Board of Directors 2023-2025
Members of our all-volunteer board come from many different backgrounds and experiences, but they all share the same desire to give students a better chance.
Members of our all-volunteer board come from many different backgrounds and experiences, but they all share the same desire to give students a better chance.
Lisa Nelson, President
Inspired by her community connections, which included ABC board members and host families, Lisa joined the board in 2015. A parent of two sons who attended Edina public schools from K-12, she has volunteered in various ways within the community. Lisa believes the quality of education and leadership opportunities provided by Edina schools could not be offered to a more talented and ambitious group of students than the ABC Scholars.
Inspired by her community connections, which included ABC board members and host families, Lisa joined the board in 2015. A parent of two sons who attended Edina public schools from K-12, she has volunteered in various ways within the community. Lisa believes the quality of education and leadership opportunities provided by Edina schools could not be offered to a more talented and ambitious group of students than the ABC Scholars.
Anne Holt, Secretary
Laura joined the ABC board in Fall of 2022 after learning about the program from a friend. Anne currently works for Clifton, Larson, Allen and has brought her passion for organization and driving organizations forward to the board of Edina ABC. Anne has spearheaded a yard clean up, as well as supports the scholars by taking them to events and assisting with their tutoring.
Laura joined the ABC board in Fall of 2022 after learning about the program from a friend. Anne currently works for Clifton, Larson, Allen and has brought her passion for organization and driving organizations forward to the board of Edina ABC. Anne has spearheaded a yard clean up, as well as supports the scholars by taking them to events and assisting with their tutoring.
Jacob McCray-Reeves, Treasurer
Benjamin Franklin might have been the first to say “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” but Jacob couldn’t agree more - and not just because he studied Accounting and Business at The University of Kansas. Jacob truly believes there is no greater factor in changing one’s life than education. “I’ve seen first-hand the impact a quality education can make in someone’s life and I am humbled to be a small part of that impact Edina ABC is having on its scholars.” Although his background will extend the Board’s financial and accounting depth, he’s most excited to continue the work of ensuring the Edina ABC program provides the best overall experience for its scholars.
Benjamin Franklin might have been the first to say “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” but Jacob couldn’t agree more - and not just because he studied Accounting and Business at The University of Kansas. Jacob truly believes there is no greater factor in changing one’s life than education. “I’ve seen first-hand the impact a quality education can make in someone’s life and I am humbled to be a small part of that impact Edina ABC is having on its scholars.” Although his background will extend the Board’s financial and accounting depth, he’s most excited to continue the work of ensuring the Edina ABC program provides the best overall experience for its scholars.
Jyotsna Magani
A graduate of the Edina High School, "Jojo" grew up with friends that were ABC scholars. She was impressed by the program in high school, and was motivated to provide support once she reconnected with some scholars in 2020. Jojo holds a BA from the U of MN and her masters in Extension Studies and Management from Harvard. She currently works at Dell Technologies as an engineer, and she generously spends down time supporting the organization and the scholars.
A graduate of the Edina High School, "Jojo" grew up with friends that were ABC scholars. She was impressed by the program in high school, and was motivated to provide support once she reconnected with some scholars in 2020. Jojo holds a BA from the U of MN and her masters in Extension Studies and Management from Harvard. She currently works at Dell Technologies as an engineer, and she generously spends down time supporting the organization and the scholars.
Ann Harens, Vice President
Ann has served on the board for nine years. During her time as a student in Edina, she was amazed to see scholars leave their homes to get an education available in her own backyard. She has since witnessed the power of education to enhance the success scholars pursue through their talent and hard work. Ann has welcomed several scholars into her home, where each has taught her and her family about other parts of the country, cultures, and their dreams. Ann holds a BA from St. Catherine University, MBA from University of St. Thomas, and CPA.
Ann has served on the board for nine years. During her time as a student in Edina, she was amazed to see scholars leave their homes to get an education available in her own backyard. She has since witnessed the power of education to enhance the success scholars pursue through their talent and hard work. Ann has welcomed several scholars into her home, where each has taught her and her family about other parts of the country, cultures, and their dreams. Ann holds a BA from St. Catherine University, MBA from University of St. Thomas, and CPA.
Dan Hunt
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Sarah Kumagai
Sarah has been a board member for 25 years, where she has served as host parent for 4 students, on the student and gala committees, and as past board chair. She has seen first-hand ABC working every year to break the cycle of poverty and attests the scholars continue to be a great addition to the community. Sarah holds a B.S. in music education from the University of Minnesota and has been a band director for 32 years, while teaching private lessons and playing clarinet. Additionally, she volunteers her time at Good Samaritan United Methodists Church and sings in the choir.
Sarah has been a board member for 25 years, where she has served as host parent for 4 students, on the student and gala committees, and as past board chair. She has seen first-hand ABC working every year to break the cycle of poverty and attests the scholars continue to be a great addition to the community. Sarah holds a B.S. in music education from the University of Minnesota and has been a band director for 32 years, while teaching private lessons and playing clarinet. Additionally, she volunteers her time at Good Samaritan United Methodists Church and sings in the choir.
Morcine Scott-Warren
Morcine has long been passionate about access to quality education and sees it as an important social justice issue and contributor to ending the cycle of poverty. She has spent a large part of her career working or volunteering for organizations such as Edina ABC who are committed to the important work of ensuring a level playing field is available for all students. She joined the Edina ABC Board in Fall 2019, where she serves as a member of the Wellness Committee focused on the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of scholars as they matriculate through the program. Morcine envisions a world where young people are able to achieve their goals and dreams by having access to high quality education throughout the course of their lives.
Morcine has long been passionate about access to quality education and sees it as an important social justice issue and contributor to ending the cycle of poverty. She has spent a large part of her career working or volunteering for organizations such as Edina ABC who are committed to the important work of ensuring a level playing field is available for all students. She joined the Edina ABC Board in Fall 2019, where she serves as a member of the Wellness Committee focused on the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of scholars as they matriculate through the program. Morcine envisions a world where young people are able to achieve their goals and dreams by having access to high quality education throughout the course of their lives.
Bocar Kane
Bocar learned of the Edina ABC program through a Rotary presentation. He is active as president of Edina Morningside Rotary, and giving back is part of his values. He volunteered as a host family and a board member the day he learned of the program. Kane is an engineer by trade, and operates his own company AMKA Safety, where they develop and deliver innovative safety solutions to improve roadway safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and workers. He has been thrilled to support the scholars, and has three of his own children who are in Edina Schools and also away at college. Bocar's family is also very involved in supporting the scholars throughout the year.
Bocar learned of the Edina ABC program through a Rotary presentation. He is active as president of Edina Morningside Rotary, and giving back is part of his values. He volunteered as a host family and a board member the day he learned of the program. Kane is an engineer by trade, and operates his own company AMKA Safety, where they develop and deliver innovative safety solutions to improve roadway safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and workers. He has been thrilled to support the scholars, and has three of his own children who are in Edina Schools and also away at college. Bocar's family is also very involved in supporting the scholars throughout the year.
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Clover Hackett
Clover learned of the program in 2020 and has been a dedicated member of the Fundraising committee since joining the board. She left the corporate world and her home state of Washington, D.C. and is raising three lovely children of her own. She dedicates a lot of her time supporting not only Edina ABC but her community through the PTA and other organizations. She passionate about providing opportunities to these deserving scholars by providing high quality education and thereby changing the trajectory for these scholars and their families. Clover is instrumental in finding new forms of outreach and spreading the mission and vision of Edina ABC. |