Jonathan Palmer is the sixth Executive Director for HQB with 25 years of experience in public and nonprofit management and leadership. Prior to HQB, Jonathan served as the Director of the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone (EZ), a federally-funded community renewal initiative through the Department of Housing and Urban Development administered by the City of Minneapolis. He serves on the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations, including MDI, the Summit University Planning Council, and the International Clan MacFarlane Society (Director of Gatherings).

Jonathan is a graduate of Morehouse College where he received his BA in Psychology with a minor in Theatre and is completing an MA in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In 2021, he received the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)’s Outstanding Servant Leadership Award presented by the Saint Paul Roy Wilkins Chapter of the NAACP. Prior to that, in 2018, he received proclamations from the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the Mayor of the City of Saint Paul for a decade of service with HQB and restoring and preserving this historic community institution. Among his other awards are being named one of the inaugural Heroes of the Rondo Commemorative Plaza (2017) and the Sullivan Ballou award for his work on Project Superhero (2014).

Angie Goettl, M.Ed., is the Assistant Director of Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, overseeing the Early Learning Center, Youth Enrichment Program, Food Shelf, and Clothing Closet, and helping to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. Angie is responsible for staff recruitment, retention, management and oversight of the suite of Educational and Basic Needs Programs in the Center. Over ten years she has overseen tenfold program growth as well as quality improvements earning 4-Star Parent Aware ratings, and has expanded the ELC since her arrival in 2011 to serve toddlers and infants. In 2012, she was recognized by the Minnesota Vikings and the Greater Twin Cities United Way as a Hometown Hero for her work in the ELC. With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, Angie advises Think Small and is a sought-after peer coach for United Way member agencies, having earned numerous career certifications in both practice and training.