Adrienne Diercks  is the founder and Executive Director of Project SUCCESS.   Project SUCCESS is a youth-development organization that works with students over a six-year period, from middle school through high school, to help them develop life skills and inspire them to act on their dreams.

As a result of her passion of helping young people achieve their dreams, she began Project SUCCESS in 1994 serving 200 students and one school in Minneapolis.  Today, she has grown the program to serving over 7,000 students and their families and 11 schools in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul.  The creation of this innovative program has brought invitations for expansion both nationally and internationally.  Her work has been written about in Paul Batz’s book “Inspire, Persuade, Lead: Communication Secrets of Excellent Leaders.” Adrienne’s leadership has also been recognized in local and national press.

She was honored with the Minneapolis Award for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the City of Minneapolis, the Community Member Arts Advocate Award from the Minnesota Alliance for Arts in Education, the Hispanic Heritage Month Award for work in education with the Hispanic community and Project SUCCESS was awarded the 2007 Ordway Center Sally Award for Excellence in Education. 

In addition to her role at Project SUCCESS, Adrienne serves on the Guthrie Community Relations Committee, the University of Minnesota Paddleford Scholarship Committee, the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute Arts and Culture Study Group, the Minnesota Regional Arts Council Review Panel, the National Civic League Ambassadors in Education and Met Life Foundation Nation Selection Committee and is a recent graduate of the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute. 

Previously, she served as the founder of Possibilities, Inc., a company whose mission was to inspire kids to dream about their lives.  In that role, she traveled throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin conducting inspirational workshops.

Adrienne has a B.A. in English from Whittier College, CA.

“I am fortunate to have worked all of these years with so many wonderful people to serve kids and facilitate experiences and conversations that can lead to a better future and a stronger community for us all.

Jenny Batten, Program Manager, graduated with a B.A. in Theater Arts and a M.F.A. in Stage Management from the University of California, Irvine.  She joined Project SUCCESS after having worked as a stage manager at the Guthrie Theater for 10 years.  There she served as a mentor to high school and college students who were interested in pursuing a career in the theater as well as worked with several young actors, ages 5 – 13, who were cast in the annual production of A Christmas Carol. She believes strongly in the educational power of theater and is thrilled that Project SUCCESS has allowed thousands of students to experience that vital part of their education. 

In addition to theater, Jenny's strong love of the outdoors and the lessons we learn from nature makes the Anwatin Boundary Waters Canoe Trip one of her favorite annual Project SUCCESS events!

Liz Bedard Halberg, Director of Development and Communications.  Liz graduated with a B.A. in Journalism  with a focus in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Minnesota.  Liz has worked in development and communications for local non-profits, and on a number of state and national political campaigns.  Her volunteer work includes the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation (board member), Saint Paul Winter Carnival and the Children's Safety Centers.

Jason Brown, Program Manager, Anwatin and Southwest.  Jason completed his B.A. in English Literature with a concentration on Education at Mount Union College in Alliance, OH.

He was an AmeriCorps member for two years working as a VISTA with the Urban Corps and as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow at the Volunteer Center.  In both jobs he helped young people develop marketable skills through volunteering and service work.  He also worked at the Bridge for Runaway Youth as a Counselor in their Emergency Crisis Shelter.  He has worked for several theaters and theater companies, including the Guthrie Theater, Chaos Theories and Outward Spiral Theatre Company, and is currently a co-founder of Emigrant Theater. 

He is an avid reader and loves to write.  He also loves seeing theater and participating in it as well.  He is a big tennis fan and also watches soccer.  Most of all he really likes coffee...

Kathleen Dawson, Facilitator - South High School.  It is bittersweet for me to say goodbye. I am excited about chasing after my dreams to live in New York City and to continue my professional growth in the field of youth development. However, I am sad to be leaving South High and Project SUCCESS so soon. Sometimes life surprises you, you fall in love - whether it be with a significant other, or a city, or both:) - and you’re taken in another direction.

I am thankful for my time with the amazing students and staff at South. South is truly a unique school with a beautiful spirit and you should be very proud of that! After all, it is the students and the staff that make up a school building, you are the reason South is the dynamic force that it currently is. I have been lucky enough to wake up every morning of the last two school years and think “I’m excited to go to work today” and go to bed every night thinking “I’m excited to go to work tomorrow.” That’s because of you. The students at South have made me laugh, have challenged me, have made me cry at unexpected moments, and through all of that have taught me so much. At the office we have a saying to remind us of our role in the larger support system of student’s lives. The saying is “we are bit parts in the story of these students’ lives.”  Thank you for allowing me to play a bit part in all of your lives. It has been such a privilege.

My hope for you all will continue to be what it always has been: that you will discover a path in life that leads you to wake up every morning and say “I’m excited for today” and go to bed at night saying “I’m excited for tomorrow.”

Kathleen

If you would like to contact me in the future, please don't hesistate to email me!

kathleendaws@gmail.com

Sharifa Charles, Facilitator North, Afrocentric, and Anne Sullivan.  Thank You! Thank You! Thank You for the unconditional support and love that I received regarding my departure. I have grown immensely from being in partnership with all of the students, families, faculty and staff!  My experience as a staff member has allowed me to further witness the true beauty of North High, Anne Sullivan, and Afrocentric.  The students challenged me to bring all that I could give and I was humbled by their stories and openness.  The faculty and staff’s dedication to students and their journey is unmatched and inspired me to “bring all I got!”  I want to thank the wonderful community of students and staff for allowing me to be a part of the great work that happens everyday.  I will always carry the experiences dear to me.  I wish you all the best in the future!

If you would like to email Sharifa in the future, please contact info@projectsuccess.org for her information.

Ricardo McCurley, Facilitator, Humboldt and Washington. Ricardo is glad to have found a home in Project SUCCESS.  Though his previous attempt were numerous, including a Fort Worth Mime troupe, a soccer team in Cali Colombia and a circus in Chicago, nothing seemed to satisfy his thirst for adventure.  Ricardo did his undergraduate work at the University of Chicago and graduated with a degree in Psychology.  A deep understanding of the super ego helped Ricardo transition into his next career as the lead singer in a rock band.

Still unsure of his calling,  Ricardo left the music industry behind and became a youth development specialist.  In working with young people to help them realize their passions and potentials, Ricardo had finally found his calling.  He hopes to continue the fun and excitement with Project SUCCESS.

Jeffry Lusiak, Artist in Residence/Senior Facilitator.  Jeffry has been working with Project SUCCESS for the past five years as co-director of the Anwatin Musical, and is excited to be joining the Project SUCCESS team on a full-time basis.  Jeffry has been working in Minneapolis for seven years as a director and performer and is currently the Artistic Director of Outward Spiral Theatre Company.  Locally, Jeffry has worked at: Illusion Theatre as an educator and director; the Guthrie Theater as a Directing Intern, and has directed and produced new shows at the Bryant Lake Bowl.  Jeffry began working with young people at the Illusion Theatre where he traveled to small towns around the country helping kids to become peer educators and performers.   Jeffry is originally from Toledo, Ohio and is a graduate of St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona with a B.A. in Theater.

Rachael Goins, Volunteer Coordinator-AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, recently graduated from the University of Minnesota, receiving a degree in Music Performance. She primarily plays the bassoon, but she also enjoys the many possibilities that music provides, especially the variety represented in the Minneapolis local music scene. Rachael believes strongly that the arts can really affect positive change in children’s lives and she is excited about the opportunity to work with Project SUCCESS.  Rachael also enjoys reading, spending time with friends, being involved politically and trying new things!

Ryan Sarafolean, Civic Engagement Coordinator-AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, was born and raised in Saint Paul and a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving a B.A. in Political Science and African American Studies.  For the past three years, he has worked at an after school program as a group leader implementing engaging educational opportunities for students through activities such as creative art projects, drama exercises, and community service events.  Outside the classroom, Ryan dedicated his time to community organizing support around sweatshop and labor rights issues, serving on the University’s Diversity Committee, and participating in student government.  He looks forward to being a part of the staff here at Project SUCCESS and is ready for the adventure, wherever it may lead.

Paige Ware, Theater Partnerships Associate. Paige joins Project SUCCESS this year after working in the television news business for 6 years. She’s a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Journalism major and theater minor.  Paige has volunteered for theaters in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Cassie Karan, Theater Coordinator.  Cassie is nearing completion of an English degree at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  After graduating, she plans to take some time off before returning to school to receive a teaching degree.  She has spent time studying abroad in London, England. Cassie has three years experience working with non-profits.

Naheeda Hirji-Walji, facilitator, Southwest and Anwatin.  This will be Naheeda's first year with Project SUCCESS and she is very excited and thankful for this new opportunity.  Naheeda graduated from the University of St. Thomas, where she double majored in Education and Criminal Justice.  She has worked with a variety of youth organizations, community centers, schools, non-profits, and with the government.  Through her experiences she has seen the value and need of Project SUCCESS for young people. Most recently she worked to help inspire and motivate students to get civically involved in Washington, D.C.  She is happy to be back in Minneapolis, and is looking forward to the upcoming year!