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

Girls Posing Together, Youth Program, YWCA Minneapolis

We invite you to stand with us in our mission and our work.

Last year alone, our programs helped 500+ children receive high-quality, anti-bias education; 800+ girls and youth gain the skills and experience to become leaders in their lives and communities; 1,000+ 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, Racial Justice, YWCA Minneapolis
Childcare, Early Childhood Education, YWCA Minneapolis

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.

Little Graduate, Early Childhood Education, YWCA Minneapolis
Collaboration, Childcare, YWCA Minneapolis

Integrity

We act with integrity and openness, assuming good intent in all of our interactions with each other and our community partners.

Collaboration

We believe in the power, effectiveness and creativity of teamwork and community.

Celebration, Childcare, YWCA Minneapolis
Discipline, Racial Justice, YWCA Minneapolis

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

  • Shelley Carthen Watson

    Shelley Carthen Watson

    PRESIDENT, CEO

    Shelley Carthen Watson has led YWCA Minneapolis in programs, mission and vision since August 2021.

  • Lee Friedman

    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.

  • Julie Schlueter Engen

    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.

2023 – 2024 Officers

Sara Ahluwalia (Governance Chair), Community Volunteer, Retired Attorney

Stephanie Leonard Crosby (Vice Chair), Retired Executive Director of Human Resources, Robbinsdale Area Schools

Nancy Garrett (Treasurer, Finance and Investment Chair), Vice President, Provider Digitalization, Aetna

Leslie Holman Holt (Secretary), Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Performance Group, Inc

Carissa Rollins (Board Chair), Chief Information Officer, Illumina

Jan Wikman (Program and Operations Chair), Sales and Marketing Consultant, Jan Wikman Consulting

Directors

Elizabeth Bierman, Director of Engineering, Comcast Twin Cities Region

Arthur Berman, Retired Nonprofit CEO

Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO, YWCA Minneapolis

Amy Dragland-Johnson, Vice President of Advisor Marketing, Thrivent

Kim Ford, Freelance Artist and Educator

Hyun Mee Graves, Marketing Vice President, Ecolab Global Pest Elimination

Shweta Jhanji, SVP, Treasurer, Ameriprise Financial Services

Michael Keller

Jennifer Laible, President, Antenna

Josefina Landrieu, Vice President of Equity and Inclusion, Metropolitan State University

Charlene Wu Lee, Private Investor, Consultant and Community Volunteer

Crystal Manik, Senior Program Administrator, CenterPoint Energy

Kimpa Moss, Partner, Eisner Advisory Group LLC

Arianna Orcutt, Vice President and Relationship Strategist, PNC Private Bank

Kael Peterson, SVP Relationship Manager - Middle Market Banking Group, Wells Fargo

Amy Phenix, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Law Enforcement and Facilities, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Bria Shea, Director, Regulatory and Strategic Analysis, Xcel Energy

Kim Skanson, SVP, Global Business Services, Cencora Business Services

May Vang, Vice President of Treasury and Chief Investment Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Rachel Whitcomb, Vice President, Technology, Target Corporation

Andrea Wood, Vice President of Social, Best Buy

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!