Speakers

This "unplugged," less-scripted version of the 2023 State of the Community will be presented by EMRC members Jim Hovland and Stacie Stanley, serving in their communiy roles of Edina Mayor and Edina Schools Superintendent.

Sandy Boren-Barrett has been with Stages Theatre Company (STC) since 1990, allowing her to pursue her passion for theatre production and education, along with community building theatre serving young audiences. During her time in leadership STC has been awarded National recognition with the 2017 Harold Oaks Award for Innovative Contributions to the Field of Theatre for Young Audiences, as well as the 2018 – 50/50 Applause Award for promoting gender equity with playwrights. STC’s 2019-2020 season selection was highlighted in TYA Today Magazine as an example of “a promising increase in representation specifically in works that feature the stories of contemporary young people of color”. Sandy led an international performance tour and artistic exchange with “the egg Theatre, the Young Peoples Theatre of Theatre Royal” in Bath England. Collaboration is at the core of her work, and as an accomplished director has directed over 75 productions at STC which include many new works, dance-inspired productions, and world premieres. She directed the local premier, mainstage production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the musical which remains the highest attended production at Stages Theatre Company. Sandy remains on the Executive Committee, as former chair of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) and last spring worked with Racially Conscious Collaboration (RCC) to gain her certification in racial equity organizational leadership.

Rotary Club of Edina and Edina Morningside Rotary Club exchange students, Ivo Sobotka and Sam Gross will be speaking about their home countries and the experiences of being an exchange student.

Kari Thompson joined VEAP in early 2019 as Advancement Director, before becoming our CEO in September of 2022. Prior to VEAP, Kari worked at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities as the Vice President of Development and Communications. She has over 25 years of experience working in non-profit/philanthropic communities in Minnesota.

As CEO, Kari is responsible for the active direction, management and administration of VEAP, and serves as the face of our organization to the communities we serve. Kari works to proactively develop and nurture relationships with peer organizations, philanthropic donors and leaders in the south Hennepin County community to ensure VEAP remains an innovative and responsive organization. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Mankato State University in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Meet Chad Weinstein and Marty Scheerer, Marty is former Edina Fire Chief.

How do fire fighters and police officers work at such a high level? Chad and Marty will share with us about ethical leadership development and education for teams in publlic safety (police and fire), health care and business.