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
Founder and Executive Director
adrienned@projectsuccess.org612.874.1777 More about Adrienne Diercks
Adán Torres
Senior Manager – Student Outreach & Engagement
adant@projectsuccess.org612.876.3920 More about Adán Torres
Adriana Rimpel
Career Pathways Facilitator – Best Buy Teen Tech Center
AdrianaR@projectsuccess.org612.876.3904 More about Adriana Rimpel

Brandon Herring
Senior Facilitator
brandonh@projectsuccess.org612.876.3908 More about Brandon Herring
Caitlin 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 Tafesa



Dr. Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman
Senior Education Advisor
eliab@projectsuccess.org612.876.3916 More about Dr. Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman
Elie Nederloe
Program Associate – Expeditions
elien@projectsuccess.org612.876.3049 More about Elie Nederloe
Ellen Pienaar
Senior Communications Manager
ellenp@projectsuccess.org612.876.3912 More about Ellen Pienaar
Emily Heagle
Director of Strategic Initiatives
emilyh@projectsuccess.org612.874.0776 More about Emily Heagle
Emily Vang
Program Manager – Institute Certificates
emilyv@projectsuccess.org612.874.0378 More about Emily Vang
Heather Nielsen
Senior Facilitator
heathern@projectsuccess.org612.876.3043 More about Heather Nielsen



Jason Rambo
Development Operations Associate
jasonr@projectsuccess.org612.876.3046 More about Jason Rambo
Jeffry Lusiak-Reyes
Director – Strategic Operations
jeffrylr@projectsuccess.org612.876.3939 More about Jeffry Lusiak-Reyes
Jenny Batten
Senior Program Manager – Expeditions
jennyb@projectsuccess.org612.874.1277 More about Jenny Batten
Justin Muffett
Executive Assistant – Minneapolis Programs
justinm@projectsuccess.org612.876.3900 More about Justin Muffett
Katie Langemo
Senior Program Manager – Musicals
katiel@projectsuccess.org612.876.3931 More about Katie Langemo
Kendall Pruitt
Program Manager – Best Buy Teen Tech Center
kendallp@projectsuccess.org612.874.0373 More about Kendall Pruitt
Khary Jackson
Curriculum Manager – Theater Experiences
kharyj@projectsuccess.org612.876.3925 More about Khary Jackson
Kimberly Medina Banuelos
People Operations Manager
kimberlymb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3045 More about Kimberly Medina Banuelos

Laura Garcia
Senior Director of Programs – Minneapolis
laurag@projectsuccess.org612-876-3907 More about Laura Garcia
Linnea Fahnestock
Program Manager – Theater Experiences
linneaf@projectsuccess.org612.870.1486 More about Linnea Fahnestock

Liz Bedard Halberg
Events & Special Projects
lizb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3905 More about Liz Bedard Halberg
Marc Bromaghim-Oropeza
Senior Program Manager
marcb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3914 More about Marc Bromaghim-Oropeza
Matt Dreier
Senior Director of People & Strategic Operations
mattd@projectsuccess.org612.876.3913 More about Matt Dreier

Micah Peterson-Brandt
Senior Program Manager – Schools & Workshops
micahpb@projectsuccess.org612.876.3922 More about Micah Peterson-Brandt

Miranda Gruber
Program Associate – Theater Experiences
mirandag@projectsuccess.org612.876.3902 More about Miranda Gruber
Ninchai Nok-Chiclana
Facilitator
ninchainc@projectsuccess.org612.876.3901 More about Ninchai Nok-Chiclana

Nora Targonski-O’Brien
Facilitator
norato@projectsuccess.org612.876.3047 More about Nora Targonski-O’Brien
Ryan Weldon
Curriculum Manager – Expeditions & Musicals
ryanw@projectsuccess.org612.876.3926 More about Ryan Weldon
Skylar Pongratz
Program Coordinator
skylarp@projectsuccess.org612.876.3906 More about Skylar Pongratz
Stacy Shealey
Senior Manager – Salesforce & Data Systems
stacys@projectsuccess.org612.876.3938 More about Stacy Shealey
Taliah Howze El
Program Associate – Musicals
taliahh@projectsuccess.org612.876.3934 More about Taliah Howze El
Meet 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!