands to setting trends to innovating the world of restaurant design, he brings his unique skill set to every aspect of his collection of restaurants. But creativity is his specialty. As a senior member of some of the most prominent hospitality groups in the country—MGM Resorts International, Brinker International, Restaurants Unlimited, and the Alain Ducasse Group—Brian created concepts across the country. In 2012, Brian created New Bohemia—a concept focused on craft beer and cocktails with a chef-driven menu and took it directly to the top as the winner of 2017 Nation’s Restaurant News Hot Concepts. Since then, New Bohemia has set industry standards with new labor models and profitability, changing the industry and how we look at fast-casual restaurants today. Before opening Hope Breakfast Bar in 2019, Brian knew his first restaurant as an owner would be a departure from the corporate restaurant settings in which he had built his career. His newest venture with his wife, Sarah, promised to be a team that emphasizes charitable contributions and cultivates a culture that prioritizes the well-being of workers. It would be a fast-growing family of restaurants driven by its promise and purpose to serve the community. Purpose Driven Restaurants was formed in 2019 as an act of good faith by the Ingram family. It has weathered a pandemic, fed healthcare workers, protesters, and the unemployed, served as a free community kitchen and food bank, and established a non-profit (Give Hope) to benefit restaurant workers in the Twin Cities metro area. Since 2019, Give Hope has donated 300,000 free meals and 2 million pounds of food and gifted $225,000.00 in relief grants to local families in need.

Cory Hepola is a 3-time Emmy-Award Winning Documentarian & TV Anchor.

Growing up in small town Perham, Minnesota, Cory is the Director, Writer, and Host of the popular documentary series – “My Town” – which serves to break down the popular misconceptions with the rural lifestyle showing the opportunity, innovation, and beauty in our small towns & businesses. A Brookshire Company Production, “My Town” was selected into the Twin Cities Film Fest and nominated for 4 regional Emmy’s.

It’s all part of the purpose-driven work at The Brookshire Company where Cory helps “Companies Succeed and Communities Thrive” through site selection, commercial real estate, economic development, and high-impact storytelling.

Before Brookshire, Cory won an Emmy-Award as the creator and host of the popular docuseries “Rural By Choice,” had a successful broadcast journalism career earning two more Emmy’s for “Outstanding TV Anchor” at KARE 11 in Minneapolis, and was named “100 People To Know” by Twin Cities Business Magazine as the Host of his own daily show on iconic WCCO Radio.

In 2022, Cory was honored by his alma mater – Concordia College – with the “Sent Forth Award” which is presented “to a young alumni who has made an impact early in their career, emphasizing service to others and demonstrating a strong vocational commitment.

Tommy Ryman grew up with a new-age, folk singing mother and a traditional, Lutheran insurance-agent father. This XY equation evidently equals: acclaimed comedian. Ryman has earned the title of Semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, where judges raved about Tommy saying, “they had never seen anything like him, one of a kind, fantastic!”

Ryman’s act can be described as absurdist and clever, masked behind a very likable and innocent demeanor, often thought of as disturbingly adorable. He is a favorite among audiences at top clubs, colleges, and corporate events around the nation, and he is regularly featured on SiriusXM, and iheartradio.

Ryman recently won the title of Best in the Midwest at the prestigious Gilda’s Laugh Fest, and voted best comedian in the Twin Cites by City Pages. He was invited to perform at the Great American Comedy Festival at the Johnny Carson Theater. Ryman’s newest album “Having the Time of My Life” debut at #2 on the iTunes comedy charts, and he also has a brand new comedy special on Dry Bar Comedy.

Gwendolyn Freed, Ph.D., is the twentieth President of Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Dr. Freed has spent her career in higher education, arts, and nonprofit leadership. Previous higher education roles have included Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Cornish College of the Arts, Vice President for Marketing and Communication at Gustavus Adolphus College, and Executive Director of Wallin Education Partners, a college scholarship organization. She served for two years as Interim Director of the University of Minnesota (UMN) School of Music. Dr. Freed is a past graduate instructor at the University of Washington College of Education, and she currently teaches in the UMN graduate program in Arts and Cultural Leadership, as well as at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration from the UMN, and she is an alumna of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management. Dr. Freed’s primary research interests are organizational identity and external relations in higher education. Her work has appeared in the Handbook of Higher Education Theory and Research, Encyclopedia of International Higher Education Systems and Institutions, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Trusteeship magazine. Early in her career, Dr. Freed was an arts journalist at outlets including the Wall Street Journal and Star Tribune. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she was awarded a National Arts Journalism Program fellowship at Columbia University. An oboist and English horn player, she holds music degrees from The Juilliard School and Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Before arriving at Stewards Planning Group, Jerrid was a TV meteorologist. He started his TV career in 2002 at the NBC affiliate in Sioux Falls, SD. Over the next 12 years, he eventually landed at KARE11 in the Twin Cities. In 2014, after much contemplation and prayer, Jerrid left his TV career. It was a move that came as a surprise to many people, including some of his family. But it was apparent to Jerrid that he was being called in an entirely different direction.

With a tentative plan to head back to where it all started in Sioux Falls, Jerrid instead found himself unemployed with few job prospects out west. At the time, his soon-to-be future boss, Ben Taatjes was searching for the right person to help market his business, motivate people with their lives and finances, and inspire people to live for "True Wealth". Following a hunch after hearing Jerrid speak at a Willmar fundraiser the year prior, Ben decided to give him a call. 

As they say, the rest is history. Jerrid started at Taatjes Financial Group, now known as Stewards Planning Group in November of 2014 running the marketing efforts for the company. However, his position and duties have continued to grow steadily over the years. He was promoted to Director of Business Development in November of 2020.

Currently, Jerrid does leadership training, keynote speaking and authors books.

Jerrid has also hosted a number of podcasts, most recently, Retire Repurposed alongside Ben Taatjes.

Jerrid and his wife, Emily, live in the Willmar area with their four kids, Beckham, Raiya, Everleigh and Bohde.

Leah has been leading Open Arms of Minnesota since 2013, after more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership positions. A nonprofit Executive Director since 1999, Leah has worked in the arts, community education, and reproductive and community health care. She began her career out of college as a victim advocate at a battered women’s shelter – an experience that ignited a deep commitment to justice and access to resources for underserved and vulnerable populations. A mother herself at age 17, who had to ask for help, Leah is committed to ensuring that everyone who asks for help is treated with dignity and respect.

Since joining Open Arms, Leah has overseen significant organizational expansion, including the opening of a second Open Arms facility in St. Paul to increase production capacity and broaden its reach in the East metro. She has served on a variety of boards of directors and community coalitions and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the National Food is Medicine Coalition, the Second Harvest Heartland Make Hunger History Advisory Council, the Advisory Board for the Women in Leadership Certificate Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a handful of coalitions focused on the needs of aging adults, nutrition and/or hunger.   

Erick Garcia Luna is a regional outreach director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. His responsibilities include tracking, analyzing, and reporting on several aspects of the economy of the Fed's Ninth District. Erick is a co-author of the Beige Book and has published articles on inflation, business conditions, and labor. His work has been featured in local and national media, including Marketplace and Bloomberg TV.

Prior to joining the Minneapolis Fed, Erick held a variety of roles in the U.S. Senate, the City of Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota. His academic credentials include coursework in economics and political science from the Autonomous Metropolitan University in Mexico City, and a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota.

Gregory C. Anderson is the Chief Executive Officer of Allegiant Travel Company, a Las Vegas-based domestic value airline with over 17 million passengers annually. He assumed the CEO role in September 2024, having served as President since August 2022. Under his leadership, Allegiant has solidified its position as one of the nation's top-performing airlines, recognized for its financial strength, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

A fourth-generation Las Vegas native, Mr. Anderson joined Allegiant in 2010 and has held several key leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer, and Treasurer. He played a pivotal role in guiding the company through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and was instrumental in developing Allegiant’s unique business model, which focuses on connecting underserved cities to premier leisure destinations with nonstop, low-fare flights.

Prior to his tenure at Allegiant, Mr. Anderson worked in corporate accounting at U.S. Airways and began his career in public accounting at Ernst & Young, specializing in the commercial aviation sector. He was a certified public accountant for over 23 years.

In addition to his responsibilities at Allegiant, Mr. Anderson serves on the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, contributing to the strategic promotion of Southern Nevada as a leading global travel destination.

Many have known me for years as Dave Sinykin KFAN on-air host with Trent Tucker on “In the Zone” and as a solo KFAN host, a.k.a. The Head Cheese, for Packer Pride.  I’ve been doing both for 25 years.

But the other Dave has been in advertising and marketing sin the ‘90s.

I started out at a couple of Chicago Marketing agencies as an account and copywriter. Then to Minneapolis, first to an advertising agency as accountant then VP of Marketing for K-Tel International, and for eight years, radio sales account exec then sales manager.

While I have my own agency Titletown Marketing, since 2009, I also have a close association with LaBelle Barin Advertising with who I share in their strength of media planning and buying.  And, I have at the ready, a freelance creative team, allowing me to choose who you need when you need them.

Holly Callen is a member of the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club. A Rotarian since 1991, Holly was 5950 District Governor in 2001-02. She has also served in various capacities at the Zone and International level including Co-Chair of the 2011 Zone Institute, Zone Training Leader for Foundation Chairs and District Governor Nominees, and RI Promotion Committee Member for four Rotary International Conventions.

In addition, from 2017-2020, Holly served on the Fund Development Committee of The Rotary Foundation reporting directly to the TRF Board of Trustees. On the committee, she was responsible for Donor Recognition. In this capacity, she helped create the Legacy Society for donors bequeathing at least $1,000,000 in their estate plan.

Founder and President of Callen & Associates Financial Services, Inc., an investment firm specializing in retirement and charitable planning, Holly retired at the end of 2007.

Additionally, Holly was the Director of Development and Fundraising for Women's Athletics at the University of Minnesota from 1991-1996.

Holly now spends her time volunteering for Bravo Zulu House, an all-veteran sober housing organization for veterans suffering from addiction and PTSD.

She also serves on the Board of Directors and as chair of the Marketing Committee of Stablish Foundation, a small community foundation helping donors to create their charitable legacy.

John N. Allen is President, CEO and sole principal of Industrial Equities, LLP, a privately held commercial real estate investment, development, and management firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota with hotel, residential, commercial, and industrial projects and interest in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Arizona, and Florida. John founded Industrial Equities in 1983 and has expanded Industrial Equities’ multi-tenant industrial portfolio through development and acquisition to its current level of over three million square feet. Allen’s related residential land development company, Windsor Development, has completed almost 2,000 residential lots in communities throughout Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida.

Past Experience:
John was a fourteen year veteran of Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate Services (1981-1995) where he was consistently a top five producer and arranged over ten million square feet of sales and lease transactions. He was a multiple recipient of the Colbert Coldwell Award prior to leaving Coldwell Banker in 1995 as Senior Vice President. 

Current and Past Community Involvement:
•Chairman of the Board of Community School of Naples 2011 to Present
•Community School of Naples Board Member 2005 to 2010
•Chairman of the Board of Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin 2002 to 2011
•Northland College Board Member 1997 to Present
•Chairman of Naples Airport Authority 2008 to 2010
•Naples Airport Authority Commissioner 2006 to 2010
•Member of International Advisory Council of Antique Boat Museum of America
 

Jen Ford Reedy is president of the Bush Foundation. Even for someone who works in philanthropy, she is very into philanthropic history and strategy. This book combines her love of teaching, her experience consulting, and her philanthropic nerdiness.

She has worked in foundations since 2009, and her leadership in the field includes service on the boards of Independent Sector and the Council on Foundations. She has also taught classes on philanthropy through the Minnesota Council on Foundations and the University of Minnesota, and serves as faculty for the national Council on Foundations’ retreats for new executives.

Jen regularly speaks on philanthropy to groups large and small, from the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Skoll World Forum to civic clubs and community meetings throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, and across the 23 Native nations where the Bush Foundation works. Prior to working in foundations, she spent nine years as a consultant with McKinsey & Company. She lives in the Twin Cities and has two great kids and one great husband.

Leif Hagen grew up in Stevens Point and graduated from St. Olaf College in 1988 with a BA in German and French. His early career included teaching languages in Zug, Switzerland, and high school English in Gero, Japan. In 1992, he entered the financial services field as a financial planner with Lutheran Brotherhood, later joining LPL Financial in 2002. He now owns Achievement Financial in Eagan, Minnesota, offering financial planning and Medicare supplemental insurance services.

Leif has held multiple leadership roles within Rotary, including two terms as President of the Eagan Rotary Club and serving as the two-year charter president of the MN Pride Rotary Club. His Rotary involvement includes leading a GSE team to Bangalore, India, hosting GSE visitors from Finland and Brazil, serving as District Conference co-chair, Assistant Governor for Area 2, and currently serving on the District Foundation grant committee. He is a Paul Harris Society member, a Major Donor, and has attended Rotary International conventions in Birmingham, New Orleans, Bangkok, and Hamburg..

Leif lives in Eagan with his partner, Valdir Oliveira, and has three daughters — Kajsa, Svea, and Britta. He enjoys foreign languages, international travel, collecting art and attending art shows.