First Year Member
Philip Kaufman
Chief Executive Officer
UnitedHealthcare of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota
Philip Kaufman is Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. From its headquarters in Minnetonka, UnitedHealthcare provides people and employers with health care coverage choices that deliver better access, better health and better support. Over the last 15 years, Philip has held several leadership positions within UnitedHealth Group, including President of UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits and Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Vision.
Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Philip worked in mergers and acquisitions for the Rothschild Group and Deutsche Bank AG.
Philip holds a MBA from the Harvard Business School, a master of health care delivery science from Dartmouth as well as a BA in economics from Harvard University.
At UnitedHealthcare, we don’t just talk about equality and diversity – we try to put actions behind our words. Joining the President’s Club is one of the many ways we are supporting the women in our community. We love that these women aren’t just talented athletes, they are inspiring the next generation of girls to get up, move and make their health a priority.
Two Year Member
Walter White
President and Chief Executive Officer
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Walter White is president and CEO of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a board member of the Minnesota Business Partnership, the American Council of Life Insurers, the Financial Services Roundtable, and a director and member of the Executive Committee of Senior Community Services.
“The Minnesota Lynx embody everything we are trying to achieve at my own company: A mission driven culture, unparalleled performance standards, individual leadership within a team-first system, and a strong commitment to the community. You can learn a lot about professional excellence by watching the Lynx closely on and off the court.”
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2016, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. In 2015, Allianz Life provided a total of $2.4 billion in benefit payments that supported policyholders’ financial objectives. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 142,000 employees in more than 70 countries worldwide. More than 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.
Three Year Member
Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Logistics
Target Corporation
Irene Quarshie is a vice president in Target Corporation’s global sourcing organization. She leads a global team of nearly 400 team members, and is responsible for product quality and responsible sourcing. Her team’s purpose is to ensure Target’s vendors and suppliers operate efficient, safe and ethical factory environments where they can produce safe, reliable, high-quality products.
Previously, Irene was Target’s Director of Government Affairs where she oversaw all government affairs activities at state and local levels nationwide. She has held other leadership positions during her tenure at Target, including Senior Group Manager of Corporate Risk and Responsibility and Group Manager of Supplier Diversity.
Prior to Target, Irene spent five years as a strategy and management consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, and three years in the government affairs industry.
Among her many affiliations, Irene serves on the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Minneapolis, Meet Minneapolis, The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Her graduate paper on juvenile justice was published in A Comparative Perspective on Major Social Problems. She holds a B.A. in political science from Adelphi University and Master’s in Public Policy from American University.
In 2017, Irene was honored by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal as a “Top 50 Women in Business.”
First Year Member
Kevin Goodno
Chair, Government Relations Practice
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Kevin Goodno is currently the Chair of the Government Relations Practice at Fredrikson & Byron P.A. where he has worked for over 10 years. Prior to that he served as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Before joining the Department of Human Services, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for twelve years being recognized for his leadership on health care, human services and tax policy issues. Kevin’s private sector experience includes practicing business and employment law with a Moorhead law firm and owning and operating a retail business. His currently serves on the Board of the American Brain Foundation, The Bush Foundation, and as a member of the Campaign for Legal Aid Committee for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services.
“I joined the President’s Club because my entire family—myself, my wife, Linda, and my three daughters Sara, Abby and Katie—are all avid Lynx Fans. We believe in the promotion of women’s professional sports and elite women athletes as a way to foster gender equity in our community. Besides, the Lynx are a class act, and fun to watch. “
Direct Dial: 612.492.7348
Second Year Member
CJ Floyd
Retired
CJ is a life-long resident of the Land of 10,000 Lakes and is retired from over 25 years in the retail industry with her last position as a Corporate Account Manager with a retail supply distributor. Volunteering is at the heart of her retirement activities – Feed My Starving Children, Animal Humane Society (“cat adoption specialist”), visitation of elderly shut-ins, playing cello in Minnetonka Civic Orchestra, as well as involvement in civic and political organizations.
Widowhood is difficult at best, and overwhelming when it comes unexpectedly. Finding myself sitting at home every day after work, the call of the Lynx beckoned me – and I became a Lynx member six years ago. I joined the President’s Circle because I see an organization that has values of teamwork, integrity, competitive spirit, caring and sharing that go far beyond the basketball floor and include the front and back offices. On and off court, the team and its leadership are wonderful role models to girls and boys state-wide and nationally.
First Year Member
Tracy Call
Founder, CEO
Media Bridge Advertising
Tracy Call started her career on the “sell” side of the media table. But after years of seeing the status quo, she realized there was a better way to do things. Being a former competitive athlete, she also knew that the best way to realize her vision was to hang out her own shingle and start something fresh and new. The result was Media Bridge, a new kind of agency driven by loyalty, advocacy, fairness and bottom-line results.
Media Bridge is one of the most successful media buying and advertising agencies in Minnesota, billing nearly $100 million in media to date and growing over 100% year after year. Tracy was a Business Journal “Women in Business” award-winner in 2016. Media Bridge has made the Business Journal’s Fast 50 and Inc.’s 5000 Fastest-Growing Private companies lists every year since 2014, and they won a Pollie Award in 2013 and a Stevie International Business Award in 2016. Tracy’s employees have also been named in the Ad Fed “32 Under 32” list, which highlights future industry leaders, for the past three years.
Tracy is passionate about her family (wife Pam and 9 year old son Lincoln), travel and animal rescue. She sits on the Board for Secondhand Hounds and shows her passion for animal-rights advocacy through her agency’s pro bono work with Secondhand Hounds. Media Bridge has donated nearly $1M in services, event planning and full-service marketing execution.
The Minnesota Lynx commitment to teamwork, pride, inclusiveness, work ethic and winning attitude encompass the core values of my company. And, as a former professional athlete, I feel it’s my responsibility to not only support women in sports but also give back financially.
First Year Member
Louis Carlson
Senior Vice President | Wealth Advisor
UBS Financial Services
As a Minnesota native, Lois attended the University of Minnesota, and graduated in Liberal Arts in the 70’s! Her passion for reading the Wall Street Journal, a career in the financial Industry was her destiny. The most exciting news at UBS is the new Carlson Larson Wealth Management team including Kristin Larson, her new advisor and team member. Outside of work, she races sailboats with the Minnesota Women’s Sailing Team of the Wayzata Yacht Club. She enjoys a serious passion for sailing, locally or in Greece.
“I see the President’s Circle as a group of supporters for the Lynx team who will rally together and enjoy good times.”
Direct: 612.371.5147
First Year Member
DAUN HENNING
Daun Henning is an Enterprise Program Manager with Becton Dickinson, a global medical technology company that is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. Her role is to lead the strategy, design, build and implementation with client based hospitals. These services result in maturation and automation of their Medication Management Portfolio enhancing healthcare delivery.
KRIS BOIKE
Kris Boike is an Information Security Leadership Executive with Fortune 500 and consulting experience. Backed with numerous industry leading certifications and framework experience, Kris helps organizations ensure their data is confidential, available and has integrity.
Why we joined the President’s Circle
We are humbled to offer our small contribution to this philanthropic organization. We appreciate the opportunity to support the Minnesota Lynx President’s Circle and this venue focused on reaching out to our community, empowering those of all ages and ethnicity.
Thanks to the pioneering women, Title IX, and the Minnesota Lynx for advancing girls’ and women’s athletics, leveraging this path, and shaping positive productive lives. Once again, in typical fashion, Minnesota sets the standards for the entire sports world, let alone the WNBA, for the betterment of our next generation.
First Year Member
Shelly Lucken – Aflac Benefits Advisor Professional
Liberty Lucken – Aflac District Sales Coordinator & Benefits Consultant
Shelly
I have enjoyed over 18 years with Aflac. I love what I do, getting great satisfaction in bringing affordable benefit solutions to employers and employees. In today’s benefits market, it can be challenging for all. Aflac policies compliment and assist a benefit offering to allow for a more attractive benefit package. My goal is to bring the highest level of integrity and service to my clients.
Liberty
I help businesses navigate and execute supplementary benefits plans to retain top talent in a competitive marketplace.
First Year Member
Don Davidson – Dealer Principal and President
Don graduated from Luther College in 1968 with a BA in Accounting and Economics. Spent over three years with Arthur Andersen & Co in Chicago as a CPA. Subsequently, he joined the international pharmaceutical company, G D Searle & Co, as a Corporate Accountant, later becoming an International Internal Auditor and ultimately the Director of Financial Reporting for the Pharmaceutical Group. In 1979, Don joined his father-in-law at Sears Imported Autos where for the last 20+ years I have been Dealer Principal and President.
Ruth Maynard – Corporate Account Manager/ Corporate Events
Ruth is a Minnesota native. However, her family members live in London, Barbados, Atlanta and Orlando. She has worked in the auto business for over 30 years. Ruth loves the outdoors, travel, most sports and is passionate about doing something good in the community.
“I joined the President’s circle as I am a bigtime Lynx fan and wanted to support them. I also wanted to interact with others who want to lift up women, men, boys and girls to have a more inclusive world.”
First Year Member
Brandy Herbst – President/Owner
Brandy Herbst is the sole owner of B’s Homecare Inc. for the past ten years, where the business has steadily grown to meet the needs of not only Isanti county special needs and elderly residence, but as far north as Kettle River, and south to Brooklyn Park. B’s Homecare Inc. has cultivated a strong reputation and has become award winning in the homecare community and across multiple counties. There are currently 271 employees of B’s Homecare Inc., serving 194 clients. Brandy started her homecare business in response to the lack of services she discovered while caring for her special needs son and actively dying mother. Her want for all people to be treated with respect, dignity and love has been the driving force to make this company no matter the size into a family for all that are involved.
“As a women business owner, I strive to employ women and young ladies for our amazing health care field. Strong women training strong young women! I joined because I believe women should support women in all aspects of life. We are all the same no matter the job, disability, income or color.”
Main phone: 763-689-8984
Main fax: 763-689-1170
First Year Member
Melanie Cole – Co-Founder
Vickey DeRouchey – Co-Founder
We are Mel & Vic…
We are free, and we want you to be too! We are passionate, loyal, grateful, fun-loving people, who believe everyone deserves to be free, to do what they want, when they want and with whom they want. It is this belief, along with surviving two bouts of breast cancer, that motivated us to fulfill a lifelong dream to work for ourselves.
Daring.
No, we don’t act our age! We are spontaneous, adventurous and determined to make a difference. Being 50 and 60 years old, we knew now was the time to take our shot, to be free and be courageous and crazy enough to invent a new product and start our own company ugo wear, LLC.
“The Lynx President’s Circle had us at “Hello”! Using sport to make a difference in the lives of others and the communities they live in, is brilliant! The success the Lynx organization has had both on and off the court can’t solely be attributed to one person, one play or one decision. That consistent level of success happens when a group of likeminded, driven, passionate and talented individuals share common goals and allow nothing to stop them from reaching those goals! We applaud all involved and thank you for allowing us to be part of something that supports and promotes women’s equality in both athletics and business!”
Two Year Member
Dr. Trenda Boyum-Breen
President
Rasmussen College
Dr. Boyum-Breen is President at Rasmussen College. Prior to Rasmussen College she was Vice President at Metropolitan State University in the Twin Cities, and has served in positions at several institutions in Texas and Minnesota, including San Antonio College, University of the Incarnate Word, Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Capella University. She has published, presented and consulted in higher education, and is the author of “Across the Sectors,” a career column in the national higher education daily news journal, Inside HigherEd.
Dr. Boyum-Breen is on the board of Jeremiah Program—Minneapolis/St. Paul, a leading non-profit organization proven to help single mothers and their children break the cycle of generational poverty two generations at a time. She is also on the board of the American Council on Education Women’s Network of Minnesota and was honored by them last year as recipient of their “Sustainability Award.” The award recognizes someone who has significantly contributed to the over-all growth and development of women leaders in higher education.
She and her wife are also committed to community development and awareness regarding the plight of undocumented youth in the United States, GLBTQ causes and supporting a grant program they started that helps eliminate cost as a barrier for girls to participate in sports.
Bachelors from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN; Masters from Winona State University, MN; and Doctorate from the University of Minnesota in Higher Education Policy and Administration.
Two Year Member
The Sanneh Foundation
Retired CEO and Chair, Nelson Laboratories. Spent her career in management in the telecommunications industry, sports, and animal health. Advocate for Title IX and women’s opportunities in athletics and business. Has served on business and non-profits boards to promote opportunities for women, growth and development for children, and progressive causes. One of the boards currently serving on is The Sanneh Foundation.
“It is important to support women in all areas and continue to work for equity and fairness in opportunities for women, so it is an easy decision to support the Lynx and celebrate the wonderful organization and the ownership’s commitment to the team.”
Two Year Member
Ashlee Davis
Global Lead−External Relations, Global Inclusion & Diversity
Cargill
June Davis
Cargill
Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and over 150 years of experience.
We are proud of our Minnesota roots and also have 150,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work.
“You can feel an excitement about coming together for a common purpose. There are a lot of reasons to be confident about where the WNBA is going”
Two Year Member
“We have been season ticket holders with the franchise since day one! We’ve always enjoyed the game, and have really appreciated watching the sport go from women’s basketball to basketball!”
Two Year Member
Debbie Cote is a Northern California native who moved to the Twin Cities a couple years ago. Given her warm-weather roots, she spend winters in Snowmass, CO, skiing, swashbuckling, troublemaking, engaging in excessive merriment, and pursuing other adventures while practicing law remotely for a San Francisco law firm. Yet, few things make her happier than returning to the Twin Cities in the spring for another Minnesota Lynx schedule of superb WNBA basketball.
“I joined the President’s Circle for the opportunity to support this team of outstanding female athletes while also helping underprivileged youth, promoting diversity, and advancing women’s leadership was one I simply could not pass up. Indeed, the goals of this group are exactly consistent with my own personal values. In these complicated times, I only wish I could have joined sooner. Hooray for the Lynx President’s Circle!”
Two Year Member
Two Year Member
Jennifer Radnich has been a season ticket holder of the Lynx since 2013.
“As a proud supporter of the Lynx, I want to make sure I have a seat in the house at every game!”
Over her tenure with the organization, she’s been a fierce supporter of the Lynx Foundation. Jennifer owns an impressive pink jersey collection consisting of Whalen, Brunson, Augustus, Moore, Fowles, McCarville, Howard, and Prowl!
“Doing what we can to make a good thing even better!”
Two Year Member
Retired Air Force Pharmacist
Two Year Member
Susan J Albrecht (Sue) Retired Insurance Executive after 45 years in the business. Born and raised in Wisconsin I have lived all over the US including NYC, Chicago, Kansas City and Madison but considers the Twin Cities Home. I am world traveler and avid golfer.
“I joined the Presidents Circle for three reasons. Love the Lynx, love basketball and wanted to get closer to the team.”
Two Year Member
Deputy Director
Human Rights Campaign Foundation Program, Welcoming Schools
Cheryl Greene has spent her career in education and is passionate about making school a place where all children can thrive. She is the Deputy Director of The Human Rights Campaign Foundation Program, Welcoming Schools. This program provides professional development, support and resources aimed at creating elementary schools that are more gender and LGBTQ inclusive, embrace family diversity and prevent bias-based bullying.
In addition to her work with Welcoming Schools, Cheryl is the Program Coordinator/Adjunct Professor for Hamline University’s Graduate Bullying Prevention Certificate Program.
Cheryl and her wife Angie Craig joined the Lynx President’s Circle because the Lynx provide an opportunity for girls to dream big and witness what happens when you work hard, stay focused and surround yourself with people that believe in you.
Former President
St. Jude Medical Foundation
Angie Craig is currently the 2018 Democratic-endorsed candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s second congressional district. She is an investor and advisor to St. Paul start-up software technology company, Structural. Prior to seeking elected office, Angie spent two decades in the private sector, including 10 years on the executive team of former Minnesota medical technology company, St. Jude Medical. She also served as President of the St. Jude Medical Foundation and is a former newspaper reporter. She and her wife Cheryl have four boys, Josh, Jonas, Jacob and Isaac – three in college and one in high school.
Two Year Member
Dynasty Members
Bryan and Mary Bennett
Two Year Member
Jan Ballman
President and CEO
Paradigm Reporting & Captioning
Jan Ballman is President and CEO of Paradigm Reporting & Captioning, the largest court reporting and closed-captioning agency in the upper Midwest. Paradigm captures the official record in court cases and provides captioning for television and sports arenas, including Target Center and the Xcel Energy Center.
“I joined the President’s Circle by invitation, upon learning about its purpose and mission. I love the fact that the rest of the basketball world is trying to figure out and emulate what the Lynx have here. The opportunities and experiences offered through programs such as the President’s Circle continue to create and grow ‘Lynx Nation’–the most envied, raving fan base in the WNBA.”
Two Year Member
Portfolio Advisor
Senior Financial Advisor
Merrill Lynch
Lisa focuses on working with individuals, and their families, to identify their financial goals, create a financial plan and match an investment strategy to achieve their goals
Lisa is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® and has spent the last 5 years at Merrill Lynch serving high-net-worth investors and their families. Prior to Merrill Lynch, Lisa worked for 18 years at Piper Jaffray’s an investment banker in Public Finance, where she was the Managing Director of the Health Care / 501(c)3 practice
Lisa graduated from the University of Iowa with a BBA and an MA in Business Administration. She also completed course work toward a PhD in Business Administration
In her free time, Lisa enjoys golf, fly fishing and donating her time to charitable organizations such as the YWCA of Minneapolis, Stevens Square Foundation, Team Women, Giving WoMNand Friends of NgongRoad where she sponsors the education of two children in Kenya.
“I graduated from high school the year before Title IX was passed. No women in my high school went to college on an athletic scholarship. It is important to me to give women access to college. After going to school on an athletic scholarship, there are so few opportunities for outstanding women athletes to continue with their sports. Professional Women’s Basketball is one of the few programs for professional women athletes. We all need to support professional women, whether it is in athletics or another area. Women need to help women succeed. Men need to help women succeed, as well.”
Two Year Member
College Professor
Normandale Community College
Nancy is a college professor at Normandale Community College. Coaching and teaching has been her career for the past 27 years. Nancy was a Lynx season ticket holder for the first 10 years of the teams existence and has become active once again, five years ago.
“This is such an awesome program and I believe in everything the team/franchise stands for. Joining the President’s Club has many benefits we enjoy. Getting to watch practice and communicate with the players and coaches is wonderful. I am an avid basketball fan, former player and coach. This gives me an opportunity to get back to the game. It is important to spread the word and get young people involved. I am jazzed to be able to help kids attend some games. They are our future and can help continue the Lynx tradition! Thank you for this opportunity! “
Two Year Member
Kate Mortenson
President and CEO
2019 Minneapolis Final Four Local Organizing Committee
Kate Mortenson is the President and CEO of the 2019 Minneapolis Final Four™ Local Organizing Committee, responsible to execute all aspects of the NCAA™ Men’s Basketball Championship in 2019.
With an eclectic background including engagements with the United States Peace Corps and in news operations at Hubbard Broadcasting, Kate combines experience in diverse sectors with a global mindset, to create positive change in the community.
“Having the opportunity to support a history-making franchise, with extra-ordinary access to the inner workings of the Lynx organization and its mission promoting equality for women on and off the court there’s just nothing like it! I believe The President’s Circle is the most exciting member access and benefits programs connected to pro-sports, and on top of that, it’s making a difference in the community. I’m ‘IN’.”
Two Year Member
Vice President, Business Systems
PreferredOne
Pat Rissinger is a Minnesota transplant originally from Pennsylvania. She has always had a passion for basketball and when the opportunity came around to support a Minnesota WNBA team, she was first in line to get tickets for the Lynx. She has been a season ticket holder since the team’s inception and looks forward to many more seasons.
“Always wanting to support women’s sports in any way possible, it was a no brainer to join the President’s Circle. Being able to expose the youth of Minnesota to the wonderful Lynx role models is a fabulous opportunity and I am glad to be part of that effort.”
Two Year Member
Product Line Director
Banner Engineering
As a Product Line Director at Banner Engineering, Stacy works closely with the engineering and sales and marketing teams to ensure the development of products which solve customer problems and integrate people and automation into one, elevating the efficiency and effectiveness of automation possibilities in manufacturing, process and logistics worldwide. Founded by Bob Fayfield in 1966, Banner Engineering began as a small engineering firm known for solving problems. Banner sensors and vision sensors, LED lights and indicators, wireless and safety products are used by companies large and small, from industry leaders in the Fortune 500 to innovators just entering the market.
“As a high school basketball player for my small town in Oklahoma, we attended the Girls’ State basketball tournament one year as a team, having lost out in the Area finals, one game away from state. The booster club funded our trip. Now that I am wiser (and maybe a little older), I realized that I am now that booster club member that is taking my place in the circle of life to give back to the game that gave me so much, for many years and continues to give to me even today. I wanted to be a part of the inner circle, the President’s Circle, for our Minnesota Lynx champions that creates more of those opportunities for our female athletes now and into the future. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoy the up-close Lynx player experiences uniquely available to us as members of the President’s Club. “
Two Year Member
Partner at Stellman & Green Consulting
Andrew Stellman and Lisa Kellner live in New York City and spend summers (and, increasingly, most of the spring and fall) living in the Twin Cities. Andrew is a speaker, consultant, and author of multiple books about software engineering, agile development, and project management. He is a partner in Stellman & Greene Consulting, which provides software development services and training to companies, non-profits, and research institutions.
“We are passionate about women’s basketball, but it wasn’t always that way. We’d never watched a single game (or, for the most part, sports of any kind) before the 2012 Olympics. Watching Team USA was a truly eye-opening experience: there’s something amazing and unique about the combination of quick decision-making, teamwork, and creativity that happens when this sport is played at its highest level. The Lynx President’s Circle is our way of supporting that. It’s especially important to us that a portion of the Lynx President’s Circle membership goes to tickets for underprivileged kids to see the Lynx. We imagine that seeing the Lynx for the first time can be a mind-expanding experience for a young player, much like a young musician or artist experiencing the work of a master for the first time. This is why we were excited to join the Lynx President’s Circle. We see it as a way to support women’s basketball, much like one might become a patron of a museum or orchestra, but also to give back to the community in a way that helps to expand the world of women’s basketball.”
Three Year Member
Director/Editor
Cutback Films
Shari has years of Directing and Editing experience working on commercials, independent films, documentaries and corporate videos. As a Director and Editor her philosophy is, “I want to give producers, more than they ask for. It’s my job to take their idea and bring it to life.”
Shari’s experience includes, producing special projects and partner shows for the ShopNBC Network. Working on both corporate and commercial projects at HDMG a Minneapolis, MN based Post and De- sign House and feature news stories editor at KSTP, She Brings a passion and knack for her craft, but also an enthusiasm for working closely with agencies and clients in order to bring out the very best of their collective vision in the form of effective, persuasive and noteworthy pieces.
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