Twin Cities Board Of Directors
Rafael Alvarez - Founder, Genesys Works
Allison Barmann - Consultant, McKinsey & Co.
Mike Freeman - Hennepin County Attorney
Nick Hernandez -President and CEO, Aeritae Consulting
Vandy Johnson - VP, Global IT Infrastructure, Medtronic
Michael Jones - CIO, National Marrow Donor Program
Margaret Anderson Kelliher - President, Minnesota High Tech Association
Marty Leestma - Former CEO, Retek Corporation
Deb Morris - Manager, Community Relations and Foundation, Travelers Companies
Mike Rusinko - Managing Director, Accenture Corporation
Tim Showalter-Loch - VP, Strategic Partnerships, Search Institute
Jeff Tollefson - Executive Director, Genesys Works - Twin Cities
Meet our staff
Jeff Tollefson
Executive Director
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Prior to helping establish the Twin Cities program of Genesys Works in early 2008, Jeff was co-founder of Crescendo Ventures, a global venture capital investment management firm with more than $1.1 billion under management and offices in Palo Alto, Minneapolis and London. Before creating Crescendo Ventures in 1998, Jeff was a Vice President in the venture capital group of Investment Advisers, Inc. From 1990 to 1995, he managed the private equity investment portfolios of FBL Financial Group, a NYSE-listed insurance and financial services firm. His private equity career began in 1987 when he helped create and manage a $10 million venture fund for Allied Group Insurance. Upon graduating from the University of Iowa in 1984, his first job was with LaSalle Bank in Chicago. Jeff has served on the board of directors of more than 30 early-stage companies over the course of his business career and is currently a partner and board member of Social Venture Partners of Minnesota, a group dedicated to assisting non-profit organizations addressing the needs of at-risk youth in the Twin Cities.
Beth moncrief
Program Manager
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Beth joined the Genesys Works Team in 2008. As Program Manager, she oversees student programming and recruitment as well as working with partner schools. Prior to coming to Genesys Works, Beth served as an AmeriCorps member for CollegeTracks, a college access program in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she helped first generation college students make their college dreams a reality. She has also served as Legislative Assistant for the Minnesota House of Representatives and taught abroad in South Korea. A graduate of Carleton College, Beth majored in History with a concentration in African Studies.
Blenda Ch
iu
Program Coordinator
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Blenda comes to Genesys Works as a Program Coordinator after two years as a Coach with Admission Possible at Central High School. There she successfully guided a group of 40 students through the college application and financial aid process and helped GW alumni Amanda Moua become a Gate's Millennium Scholar. Blenda has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she also worked as a research assistant in the Psychology department.
Joel Crandall
Program Coordinator
Before joining Genesys Works, Joel was a Project Coordinator with Comm-Works, a global technology integrator and one of the 50 fastest growing private companies in Minnesota. With Comm-Works, Joel helped the information technology staff at different companies in implementing and maintaining technology. Joel also served for four years as an associate pastor with North Minneapolis Christian Fellowship. He has a BA from North Central University and is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity from Bethel Seminary.
Lucas Havens
Program Coordinator
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Lucas spent two years as an Admission Possible coach with Arlington High School and Community of Peace Academy in Saint Paul prior to joining Genesys Works. There, he helped promising students navigate the college application process and secure the financial aid they needed to further their education. Lucas also interned with Coffeehouse Press and served as a Rhetoric Assistant with Carleton College's Summer Writing Program. He graduated summa cum laude from Carleton with a degree in English.
Jackie Jacobs
Program Coordinator
Mai Youa Moua
Krystal Stackhouse
KaShon Austin
Administrative Assistant
KaShon brings a wealth of administrative experience to the Genesys Works team. Most recently KaShon was working as an Executive Assistant and Development Associate with The African AIDS Task Force in Minneapolis. In addition to oversight of office operations, she supports the planning and project efforts of the staff.
David Pickens
Lead IT Instructor
David has primary responsibility for the development and implementation of Genesys Works' IT curriculum in the Twin Cities. He has taught computer and network technology at the college level for more than 13 years and is currently a member of the teaching faculty at Inver Hills Community College. David is a veteran of the U.S. Army and received his B.S. in Pastoral Studies from North Central University. His two passions are technology and youth development, which serve him well as he prepares students for careers in the IT field.
Mayfield Fayose
IT Instructor
Mayfield is a seasoned computer technology teacher, having spent the last 10 years teaching entry-level computer skills at the East Metro OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) on the east side of St. Paul. He has served as a Cisco Networking Academy instructor at Inver Hills Community College and is well-versed in all aspects of network support. Mayfield received his B.S. in Applied Information Technology from Brown College. Born and raised in Ghana, Mayfield's story of how computers changed his life is both inspiring and motivating.
Joe Zwack
IT Instructor
Joe has eight years of Retail IT Experience with Best Buy and Geek Squad. Three of those years was spent perfoming on-site computer repair in local homes and businesses. Joe was part of a similar program to Genesys Works in his High School years where he became CompTIA A+ Certified. Joe brings real world IT experience and stories to his students.
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