We Are WomenVenture
We would not be able to deliver our high-impact programs and services were it not for our dedicated and talented staff. They are passionate believers in the economic power of small business ownership. In addition, we are guided by a devoted and skilled Board of Directors. The collective wisdom and resources of this group contribute directly to the success of the clients we serve.
Staff
LeeAnn Rasachak
She/Her
Chief Executive Officer
Leads a dedicated team of more than 25 staff and approximately 200 volunteers. The CEO is responsible for strategic vision and managerial oversight for philanthropy, finance, lending, programs, communications, external and community relations.
Zuzu Allaback
She/Her
CRM & Operations Manager
Provides CRM Management, data reporting & analytics, and technology support. Yogi, quilter-in-training, midwesty.
Addie Arnold
She/Her
VP of Operations & Culture
Provides technical and operational support and management, and enjoys classic Minnesota activities
Emily Conroy
She/Her
Chief Program & Client Experience Officer
The CPCXO is the connective tissue across training, development, and business consulting services for WomenVenture clients. Fundamental to this leadership position is developing a deep understanding of the client entrepreneurship journey, technical assistance needs, and business consulting opportunities.
Tammy Dahlvang
She/Her
Business Consultant
Consults with pre-loan clients and non-loan clients to train and support them in developing accounting systems and procedures. Loves jokes, sunshine, my family and good ideas!
Lisa Day
She/Her
Grants Manager
Provides support and accountability to all of WomenVenture’s corporate, foundation and government grant relationships through proposal and report writing, donor research, and ongoing relationship building.
Karla Dross
She/Her
Chief Financial Officer
Leads the finance, lending and consulting teams. Liaison to Board Finance and Credit Committees.
Nancy Evans
She/Her
Lending Specialist
Assist clients with loan applications, uploading documents, and connecting them to loan officers. Works on loan documentation and follow up with clients.
Lily Griffin
She/Her
Event Coordinator
Leads the planning of WomenVenture brand key events. Creative, compassionate, and committed.
Kiara Hollie-Sessions
She/Her
Intake Specialist
Works with clients in their early stages of growth, and directs them on the best path to pursue with WomenVenture.
Jess Jellings
She/Her
Communications Manager
Provides organization-wide communications assistance to support WomenVenture’s mission of empowering entrepreneurs.
Maliza Kalema
She/Her
Lead Trainer
As lead trainer, Maliza focuses on organizational business course development and the long range planning and implementation of WomenVenture by producing in-person and web-based training courses, curriculum, videos, photos, and other industry-leading content.
Dolores Karan
She/Her
Volunteer Manager
Responsible for recruiting, training and retaining highly skilled volunteers to execute Women Venture’s mission and Vision.
Talia King
She/Her
Loan Officer
Loan officer supporting clients in business development, growth, training, funding resources, and networking opportunities.
Marina Kuloverov
She/Her
Staff Accountant
Works with both the finance and loan teams, making sure all the bills are paid on time. Loves working with people and helping them with their financial needs.
Deanna Lang
She/Her
Executive Assistant to LeeAnn Rasachak
Provides day-to-day administrative support and event planning for LeeAnn Rasachak, CEO. Yogi, bookworm, dog lover.
Andra Lindquist
She/Her
Training Manager
Develop, manage, and supervise excellent training programs for our clients
David Louiselle
He/Him
Director of Lending
Loan Officer dedicated to making a difference in clients’ lives by seamlessly executing both simple and complex transactions.
Katie Messerli
She/Her
Child Care Business Development Specialist/Training
Provides training and support to child care businesses, both start-up and existing, to improve business practices and strengthen operations.
Rosemarie Ndupuechi
She/Her
Chief Advancement and Marketing Officer
Oversees WomenVenture’s advancement, marketing and communications efforts.
Jasmine Robinson
She/Her
Loan Specialist
Works with the loan team, reviews applications, underwrites loans, and recommends loans for approval to Loan Committee. Fierce Wakandan Warrior.
Bill Stelle
He/Him
Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives
Helping WomenVenture and our clients build bridges between who we are and who we want to be. Recreational Athlete, Volunteer, Husband, #GirlDad
Jamie Travis
She/Her
Lending Specialist/Client Consultant
Lending Specialist working to provide clients with an excellent loan experience and post-close business support.
Diane Vollrath
She/Her
Business Services Accountant Supervisor
Consults with loan and non-loan clients to train and support them in developing and recording their accounting activities for reporting purposes. Loves the outdoors, food, and creativity!
Kendra Wilson
She/Her
Human Resources and Payroll Manager
Kendra assists WomenVenture with all things HR after 20 years in the industry! She also works as a real estate agent in Florida, where she lives with her daughter.
Jane Zilch
She/Her
Training Manager – Established Businesses
Leads women entrepreneurs to improve their skills and confidence in analyzing and managing the finances of their businesses, especially to generate rapid growth.
Officers
Aruna Nookala
She/Her
Board Chair | Global Portfolio Director, Abrasives Systems, 3M
Carla Pavone
She/Her
Vice Chair | Associate Director, Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, Carlson School of Management, Univ. of MN
Alyson Van Dyk
She/Her
Secretary | Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Sara Kaufman
She/Her
Interim Treasurer | Assistant Chief Actuary, Securian Financial
Board Members
AJ Austerman
He/Him
Senior Vice President-Market Manager, Huntington National Bank
Lindsay Bickler
She/Her
Audit Senior Manager, Deloitte & Touche
Derek Burgess
He/Him
Managing Director, Business Advisory Services, Slalom
Rebecca Cooper
She/Her
Affluent Business Manager, Community Banking, Wells Fargo
Kristen Denzer
She/Her
President/CEO, Tierra Encantada
Anna Dosen-Hicks
She/Her
MN Branch Banking Market Leader, US Bank
Nicole Dunham
She/Her
Deputy Head US WM Fixed Income, RBC Wealth Management
Maria Kochiras
She/Her
Vice President & Program Leader, Cargill Global Transformation
Lisa Kramer Rodacker
She/Her
HR Director M&A / Project Management, Deluxe Corporation
Gemma Kubat
She/Her
SVP & President, Financial & Retail Services, Target Corporation
Laura Lonsdale
She/Her
Director of Compliance, Xcel Energy
Jessi Miller
She/Her
Audit Senior Manager, Deloitte
Robyn Saphir
She/Her
Marketing Communications Leader, Cummins
Nelima Sitati Munene
She/Her
Executive Director, ACER
Aimee Stolt
She/Her
Assurance Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP
Pang Xiong
She/Her
Vice President, Cash Management Sales Officer, Choice Bank