Jeff Tollefson

Executive Director
e-mail

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 Director

e-mail

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.

ANDREA SATTER

Development Director

e-mail

Andrea joins Genesys Works as Development Director. She brings over 20 years of experience in fundraising, relationship management, sales, and recruiting in the private and nonprofit sectors. As a development professional, she has raised funds for literary arts, youth programs, college scholarships, and family health programs. Andrea is a current student at Minneapolis Community and Technical College where she is working towards completing her bachelor’s degree. Andrea has served in a variety of leadership roles with area nonprofits and is currently the chair of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation.

Joel Crandall

Program Manager

e-mail

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 Manager

e-mail

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.

Blenda Chiu

Program Manager

e-mail

Blenda comes to Genesys Works as a Program Manager 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.

Jackie Jacobs

Program Coordinator

e-mail

Before joining Genesys Works, Jackie was a Recruiting Associate with Youthworks, a local non-profit that provides life-changing, missions experiences for students ages 12-19. Jackie has also volunteered with Youth Enterprise tutoring and mentoring at-risk high school students. She has a BS in Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Education from Augsburg College.

Mai Youa Moua

Program Coordinator

e-mail

Prior to joining Genesys Works, Mai Youa completed two terms of service with AmeriCorps as a high school coach at Central High School through Admission Possible. There she assisted 41 economically disadvantaged high school students through the college, financial aid, and transition to college processes. Mai Youa also worked as a research assistant for the Linguistics and Cognitive Science department at Dartmouth College and the Psychology department at Macalester College, from which she earned her B.A. in Psychology and Asian Studies with a focus on Chinese culture and language.