Board of Directors
Community for the Commons is overseen by a Board of Directors composed of local residents and liaisons to Excelsior’s city government. The Directors, all of whom are dedicated volunteers, serve staggered terms and participate in operating committees that report to the Board. In addition to the Board, a group of ambassadors plays a crucial role in the organization’s success.
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Tia BlackTia and her husband Lance live in Excelsior and have raised their children in the Lake Minnetonka area. Tia has served on the board of Stevens Square Foundation and the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation. Tia leads the "C4C Ambassadors", a group of local residents who reach out to area residents, businesses and park visitors with information about our mission and our progress .
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Natasha EllingsonNatasha and her family have been proud residents of Excelsior for the past decade. In addition to her professional role at Target Corporation, Natasha has been an active community member, previously volunteering to support The Commons. This year marks her inaugural term on the board, where she brings her passion for community engagement and development. In her leisure time, Natasha enjoys boating and exploring local shops and restaurants, embracing all that Excelsior has to offer.
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Sue FarrellSue and her husband John have lived in Excelsior for five years and the Lake Minnetonka area for 30 years, having raised their two daughters in Wayzata. She has served on various local non-profit and Club Boards and works in Marketing at UnitedHealthcare. She is passionate about the outdoors and can be seen in The Commons most days with Bubbles, the family dog. Sue serves as board member and Communication Chair.
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Bentley GravesVice ChairBentley and his family live in Shorewood, and he and his wife enjoy raising their four kids in the Excelsior area. The Graveses are huge fans of The Commons and love spending time in the park as a family and with friends. Bentley advocates on behalf of Minnesota's business community at the state capitol in St. Paul, and he enjoys serving as an advocate for the Commons here in our community.
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Kate HolsteSecretaryKate lives in Excelsior with her husband, Heath and dog, Cedar. She's been active in the community since working on the charter boats during summer breaks in college, is serving a second term on the city's Planning Commission, and volunteers with the VANTAGE program at Minnetonka HS. When not traveling for work in international sales, she enjoys the area by foot, bike, and various types of watercraft.
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Lance MadsonTreasurerLance has lived in the Minnetonka area for most of his life, and currently resides in Shorewood with his wife Anne, and their twin boys who recently graduated from college. He grew up in Minnetonka, and as a 1986 grad from Minnetonka High School, has great memories playing pick-up football and frisbee with high school friends in the Commons. Lance is a former member of the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation Board, and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation. Working as Partner at a local accounting firm, Lance helps individuals and small business owners reach their financial goals through strategic tax planning, accounting and consulting services.
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Sheila McMillanChairSheila, and her husband Brian, have lived in the Excelsior
area for over 25 years. Sheila’s professional career was in the healthcare industry (United Health, Park Nicollet Health Services and Medica) and has a strong financial background with a career starting at Ernst & Young. She has worked for both nonprofit and for profit organizations on both a national and local level. She has also served on various other community nonprofit boards including ICA Food Shelf, Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation. Sheila's passion for the Excelsior Commons runs deep, with an interest in public green space and its opportunities and challenges as both regional destination within a relatively small Excelsior community of which she is a resident. Sheila is a C.P.A. (inactive) and has two adult children who are graduates of Minnetonka High School and live in the area. |
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Kevin MenkKevin, along with his wife, Lynn, are 35-year residents of the Excelsior area. Their children attended Minnetonka schools. The Commons has been a treasured source of relaxation, recreation, and reflection for the entire family. Kevin is managing partner of SRP Advantage, a marketing consulting company headquartered in Greenwood. The family-owned business provides strategic guidance to enhance competitive advantage for global clients in a variety of industries, including healthcare, higher education, home improvement, communications, and technology.
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Dave NelsonDave and wife Maureen have lived in Chanhassen for the past 22 years. They have three children and eleven grandchildren (all Minnetonka Skippers!). Dave recently retired from Minnetonka High School where he taught Physical Education and coached Football. Dave continues to serve as the Minnetonka School District's "Tonkadome" Manager. Dave leads the Commons Adoption Program and is excited to be a part of "C4C"!
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Tara SchmidtTara has lived in Shorewood for 13 years, raising her daughter Macy, a Skipper alumna and recent UMD graduate. She and her husband Casey love an adventure and enjoy participating in local Excelsior festivities, such as the concerts in the park and the Firecracker run. Professionally, Tara works as a business analyst and has spent over five years as an ambassador to the Community of the Commons, fostering community engagement.
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Jeff ThomasJeff and his wife Tricia have lived in the Minnetonka community for nearly 30 Years. Their 3 children graduated from Minnetonka Schools, and they have enjoyed many activities in the Commons including triathlons, baptisms, concerts and yoga. Jeff is particularly interested in the health and care of the trees in the commons. Jeff has managed a wealth management practice downtown Minneapolis for the past 25 years.
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Kate WilinskiSecretaryKate is a Minnetonka alumni with fond memories of The Commons, which she now enjoys with her husband and three sons. She has worked in fundraising and communications for local non-profit organizations including Opportunity Partners, ICA Food Shelf, and Hennepin Theatre Trust. Kate has served on boards including Excelsior Rotary, Scenic Heights PTA, the Como Community Council, and has a passion for community building and the outdoors.
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Lori ZenkLori has lived in the Minnetonka area for most of her life and is
an alumni of Minnetonka HS. She and her husband Ron raised their family in Shorewood--so Excelsior and The Commons are near and dear to their hearts. Lori’s background is in Advertising and Design. She Co-Chairs the “C4C Ambassadors” along with Tia Black. The Ambassadors are a local group who reach out to area residents, businesses and park visitors with information about our mission, progress and fundraising efforts. |
Past Directors
Cate Fossing
Matt Allman
Eric Snyder
Paul Johnson
Deb Rogers
Rick Rogers
Dan Johnson
Linda Murrell
Todd Carlson
Lynn Johnson
Matt Allman
Eric Snyder
Paul Johnson
Deb Rogers
Rick Rogers
Dan Johnson
Linda Murrell
Todd Carlson
Lynn Johnson
Community for The Commons’ Board is always looking for additional volunteer help as we expand our presence in the community. If you are interested in getting involved, please let us know!