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

Briana Geurink, Vice President of Philanthropy

About Briana

Briana joined the museum in August 2019. Prior to joining the museum, she served as vice president of advancement at Opportunity Partners and oversaw the annual giving program at Animal Humane Society. Briana is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and an active leader in advancing philanthropy, serving as the Minnesota President for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2018 and currently serving on the organization’s Board of Directors. Briana’s favorite way to play is gardening with her kids (for the few months when weather allows!).

Email Briana

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

Jessica Turgeon, Vice President of Museum Experience

About Jessica
Jess joined the museum more than 25 years ago as a part-time cashier. Since then, she has taken on a variety of roles, all of which she has infused with a passion for ensuring a fun and rewarding visitor experience. Jess served as project manager for the museum’s $30 million expansion and renovation, completed in 2017. She now oversees museum exhibits, visitor services and facilities, as well as the museum’s robust traveling exhibits business. Jess has bachelor’s degrees in English and Russian, and a Master of Business Administration from Carlson School of Management. When she is not working, Jess can usually be found immersed in a good book.

Email Jessica

Allison Gredesky, Director of Talent Resources

About Allison
Allison joined the museum in November 2012. She holds over 20 years of experience in the field of human resources at nonprofit, private and for-profit organizations. As director of talent resources, she oversees the human resources and volunteer programs departments. She is passionate about leading a team in creating a culture that fosters inclusion and high engagement for staff, interns and volunteers. Allison’s favorite way to play is with her gym community slinging barbells and taking on the latest burpee challenge, both of which feed two important powers of play – coordination and confidence.

Michelle Blodgett, Director of Experiences

About Michelle

Michelle has been with the museum for more than 25 years and considers herself a lifelong experience maker. She began her career at the museum as a Visitor Assistant and quickly moved into programs, transforming the museum’s visitor offerings. Michelle has held numerous positions and led various projects, including serving as the lead developer on three galleries during the capital expansion, Smart Play Spots and the Creativity Jam prototypes.

Outside the museum, Michelle has held the roles of gallery director at the College of Visual Arts, art education coordinator at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center and lead toddler teacher at the University of St. Thomas. She holds a bachelor of arts in arts management with a minor in education and a master’s in human development with a focus on creativity. Michelle is a passionate artist and can often be found teaching the art of paper marbling at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts or working in her studio.

Jessica Petrie, Director of Marketing and Communications

About Jessica

Jessica joined the museum in September 2020 after working as the Director of Digital Communications for an integrated marketing communications agency. Prior to that, she oversaw all internal and external communications for the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, one of the largest nonprofit performing arts centers in the country.

With more than a decade of experience in marketing and communications, Jessica has a passion for helping organizations use social media, online content and other digital communications tools to tell their stories and authentically connect with people. Outside of work, Jessica is a big supporter of the arts, loves exploring the city with her family and hopes to someday visit every national park in the country.

Fola Tiamiyu, Director of Finance and Technology

About Fola
Fola joined the museum in November 2020 as a seasoned accounting and finance executive with more than 20 years of experience. She was the Associate Controller at Augsburg University, where she has been responsible for cash management, accounting, financial reporting, audits and investment management. Fola’s prior roles included Controller at Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation and Financial Manager at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. She holds a master’s degree in management information systems. Away from work, Fola enjoys listening to all kinds of music and stays busy with her daughters.

Board of Directors

Officers

Drew Zinkel, MD, Chair of the Board, Sr Executive Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, University of MN Medical Center

Adrian Chiu, Chair Elect, Executive Vice President and President, Water Solutions, Pentair

Suzette Huovinen, Past Chair, President, CEO and Chair, Securian Asset Management

Matt Brown, Treasurer, Partner, EisnerAmper

Julie Joyce, Secretary, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Actuary, Travelers

Board Members

Debra Bauler, Vice President of Global IT, Dow

David Benedict, Senior Director, EY Parthenon

Tricia Brackeen, Vice President Internal Audit, Polaris Industries

Will Brady, Senior Vice President Quality and Performance Improvement for Medicare and Medicaid, United Healthcare

Robin Cerio, Director, School Board, Independent School District 196

Elizabeth Cummings, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Dexter Davis, Vice President Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Ecolab

Grady Davis, Senior Vice President Global Marketing, Market Access & Commercial Partnerships, Beckman Coulter

Jessica Ehrlichmann, Vice President & General Manager, Andersen Division Windows & Doors Business Units

Stephen Friend, Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Investments, Thrivent Financial

Kate Gaio, Elementary Instructional Coach, Wayzata Public Schools

Nicole Garrison, Senior Director, Global Employer Brand, RBC
Ken Hanley, Vice President Research & Development, 3M

John Henningsgard, Managing Director, Piper Sandler & Co

Bryan Hollaway, Senior Principal, Slalom

Mark Hubler, President and CEO, Johnson Brothers

Andrea Jaffee, Strategic Partnership Development Manager, RBC Global Asset Management

Su Ryeon Kang, Graduate Student, Arts and Cultural Leadership Program, University of Minnesota

Bonita Lucky, Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, CH Robinson

 

Lariss Maldonado, General Counsel, LifeSource

Jim Mancini, Vice President, C.H. Robinson

Kate McRoberts, Managing Partner, Fathom Consulting

Katie Milliken, Strategy Director, Corporate Strategy & Development, Cargill, Inc.

Derek Naill, Director, Senior Private Banker, BMO Private Bank

Ben Ollendick, Regional Managing Director, Ascent Private Capital Management of US Bank

Clayton O’Toole, Partner, McKinsey & Company Inc

Scott Peterson, Vice President of Hospitality & Office Development, United Properties

Andrea Piepho, 2nd VP Life and Annuity Product Development, Securian Financial

Marcus Ploeger, Partner, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Elisa Rasmussen, Senior Manager Community Relations, Xcel Energy

Nadia Siddiqui, Vice President of Advancement, The Women’s Foundation of MN

Gada Simeso, Vice President, Best Buy

Kimberlee Sinclair, Vice President, Digital Customer Experience, H.B. Fuller

Sara Swenson, Director, Goff Public

Adrienne Todd, Director, Target Corp

Clarise Tushie-Lessard, Senior Vice President Communications, Bremer Bank

Cody Warren, Director of Financial Planning & Sr Wealth Advisor, Carlson Capital Management

Harlee Wood, Senior Talent Development Systems Specialist, Patterson Companies

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