Our Leadership

Board of Directors

Andrew Bingenheimer
(Chair)

SVP CIO Corporate Functions, US Bank

Margaret Murphy
(Vice Chair)

Chief Credit Officer Specialty, EVP, Retired- Old National Bank

BJ Coleman
(Treasurer)

Digital Assurance & Transparency Senior Manager, PwC

Larry Lucio
(Secretary)

School Administrator, Retired – Minneapolis & St. Paul Public Schools

Erica Messmer

Group CFO/ Finance Director, Cargill Bioindustrial

Hanan Osman
(Parent Member)

Project Manager, Minnesota Department of Health & Human Services

Rev Hierald E. Osorto
(Community Member)

Senior Pastor, San Pablo Lutheran Church

Judy Pennington

Managing Director, Retired – Deloitte Consulting

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya

CEO – Rae Mackenzie Group

(Banyan Scholar)

ASPIRE Graduate & Student at Saint Paul College

Staff and Leadership

Adriana Lopez

Administrative Assistant

Aidee Arocho

Elementary Educator
Grades 3-5

Banyan staff member Aidee smiling at camera - portrait

Allison Burns

Elementary Program
Manager
Banyan staff member Allison smiling at camera - portrait

Anelise Watts

Elementary Educator
Grades K-2

Barbara Zimmer

Middle School
Educator

Bennett Riesgraf

Secondary
Educator
Bennett Riesgraf

Carl Schlueter

Executive
Director
Carl Schlueter

Holly Miller

Director of Development and
Marketing

Jacqueline Quizhpi

Lead Program
Associate

Jae Bates

College and
Career Counselor

Jenia Strom

Development
Officer

Judith Quiterio

Kitchen
Staff

Kayne Lussier

Secondary
Program Manager

Kayne Lussier

Kristi Johnson

Marketing and
Donor Engagement Officer

Linda Nunez

Director of
Operations
Linda Nunez

Liz Diaz Torres

Family
Advocate

Lourdes Quiterio Zavaleta

Operations
Associate

Lourdes Quiterio Zavaleta

Maricruz Arocho

Family Program
Coordinator

Parisa Naini

ECFE
Coordinator

Steph Serrato

Community
Engagement Specialist

Victor Panora

Kitchen
Staff

Banyan staff member Victor smiling at camera - portrait

High School & College Staff – Program Assistants

Banyan high school and college youth, many of whom have long-term relationships with Banyan, serve as staff working part-time to assist with program activities in our after school and summer programs. Our staff participate in ongoing professional mentoring and leadership development opportunities and meet regularly with supervising staff for direction and feedback regarding their performance, and participate in regular staff trainings to help develop skills in the best practices of youth development. Youth staff quickly earn the trust and respect of elementary youth at Banyan because they have grown up Banyan and serve as positive role models in the next generation of Banyan youth.

“I love how Banyan supports families and kids. My kids really enjoy coming here and the educators do a great job.”

Banyan Parent

“I am so grateful for Banyan. I trust Banyan and the staff here with my children, which is very important to me.”

Banyan Parent

“Sometimes I think of moving to the suburbs due to the drug and homeless issues but, then I think of Banyan and my neighbors, friends and family and I say – I CAN NEVER LEAVE PHILLIPS.”

Community Council Member

“I’m glad I came to Banyan this summer or else I would just be at home bored watching TV instead of doing fun things like crafts.”

Banyan Youth

“I’m thankful that we have had Banyan to guide us through this college process. We have never done this before, and don’t know anything about college or financial aid. It was good to know that our son had Banyan to help him understand things and explain the steps.”

Banyan Parent

“Banyan teaches you to stand up for what you know is right, to handle the situation in a respectful manner.”

Banyan Youth

“I give to Banyan because I know that my gift will go a long way both in impact with the community as well as effectiveness with a well-run organization.”

Current Donor