Posts Tagged New Partner
New Partner: Kris Petersen
Why did you choose to join Social Venture Partners?
I was made aware of SVP by Pam Moret. I met with Brad and learned more about the mission and liked what I saw. I then learned that it was both a financial commitment as well as the ability to work directly with the recipients of the grants. I really liked that part of the proposition.
Tell us about yourself!
I am divorced and live in south Minneapolis with my cat Eddy. I spent 27 years in corporate America and left after a number of years in executive leadership to pursue the next chapter of my life. I have a passion for helping people do more than they believe they can, so I joined Lennick Aberman Group as an Executive Consultant focusing on Performance Enhancement coaching and training. I also provide business consulting which is a unique combination. When I am not working, I enjoy biking, running, throwing pottery, gardening, movies, and getting together with friends.
If you could change one thing in the community and had unlimited resources at your disposal, how would the community be different?
If I had one wish for the community it’s more attention and resources in our public schools. I volunteer at a local elementary school and it’s 40 students to a teacher and half of the students are left behind, not able to read, write, or do basic math at the 4th and 5th grade level. It makes me sad and frustrated as basic education should be available to all children in our community.
New Partner: Wendy Robson
Wendy Robson, a new SVP Partner, joined our organization because she was searching for a new volunteer opportunity and had the good fortune to be introduced to Brad Brown through Kris Petersen. She was seeking to leverage her professional skills in an active way, not simply via a board appointment, and SVP’s mission and model was a wish come true, she said.
In Wendy’s orientation, when Brad mentioned Rock Star Supply Company as one of the investees, she said her face lit up and she was jumping around in her seat like the character Horshack from the old sitcom, “Welcome Back Kotter.” She said she’s thrilled to be part of SVP and to be serving as the lead partner for Rock Star Supply Company.
New Partner: Welcome Jeff Werbalowsky
We’re happy to introduce Jeff Werbalowsky from Houlihan Lokey. Be sure to introduce yourself to Jeff at the next Partner Meeting. In the meantime, learn a little about Jeff here:
Why did you choose to join SVP?
I had attended a number of the local programs as an invitee of Terrie Rose (of Baby’s Space). I liked the concept, the group, the efforts being made by very sharp people, and what appeared to be a constructive process for philanthropic leaders. I wanted to play some small part in those beneficial activities going forward in my life.
Tell us more about yourself.
I am Co-CEO of Houlihan Lokey, an investment banking firm with offices around the world and a small office in Minneapolis, and I enjoy a whole range of sports including squash, tennis, swimming, SUPping, scuba, golf, and skiing on water whether or not it’s frozen.
My wife Mary is very active in a number of environmental and educational charitable endeavors. My daughter Sarah is 22 and a recent graduate of UCSB working in PR in Santa Barbara, my son Ryan is 19 and is working while taking courses at Normandale, and my son Ethan is 15 and goes to Edina High School.
If you could change one thing in the community and had unlimited resources at your disposal, how would the community be different?
There is an increasing danger of the development of a self-perpetuating underclass in our local and national communities, and breaking this devolutionary spiral would be a huge benefit to that putative underclass and society as a whole.
