WHO WE ARE

The Sanneh Foundation has always been dedicated to the well-being of all people, embracing belonging and respect for every individual, regardless of their background or identity. The foundation firmly believes that everyone, without exception, holds intrinsic value and deserves support, opportunity, and respect.

  • The mission of The Sanneh Foundation is to Empower youth, Improve lives and Unite communities.

  • The vision of The Sanneh Foundation is to address the range of social determinants that empower youth and improve community well-being by providing access to education, programming, and resources.

    • Accountability

    • Adaptability

    • Caring

    • Fun

    • Growth & Learning

    • Respect

thanks to our sustaining sponsors

our history

2010

Tony Sanneh retires from professional soccer and returns to Minnesota to become full-time CEO of The Sanneh Foundation

2019

Sanneh reaches 100 free sports camps during the summer

2013

Sanneh starts running programming at Conway, beginning legacy to build the dome, renovate fields, renovate gym, and add the STEM lab

2020

Sanneh launches food distributions through it’s Nutritional
Services program

2016

Sanneh partners with the Minnesota Department of Education to expand Dreamline program

2025

Sanneh deepened its reach in the Twin Cities by expanding its flagship programs in education, mentorship, and sports-based life skills training

TEAM SANNEH leadership

  • TONY SANNEH

    Founder / CEO

    email

  • RASSOUL DASTMOZD, PhD

    Executive VP of Strategic Initiatives

    email

  • joanna tzenis

    VP of Programs

    email

  • Oskar Munoz Marroquin

    VP of Compliance

    email

  • CRYSTAL FLINT

    Director, Conway Community Center

    email

  • WHITNEY LARSON

    VP of Philanthropy

    email

  • Brian nosan

    Director of Marketing and Events

    email

board of directors

The Sanneh Foundation is guided by dedicated board members, associate board members, and members of our Founder’s Circle who generously give their time, expertise, and energy to advance our mission. Their leadership and commitment strengthen our work, helping us expand opportunities, build community, and create lasting impact.

  • Billy Beson
    Michael Davis
    Stephanie Dillon
    Lori and David Fhima
    Peter and Sarah Hager
    Morgan Kennedy
    Lawrence Patterson
    Amy Langer
    Tom Bardis
    Martin Nance
    Nii Quaye
    Lou Railoa
    Jerry Timian
    Rodney Young

  • Adam Brown
    Chief Actuary at Allianz Life U.S.A

    Blois Olson
    Principal, Fluence Media

    Brian Findlay (Board Chair)
    Retired 3M, Director of Automotive and Aerospace

    Chris Kachman
    Thrivent, VP of Engineering

    Chris Sherman
    Senior Vice President, Sherman & Associates

    Christopher Ede
    Vice President of Business Dev. at Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

    Christopher Hanna
    Comcast MW Region, Director Sales/Engineering

    Cody Ward Wolkowitz

    VP, Marketing Operations & Transformation,ECOLAB

    Corey Day
    Public Affairs Consultant - Former Board Member, LS2Group

    Cordell Hardy (Member at Large)
    Core R&D Leader, Cargill

    Christian Zepeda
    VP – Financial Consultant, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

    Dave Gette
    National M&A Tax Leader, Baker Tilly US, LLP

    Deborah Olson (Past Chair)
    Life Time Member, Non-Voting
    Retired CEO & Chair, Nelson Laboratories

    Debra Bauman (Board Vice Chair)
    Retired CIO (Bremer Bank, Hazelden, & Sun Country Airlines)

    Delorez Houle
    Retired Social Worker, Ramsey County
    Lifetime Member, Non-Voting

    Denver Gilliand
    Founder & Chief Investment Officer at DSG Capital Advisors

    Dustin Braun

    Vice President – Manufacturing at Land O’ Lakes

    Edwin Torres DeSantiago, Founder & CEO

    Voyageurs Public Affairs LLC

    Elyse Kharbanda
    Execut    ive Director of Research, Health Partners

    Eric Schwebach
    Reinsurance     @ Gallagher | Executive Vice President

    Gene Richtsmeier
    Sr. VP of Business Banking, Huntington Bank

    Jacob Miller
    Vice President of North Region, Cornerstone Parking Group

    Jennifer Gels
    Sr. Director of Marketing, Graco Industrial

    Jennifer VanRanst
    3M, VP of Global Business

    Josh Helgesen
    CEO, Greiner Construction

    Judd Gilats (Treasurer)
    Sr. Advisor, WPT Capital

    Kristina McMillan
    Senior Director, Market Strategy, Roers Company

    Lisa Christianson
    Senior VP | Minneapolis – St. Paul Brokerage - Collier

    Madeleine Brase, JD-Attorney
    Associate, Cozen & O’Connor Law Firm

    Mark Williamson
    Business Attorney, Lathrom-GPM

    Marlon Cush
    General Counsel at Gravie

    Marielle Sinicropi
    Founder, Owner HyperCharge Clinic

    Megan Diamond
    Owner (Founder/CEO), NPARALLEL

    Michaleen Josephs
    Investor, Self-Employed Entrepreneur

    Mya Honeywell
    Realtor, The HIVE

    Nicole Carlson
    2nd VP, Enterprise Consulting & Project Mgmt, Securian

    RB Kiernat
    Managing Director, Quetico Partners LLC

    Renae Keller
    Renae Keller Interior Designer

    Sean Jensen (Secretary)
    Author/Speaker, Storyteller/Ghostwriter, Content Mktg Strategy & Dev.

    Steve Silton (Member at Large)
    Attorney, Cozen O’Connor

    Tamba Johnson
    Senior Wealth Manager, MBW Group

    Tony LaCroix-Dalluhn
    VP of Operations, Allina

    Tony Sanneh (Ex-Officio)
    Founder/CEO, The Sanneh Foundation

  • Leah Mckeon

    Austin McDowell

    Raechell Pullett

    Drew Niemants

    Lawrence Wright

    Wendy Cushing

    Demitri Dawson

    Sheila Crabbe 

    Cody Cropper


  • Sean Ball
    Justin Bueon
    Micahel Khoury
    Keith Moses
    Koroush Motalebi
    Bryant Pfeiffer
    Evan Richardson
    Noah Rouen
    Tony Simmons
    Jason Trucano

Contact Us

Please fill out the form and we’ll get back to you shortly. If you want to chat over the phone or visit us, please see the information below. We look forward to connecting!


1276 University Avenue W.
St. Paul, MN 55104

651-690-4855

info@thesannehfoundation.org