OUR TEAM
Avenues Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to support youth. If you are looking for a staff member not listed below, call 612-522-1690 or email info@avenuesforyouth.org.
Anika Tol, Data Compliance Coordinator
atol@avenuesforyouth.org
Anisha Sapho, Youth Support Specialist
(she/her), asapho@avenuesforyouth.org
Brody Poole, Youth Support Specialist
bpoole@avenuesforyouth.org
Chelsy Peeler, Youth Support Specialist
cpeeler@avenuesforyouth.org
Corcincia Smith, Youth Support Specialist and Food Coordinator
csmith@avenuesforyouth.org
Cynthia Fifer, Youth Advocate and Engagement Specialist
(she/her), cfifer@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-968-8833
Dee Loyd, Facilities Specialist
dloyd@avenuesforyouth.org
Dr. Sheronda Orridge, Youth Support Specialist
sorridge@avenuesforyouth.org
Erica Williams, Youth Support Specialist
ewilliams@avenuesforyouth.org
Ezra Bates, Youth Advocate & Engagement Specialist
(he/him), ebates@avenuesforyouth.org
Garren Turner, Youth Support Specialist
gturner@avenuesforyouth.org
Hashep Seka, Youth Support Specialist
(she/her), hseka@avenuesforyouth.org
Iesha Gosa, Family Advocate & Engagement Specialist
(she/her), igosa@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-759-7921
Karesia Coley, Director of Programs
kcoley@avenuesforyouth.org
Katherine Meerse, Executive Director
(she/her), kmeerse@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-844-2002
Kevin Kjonaas, Associate Director of Development & Communications
(he/him) kkjonaas@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-834-7080
Kim Peeler, Lead Youth Support Specialist
kpeeler@avenuesforyouth.org, she/her
Kunta, Young Families Program Manager
kharris@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-718-2401
LaReina Dominick, Program Manager, Minneapolis Avenues
ldominick@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-704-4967
LaTonya Bankhead, Youth Support Specialist
(she/her), lbankhead@avenuesforyouth.org
Makeda, Program Manager, Brooklyn Avenues
mlacking@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-750-9727
Marissa Bartels, Family Advocate & Engagement Specialist
(she/her) mbartels@avenuesforyouth.org, 612-790-3942
Melissa Cuff, Director of Development & Communications
mcuff@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-844-2005
Norris Blackmon, Education & Career Specialist
(he/him) NBlackmon@avenuesforyouth.org
Rachel Hatch, Associate Executive Director
(she/her), rhatch@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-804-3025
Rosie Irons, Youth Advocate and Engagement Specialist
rirons@avenuesforyouth.org
Ryan Berg, ConneQT Program Manager
(he/him), rberg@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-345-8445
Sarah Williams, Communications Manager
(she/her), swilliams@avenuesforyouth.org
Sheena Jimmick, Database Manager
(she/her), sjimmick@avenuesforyouth.org | 612-844-2006
Teresa Howell Saxton, Campaign Specialist
(she/her), tsaxton@avenuesforyouth.org
Tom Bond, Development Specialist
(he/him), tbond@avenuesforyouth.org
Toni Wagner, Youth Support Specialist and Food Coordinator
twagner@avenuesforyouth.org
Trevor Burns, Facilities Manager
tburns@avenuesforyouth.org
Avenues Board of Directors
Avenues' Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers who provide strategic insight, governance, and fiduciary responsibility of the organization.
Officers
Paul Blom, President
(he/him), Owner/CEO, Right at Home
Shawn Sorrell, Vice President
(he/him), Manager, Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Hennepin County
Rachelle Haroldson, PhD, Secretary
(she/her), Instructional Designer, U of WI – River Falls
Andy Sybilrud, Treasurer
(he/him), Vice President Commercial Banking, Bremer Bank
Members
Alfred Walking Bull
(he/they) Development Director, Tending the Soil
Corey Falls
(he/him), Senior Business Technology Consultant, Mytech Partners
Jenna Shermoen
(she/her), Relationship Manager, Riverbridge Partners
Jennifer Speagle
(she/her) Registered Nurse, Regency Home Health Care & Volunteer Nurse, Hennepin County Medical Reserve Corps.
Jesse Ross
(he/him), Principal Consultant, Mr. Jesse Ross, LLC
John Saunders
(he/him), Attorney, Nokomis Legal PLLC
Kristin Gaarder
(she/her), Chief Human Resources Officer, Perforce Software
Russ Heilbrun
(he/him), Vice President of eCommerce, Covetrus
Sam Blackwell
(he/they), Director of Strategic Communications, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
Sheri Johnson
(she/her), Associate Vice President Billing & Enrollment, UCare
