St. Paul, MN – February 6, 2018 – Genesys Works welcomes four new members to its nonprofit Board of Directors. Long-time program advocates Michael Goar (Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities), Dionne Griffin Alkamooneh (City of St. Paul), Craig Pratt (ServiceNow), and Richard Walker (York Solutions/Think IT) have each begun their new terms on the board of Genesys Works – Twin Cities.

“All four of these new board members exemplify what it means to give back to the community,” shared Mary Lynne Perushek, Genesys Works – Twin Cities Board Chair. “We look forward to utilizing their talents, skills, and incredible commitment to the Genesys Works mission in the coming years.”

Dionne Griffin Alkamooneh brings an important view of the impact of Genesys Works for its students. His own life was changed through his internship at Ecolab thanks to Genesys Works in 2009-2010. Dionne graduated from the University of Minnesota and works for the City of St. Paul in Planning and Economic Development.

Michael Goar serves as CEO for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, after spending much of his career in educational leadership roles in Minneapolis, Memphis, and Boston. “I’m looking forward to improving the future for our community’s underserved youth by actively serving in this capacity,” shared Goar. “Genesys Works has a 10-year history of compelling results to build upon.”

Craig Pratt is Worldwide Vice President of Product Line Sales for ServiceNow, a company with strong ties to Genesys Works, in the Twin Cities and at other sites across the country. Pratt is the founder of the MSP Hatfield & McCoys networking group, which is comprised of technology sales leaders seeking to make a positive impact in the community. The group’s signature fundraising event benefits alumni services offered at Genesys Works.

Richard Walker serves as CEO of York Solutions, an IT consulting firm. York’s professional development program, “Link to Leadership,” has resulted in scholarships for Genesys Works students. York Solutions also hosts an annual golf tournament through their Think IT Association, and the proceeds are donated to Genesys Works. In total, these programs have contributed $470,000 to help students succeed. Notes Walker, “I’ve been a raving fan and supporter of Genesys Works since they started in the Twin Cities in 2008. I am eager to make an even deeper impact as a member of the board.”

“These new board members are bringing positive insights and ideas to further leverage the organization’s impact,” said Karen Marben, Executive Director of Genesys Works – Twin Cities. “Craig joined the board in late 2017 and is bringing incredible energy. As an alumnus of the program and through his work at the City of St. Paul, Dionne’s perspective is both unique and meaningful. I am thrilled to welcome all four to the board.”

Since its inception in 2008, Genesys Works – Twin Cities has helped change the trajectory of life for over 1,500 low-income high school students who successfully completed its skills training program and were placed into year-long paid corporate internships.  To learn more about the Genesys Works program, visit genesysworks.org/twin-cities.

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Genesys Works
Genesys Works – Twin Cities is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is to provide pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. Its program consists of eight weeks of technical and professional skills training, a paid year-long corporate internship, college and career coaching, and alumni support to and through college. Cumulatively, Genesys Works – Twin Cities has trained 1,970 underserved students, with 1,584 students being placed into internships at over 60 leading corporations, including Target, Deluxe, 3M, and Medtronic, among many others. To learn more, visit https://genesysworks.org/twin-cities.

The 2018 Genesys Works – Twin Cities Board of Directors:

Mary Lynne Perushek (Chair) – Interim CIO, M.A. Mortenson Co.

Daniel Abdul – Optum Technology

Jackie Statum Allen – Saint Paul Public Schools

Michael Goar – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities

Dionne Griffin Alkamooneh – City of Saint Paul

Michael Mathews – Deluxe Corporation

Stewart McCutcheon – Ecolab (retired)

Matt Neale – Optum Technology

Sarah Nieters – Medtronic

Craig Pratt – ServiceNow

Tim Thull – Medica

Jeff Tollefson – Genesys Works – National

Richard Walker – York Solutions

Karen Marben – Genesys Works – Twin Cities