We are Minds Matter

Minds Matter Twin Cities was founded in 2012, and we are a regional chapter of the national Minds Matter organization. There are 14 regional chapters of Minds Matter across the country, empowering students to strong postsecondary outcomes.

Our work is built and led by educational experts and delivered by a community of dedicated volunteers who align with our mission and reflect the multi-dimensional identities of the students we support.

From its Launch in New York City in 1991, Minds Matter has mentored high-achieving, low-income high school students who have the potential and ambition to pursue a college education, but who lacked the resources to achieve that dream. Over thirty years, Minds Matter has grown into a national organization with fourteen chapters across the United States, including Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Most importantly, the effectiveness of Minds Matter has been affirmed – 100% of our students have been accepted into multiple four-year colleges.

We equip high school students from low-income backgrounds with the tools to gain acceptance to a four-year university and navigate the financial aid process. Students graduate from Minds Matter more confident of their abilities, and eager to succeed. Minds Matter works with motivated students because we believe that no student dedicated to earning a college education should be limited by socioeconomic status.

Mission

Our mission is to connect driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world.

THE PROBLEM

46%

46% of low income students enroll in college, while more than three-quarters of their peers from more affluent families do

8%

8% of high-achieving students from low-income families apply to appropriately challenging colleges, and 53% do not apply to a single selective college

17%

17% of low-income students graduate from college in 54 years, compared to more than 70% of students from middle- or upper-income households

Since 1991, Minds Matter has transformed the lives of thousands of program alumni. Here are some of our key results from 2024:

  • Our programs have a 90% retention rate

  • Each year, 100% of our students are accepted to multiple four-year colleges or universities

  • 63% of Minds Matter graduates enrolled in a U.S. News top 100 college

  • On average, colleges met 86% of Minds Matter students’ financial need

OUR LEADERSHIP

Minds Matter volunteers come from diverse career backgrounds, including advertising, banking, consulting, education, law, marketing, non-profit, and others. Volunteering with Minds Matter is not only rewarding, but it also allows professionals to meet new friends and business contacts in our growing network across the country.

Executive Director

Margaret Jaques-Leslie

Margaret Jaques-Leslie is the Executive Director of Minds Matter Twin Cities and brings over ten years of experience in postsecondary access and success through tech-based and coaching interventions. Her background includes leading partnership and program implementation at College Possible, heading operations at edtech startup Persistence Plus, and early career roles in sales and product development at McGraw-Hill Higher Education and Cengage Group. She holds a BA from Grinnell College and an EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and is proud to call Minneapolis home.

Board of directors

  • Kelly Miller

    Board Chair
    Managing Director
    JPMorgan

  • Rich Renikoff

    Board Treasurer
    Retired Financial Services
    Wells Fargo

  • Chandra Kilgriff,

    Board Secretary
    Chief Talent Officer
    Saul Ewing

  • Travis Bezella

    Board Member
    Partner/Managing Director, Creative Planning

  • Sara Schnadt

    Board Member
    Retired School Counselor, John F. Kennedy High School

  • Scott Wade

    Board Member
    Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Breck School

  • Steve Cunning

    Board Member
    Human-Centered Change Manager, Salesforce

Executive Committee

  • Matt Fahey

    Director of Programs

    Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis, Mathematics

    Graduate: Harvard Law School, Law

  • Brenna Bloome

    Director of People and Director of Volunteers

    VuMedi, Education Coordinator

    Undergrad: Hamline University, Chemistry and Secondary Education

    Graduate: Hamline University, Secondary Education and Teaching

  • Tan Do

    Director of Operations/Director of Art

    Thrivent, Research Analyst

    Undergrad: Macalester College, Psychology

  • Heidi Heitzman

    Director of Sophomore Program

    General Mills, Sourcing Manager

    Undergrad: University of Northwestern – St. Paul, Marketing

  • Kendra Wiswell

    Co-Director of Senior Program, Director of Fundraising, Sophomore Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor

    SPS Commerce, Senior Technical Account Manager

    Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Technical Writing and Communication

    Graduate: Metropolitan State University, Technical Writing and Communication

  • Debra Larson

    Co-Director of Senior Program

    Retired, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs

    Undergrad: Michigan Tech, Civil Engineer

    Graduate: Arizona State University, PhD Civil Engineering

  • Mary Keel

    Director of Summer Program

    Retired, Technology Consultant

    Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Business and Economics

    Graduate: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MBA

  • Michelle Calabrese

    Co-Director of ACT Test Prep

    University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Assistant Professor

    Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Energy, and Sustainability

    Graduate: University of Delaware, Chemical Engineering

  • Katie Stock

    Co-Director of ACT Test Prep

    3M, Analytical Scientist

    Undergrad: College of Wooster, Biochemistry

    Graduate: Ohio State University, Nutritional Biochemistry

  • Markus Keel

    Co-Director of Math Matters

    University of Minnesota, Professor

    Undergrad: University of Chicago, Mathematics

    Graduate: Princeton University, PhD Mathematics

  • Luc Mainguy

    Co-Director of Math Matters

    Wells Fargo, Senior Business Execution Consultant

    Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Philosophy and Political Science

  • Kaleigh Cadogan

    Sophomore Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor

    Land O’Lakes, Customer Insights & Analytics Foodservice Analyst

    Undergrad: Saint Joseph’s University, Marketing and Business Intelligence & Analytics

  • Tanya Pazhitnykh

    Senior Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor

    Price Waterhouse Cooper, Senior Manager

    Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania, International Studies and Economics

  • Christine Crow

    Senior Writing & Critical Thinking Instructor

    Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Senior Staff Attorney

    Undergrad: American University, International Studies

    Graduate: University of Michigan Law School, Law

  • Lucia Ray

    College Advisor

    University of Minnesota Medical School, Medical Student

    Undergrad: Carleton College, Psychology

  • Lauren Leverty

    College Advisor

    Academy College, Student Services Representative

    Undergrad: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Early Childhood Education

  • Wiktoria Pasek

    Class of 2027 Team Lead

    HealthPartners, Clinical Research Coordinator II

    Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Psychology

“My favorite part about being in Minds Matter is learning more about my mentee – her artistic passion and dreams of becoming a doctor.”

— Jennifer, Minds Matter Mentor

Join Minds Matter

Empower Your Future

Students commit every Saturday for three years to achieve their highest potential and secure their place in higher education.

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Meet a like-minded community of volunteers committed to changing lives through higher education.

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