Board of Directors & Staff
Board of Directors
Chair: Anne Dresen, Friends of Saint Paul College
Vice Chair: Barry Kempton, Schubert Club
Treasurer: Kyle Beeson, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Secretary: Taffy Jones, Hennepin County
Executive Director: Jonathan Palmer (ex-officio)
- Rebecca Bernhard, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- O’Disha Fields, Xcel Energy
- Simon K. Gyasi, Bremer Bank
- Deborah Isabelle, 3M
- Briana K. Joyner, Minnesota Historical Society
- Adrienne Matthews, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
- Jaime Slaughter-Acey, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
- Allyson Tróchez, University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
- Dr. Kenneth Turner, Benjamin E. Mays IB World School
Staff Leadership Team
Jonathan Palmer is the sixth Executive Director for Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc. (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; and Executive Director of the Jordan Area Community Council. He serves on the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations, including MDI, the Summit University Planning Council, Convergence Events, Inc. (President), 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 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 Director of Family Services, overseeing the Early Learning Center, Youth Enrichment Program, Food Shelf, and Clothing Closet. Angie is responsible for staff recruitment, retention, management and oversight of the suite of Educational and Basic Needs Programs in the Center. Over nine 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.
