Our Team
|
Each day, GHR Foundation staff strive to be of service to people and their limitless potential for good.
|
|
|
amy goldman
ceo & chair Amy Goldman is CEO and Chair of GHR Foundation, a philanthropy serving people and their ideas for transformational change in lives around the world. Amy steers the foundation’s direction with optimism and a background in diplomacy and social investment that has inspired new approaches to philanthropy. Under her leadership, GHR has doubled its assets and staff as the organization launched a new effort to build bridges across ideas, sectors and people; elevated powerful movements of faith and inter-faith actors for sustainable development; implemented systems change strategies across public, private and faith sectors to keep children in families; and unlocked significant funding from industry and government to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. Amy serves on the Georgetown University board of directors, the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service board of advisors, Mayo Clinic leadership council and is a trustee and vice chair of the board for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Amy previously served as a lead consultant for Washington D.C.-based International Trade Services, where she focused on trade negotiations and investment strategies. She holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, a master's degree in law and diplomacy from Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and bachelor's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. 
Andrew Dorle
senior Investment Analyst Andrew Dorle is a senior investment analyst, providing support to GHR Foundation’s investment department. In this role, he assists the investment team in operations and reporting, portfolio management, monitoring existing investments, and sourcing/evaluating new investments. Andrew previously worked at Nuveen investments, where he assisted portfolio managers in various back office functions including corporate actions and portfolio accounting. He also worked as an associate accountant for Bland & Associates, a public accounting firm in Nebraska, where he assisted in tax return preparation and small business, Native Sovereign Nation and Medicare/Medicaid audits. Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Creighton University. He became a CFA® charterholder in 2018 and holds the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM®). 
Chris Berger
director, Communications Chris Berger is responsible for communications and innovation strategies that advance program priorities and enhance the impact of GHR and its partners. In this role, he is re-imagining how philanthropy can catalyze social innovation and systemic change while co-leading the $1M BridgeBuilder Challenge. Previously principal of Berger Brands and director of global social impact at Weber Shandwick, Chris has represented clients including American Refugee Committee, Public Radio International, Cargill CSR, This American Life and NEED Magazine. He has supervised teams addressing issues including global development, human rights, freedom of press, environmental sustainability and social entrepreneurship through strategies and programs that engage change-makers around the world. Chris is a British-American Project fellow and member of the Innovation Advisory Board of Sapientia, having formerly served as board member of Global Minnesota, The Push Institute and Urban Boatbuilders. He is also a recent Policy Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Minnesota delegation. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and political science from Macalester College. 
Dan lauer
senior program officer, global development Dan Lauer is the senior program officer for GHR Foundation’s Children in Families initiative, and works to leverage child protection interventions that strengthen families, deinstitutionalize children and drive further evidence of innovative, pro-family approaches. Partnering with experts in the field, Children in Families uses innovative, research-based solutions to scale and support effective programs while pursuing systemic change through pro-family alliances, systems and policies. Dan was previously vice president of international programs at Holt International Children’s Services in Eugene, Ore. where he worked in various capacities since 1986. During his tenure, his responsibilities included work in Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, finding permanent, secure, in-country families or family-like settings for children without homes. Dan earned a master’s degree in international development, community and regional planning from the University of Missouri at Columbia, Miss. and a bachelor’s degree in community services and public affairs from the University of Oregon. 
Khalid mohamed
grants management intern Khalid Mohamed is responsible for supporting grants management operations at GHR across a wide range of functions, including processing payments, overseeing the grants portal and managing contact information for grantees. He also takes on various data analysis-related responsibilities in response to staff needs. A highly adaptive learner, Khalid has previously gained valuable work experience as a Program Developer at Optum, and as a Product Sales Associate at Cub Foods. He is currently pursuing a degree in computer science at Dougherty Family College. 
kristen grubb
Director, Accounting and Financial Reporting Kristen Grubb is the director of accounting and financial reporting for GHR Foundation. She is responsible for financial reporting and analysis, oversight of the annual audit process and serves as the Foundation’s Tax Officer. Kristen previously spent eight years in public accounting, where she specialized in taxes for nonprofit entities, including public charities, large health systems and private foundations and worked with clients to complete their tax filings, consulted on legal entity formation and obtained tax exempt status for the entities. Kristen is a certified public accountant and earned a master’s degree in business taxation from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota and bachelor’s degrees in accountancy and business administration from the University of North Dakota. 
mary dalsin
program associate, Global Development & Alzheimer’s Mary Dalsin is a program associate, supporting the Inter-Religious Action portfolio and supports the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative and Bridgebuilder Challenge in which she leads an effort to incorporate a principles based approach. In this role, she contributes to design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems, manages the grants process, and assists in strategic programming efforts. Prior to joining GHR, Mary served as a program administrator at the Public Health Trust in Oakland, CA. and has more than 25 years of experience in grants and program administration, working both overseas and domestically. Mary currently serves as a Master Gardener with the Extension office of the University of Minnesota and has lived in Russia and Uzbekistan, working with environmental and health activists and non-governmental organizations. 
Molly Morton
Executive Assistant Molly Morton provides executive administrative assistance to the CEO and supports board and committee activities. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in C-level support, marketing and communications, and nonprofit development. Molly earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and public relations from the University of St. Thomas. 
samantha bossman
Grants Management Associate Samantha Bossman is Grants Management Associate at GHR Foundation. In this role, she provides support to ensure grantmaking operations, systems and data support the mission and strategic goals of the Foundation. Samantha was previously the development officer for the Ramsey County Historical Society in Saint Paul, MN. As a department of one, Samantha helped build a quality fundraising program for the Society by securing institutional support, growing the annual fund, and converting and managing the database system. Prior to joining GHR, she held various roles in development for organizations including the National Children’s Museum and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, a museum highlighting the U.S. women’s suffrage and equal rights movements located in Washington DC. In 2017, she served as JCI St Paul President and board member of the Saint Paul Jaycees Charitable Foundation. She continues to volunteer through the community events hosted by the Saint Paul Jaycees and the nonprofits it supports. Samantha earned a master’s degree in museum studies from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in art history from Earlham College. 
Tara Kaushik
Global Communications Specialist Tara Kaushik supports and develops communications initiatives that enhance the impact of the Foundation’s work and offer greater visibility to its partners. A 2018 graduate of Macalester College, Tara earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Anthropology. She has previously worked as the Matching Grant Intern at the International Institute of Minnesota, supporting refugee and immigrant clients in finding early employment and becoming financially self-sufficient. She worked as a Program Assistant at Macalester’s Department of Multicultural Life, designing and executing collaborative workshops aimed at creating a more just, equitable campus environment. Most recently, she was a Production Assistant with Macalester Communications, where she was responsible for creating and editing promotional content for the Macalester Moment fundraising campaign. |
Amelia Corl
strategy officer Amelia Corl is the strategy officer of GHR Foundation, where she partners with the chief of strategy and programs to help ensure robust analysis and direction for the foundation’s program strategies. Amelia previously served as Chief of Staff at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), where she led strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, budgeting, and human capital initiatives. Prior to her work at USIP, Amelia worked at the US Agency for International Development, where she worked closely with the Chief Strategy Officer and the head of the Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning. While there, she advised the leadership team on management, communications, and policy priorities. Amelia also served as a senior consultant at International Business Machines (IBM) in the Global Business Services division, where she led change management projects, IT implementation projects domestically and overseas, as well as communications activities. Amelia attended the University of Minnesota's graduate program in Sociology and completed her BA at Macalester College. 
BRyan bencomo
INVESTMENT director Bryan Bencomo works closely with the Chief Investment Officer to develop and implement the Foundation’s investment strategies and processes. He is responsible for sourcing investment partners across a broad range of asset classes, with a focus on public and private equity. He also serves as a key contributor to the development and implementation of the Foundation’s investment portfolio analytics. Bryan previously worked at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, where he was engaged in the sourcing, due diligence, and execution of public and private equity investments. Bryan also previously worked at Allstate Investments, the investments subsidiary of Allstate Insurance Company, where he assisted in the due diligence and monitoring of externally managed hedge fund and long-only equity and fixed income strategies. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with concentrations in finance, accounting and statistics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a CFA® charterholder. 
fred miller
Chief Operating Officer & Alzheimer’s Fred Miller serves as chief operating officer of GHR Foundation. In this role, he leads strategic planning for the Foundation and manages its health program, which focuses on curbing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease by investing in prevention research and therapies. Fred is a director emeritus of McKinsey & Company, having served the company for more than 27 years. He launched McKinsey’s Minneapolis office and spent the past decade as a leader in the firm’s healthcare practice, where he helped guide business strategy, new product development and commercial operations for Fortune 500 healthcare companies. Miller has experience leading corporate strategies with a focus on growth and innovation. Fred earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago, where he was a Kemper Fellow. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics summa cum laude from DePauw University where he was a National Merit Scholar. 
jessie szopinski
program assistant, global development Jessie Szopinski is a program assistant, providing support to GHR’s Children in Families and Sister Support Initiatives. She helps manage the grant process and provides overall administrative support for the initiatives. Prior to joining GHR, Jessie served for 12 year at Common Hope, an organization partnering with families in Guatemala to provide holistic programs of education, health care, housing and social services. At Common Hope, she oversaw the Sponsorship Program in the United States by maintaining relationships with over 2,500 individual donors and by working closely with staff in Guatemala. Jessie earned her bachelor’s degree in sign language interpreting from St. Catherine’s University. 
jen lynch
Office Manager Jen Lynch is a foundation administrator for Opus Foundation. In this role, she provides executive level administrative services to the foundation team to support impactful grantmaking, good governance and effective and efficient operations. Jen also serves as office manager for GHR Foundation, providing high quality facilities management, human resources and client services support. In this role she manages service agreements, IT and other service contracts, serves the FCAC and other committees as well as manages special projects as needed. Prior to joining GHR, Jen served as operations director for an environmental advocacy organization focused on Minnesota. Lynch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from St. Cloud State University. 
kathleen mahoney
senior program officer, global development Kathleen Mahoney, Ph.D., leads GHR Foundation’s Sister Support Initiative, supporting efforts to strengthen congregations of women religious in the United States and Africa in their spiritual witness and service to those in need. Working with partners from around the globe, the Sister Support Initiative focuses on developing young leaders, building membership, and developing resources for congregational well-being and advancement. Mahoney is the recent past president of Porticus North America Foundation, where her portfolio included global work with Catholic sisters. She has held academic posts at Washington University in St. Louis, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis and the Lynch School of Education at Boston College, where she founded the Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education. She has served on the boards of the Cristo Rey Network, L’Arche USA and the Louisville Institute. Kathleen was a Spencer Dissertation Fellow and a National Academy of Education Postdoctoral Fellow. She earned a doctorate in education from the University of Rochester and degrees from the University of Toronto and the University of Notre Dame. 
manisha bharti
Chief of Strategy and Programs Manisha Bharti is GHR Foundation’s chief of strategy and programs, as well as a member of GHR’s management team. In this role, Manisha oversees the evolution and implementation of each of the Foundation’s program strategies along with efforts to track, analyze and measure results and knowledge emerging from GHR’s grant-making. She also leads on several critical foundation partnerships. Manisha was previously chief strategy officer of FHI 360, a leading global development implementation organization. She was a member of the executive leadership team and oversaw the corporate strategy, partnerships, communications and business development functions. Prior to her 11-year tenure at FHI 360, Manisha served a number of foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Foundation, in addition to working at McKinsey & Company, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS and the Canadian Government. Manisha earned two masters’ degrees in business administration and public health from Johns Hopkins University and completed an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree at Harvard University in social studies. 
Meg Gehlen Nodzon
Senior Program Officer, Education Meg Gehlen Nodzon is a senior program officer for GHR Foundation’s education program, focused on closing the achievement gap by strengthening urban Catholic schools and funding high-quality, values-based higher education. She also oversees the foundation’s Solutions program, providing capacity-building grants across GHR’s grantees. At GHR, Meg’s major accomplishments include implementing the first three Catholic STEM schools in the Twin Cities, creating a private school management network and bringing a program from Boston College to the Twin Cities that addresses out of school needs of students. She has also presented her research and GHR’s grantmaking approach at various conferences. Meg currently chairs the governance committee serves of Cookie Cart, is vice-president on the University of St. Thomas Alumni Board of Directors and is the immediate-past chair of the University of St. Thomas College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors. She also chairs a task force on national the Catholic Schools affinity group with FADICA (Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities). Prior to joining GHR in 2013, she served as Director of Development at MacPhail Center for Music and held various positions at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Meg earned a master’s degree from Hamline University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of St. Thomas. 
Suzanne Flannigan
Chief Financial Officer Suzanne Flannigan is the chief financial officer of GHR Foundation. She previously served Adler Management, L.L.C., as chief financial officer and vice president, and as controller. Suzanne has served Opus Group companies in various capacities since 1998. Before joining Adler, she served Opus Corporation as an enterprise resource planning implementation manager. She previously served Opus South Corporation as controller. She began her career in the audit department of Arthur Andersen. Suzanne is a certified public accountant and earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in accounting from the University of South Florida. 
varshil parikh
investment analyst Varshil Parikh is an investment analyst at GHR. He manages external vendor relationships and due diligence infrastructure, supporting the investment teams sourcing and due diligence of new and existing investment strategies and helping maintain documents and investment department research output. Varshil graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2020, where he worked as a Teaching Assistant for the Finance Trading lab at UT Dallas. Varshil was also the President of The Graduate Financial Management Council at UT Dallas. He moved to the United States in 2019 after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in commerce from Gujarat University in India. He interned at a CPA firm in India as a Lead Intern where he worked in the field of audit, accounting & taxation. |
Amy Weiser
Accounting Manager Amy Weiser is the accounting manager at GHR, providing accounting services and financial management to GHR Foundation and foundation investment partnership clients. She maintains philanthropy accounting books and records, prepares reports and assists the Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting. Prior to joining GHR Foundation, Amy worked as a senior accountant for Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, a national accounting firm. She was responsible for preparing and reviewing a variety of tax forms with a focus on private foundation tax, trust and estate income tax and family partnerships for her clients, as well as financial reporting for private foundations. Amy is a certified public accountant and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from Metropolitan State University. 
Cassie Bean
program associate Cassie Bean is a Program Associate at GHR Foundation. She is currently providing coordination and leadership in design, strategy, and learning to inform the new Twin Cities Racial Equity initiative. Additionally, Cassie provides support to the Education Initiative. In this role, she manages the grants process, evaluation, operations, and assists in strategic programming efforts for Higher Education and Catholic Schools initiatives. Prior to joining GHR, Cassie served in leadership roles in higher education where her work centered on internationalization efforts and interculturalism. To this end, her work sat at the intersection of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, programming and assessment, advising, advocacy, and management. Most recently, she worked as the Manager of Student Services at MacPhail Center for Music, where she was managed operations of the Student Service Center across all sites and provided support and leadership to organization wide efforts such as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. Cassie currently serves on the Board of the International Institute of Minnesota. She earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a graduate certificate in International Development from the University of St. Thomas, where she also completed her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies. 
jason matz
chief investment officer Jason serves GHR Foundation as chief investment officer. He is responsible for developing and implementing an investment strategy that is integrated with and supportive of GHR’s design-build approach to philanthropy in the areas of global development, education and health. Prior to joining GHR, Jason served for a dozen years as Carleton College’s first chief investment officer. At Carleton, Jason was charged with building an investment and operations team, developing and implementing a new asset allocation framework, and partnering with high quality investment managers to develop the portfolio. He worked closely with Carleton’s investment committee to leverage their investment and organizational expertise. Jason was recognized for his work at Carleton in 2015 when Institutional Investor magazine named him endowment manager of the year for smaller institutions. Prior to joining Carleton, Jason was the director of global equity research at investment consulting firm Jeffrey Slocum & Associates, Inc. where he worked with many different types of clients to develop their equity portfolios. Previously, Jason was an investment analyst at the Minnesota State Board of Investment where he managed the fixed income and equity portfolios, respectively. Jason currently sits on the Investment Committees at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and Benilde-St. Margaret’s, where he is also a board member. Jason is a past board member and treasurer of Wilderness Inquiry. Jason earned a master’s degree in finance from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston University. 
kate seng
senior director, higher education Kate Seng oversees GHR’s higher education funding, including grants to the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health at St. Catherine University, the Opus College of Business at University of St. Thomas, and the Opus College of Engineering at Marquette University. Kate also manages GHR’s client relationships, oversees family engagement, and supports GHR’s governance work. Prior to joining GHR Foundation, Kate served as consultant for the Minnesota Community Foundation, the Saint Paul Foundation, Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation and others. She was a senior manager at the Greater Twin Cities United Way, where she developed and managed community-wide initiatives focused on affordable housing, workforce development and anti-racism efforts. Seng was the district director for Minnesota’s Congressman Bruce Vento, where she directed the Congressman’s Minnesota efforts. Kate earned a master's degree in public affairs from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota and a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Catherine’s University. 
kerry medek
senior program officer Kerry Medek is Senior Program Officer at GHR Foundation, an independent philanthropy of service to people and their limitless potential for good. As lead of GHR’s newest initiative, Kerry works with faith networks to re-imagine what’s possible on the most pressing issues of our time. Alongside partners, she pursues impact by developing a culture of asking questions and supporting experimentation and creativity. Kerry also serves as Secretary to GHR’s Board and as a board member of PEAK Grantmaking. Before joining GHR, Kerry was a governance coordinator at the Minnesota State Bar Association, where she managed communications for 21 district bar associations across the state. She also coordinated refugee programs for Catholic Charities of Tennessee, managing a multi-year program serving newly arrived refugees. Her experience includes community and corporate relations, volunteer recruitment, grant writing, program development and financial management. Kerry is active with the Minnesota Chapter of Grant Managers Network and serves as director of the board at the national level. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. 
mark guy
Senior Program Officer, Global Development Mark Guy is a senior program officer for GHR Foundation’s global development program with a focus on child welfare systems strengthening and keeping children in family- and community-based settings, as well as supporting GHR's BridgeBuilder program. A global development professional with over 13 years of experience, Mark previously split his time between GHR and its sister foundation, Better Way Foundation, leading the development of multiple early childhood development partnerships in seven different Native American communities, as well as overseeing partnerships with various local non-profit organizations in Tanzania and Lesotho. Prior to his time in philanthropy, Mark served as the Africa regional coordinator for the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program at PATH, a global health non-profit organization based in Seattle. His primary responsibilities included managing a portfolio of WASH initiatives in multiple East African countries, expanding the reach of WASH innovations into additional geographies. Mark’s experience includes strategic planning, partnership development, international program management and evaluation, non-profit collaboration, and community development. Mark’s non-profit career began with his volunteer service as a math and physical science teacher for WorldTeach at a junior secondary boarding school outside of Gobabis, Namibia. Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from St. Olaf College. 
Molly Dwyer
Executive Assistant Molly Dwyer provides executive administrative assistance to the chief of strategy and program and strategy and director of strategy & learning. Molly coordinates activities and schedules across the leadership team, provides administrative support to the program team and supports the Program and Results Committee. Prior to joining GHR Foundation, Molly served as an executive assistant to the CEO and office manager for The Waters Senior Living and Shelter Corporation. She previously worked as an executive assistant to the vice president of Target Corporation. Molly earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Augsburg College. 
nancy phomphackdy
receptionist & administrative assistant Nancy Phomphackdy is the receptionist and administrative assistant for GHR Foundation, supporting the Communications, Investment and Accounting/Finance teams. She provides backup support to the foundation's overall needs, as well as administrative support to Enkel Foundation. Prior to joining GHR Foundation, Nancy served as a receptionist and administrative assistant for the Vice President of Home and Community Based Services and the Vice President of Business Development at Benedictine Health System. 
ritt kong
grants management associate Ritt Kong is grants management associate as GHR Foundation. In this role, he provides support to ensure grantmaking operations, systems and data support the mission and strategic goals of the Foundation. Ritt began his career at MicroEdge, as a pre-sales solutions architect, and was then a solutions engineer at Blackbaud. He managed the internal company product databases and was the subject matter expert for the grantmaking solution. He also worked in the corporations and foundations vertical as a solutions engineer, providing product demonstrations to foundations, corporations and non-profits, as well supporting the sales team. Ritt earned his bachelor’s of science degree in Biology at the University of Minnesota. |
