Notable Nonprofit Board Members 2022

The old adage about asking a busy person to do something that really needs to get done holds true in spades with our 2022 Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders; many hold corporate leadership positions in addition to donating their time and expertise to charitable organizations in Minnesota. Their generosity and willingness to help where needed—from strategic planning to fundraising to mentorship—makes it possible for nonprofits to focus on their constituents. These noted nonprofit board directors bolster the work of dozens of organizations that support and improve the arts, education, health care, housing, and so many other key services in our community.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

David Aafedt

David Aafedt

Chair, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota
A shareholder and attorney with Winthrop & Weinstine, David Aafedt has served on the board of the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota since 2010 and has been
Ann Barkelew

Ann Barkelew

Governance committee chair, Ecumen
Retired from a distinguished 35-year public relations career, Ann Barkelew continues to serve the community by sharing her communications and leadership skills with Ecumen, a Shoreview-based nonprofit providing housing, health
Renee Conklin

Renee Conklin

Vice chair, Repowered
Renee Conklin, vice president of global human resources at Protolabs, brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as vice chair of the board of Repowered (formerly Tech
Sara Criger

Sara Criger

Chair, Minnesota Hospital Association 
Sara Criger, senior vice president of operations at Allina Health, was elected chair of the St. Paul-based Minnesota Hospital Association board of directors in January 2020, weeks before the first
Lachelle  Cunningham

Lachelle Cunningham

Chair, Neighborhood Development Center
A longtime board member and trainer for the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), Lachelle Cunningham has served as board chair for the past 18 months. She brings experience as a social
Kathy DiGiorno

Kathy DiGiorno

Chair, Catholic Charities of St. Paul & Minneapolis
It takes a no-nonsense leader to lead a board of almost 40 community members and guide an organization with a $55 million operating budget like Catholic Charities, which provides basic
Anita Drentlaw

Anita Drentlaw

Chair, Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota
Anita Drentlaw is the fourth generation of her family to lead New Market Bank as CEO. She also chairs the Bloomington-based Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota (ICBM), the sole community
Lynette Dumalag

Lynette Dumalag

Chair, Urban Land Institute Minnesota
A senior vice president at JLL Minneapolis, Lynette Dumalag embodies the mission of Minneapolis-based Urban Land Institute (ULI) Minnesota, which promotes responsible use of land to create and sustain thriving
Erin Herman

Erin Herman

Development and communications chair, Children’s Hospital Association
As the director of commercial strategy at Medtronic, Erin Herman brings more than 20 years of innovative thinking, confident leadership, and creative marketing experience to St. Paul-based Children’s Hospital Association
Louis King II

Louis King II

Trustee and member, Allina Health
Louis King II has been an authentic leader and voice with Allina Health’s board of directors since 2017, channeling his deep commitment to addressing injustices and inequities for the nonprofit
Stacy Jacobson

Stacy Jacobson

Governance committee chair, Children’s Hospital Association
A previous volunteer for the St. Paul-based Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), Stacy Jacobson lends her project management and event planning skills to support the organization’s numerous fundraising events and initiatives.
Amy Jauman

Amy Jauman

President-elect, Children’s Hospital Association
Amy Jauman was first introduced to the St. Paul-based Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) in 2019 as a featured “conversationalist” for Table Talk, an event that raised nearly $40,000. That inspired
Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly

Chair and fundraising committee chair, ServeMinnesota 
Kate Kelly, regional president of PNC Bank, Minnesota, is passionate about serving her community. That passion is exemplified by more than 15 years on the governor-appointed board of ServeMinnesota, a
Kathy Klang

Kathy Klang

Chair, Rise
The managing partner of Minneapolis CPA firm Cummings, Keegan & Co., Kathy Klang has served on the board of Rise since 2015. The organization, headquartered in Spring Lake Park, supports
Patrick Klinger

Patrick Klinger

Vice chair, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
A marketing expert who spent 14 seasons with the Minnesota Twins before launching Agile Marketing Partners, Patrick Klinger is a longtime advocate for mental health wellness and for suicide prevention.
Cyndi Lesher

Cyndi Lesher

Member, Red Cross
The Red Cross has been part of Cyndi Lesher’s life as far back as she can recall; her aunt was a volunteer, and her mom was a lifetime blood donor.
Todd Noteboom

Todd Noteboom

Chair, Children’s Theatre Co.
Todd Noteboom’s term as board chair for Children’s Theatre Co. was ending in March 2020, just as the Minneapolis-based theater was forced to shut down for what would eventually be
Bruce O’Brien

Bruce O’Brien

Chair, Pinky Swear Foundation
Bruce O’Brien embodies Pinky Swear Foundation’s core values of compassion, collaboration, and celebration. The president and CEO of Famous Products, O’Brien joined the Edina-based Pinky Swear board in 2015. His