Access Ambassadors
The Access Ambassadors work group works to ensure that CCAoMN staff across the system —working with providers, professionals, stakeholders, and partners— have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to promote equity. Access Ambassadors made it possible for all institute attendees to receive Dr. Sheila Sweeney’s workbook.

Cristina Benz
Cristina Benz is an educator, artist, advocate for social justice, and yoga teacher in training who is passionate about building community and connections. She holds a B.A in Art Education from St. Catherine’s University and has participated in the Minneapolis Teachers Institute in 2013 and the National Art Strategies Fellowship in 2019 where her passion for social justice work evolved. She received her M. ED from Hamline University in 2017 and has 18 years in K-12 education. Her experience working as a Teacher, Equity Coordinator, and currently as a Teacher on Special Assignment supporting new educators and adult learning has led her to her passion for healing through the arts and yoga, learning collectively, and supporting others towards personal growth using somatic practices. When she isn’t teaching or making art you can find her practicing yoga. She believes that everyone deserves the benefits of yoga and to rest through a moment of pause.

Julia Berry
Julia is a Black woman, mother, sister, friend, teacher, student and community member. She completed programs that allow her to teach communication arts and literature, special education EBD, to be a school administrator, coach, yoga instructor, reiki healer and business owner; in addition to various trainings and certifications that influence her perspective and capacity as a visionary and transformational leader.

After leaving the classroom, she worked in leadership roles in educational settings where she had the honor of engaging adults in learning experiences through one-on-one and small group coaching, one-time and series workshops, curriculum and content development, change management, and strategic planning. Julia specializes in learning and development, consciousness transformation, curriculum development, and integrated experiential engagements. She has worked in and partnered with a variety of public, private and government organizations and is passionate about creating spaces where people can increase their knowledge and capacity to create more liberating life experiences.

Nate Caskey
Nate is the Minneapolis Practice Lead/Partner at Pepper Foster Consulting. He’s been successful by bringing the human element to every client engagement, whether in organizational change, strategy development, project management or learning and development. While supporting clients to envision, plan and execute business-critical improvements, he works to coach and guide senior executives through these complex transformations – so that both they and their teams have the skills and mindset needed to make sure the transformations stick. Prior to Pepper Foster, he worked in both consulting and industry roles. Nate is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and curating lasting client relationships. Outside of work, Nate is passionate about volunteering, spending time with his family and the outdoors. You’ll often find him on the water, in the woods or skiing with his family.‍

Peter Digitale Anderson
Peter Digitale Anderson is passionate about the power and potential of healthy conflict to create new possibilities. After experiencing first-hand the way poorly handled conflict can tear apart the most well-intentioned teams, Peter dreams of communities that can do better.  Peter is a facilitator, trainer, peacebuilder, and community organizer, with a MA in peace studies and nearly two decades experience at professionally stepping into interpersonal and community conflicts. He is the Executive Director at Peace Catalyst International, a global grassroots peacebuilding organization. Rooted in the fields of conflict transformation, nonviolence, and transformative justice, Peter wants to see people catch the vision and practices for a just world where all are welcomed, valued, included, and celebrated. You can learn more about Peter’s work at www.fiercelyalive.com.

Dr. Nicole-Noelle Evans
Dr. Nicole-Noelle Evans embodies a lifelong passion for education. With an impressive 28-year career in education, Dr. Evans has excelled in various roles. In her current capacity as the Senior Director of Leadership, Dr. Evans spearheads Embracing Equity’s esteemed yearlong Leadership Residency program. Her guidance and expertise empower emerging leaders to navigate the complexities of today's educational landscape while fostering an unwavering commitment to anti-racism. Through this transformative initiative, Dr. Evans facilitates the translation of principles into tangible actions, ensuring that organizations and leaders authentically embrace anti-racist practices.

Andrea Freeberg
Andrea Freeberg is a certified coach and trainer, spending the last eight years working with employees and leaders in public service. She believes that a growth mindset, both individually and organizationally, are vital for our future success. This is accomplished through reflective practice, keeping our minds open to new understanding, and intentionally choosing to make decisions that enhance our own lives and lives of those around us.

Andrea engages others through authentic connection, enjoyment, peace, and comfort, hosting with a casual air and bringing a sense of coziness to all she does. These days she lives in the woods of Moose Lake with her husband and three children. On any given evening you will catch her singing and dancing along to her favorite music, binge watching a foreign drama, or outside enjoying the current Minnesota season.

Anthony Galloway
Anthony Galloway is a partner at the Dendros group who specializes in discourse intersecting race and culture. He has a Masters of Divinity from Luther Seminary and an undergraduate degree in Ethnic studies. He is a serving pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a long-time trainer.

Nicolette Graf
Nikki Graf discovered her passion for advocacy and equity while studying at the University of Minnesota. Initially pursuing a degree in Speech Pathology, she shifted to Child Psychology, leading to a career as a toddler teacher and a commitment to supporting children and families. Her focus on equity in early childhood education led her to the CARE Fellowship, where she advocated for young children, ultimately earning a Master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership. Currently, she is the Director of Equity and Inclusion at Child Care Aware of Minnesota, where she leads initiatives to promote anti-racism and effective advocacy in early childhood education.

Marjorie Grevious
Marjorie has been practicing yoga for well over 40 years and earned her first yoga teaching credentials in 2012, after living and working as a volunteer at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, the largest yoga center in North America. She has earned certifications in Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and various forms of trauma informed yoga including training from the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance. Marjorie is a former social worker, youth worker and crisis worker in social service nonprofits. After graduating seminary in 2018 she integrated her yoga teaching, social service experience, and theological education to help others cultivate grounding, clarity, and peace at the core of their own being. She is the founder of Temple Within where she offers spiritual wellness consultation, yoga, and workshop facilitation services.

Darin Kamnetz Photography
Darin Kamnetz has been working as a professional photographer for over ten years and has had work featured in numerous publications including Billboard, Forbes, and the Minnesota Star Tribune. He specializes in glossy, impactful commercial work for clients like Great Clips & Mystic Lake casino, while also showing the unique personalities in the entertainment world via his coverage of music and drag culture. In 2023 he was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for his work with Minnesota Public Radio.

Julie Laven
Julie is a Consultant at Pepper Foster Consulting with experience in change management, project management, and process improvement. She is a collaborative consultant who enjoys finding new ways to bring the entire organization through change, ensuring buy-in and ownership. Previously, Julie worked in the non-profit sector in El Salvador, Minnesota, and Colorado, where she built out internal infrastructure that allowed for increased impact and efficiency. Julie then returned to Minnesota to pursue her MBA at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. In her free time, Julie loves to bake, be outdoors, travel, hike, and camp with her husband and dog.

Juliet K. Stipeche
Juliet K. Stipeche is the Director of Human Services at the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast. A former trial lawyer, Juliet is a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, particularly for underserved communities in Houston, TX. With a focus on education, child care, and workforce development, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including Hire Houston Youth, Be Well Be Connected, Out2LearnHOU, and UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative. Juliet also served as a key advisor to Mayor Sylvester Turner, offering strategic leadership during critical moments such as Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic. A valedictorian of the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, she earned her B.A. from Rice University, magna cum laude, in Political Science, Policy Studies, and Religious Studies, and her J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law. Juliet’s efforts to create lasting, equitable solutions make her an inspiring figure in Houston and beyond, positively impacting communities across the region.

Dr. Shelia Sweeney
Dr. Sheila Sweeney is a respected relational psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker specializing in cultural mental well-being, reflective practice, and intergenerational healing. She holds a Ph.D. in psychodynamic psychotherapy, a Master of Social Work, and an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health certification. As an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and endorsed Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMH-E®) in Minnesota, she combines her expertise with mindfulness journaling practices and teaching experience at esteemed institutions. Her research addresses multigenerational trauma, transforming trauma stories into healing narratives.

Through her practice, Peaces' n PuzSouls: Journies thru Healing, LLC, Dr. Sweeney offers personalized psychotherapy services to organizations, fostering a trusting relational environment throughout Minnesota. She advocates for healing as a birthright, empowering her clientele to prioritize their mental health.

In 2024, Dr. Sweeney became a first-time author with the "Unapologetically Healing Journal," followed by her upcoming book, "You Are Not Your Trauma," in 2025.

TideTurn.Co (Institute Event Management)
TideTurn.Co empowers the next generation of social sector leaders, striving to create a not-so-distant future where changemakers create the conditions for excellence and equity across government, nonprofits, and social enterprises. With a focus on cultivating skill, talent, and strong team cultures, TideTurn.Co ensures that every project contributes to meaningful, lasting impact. Consultants Cat Polivoda and Alex Jacques provided comprehensive event management for this year’s Institute, from strategic planning alongside the CCAoMN planning committee, to day-of logistics. A proud associate of Dendros Group, TideTurn.Co's mission is to strengthen organizations dedicated to the common good by enhancing their capacity, health, power, and impact.