Thanks to three outgoing board members for their dedication and service
Our outstanding board of directors provides strategic leadership, maintains fiduciary responsibility, connects us to community resources and helps set the direction of our organization in providing career and college readiness programs. Our tremendous thanks to these three outstanding board members who completed their service at our June meeting.
Velma Korbel, vice president and chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer for APi Group, served on the Achieve Twin Cities board for ten years. Velma was an active member of the board governance committee, serving for a time as chair, and was also active in our 2017 strategic planning process. She brought sharp focus and skill in diversity and inclusion to her work on the board, and was also instrumental in strengthening our relationship with the City of Minneapolis through her prior role as director of the city’s department of civil rights. We look forward to a continued partnership with Velma as our board continues to strengthen its commitment to equity in its practice.
Rich Renikoff recently retired from Wells Fargo, also served on the Achieve board for ten years. Rich was very active on the board development committee, served for a time as vice chair, and led the search committee that hired Achieve CEO Danielle Grant in 2016. He was also a key champion for Step Up high school internships at Wells Fargo prior to his retirement, and helped Achieve forge important new connections with local employers and funders. We are thankful that Rich will continue to work with Achieve as a volunteer on the board development committee.
Kawaskii Bacon, director of finance for Media Bridge Advertising, served on the board for three years. He was a key member of the board finance committee and provided critical expertise and support as we restructured our organizational financial systems. Prior to his board service, Kawaskii was a dedicated Achieve Graduation Coach, mentoring high school students as they prepared for graduation and explored their career and college options.
All three of these board members were deeply connected to our work and mission and we are truly thankful for their many years of service. We look forward to drawing on their expertise and commitment in new ways in the years ahead.