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 600+ children receive high-quality, anti-bias education; 900+ girls and youth gain the skills and experience to become leaders in their lives and communities; 2,000+ 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.

2024 – 2025 Officers

Sara Harris Ahluwalia (Board Chair), Community Volunteer, Retired Attorney

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

Amy Dragland-Johnson (Governance Chair), Consultant

Nancy Garrett (Treasurer, Finance and Investment Chair), Vice President, Market and Provider Analytics, Highmark Health

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

Directors

Arthur Berman (Vice Chair of Finance and Investment), Retired Nonprofit CEO

Elizabeth Bierman, Director of Engineering, Comcast Twin Cities Region

Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO, YWCA Minneapolis

Rebecca Dehn, Vice President of Client Services at Advantage Solutions, Advantage Solutions

Sharon Dykes, MN Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists

Kim Ford, Freelance Artist and Educator

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

Jennifer Harris, FJ Harris Consultants

Leslie Holman, Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Performance Group, Inc

Shweta Jhanji, SVP, Treasurer, Ameriprise Financial Services

Michael Keller, CEO and President, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

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

Kris Lockhart

Crystal Manik, Senior Program Administrator, CenterPoint Energy

Kimpa Moss, Partner, Eisner Advisory Group LLC

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

Amy Phenix, (Chair of Development and External Relations) Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Law Enforcement and Facilities, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Nikkie Purvis, Enterprise Risk Management

Carissa Rollins, Chief Information Officer, Illumina

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

Lana Slygh, Thrivent Financial

Jennifer Soderholm, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Children’s Minnesota

Naamua Sullivan, Cargill

Jennifer Vickerman, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Rachel Whitcomb, Vice President, Technology, Target Corporation

Shanequa Williams, Target Corporation

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!

Financial Statements & Forms