Executive Team & Board of Directors

Minnesota Children’s Museum Executive Team

Dianne Krizan, President

About Dianne

Dianne has led the museum since 2010. Under her leadership, the museum launched and completed a $30 million expansion and renovation of the flagship location in downtown St. Paul. During her tenure, the museum has opened a satellite in Rochester, installed literacy-based exhibits in libraries across the state and increased scholarship memberships for low-income families.

Dianne has a bachelor of science in chemical engineering and a master of public affairs from the University of Minnesota. She focused the first 18 years of her career on research and development, including director of innovation at General Mills. Prior to joining the museum, she led fundraising efforts as managing director of development at Minnesota Public Radio and its national affiliates. Dianne’s favorite ways to play involve golf and photography.

Email Dianne

Barbara Hahn, Vice President of Growth and Innovation

About Barbara

Barbara joined the museum in 2012. She leads strategic growth initiatives, including the museum’s best-in-class traveling exhibits business and the museum’s family learning initiatives. She brings more than 30 years of strategic partnership, business development and product management experience across the financial services, technology and non-profit sectors. Previously, Barbara led strategic projects as the director of business development at the National Institute on Media and the Family.

Barbara earned an MBA from New York University and a bachelor of arts from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She enjoys “working vacations,” co-leading experiential design/build workshops for architecture and design students with her architect husband — and loves long bike trips pretty much anywhere.

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Bob Ingrassia, Vice President of External Relations

About Bob

Bob joined the museum in 2014, bringing more than 20 years of communications, marketing and digital media experience. He oversees the marketing, communications and sales departments, leading efforts that drive attendance and membership while engaging parents in the power of play. He also plays a leading role in analyzing and forecasting attendance and revenue trends.

Prior to joining the museum, Bob led accounts at an integrated marketing agency in Minneapolis and served as a reporter and editor at news organizations in St. Paul, New York City and Dallas. Bob earned a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota. Fun fact: Bob’s “other car” is a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda convertible.

Email Bob

Laura Nichols-Endres, Vice President of Development

About Laura

Laura joined the museum in 2012. She leads the development team to raise more than $2 million each year to support the museum’s mission and ensure access for families in our community. She has 20 years of fundraising experience, raising more than $20 million in support for in arts and cultural organizations.

Prior to joining the museum, Laura worked with the Minnesota Orchestral Association and the American Composers Forum. Laura earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Hamline University and a bachelor’s degree in music and literature from Coe College. She is a member of Saint Paul Rotary, chairs the finance & stewardship committee for her church and is the treasurer of her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop. Her favorite escapes from Minnesota winters are the sunny hills of San Diego County and enjoying the food and music of New Orleans.

Email Laura

Joe Olson, Vice President of Museum Experience

About Joe

Joe has more than 20 years’ experience at the museum in various leadership roles in visitor services and building operations. He oversees visitor experiences, visitor services, security, facilities and housekeeping.

Prior to coming to the museum, Joe spent 15 years in customer service management and merchandising in the retail industry. He is a University of Minnesota graduate. Joe is not a huge animal lover, yet somehow he wound up with two cats, two dogs, and a bunch of fish. He spends his free time plotting out extended road trips that he sometimes actually gets to take.

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Craig Warren, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions

About Craig

Craig, who joined the museum in 2018, leads organization-wide functions that provide services and solutions which enable staff to do their best work, take on bold projects and expand the museum’s impact. He brings over 20 years of strategic planning, service delivery, and consulting experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Previously, Craig was chief operating officer at Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Craig earned a master of arts from the University of Chicago and a bachelor of arts from The Johns Hopkins University. He serves on the East Side Neighborhood Services board of directors and also volunteers as a senior advisor to New Sector Alliance. Craig is a native of New Jersey (please don’t ask which exit!) who enjoys cycling and family road trips.

Email Craig

Board of Directors

Officers

Paul Dzubnar, Chair
President & CEO, Hightop Hospitability, LLC

Michael Fiddelke, Chair Elect and Treasurer
Senior Vice President, Transitions, Target

Ann Ferreira, Secretary
Partner, Lake Country Capital

Board Members

Siyad Abdullahi, President & CEO, The Language Banc, Inc. and Pro-Health Care, Inc.

Will Au-Yeung, Vice President, Finance, Off-Road/Snow Vehicles, Polaris

Kelly Axtell, Business Manager – U.S. Distribution, RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc.

Kevin Balon, Senior Vice President, Large Product Fulfillment, Best Buy

Robert Befidi, Head of Strategy & Business Development, 3M Health Care Business Group

Jennifer Bratton, Partner & Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group

Ken Brown, Commissioner, Olmsted County Board of Commissioners

Tony Brown, Director – Risk Assurance, PricewaterhouseCoopers

James Burroughs II, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Children’s Hospital Minnesota

Adrian Chiu, Vice President, HR Technology & Operations, Pentair

Steve Christenson, Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs & Associate General Counsel, Ecolab

Elizabeth Cummings, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Chad Dayton, Outdoor Education Consultant, Owner – Outdoor Solutions, LLC

Gerald Denson, Vice President, Value-Added Services, Brenntag North America

Liz Deziel, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, U.S. Bank

Lisa Posley Duff, Photographer

Ray Faust, General Manager, Publishing & Entertainment Vertical, Resonate

Albino Feijo, Vice President, Operational Excellence, Target

HT Fish, Private Citizen

Amy Giovanini, Strategic Marketing Consultant, G&S Insights

Abbey Godlewski, VP/Private Client Associate, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management

Suzette Huovinen, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Actuary, Securian

Julie Joyce, Vice President & Actuary, Travelers

Michael Kaphing, Shareholder, Briggs & Morgan

Chris Kelley, Senior Portfolio Manager, Compass Capital

Phil Krump, Managing Director & Market Executive, Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank

John Marshall, Director of Community Relations, Minnesota, Xcel Energy

James Momon, Senior Director of Global Culture & Inclusion, General Mills

Jim Mulrooney, Vice President/Relationship Team Lead, Wells Fargo Government and Institutional Banking

Tim Noel, CFO & Senior Vice President, Federal Products, UnitedHealthcare

Gail Peterson, Vice President Global Marketing Healthcare, Ecolab

Elizabeth Rominski, Parent

Susan Oberman Smith, Chief Actuary and VP of Product Development and Management, Thrivent Financial

Cassidy Steiner, Elementary Teacher

Katharine Tinucci, Senior Vice President, MZA+Co

Robert Wollan, Global Managing Director, Accenture Strategy – Advanced Customer Strategy/CRM, Accenture

Dr. Drew Zinkel, Associate Medical Director for Quality, HealthPartners

Minnesota Children’s Museum 2017-18 Rochester Community Board

Melissa Brinkman, CEO, Custom Alarm

Elaine Case, Independent Civic and Community Professional

Darcy Elmer, VP-Wealth Management Advisor, Bremer Bank

Loree Flick, Chief Enthusiast at Enthusiastic Events, LLC

Shelley Henry, Director of Stewardship and Recognition, Mayo Clinic

Ken Brown, County Commissioner

Carla Nelson, Minnesota State Senate

Christopher Wendland, Shareholder & Attorney, Wendland Utz,Ltd. Law Firm.

Kim Norton, Community Leader

Christi Jorde, Director of Marketing and Membership, Somerby Golf Club

Sean Ryan, Project Manager, Ryan Companies

Tim Deutsch, General Manager, Pace International

Joselyn Raymundo, Owner and Founder, Rochester Home Infusion

Angie Bowman-Malloy, Co-Owner, Midwest Flooring Solutions

Paul Jewison, VP of Textile Care Services and Co-inventor, OMNI Solutions

Shruthi Naik, VP Comparative Oncology, Vyriad Inc