Ann Marie DeGroot has served as Executive Director of the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board since 2008, following 21 years as the founding Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota, where she played a pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, including the 1993 amendment to the Minnesota Human Rights Act and efforts to secure domestic partner benefits and defeat discriminatory legislation. She currently chairs the board of Athlos Leadership Academy, co-founded Ignite Afterschool, and has led numerous trainings on nonprofit leadership, board development, fundraising, and equity in community organizing. Her work has earned her multiple honors, including the Twin Cities Gay Pride Grand Marshal, OutFront Minnesota’s Legacy Award, and the Human Rights Campaign’s Brian Coyle Leadership Award.

LaToya has dedicated her career to youth advocacy, education, and community engagement through roles at Win Institute at South High School, Andersen Elementary, Sanford Middle School, and We Win’s after-school program. While enhancing her own skills, she enrolled in the Urban Teacher Program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, volunteering as a Public Achievement coach and working as a community educator. She later graduated with honors from Metropolitan State University with a degree in English and a minor in community organizing. Her service includes ESL tutoring with Project SHINE, publishing articles for the Minneapolis Spokesman‐Recorder, and serving on the McKnight Foundation advisory board. A trained MN ToP facilitator, Balogun has led diverse community planning initiatives to engage youth and adults. Her leadership has been recognized with several awards, including the Public Health Hero (2012), Police Chief Harteau’s Merit Award (2013), and ToP Facilitator Champion (2013).

Deby Ziesmer is a respected leader in early childhood education, known for her dedication to supporting Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers. With decades of experience, she has developed and led innovative programs that provide training, resources, and peer support to informal caregivers, ensuring they have equitable access to tools that promote school readiness. Deby’s work has helped build inclusive systems that recognize the value of all caregivers, including those often excluded from traditional childcare structures. In addition to her programmatic leadership, she is a passionate policy advocate whose efforts have influenced local and state policies to better support FFN care. Holding advanced degrees in education and child development, Deby blends research and real-world experience to champion culturally responsive, inclusive approaches that uplift caregivers and the children they serve.

Leah has 15 years’ experience in the field of youth development, where she has focused on youth voice. At Twin Cities PBS, Leah led engagement on the Moving Lives Minnesota project, where she worked to collect Minnesotans’ immigration stories, and trained teachers to help youth share their own stories. At the Youth Coordinating Board, Leah leads the Minneapolis Afterschool Network, which connects youth work professionals through communication, professional development, and programming opportunities with the goal of making their out-of-school time programs better. Leah’s background and connections in the youth work field will allow her to foster partnerships, train and educate youth work staff, and collect stories of youth and the professionals who work with them.

Since 2022, Leo has led key strategic initiatives, including the creation of the Minneapolis Youth Safety Index, which reveals racial disparities in safety perceptions and access to youth spaces. He manages research design, data collection, planning, and reporting, while collaborating with policymakers and community partners to inform evidence-based solutions. Leo holds dual master’s degrees in Sustainable International Development and Conflict Resolution from Brandeis University and is completing a Ph.D. in Political Science at Claremont Graduate University, focusing on youth safety, policy, and AI in governance. Outside of his professional work, he expresses his creativity through music and writing under the names Quincy Quip and Felicity Hartwell, and is the author of Half Crazy, Fully Human: How Humor, Self-Awareness, and Resilience Can Transform Your Mental Health.

Jeremy has served as Staff Accountant at YCB since May 2021, bringing prior experience in public accounting with a focus on tax compliance for small businesses and their owners. A graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management (B.S. in Accounting, 2018), he became a licensed CPA in February 2021. Born and raised in Minnesota, Jeremy grew up in the foster care system and is passionate about creating opportunities for youth. Outside of work, he enjoys ultimate frisbee, video games, and running a local meetup group exploring breweries, bars, and other Twin Cities attractions.

Venida Fagan is a public health professional dedicated to advancing equity and shaping health policy for communities that are often overlooked. With experience as a Communications and Engagement Specialist, she brings expertise in health and wellness benefits, public health research, mental health, compliance, and community engagement. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health in Executive Public Health Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota, focusing on youth and minority health. Her work includes leading citywide research initiatives, developing community safety action plans with UNICEF USA and the City of Minneapolis, and partnering with organizations to expand access, strengthen engagement, and improve outcomes.