Meet our Staff
It takes a team to connect students to their purpose. Our team consists of individuals that are passionate about the success of our students and share our mission, vision, and values. See key contacts below and learn more about each member of our team!
Minneapolis Programs – Laura Garcia
Mankato Programs – Matt Dreier
People or Operations – Matt Dreier
Fundraising and Development – Adrienne Diercks
Communications or Administration – Caitlin Mensing (DeVos)
Evaluation and Assessment – Emily Heagle
Adrienne Diercks
Executive Director & Founder
adrienned@projectsuccess.org612.874.1777 More about Adrienne DiercksAdán Torres
Senior Manager – Student Outreach & Engagement
adant@projectsuccess.org612.876.3920 More about Adán TorresAdriana Rimpel
Career Pathways Facilitator – Best Buy Teen Tech Center
AdrianaR@projectsuccess.org612.876.3904 More about Adriana RimpelBrandon Herring
Senior Facilitator
brandonh@projectsuccess.org612.876.3908 More about Brandon HerringCaitlin Mensing (DeVos)
Director of Administration
caitlinm@projectsuccess.org612.874.0372 More about Caitlin Mensing (DeVos)Chala Tafesa
Program Coordinator – Expeditions
chalat@projectsuccess.org612.876.3928 More about Chala TafesaDr. Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman
Senior Education Advisor
eliab@projectsuccess.org612.876.3916 More about Dr. Elia Dimayuga-BruggemanElie Nederloe
Program Associate – Expeditions
elien@projectsuccess.org612.876.3049 More about Elie NederloeEllen Pienaar
Senior Communications Manager
ellenp@projectsuccess.org612.876.3912 More about Ellen PienaarEmily Heagle
Director of Strategic Initiatives
emilyh@projectsuccess.org612.874.0776 More about Emily HeagleEmily Vang
Program Manager – Institute Certificates
emilyv@projectsuccess.org612.874.0378 More about Emily VangHeather Nielsen
Senior Facilitator
heathern@projectsuccess.org612.876.3043 More about Heather NielsenJeffry Lusiak-Reyes
Director – Strategic Operations
jeffrylr@projectsuccess.org612.876.3939 More about Jeffry Lusiak-ReyesJenny Batten
Senior Program Manager – Expeditions
jennyb@projectsuccess.org612.874.1277 More about Jenny BattenJustin Muffett
Executive Assistant – Minneapolis Programs
justinm@projectsuccess.org612.876.3900 More about Justin MuffettKatie Langemo
Senior Program Manager – Musicals
katiel@projectsuccess.org612.876.3931 More about Katie LangemoKendall Pruitt
Program Manager – Best Buy Teen Tech Center
kendallp@projectsuccess.org612.874.0373 More about Kendall PruittKhary Jackson
Curriculum Manager – Theater Experiences
kharyj@projectsuccess.org612.876.3925 More about Khary JacksonKimberly Medina Banuelos
People Operations Manager
kimberlymb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3045 More about Kimberly Medina BanuelosLaura Garcia
Senior Director of Programs – Minneapolis
laurag@projectsuccess.org612.876.3907 More about Laura GarciaLinnea Fahnestock
Program Manager – Theater Experiences
linneaf@projectsuccess.org612.870.1486 More about Linnea FahnestockLiz Bedard Halberg
Events & Special Projects
lizb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3905 More about Liz Bedard HalbergMarc Bromaghim-Oropeza
Senior Program Manager
marcb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3914 More about Marc Bromaghim-OropezaMatt Dreier
Senior Director of People & Strategic Operations
mattd@projectsuccess.org612.876.3913 More about Matt DreierMicah Peterson-Brandt
Senior Program Manager – Schools & Workshops
micahpb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3922 More about Micah Peterson-BrandtMiranda Gruber
Program Associate – Theater Experiences
mirandag@projectsuccess.org612.876.3902 More about Miranda GruberNinchai Nok-Chiclana
Facilitator
ninchainc@projectsuccess.org612.876.3901 More about Ninchai Nok-ChiclanaNora Targonski-O’Brien
Facilitator
norato@projectsuccess.org612.876.3047 More about Nora Targonski-O’BrienRyan Weldon
Curriculum Manager – Expeditions & Musicals
ryanw@projectsuccess.org612.876.3926 More about Ryan WeldonSkylar Pongratz
Program Coordinator
skylarp@projectsuccess.org612.876.3906 More about Skylar PongratzStacy Shealey
Senior Manager – Salesforce & Data Systems
stacys@projectsuccess.org612.876.3938 More about Stacy ShealeyTaliah Howze El
Program Associate – Musicals
taliahh@projectsuccess.org612.876.3934 More about Taliah Howze ElMeet our Board of Directors
The Project Success Board of Directors is a cohesive group of talented people who are passionate about helping young people succeed and willing and able to share their time, expertise, and resources to ensure that Project Success can continue to connect students to their purpose.
Shana Moses
Chair
Diversity and Inclusion Strategist
Heal and Amplify Consulting
David Best
Vice Chair
President & COO
Coborn’s Inc
Cheryl Creecy
Secretary
Education Relations Consultant
Betsy Horton
Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer
Compeer Financial
Agnes Semington
Chief Human Resources Officer
Protolabs
Charles Montreuil
Senior Vice President, Enterprise Rewards & Corporate Human Resources
Best Buy
Elise Linehan
Community Leader
Ertugrul Tuzcu
President
Tuzcu Organizational Effectiveness Consulting
Issara Srun
Vice President, Regional Presales Systems Engineering
Arctic Wolf
Jody Rodrigues
Product Development
Travelers
Julie Zelle
Community Leader
Moira Grosbard
Community Leader
Ronald A. Morton Jr. MD
CMO and VP of Clinical Sciences
Urology Boston Scientific
Ryan Hagedorn
Education Leader
Sabina Saksena
CEO and Founder
Cytilife
Shiz Koizumi
Senior Director
Cargill, Incorporated (retired)
Todd Macgregor
Retail Consultant
A Director Emeritus is an honorary title used to recognize a director who provided outstanding service and foundational impact to Project Success. The following three individuals were unanimously voted to this status in celebration of all they have given to support the mission of Project Success and development of the organization.
Sheila Livingston
Director Emeritus
Board Service: 1996-2015
Ted Koenecke
Director Emeritus
Board Service: 1996-2010
Karla Ekdahl
Director Emeritus
Board Service: 1999-2021
Interested in joining our team?
Check out our current job openings and available volunteer opportunities!