Mounds View Schools Education Foundation

Executive Committee

Board of Trustees
Graeme Allen
Graeme has been a Trustee since 2009 and currently serves as Secretary.

Josh Collins
Josh Collins lives in New Brighton with his wife and three children, who attend Bel Air Elementary School. Josh works for the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority and is responsible for communications, marketing and social media. He also manages the public art program for the Union Depot restoration project. In 2011, Josh returned to Minnesota after five years in Portland, Ore., where he worked for the regional public transit agency. Prior to that, Josh directed public affairs for the Minneapolis Public Schools and coordinated communications during the design, construction and start-up of the Hiawatha Line. Josh has a bachelor's degree in psychology fromMacalester College and a master's degree in strategic communications from the University of Oregon.

Kathleen Connolly
Kathleen Connolly is a Microsoft Certified Technician and manages Connolly Computer Consulting, LLC. She is also a higher education tutor for chemistry and manages the physical sciences labs at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Kathleen has served as a technology consultant for the Foundation since 2004 and has been a Trustee since 2007. Kathleen currently resides in New Brighton and has two daughters who have graduated from the Mounds View Schools.

Susan Deters
Susan Deters has worked at Land O'Lakes Inc. for 27 years and has served as the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation gambling manager for 12 years. Susan got involved with the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation when she was invited to help organize the "Fun Run." She joined the Board and assisted former gambling manager, Jerry McCauley, until his retirement when she received her license and took over full responsibilities. Susan enjoys working with the establishment owners, patrons and employees and appreciates that the money is invested in the Mounds View Public Schools.

Sharron FitzGerald
Sharron FitzGerald has been a resident of Shoreview since 1991 and joined the Board of Trustees in 1995. She has three children who attended Mounds View Schools and her husband, Randy Herman, is a graduate of Mounds View High School. Sharron has served as Vice President, President of the Foundation, and Secretary. She has chaired many of the committees, including the Allocations and Signature Committees, and has been a member of the Gambling Committee since 1996.

Connie Foote
Connie Foote, former President of the Board of Trustees, has been a district resident since 1992. Her daughter is a graduate of Mounds View High School and her son is currently a senior there. She holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and is a Licensed Psychologist. Connie is a former member of the Donor Advisory Council at the Saint Paul Foundation. She has been a trustee since 2006.

Karen Kozen-Lien
Karen Kozen-Lien holds an Ed.D degree in Organizational Learning and Development from the University of St. Thomas. She is Associate Director of the M.A. in Special Education program, adjunct Associate Professor and Student Teacher Supervisor - all at St. Mary's University. Karen's professional experience includes serving as a Special Education Coordinator, Principal intern, Special Education Teacher, Elementary Teacher and Primary Care Counselor. Karen has been an ISD #621 resident for 44 years, graduating from Mounds View High School (1981) and has served in various volunteer capacities including two years as PTA co-president for Island Lake Elementary and two years as chair for the district elementary PTA President's Council. Karen is currently the Vice President of the Foundation.

Mandy Little
Mandy is a licensed (LACD) alcohol/drug counselor and has worked in the district for 30 years as the Chemical Dependency Resource before becoming a 9th Grade Advisor and a Dean. In 2008 Mandy became the Safe Schools Healthy Student Grant Coordinator for the district.

Jim Ostlund
Jim Ostlund is Senior Vice President of Park Midway Bank and has been a trustee 2009. He currently serves as Treasurer. Jim lives in the Mounds View School District and has served on several non-profit boards.

Lee Porath
Lee Porath started teaching in the Mounds View School District in 1967 and retired 41 years later in 2008. Most of those years were spent teaching in grades 4, 5, and 6. Lee taught high performance math to grades 3, 4, and 5 during the last ten years. Lee was also a driver education teacher for many years and taught almost a thousand students to drive. During his tenure with the school district, Lee served on many different school district and community wide committees and served as a founding member on the first 621 Foundation Board of Directors.

Brian Strub
Brian Strub joined the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation in 2008 and currently serves as President. He earned his master's degree in political science from American University in Washington, DC and his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, MN where he majored in political science and minored in mass communications. Brian works for the Minnesota State Arts Board. He and his family live in New Brighton. They are parents of a student at Bel Air Elementary School.

Colleen Wambach
Colleen Wambach was a special education teacher and administrator for the Mounds View Public Schools for 34 years. She retired from her role as Irondale High School Principal on June 30, 2009. Colleen is currently working part-time as a principal mentor and educational consultant, allowing her to maintain strong ties to this educational community.

Dan Westerman
Dan Westerman is a trial attorney in private practice and has a B.A. from St. John's University in Government and Economics. Dan and his family moved to the district in 2006, and he has two children attending Mounds View Schools. Dan currently serves on the Environmental Quality Committee for the City of Shoreview and has served on the boards of other non-profit organizations.

Staff

Mindy Handberg
Executive Director, Mounds View Schools Education Foundation
Mindy.handberg@moundsviewschools.org
651-621-7477
Mindy has more than 20 years of experience working the areas of community relations and public affairs. She has expertise in building strong partnerships and relationships between corporate and nonprofit organizations. Mindy and her husband live in Shoreview and have three children attending the Mounds View Schools.

District Liaisons

Dan Hoverman
Superintendent, Mounds View Public Schools
Dan Hoverman's career with the Mounds View School District spans 32 years of management experience at all school levels, including positions as school psychologist, special education director, executive director of curriculum and deputy superintendent. Dan Hoverman holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin River Falls and a Special Degree in Education Leadership from the University of St. Thomas.

Bob Helgeson
Bob Helgeson is a Language Arts teacher in ISD 196 at Apple Valley High School. He has taught at Apple Valley High School for 23 years. His teaching experience includes Hastings High School, Marist Sisters' College-Woolwich, Sydney, NSW Australia, and the University of Iowa. Bob received his undergraduate degree from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, a master's degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Bob is committed to forging a close and meaningful link between the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation and the School District, one through which the Foundation is best able to apply its resources strategically in concert with District efforts to serve the needs of all learners.