Board of Directors

Omar Akbar

Omar is a vice president at Greene Holcomb & Fisher, a Minneapolis-based investment bank focused on mergers and acquisitions. Omar received a BA from Luther College, a JD from the University of Iowa and an LLM (International Economic Law) from New York University. Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, Omar was a corporate lawyer in Chicago. He grew up in Waterloo, Iowa.

“I’m excited to work with such a talented and dedicated group of young professionals, and to help expand LEAD’s mission and community presence in the future.”

Alissa Ausan

Alissa is an interactive marketing consultant at Brave New Media. Born in Wisconsin then raised in the Twin Cities, Alissa graduated from Lake Forest College in 2004. After starting her career at a public relations agency in London, she returned to Minneapolis and was hired by Be The Match. There, she worked on raising public awareness of the need for volunteer marrow donors and attended the University of Minnesota School of Public Health before joining Brave New Media in 2010. Alissa also holds RYT-200 certification from Yoga Alliance and loves teaching yoga to students of all levels at CorePower in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“Four years ago, I joined LEAD to meet other young professionals who were inspired to make a difference. Now, it’s a huge honor to give back to an organization that’s given so much to this community.”

Follow Alissa on Twitter: @ajausan

Jet Baker

Jet Baker has moved back and forth from the Twin Cities and Chicago throughout his life. He graduated high school in Wayzata and received his undergraduate degree with Honors in Marketing at DePaul University in Chicago. Today Jet works with Virteva; an IT Consulting firm based out of Minneapolis that help businesses solve their goals through technology. Jet is also an acting member of the Edina Chamber of Commerce.

“I joined LEAD because of the mission and wanted to help grow awareness amongst young professionals on how to get involved in the community.”

Ellora Batacharya

Ellora spent most of her life in Minneapolis in addition to living on both the East and West Coasts for a few years. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2005 with concentrations in both Finance and Accounting. Ellora currently works for 3M as an internal auditor where she specializes in financial, operational and compliance audits at various 3M entities across the U.S. Ellora is also involved in various mentorship programs for middle school and high school kids among other youth and multicultural-focused philanthropic initiatives.

“Through The LEAD Project, I have the opportunity to engage with other passionate young professionals who share the same drive to get involved in philanthropic endeavors in order to assist and improve our community.”

Lan Freitag

Lan was raised in Bloomington. She graduated from North Dakota State with a BA in Mass Communications. Lan is a Giving Communities Manager at Greater Twin Cities United Way managing the Emerging Leaders and Arise Project programs. She has experience creating national engagement strategies, development and communications plans, managing workplace campaigns and volunteers. Lan has had a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and is personally committed to causes in the area of basic needs and education. Lan also serves as a regional board member for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.

“The LEAD Project is giving me a chance to meet dynamic, driven young professionals that are interested in making a collective impact in the community we live in.”

Follow Lan on Twitter: @lanfreitag

William Hale

William Hale moved to the Twin Cities in 1988 and considers Minnesota his home. He received his B.S. at Iowa State University in Management Information Systems in 2002. William is a Business Development Leader and a Commodity Merchant with Cargill’s joint venture, Horizon Milling, LLC where he also Co-Chairs their Community Involvement Committee. William is also the Chair of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s Government Committee working with city and state representatives along with the business community on legislative, transportation and business advocacy issues. He also resides on the Associate Board for the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities.

“The LEAD Project offers the creation of the next generation of leadership for charitable organizations, in turn allowing for new growth and brand awareness of their programs. Today, this is more important than ever in our volatile economy and the stretch for sustainable funds. I have a passion to see others succeed and The LEAD Project offers the opportunity to effect many organizations and the community in this way.”

Latawnie Hernandez

Latawnie was raised in Orono, Minn. and attended the University of Montana with a concentration in Hospitality Management. Latawnie is a meeting and conference coordinator at metroConnections, a Minnesota-founded, full-service meeting and event management company. She has also been actively involved with professional and philanthropic organizations such as The Wayzata Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, United Way Emerging Leaders, International Special Events Society and Meeting Professionals International.

“LEAD has offered me a fun and accessible way to connect with other Twin Cities young professionals to impact the community and nonprofit organizations in need.”

Mara Hughes

Mara focuses on marketing strategy and brand management at The Mosaic Company – the world’s leading supplier of phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mara’s focus includes: the global brand strategy of the MicroEssentials® brand, product launches and new product development. She grew up in the eastern suburbs of St. Paul and graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2008, with a major in Business Entrepreneurship and concentration in Broadcast Journalism. She is currently pursuing her MBA from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. Mara is personally committed to volunteerism and passionate about philanthropic causes focused on human rights, global hunger and basic needs.

“I joined The LEAD Project to collaborate with high-caliber young professionals dedicated to making a difference in our community. Working with LEAD members has benefited me both personally and professionally.”

Elizabeth Larson

Elizabeth was raised in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Entrepreneurship in 2006. Following graduation, she started a foreign language program for children called Passport Pals Language Program. She currently works as a Global Account Manager for a conferencing company. Elizabeth is also active with the Junior League of Minneapolis and is personally committed to causes that benefit underserved communities through education — specifically children and youth.

“I wanted to become a part of LEAD as I strongly believed in the mission and wanted to be a part of something that is helping to shape the future of our generation.”

Kristin Lenander

Kristin was born in and later returned to Minnesota after spending most of her childhood in Omaha, Neb. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2008 with a degree in Strategic Communications. She manages web communications and social media for ARKRAY, a medical device company specializing in technology for people with diabetes. Outside the office, Kristin is an avid supporter and volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota.

“The LEAD Project serves a unique and growing need in our community to connect motivated, passionate young people with organizations desperate for their talents. Helping to make that connection is a powerful thing.”

Follow Kristin on Twitter: @kristinlenander

Jason Lima

Jason is a first-generation American; born and raised in San Jose, California. After graduating from MIT with a BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, he served five years as an officer in the U.S. Navy, where he was deployed twice to the Arabian Gulf. Following a brief time as a management consultant in San Diego, he received his MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Jason moved to the Twin Cities in 2008 and joined LEAD’s board just over a year later. Being the first in his family to graduate from college, Jason is passionate about the importance of youth education. He is currently an analyst at a local investment firm, is married and has a daughter.

“I wanted to join LEAD so I could give back to the community I call my new home.”

Linh Peters

Linh Peters grew up in the Eastern suburbs of the Twin Cities. She received her undergraduate degree in Journalism with concentrations in Advertising and Public
Relations from the University of MN. Linh spent five years working in public relations and marketing communications both for agencies and corporations in Orange County, CA and the Twin Cities. In 2005 she received her MBA in marketing and strategy from the University of MN Carlson School. Upon graduation, Linh spent six years at Best Buy in various marketing roles including Loyalty, Brand, Category and working overseas with Best Buy China. She currently is employed with Target Corp. where she manages the REDcard program, strategy and marketing. Linh is also involved in an undergraduate mentorship program at the University of MN and numerous other philanthropic initiatives.

“I am excited to be a part of LEAD to help educate, guide and connect with the next generation of great philanthropic leaders.”

Brittany Thelemann

Britt grew up in the western suburbs of Minneapolis and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Mass Communications and Journalism. She currently works as a Client Services Manager for Exhibit Partners, a forward-thinking, eco-friendly full-service exhibit provider based in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Britt has been volunteering and working with local non-profits her entire life. As Miss Minnesota USA 2011, Brittany worked throughout the state and nation to raise awareness and funds for the USO, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and, of course, with LEAD – just to name a few. She is especially interested in helping LEAD connect to the young professional community through social networking.

“I’m inspired daily to spend more of my time on the things that matter most like giving back, which is why I joined LEAD.”

Follow Britt on Twitter: @BrittThelemann

Bridget Ulrich

Bridget was raised in the Western Suburbs of Minneapolis. In 2007, she graduated from The University of St. Thomas with a degree in Marketing and Advertising. Shortly afterward, Bridget was hired at a local nonprofit, Hammer Residences, Inc., where she now works as a Development and Communication Specialist. Bridget is active in connecting young professionals in the Minneapolis area and chairs the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Group, is a community reporter for KSTP and serves on committees for YNPN (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network) and MinnPost. Bridget is personally committed to causes involving income disparity and the environment.

“I wanted to get involved with LEAD to make a difference in my community, my life and the lives of others.”

Follow Bridget on Twitter: @BridgetMPLS

Peter Wagner

Peter was born and raised in Wisconsin. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2004 with a BA in Accounting, and received and MBA from the Carlson School of Management in 2011 with an emphasis in Strategic Management. He is a Manager of Finance at UnitedHealth Group. Peter also serves as a Board member and Treasurer
for Global Citizens Network and Intercultural Student Experiences. He is personally interested in causes focused on education.

“I joined LEAD because I believe in its mission of inspiring young professionals to become more involved in our community.”

Follow Peter on Twitter: @petercwagner

Michael Will

Mike was born and raised in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2003 with a BA in Criminal Justice and History,
Mike attended and received his Juris Doctor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. After graduating from law school in 2006, Mike joined the law firm of Terhaar, Archibald, Pfefferle & Griebel, LLP, where he practiced in the area of insurance defense litigation. In 2011, Mike joined the law firm of Meagher & Geer, PLLP, where he specializes in anti-fraud litigation. Mike is also involved with the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities. His special areas of interest are causes that benefit education, the environment and health-related issues.

“The LEAD Project’s mission has always resonated strongly with me. Being a part of LEAD has presented me with a unique opportunity, not only to make a difference in my community, but to help others make a difference as well.”

Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan is a trial attorney with Dorsey & Whitney LLP where he represents clients in connection with business disputes, trust and probate litigation, and corporate compliance issues. Born and raised in small town Iowa, Jonathan received a BS degree from Iowa State University in Sociology, Political Science and Criminal Justice before obtaining his JD from the University of Iowa in 2004. He is also actively involved with the Movember Foundation, Friends of St. Jude and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“Since its inception, LEAD has vigorously sought to both raise awareness of local charities and engage young professionals in meaningful volunteerism. I am excited and honored to help further the mission alongside my gifted colleagues on the LEAD Board.”