Can you tell us more about your connection to Minnesota?

On my maternal side, my family has called Minnesota home for generations. I’m a fourth or possibly fifth generation Minnesotan, deeply proud of that legacy and guided by my ancestors’ enduring belief in this state. Their commitment to creating opportunity and belonging here mirrors my own professional journey and lifelong dedication to Minnesota’s people and communities.

My family has had impact, created access and opportunity for generations, most of which has been undocumented. My grandmother was born in Northfield, where her family owned a dry cleaning business. For an African American family at that time, that was remarkable. Their resilience and vision continue to inspire me and shape my work to expand what’s possible for others across this state.

As a woman, specifically a Black woman, how have you been able to navigate and map out your space in philanthropy?

Representation matters. I’m the first Black person to lead the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Being the first, the few or the only comes with challenges and opportunities.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to witness strong diverse leaders growing up, but especially Black women like Wenda Weekes Moore and Karen Kelley-Ariwoola. I’ve navigated this space in their legacy and footsteps. I saw them differently because they were a reflection of who I was and who I wanted to be. Now, I lead with the awareness that others are watching me in the same way I once watched them and that carries deep responsibility.

Philanthropy is not always an accessible space, and I take seriously the privilege and purpose of being here. Each day, it requires simple acts of courage to show up fully and authentically. It is an honor to serve in this role, and part of that honor is ensuring that more people not only feel comfortable leading in philanthropy but also see themselves as active participants and changemakers within it.

What do you believe needs to be done in order for that aspiration to become a reality?

I believe it begins with unlearning and learning. We have to expand our perspectives on who is seen as worthy and deserving of opportunity.

Too often, we define or make assumptions about people based on limited understanding and as long as that belief system persists, those same assumptions will shape who gets access and who does not. Real change will require everyday acts of courage of people choosing to see and believe in one another’s full humanity. That’s where transformation begins.

Philanthropy has a unique role to play in this. It’s not about speaking for others, but about amplifying the stories, wisdom and brilliance that already exist within communities so those voices are heard, valued and centered in shaping our shared future.

Earlier you spoke about legacy. Can you tell us more about what legacy means to you?

As a mom, legacy is deeply personal. It is about: Did I raise good people? Are they doing good things? Did they see the world beyond themselves? Did they feel responsible for others?

I can feel that legacy moving through me to them, just the same way that it moved through me from my grandparents, my parents and others that invested in me and around me broadly.

Legacy isn’t just individual, it’s also about community.

It’s the cumulative impact of how we nurture, support and invest in others around us. It’s the seeds we plant collectively; the moments of care, mentorship and generosity that ripple outward and endure. At the Foundation, our work is about stewarding that community legacy, ensuring that the investments we make today continue to strengthen people, institutions and neighborhoods for generations to come.