For more than 130 years, YWCA Minneapolis has worked with our community to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of people throughout the Twin Cities.
Who We Are
We invite you to stand with us in our mission and our work.
Last year alone, our programs helped 600+ children receive high-quality, anti-bias education; 900+ girls and youth gain the skills and experience to become leaders in their lives and communities; 2,000+ individuals learn about civic engagement and how to combat racial inequities.
YWCA Minneapolis stands for a fully inclusive community in which each person is healthy and valued, and where racial justice, gender equality and human dignity are promoted and sustained through bold and effective women’s leadership.
Eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
YWCA MISSION
Our Values
Inclusiveness
We embrace people of all cultures and backgrounds and we expect all to create an environment where each person feels engaged, connected, accepted and respected.
Ownership
We aim high, taking responsibility for our actions and decisions, knowing we have the courage and the support of our teammates to help us succeed.
Collaboration
We believe in the power, effectiveness and creativity of teamwork and community.
Integrity
We act with integrity and openness, assuming good intent in all of our interactions with each other and our community partners.
Celebration
We celebrate achievements that further our mission in our organization and community.
Discipline
We maintain financial and operational strength through excellence in fundraising, entrepreneurship and business practices.
Our Leadership Team
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Shelley Carthen Watson
PRESIDENT, CEO
Shelley Carthen Watson has led YWCA Minneapolis in programs, mission and vision since August 2021.
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Lee Friedman
CHIEF FINANCIAL & OPERATING OFFICER
Lee Friedman is the incoming CFO and oversees the business office; information technology; human resources; and the organization’s Early Childhood Education, Girls and Youth, and Health and Wellness programs.
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Julie Schlueter Engen
VP, HUMAN RESOURCES
Julie is responsible for recruitment, retention and nurturing a strong positive workplace culture.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors is a diverse group of leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for YWCA Minneapolis.
2025 – 2026 Officers
Sara Harris Ahluwalia (Board Chair), Community Volunteer, Retired Attorney
Stephanie Leonard Crosby (Vice Chair), Retired Executive Director of Human Resources, Robbinsdale Area Schools
Hyun Mee Graves (Secretary), Marketing Vice President, Ecolab Global Pest Elimination
Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO, YWCA Minneapolis
Amy Dragland-Johnson (Governance Chair), Consultant
Arthur Berman (Finance and Investment Chair), Retired Nonprofit CEO
Elizabeth Bierman (Program and Operations Chair), Director of Engineering, Comcast Twin Cities Region
Amy Phenix, (Development and External Relations Chair) Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Law Enforcement and Facilities, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Directors
Cheryl Bethune, Chief Human Resources Officer, Bio-Techne Corporation
LaToya Burrell, General Counsel for Zinpro Corporation and Executive Director of Anderson Foundation
Jill Davies, Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility at Best Buy
Rebecca Dehn, Vice President of Client Services at Advantage Solutions, Advantage Solutions
Sharon Dykes, MN Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists
Dr. Marcheta Evans, Ph.D., President of St. Catherine University
Jennifer Harris, FJ Harris Consultants
Karissa Kirvida, Sales and Merchandising Executive
Josefina Landrieu, Vice President of Equity and Inclusion, Metropolitan State University
Kris Lockhart, Retired Associate Vice President for Equity and Diversity, University of Minnesota
Crystal Manik, Senior Program Administrator, CenterPoint Energy
Minya Nance, CEO and Founder of Culture Core
Arianna Orcutt, Vice President and Relationship Strategist, PNC Private Bank
Nikkie Purvis, Enterprise Risk Management
Shelley Sánchez, Business Consultant, Speaker, Podcaster
Katie Schoeneck, Client Centricity Consultant at Thrivent Financial
Kim Skanson, SVP, Global Business Services, Cencora Business Services
Lana Slygh, Thrivent Financial
Jennifer Soderholm, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Children’s Minnesota
Naamua Sullivan, Cargill
Jennifer Vickerman Akaolisa, Gift Planner, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Rachel Whitcomb, Vice President, Technology, Target Corporation
Shanequa Williams, Target Corporation
Cheryl Winston, Sales Director at Kenvue
Ebony Wyatt, Vice President North America Retail and Sales Strategic Initiatives at General Mills
Key Dates in YWCA History
Community Reports
YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and we’re committed to accountability and transparency in everything we do. Below you will find resources that illuminate our financial position, outline how we allocate our resources, and showcase the impact of the valuable support from our donors and sponsors. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome your support of our mission!
Financial Statements and Forms
2023
2022
2021
2020