Minnesota Leadership Circle

What is The White House Project's Minnesota Leadership Circle?  

Under the leadership of Founding Co-Chairs Cyndi Lesher and Kathy Tunheim, the Minnesota Leadership Circle was created in 2009 to bring together philanthropists, activists, professionals, elected leaders and White House Project Alumnae committed to increasing the numbers of women running for office in Minnesota.  

Members agree to give or raise  $1000 during one year to help sponsor the training programs in Minnesota, including Go Run, Debate Boot Camps and Masters Classes.  Membership in the Leadership Circle is renewable on annual basis. 
As ambassadors of The White House Project, Leadership Circle members are encouraged to promote our trainings to their networks and are always invited to attend.  And finally, in accordance with our vision to advance every woman’s leadership, members receive special invitations to networking and learning events specifically planned for Leadership Circle Members and friends throughout the year.

In 2010, under the leadership of 2010 Co Chairs, Joanne Provo and Melanie Benjamin, we will work together to:

• Grow the Leadership Circle to include 50 members, including members from Greater Minnesota
• Involve interested Leadership Circle members in programming and other volunteer support activities.
• Identify and engage corporate support from MN companies that value civic engagement and women’s leadership.

2010 Calendar of Special Events

Wednesday, April 7  Annual EPIC awards in New York City
Monday, April 19  Leadership Circle Salon Panel Discussion based on Half the Sky
June 17 Benchmarking Women’s Leadership, Panel & Reception with Marie Wilson
July/August   Summer social
September 10 –12    Mega Go Run in Duluth MN    PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE!
November  Year-end celebration

To make your leadership circle gift now, click here.

To fill out your leadership circle pledge form, click here.

Questions?

Catherine Gray, Midwest Associate Director, cgray@thewhitehouseproject.org -- 612-240-1135

2010 Minnesota Leadership Members

Tammy Tesky Ausen
Barbara Bencini
Melanie Benjamin, 2010 Co-Chair
Laura Bishop
Lisa Byrne
Katie Clark
Jan Conlin
Lesley Crosby
Bonnie Francisco
Kathryn Glessing
Karyn Gruenberg
Kathleen Harrington
Blanche E. Hawkins
Susan Henry
Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Anne Klein
Rene Kraus
Cyndi Lesher, Founding Co-Chair
Rep. Tina Liebling
Jeanne Massey
Kathleen Murphy
Jean Nitchals           
Councilwoman Laurie Olmon
Melissa Palank
Joanne Provo, 2010 Co-Chair
Councilwoman Pamela Punt