Leadership

STAFF LEADERSHIP

Mary Pat Lee, Executive Director

As Executive Director, Ms. Lee is responsible for leading operations at the Crisis Nursery, carrying out Board policy, representing the Crisis Nursery to the public, and executing the Crisis Nursery's strategic plan. Ms. Lee joined the Crisis Nursery in June 2006 and has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and fund development. Prior to joining the Crisis Nursery, Ms. Lee served as Director of Development and Communications for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She has also held executive positions at nonprofits including The Center for Community Change in Washington, D.C., St. Catherine University in St. Paul, and the St. Paul Tenants Union. Ms. Lee was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Political Science from St. Catherine University.

Joel Bergstrom, Development and Communications Director

Mr. Bergstrom joined the Crisis Nursery in May 2008. Previously Joel was a Director of Development with the Minnesota Medical Foundation at the University of Minnesota where he worked on major gift fundraising for diabetes research. Prior to working in the non-profit field, Joel practiced law locally at Merchant & Gould and in New York at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Joel is deeply involved in the community and serves on the Board of the Fund for the Legal Aid Society. Joel is a Director of the Western Golf Association / Evans Scholars Foundation. A Twin Cities native and current resident of Minneapolis, he received his J.D. from the New York University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

Molly Kenney, Family Services Director

Ms. Kenney joined the Crisis Nursery as Field Manager in June 2003, was promoted to Family Services Manager in August 2005, and now serves as Family Services Director. She holds a Masters in Social Work from the College of St. Catherine / University of St. Thomas, and a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota. In addition, she is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State of Minnesota. Ms. Kenney is responsible for directing all Family Services operations, including Crisis Nursery Family Advocates and the 4th Day Home Visiting program. She also oversees the Crisis Nursery's licensing standards under the Minnesota Department of Human Services, ensuring safe and quality programming and client services.

Al Willig, Finance and Operations Director

Mr. Willig joined the Crisis Nursery in May 1999. He has over 20 years of accounting experience for nonprofit agencies, sixteen of those years as a chief financial officer, including his tenure at the Crisis Nursery. He assures the effective management of the Nursery's facilities, internal administration, and financial operations. He develops and manages the Crisis Nursery's annual budget and works closely with the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Willig holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Macalester College.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Mary Zimmer, Chair, RBC Wealth Management

Meleah Follen, Vice Chair, Community Volunteer

Scott Kennedy, Treasurer, Target Corporation

Lisa O'Brien, Secretary, Community Volunteer

At Large Members

Trent Blain, Former Chair, General Mills

Keith Bexell, Prudential

Eric J. Buss, Life Time Fitness, Inc.

Paul Donovan, NorthMarq Advisory Services Group

Paul M. Emerson, OptumHealth

Wendy Fritz, Best Buy

Christine Fruechte, Colle + McVoy

Brandi Hagen, Eminent Interior Design

Deb K. Harless, Bethel University

Kimberly Hogan, Draycott Capital Partners

Dawn K. Larsen, Community Volunteer

Patrick A. Mandile, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.

Margot McManus, Navarre Corporation

Jodi Mooney, Community Volunteer

Patty Murphy, Community Volunteer

Susan Norstrom-Waldon, Community Volunteer

Martha B. Pettee, Story Stick Marketing

Shannon Tolbert, GE Capital