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

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.

Email Joe

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.

Jessica Petrie, Director of Marketing and Communications

About Jessica
Jessica came to the museum in September 2020 from Maccabee Public Relations, where she was the Director of Digital Communications for the agency. Prior to that, she spent nearly four years as the Public Relations Manager for the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, overseeing all internal and external communications for the organization. With more than a decade of experience in marketing and communications, she 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. Jessica lives in Northeast Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters and two cats. Outside of work, she 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.

Jessica Turgeon, Director of Experiences

About Jessica
Jess started working at the museum as a part-time cashier more than 20 years ago. She has had many roles since then but has always been passionate about the visitor experience. Currently, she is responsible for the “fun” part of the museum – the creation and implementation of the exhibits and experiences on the floor. Jess has bachelor’s degrees in English and Russian, and a masters of business administration from Carlson School of Management. When she is not working, Jess can usually be found with a book.

Board of Directors

Officers

Suzette Huovinen, Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company
Drew Zinkel, MD, Chair Elect, Director of Emergency Medicine at University of Minnesota, M Health Fairview
Michael Fiddelke, Past Chair, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Target
Matt Brown, Treasurer, Partner, Tax Services, Lurie, LLP
Kate McRoberts, Secretary, Managing Partner, Fathom Consulting

Board Members

Santiago Abraham, Chief Information Officer, OptumRx

Kelly Axtell, Director, Sales and Service Enablement, Eastspring Investments

Debra Bauler, CIO, Cargill Protein and Salt

Frank Bedo, Senior Vice President, eCommerce & Health, Best Buy

David Benedict, Senior Director, EY Parthenon

Tricia Brackeen, Vice President Finance, Internal Audit, Polaris Industries

Jennifer Bratton, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group

Tony Brown, Director, Risk Assurance, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Adrian Chiu, Executive Vice President, CHRO & Chief Transformation Officer, Pentair

Elizabeth Cummings, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Grady Davis, Vice President Global Commercial Marketing, Structural Heart, Medtronic

Ken Hanley, Vice President Research & Development, 3M

John Henningsgard, Managing Director, Piper Sandler & Co

Bryan Hollaway, Net Zero Cloud Capability Lead, Slalom

Carmen Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer, Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media

Julie Joyce, Chief Corporate Actuary, Travelers

Jeanne Junker, Senior Vice President, ARO Retail Operations, Renewal by Andersen

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

Chris Kelley, President & Senior Portfolio Manager, Compass Capital

Jim Mancini, Vice President, C.H. Robinson

Jillian McAdams, Change Management Consultant, ATR International

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

Clayton O’Toole, Partner, McKinsey & Company Inc

Gail Peterson, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Ecolab

Scott Peterson, Vice President Hospitality & Residential Development, United Properties

Andrea Piepho, Director, Capital Management, Thrivent Financial

Elisa Rasmussen, Manager Community Relations and Foundation, Xcel Energy

Elizabeth Rominski, Parent

Nicole Sever, Managing Director & Market Executive, Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank

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

Cassidy Steiner, Elementary Teacher, Blake School

Robert Wollan, Managing Director, Accenture (retired)

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