Brian is a graduate of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. In January 2008, he left a long-time career in Target Stores’ Advertising Department to bring his creative skills, energy and passion full-time to north Minneapolis. He has been actively involved on the north side since 1998, and a resident since 2003. Currently he is the Director in Residence of the St. Jane House, an urban retreat center and house of hospitality that he operates with the Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis. He also serves on the board of From Death To Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending violence through healing and reconciliation. Brian enjoys graphic design, photography, gardening and community building.
Brian Mogren,
Executive Director
Meet the Alafia Foundation Team!
The Alafia Foundation team is comprised of talented, passionate people working to
fulfill on the vision and mission of the organization.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
–Margaret Mead
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Karol Saunders,
Board Chair
Karol is a retired marketing and meeting planning professional who has worked with both non-profit organizations and incentive and meeting planning companies. A long time member of St. Stephen’s Church in Edina, MN she has served in many volunteer positions including leading
search and steering committees. She is excited to further the parish relationship with the Alafia Foundation. Karol and her husband Jeff are active supporters of Penumbra Theater in St. Paul and the proud parents of triplet college aged boys.
Leah Roberts
Treasurer
Ameriprise
Leah Roberts is a senior accounting manager at Ameriprise Financial. She has worked for Ameriprise for over 20 years and has extensive accounting and operations experience. Leah has served in various lay leadership roles at the Sanctuary Covenant church in North Minneapolis. This positions including, the hospitality team, youth ministry, and the elder board. Leah is also a licensed foster parent and was on the the board of Project Seven17. Leah has a passion for meeting the needs of the community and for empowering leaders. She is excited to bring those passions together to support Alafia in executing its mission and vision.
Craig Neal
Trustee
Center for Purposeful Leadership
Craig Neal celebrates life as a passionate change leader, publishing executive, author, trainer and executive coach to those called to create profound contributions in their life and work. As an executive coach for over 20 years, Craig assists leaders to integrate their inner calling with maximizing their organizational leadership potential. Craig is a renowned catalyst for change management and leadership consulting. His clients call upon him to convene high stakes collaborations that transform organizational systems, spark innovation, and resolve the toughest challenges. In 2004 Craig launched The Art of Convening Trainings, including pioneering a unique and engaging TeleTraining format. In 1995, Craig and his wife Patricia co-founded Heartland Institute, now Center for Purposeful Leadership.
Neda Kellogg
Trustee
Project DIVA
Neda Kellogg is the founder and executive director of Project DIVA, a girls' empowerment program. She is a former Alafia Fellow and the recipient of a 2018 Bush Fellowship award. As a result of her experience with Project DIVA and as an Alafia and Bush fellow, she brings an enormous amount of knowledge, skills and experience to her role as an Alafia Foundation trustee and program committee member.
Jaralyn Roberts
Trustee
Target Corporation
Jaralyn is a North Minneapolis resident who has a heart for community, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Jaralyn is a wife, mother, and family orientated. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a degree in Business Administration, she started her career at Target Corporation in 2010. In 2016, she founded G.E.M. Coaching LLC. where through life coaching and now Holy Yoga, she hopes to inspire others to grow, evolve, and mature through many aspects of wellness. Jaralyn is a passionate leader and visionary that is excited to use her gifts to uplift and encourage her community in whatever way she is called!
SPECIAL ADVISORS:
Richard Leider
Author of "The Power of Purpose" and founder of Inventure – The Purpose Company
Richard Leider, founder of Inventure – The Purpose Company, is one of America’s preeminent executive-life coaches. He is ranked by Forbes as one of the “Top 5” most respected executive coaches in the country. For more than four decades, Richard has pioneered the way we unlock purpose – both at work and at home. Richard has written ten books, including three best sellers, which have sold over one million copies and have been translated into 20 languages. Repacking Your Bags and The Power of Purpose are considered classics in the personal development field. His PBS Special – The Power of Purpose – was viewed by millions of people across the U.S. As a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing, he founded The Purpose Project. Connecting cutting-edge research with positive psychology and peak performance, Richard works with leaders, professionals, and executives around the world to help them unlock the power of purposeful leadership.
Download Richard Leider's An Incomplete Manifesto for Purpose.
Don Samuels
MicroGrants
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Communications & Outreach
Gina Fink
Filament Content
Nancy McRae
VisiVox, Inc.
Julie Ann Stevens
Freelance Communications Consultant
PARTNERS:
Pro Bono Business Partners
and Consultants:
International Coaching Federation - MN Chapter
Executive coaching for our fellows and team
Center for Purposeful Leadership
Consultancy and Program Support
Terry Egge
Bookkeeper and Strategic Advisor
Jenney Egertson
Strategic Communications Consultant
Richard Leider
Author, Coach and Mentor
Paul Markwardt
Attorney, Winthrop & Weinestine
Kim Olstad
Nonprofit Management, Strengthsfinders
Philip Prowse
Photographer
Julie Ann Stevens
Strategic Communications Consultant
TSG: The Steinhauser Group
Creative Services
Dave Wondra
Coaching and development
Nonprofit Partners:
Access Philanthropy
Fundraising Consultant
Popup Think Tank
Friendraising, Ideation/Brainstorming
Faith Communities:
St Stephen's Episcopal Church
Edina, MN
St Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Minneapolis, MN
Westminster Presbyterian
Minneapolis, MN
The Basilica of St Mary
Minneapolis, MN
Foundations:
Side By Side Foundation
THANK YOU!
We are grateful for our generous volunteers, partners and grantors!
Don is the CEO of Twin Cities based non profit MicroGrants and Minneapolis School Board member. A graduate of Luther Seminary, Don was ordained in 2002, and shortly thereafter recruited by his neighbors to run for office. Don represented the 5th Ward on the Minneapolis City Council for 11 years, completing his service at the end of 2013 to pursue other ways to serve the community. Previously Don was a toy designer for 25 years, and a co-founder of the PEACE Foundation, now the Northside Achievement Zone.
Jared Hanks
Juxtaposition Arts
Jared is a mentor, writer, speaker, educator, city commissioner, and life-long student committed to living out his potential and helping others live out theirs. Currently, Jared serves as the head of Outreach and Engagement at Juxtaposition Arts, a youth-based design agency in north Minneapolis. His experience also includes teaching in the public schools, creating enrichment programs for families affected by addiction, and facilitating workshops on ‘self-actualization & success’. With a B.S. in Youth Development and Education from the University of Minnesota, his combined experience equips and informs his life as an educator, explorer and creative connector working within multiple contexts and communities. Jared is passionate about exploring the intersection of education + expression + enterprise in order to impact people, places, and profits for a better future.