Staff

Promise Fellow Member Experience Manager
eanderson@mnyouth.net

Emily is a connector and listener who would love to go with the flow at every turn. When working with people though she combines assertiveness and compassion to challenge people and help get them what they need. Emily served both as a Promise Fellow at Murray Middle School in St. Paul, and as a Promise Fellow Leader and enjoyed the ebb and flow of chaos in the lunch room and peace and calm in a 1-1 with a student during the school day. In her free time she enjoys running, playing volleyball, eating Thai food and spending time with her pals, often functioning as the mom friend. And she often struggles to choose between cheesecake and ice cream.

Director of Youth Partnerships
bbrooks@mnyouth.net

Brandon is a big-picture thinker, ideator, and initiative-taker. Brandon is not afraid to question the status quo, and presses for accountability from all parties that he works with. He loves working with young people and facilitating dialogues. He is always looking to preserve the integrity of youth voice. Brandon is an AmeriCorps Public Allies alumni. In his free time, you can find him cooking, playing video games, watching documentaries, or napping.

Youth Program Coordinator
jgreer@mnyouth.net

Jordan received a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from Arizona State University as well as a minor in African/African American Studies. Jordan is passionate about equity work in schools and strives to create a more equitable system for students of color and from marginalized backgrounds. Jordan is a Colorado Native, and grew up in the Denver area before moving to Tempe, AZ and now resides in North Minneapolis. She enjoys hiking, spending time with family, and traveling.

AmeriCorps Promise Fellow Leader
dhenderson@mnyouth.net

After a term serving with AmeriCorps in St. Paul, Devin joins the Alliance as a Promise Fellow Leader to offer support to his fellow members. Growing up, youth work and supporting young people has always been important to him. He values honesty and employs empathy in his support of others. After moving to Minnesota, he appreciates the chance to try new things and find new places to enjoy with his friends. Although an extrovert, he also enjoys spending time at home reading or binge watching new shows.

Minnesota Youth Council AmeriCorps VISTA member
pjones@mnyouth.net

Director of Operational Management
kkline@mnyouth.net
651.272.7959

Kyle is a match-maker. He connects the right AmeriCorps recruits to the right positions. Kyle works to keep AmeriCorps members happy while building structures and balancing compliance. Kyle is driven by his passion for National Service, and wants others to have the opportunity to serve. Kyle is a two term AmeriCorps alum, serving with AmeriCorps NCCC out of the Vicksburg MS campus and as a Green Cities Sustainability Fellow in Pittsburgh PA. When he's not being a total "AmeriCorps nerd" he enjoys listening and producing podcasts, exploring the Cities on bike, and completing the NYT crossword puzzle daily.

Data and Systems Coordinator
mkoller@mnyouth.net

Michaela loves a good bit of data analysis, but also finds real meaning in supporting people around her. She is a resilient and reflective learner who strives to have a good growth mindset whenever unfamiliar problems come her way. After two demanding terms of service in the Promise Fellow Program, Michaela is thrilled to return to the Alliance as an staff member. Outside of work, Michaela loves colouring with her niece and if you give her even the slightest encouragement she will happily expound on why Argentine tango is the best social dance.

Partnership Manager
snelson@mnyouth.net

Stef Nelson is the Partnership Manager supported partnerships with AmeriCorps Host Sites and has a long history of service as both a former Promise Fellow and supporter of the Minnesota Youth Council. In addition to this role, Stef currently works to support community education and school programming in the Anoka Hennepin School District and has worked for decades in non-profit and education focused organizations.

VISTA Program Manager
kschweisthal@mnyouth.net
612.293.8438

AmeriCorps helped launch Kaela into the world of youth work and she’s thrilled to return to the Alliance as the VISTA Program Manger. Kaela is passionate about racial identity exploration through story-telling and story-listening. She’s always got a project going for personal and professional growth and you can often find her journaling or reading. She loves witnessing growth over time, which is what draws her to being both a mentor through BBBS, and a mentee through KOWIN (Korean Women's International Network). Harboring a creative soul, Kaela organizes her thoughts through diagrams and mind maps. Outside of work, she’s typically making handmade gifts out of origami, clay, and watercolor.

Lead Communications and Development Officer
ksuchomel@mnyouth.net
651.587.1085

Kate is a communicator with a knack for coherent and succinct writing. She is creative by nature, and is energized by supporting others and making the Alliance successful through her behind-the-scenes work. Kate is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Honduras 2007-09), mama to two boys, gardener, soccer-player, and pie-lover. When not at the office, Kate is volunteering with MN350 and Moms Demand Action.

National Service Director
lvanschepen@mnyouth.net

Lauren is passionate about helping folks determine how they can best serve their communities. As National Service Director, she oversees the Alliance's AmeriCorps Promise Fellow and VISTA programs. Lauren holds degrees in American Studies, Education Policy, and Higher Education Administration, and is a VISTA alum. She enjoys gardening, reading fiction, and taking lots of long walks with her husband, son, and dogs.

AmeriCorps Promise Fellow Leader
lwilliamson@mnyouth.net

Lillie is motivated by people; by the idea that people exist and are on the receiving end of her actions. This past year Lillie served at Paladin Career and Technical High School as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, and now serves as a Promise Fellow Leader at the Alliance. Close friends and family members have referred to Lillie as a “granny”. She asks that you please walk ahead of her on the stairs as it may be a bad knee day or lung day. Outside of service Lillie enjoys spending time with her siblings, reading, napping, pretending chores don’t exist, watching the auditions portion of competition shows (particularly singing shows), and writing on occasion. When it comes to walking dogs she much prefers to be the walker's company than the walker herself.

Lead Practice Officer
kyang@mnyouth.net
651.529.2013

Kita effectively supports others to feel comfortable while doing their work. She creates safe spaces for people and quells anxieties in the workplace. In her own words, “If you don’t notice me, I’m doing my job successfully.” Kita is open-minded and laid-back. Kita is an AmeriCorps VISTA alum who enjoys spending time with her family. Their favorite things to do includes watching movies, playing board games, and scouring the Twin Cities food scene for delicious French fries.

Promise Fellow Program Director
lyu@mnyouth.net

If life were basketball, Lily would be the player with the most assists. She shines in the background knowing that she's doing all she can to help others perform and be their best. She is people-centered and values meaningful and authentic relationships above all else. When she's not at work, you'll find her lost in a book or somewhere out in nature.

Director of Financial Management
hzelmer@mnyouth.net
651.528.8584

Hannah is the office organizer and information keeper, and approaches compliance with compassion. She strives to make policies and benefits equitable to both AmeriCorps members and staff, and seeks to create an engaging work environment. Hannah values gratitude and motivating others. She is great at big-picture thinking, enjoys strategic systems building, and remembers the small details too. When not reminding people to save to Dropbox, she is often exploring nature, riding her bike, spending time with her cat, or reading favorite books.