ANDREA GRAHAM

Co-executive dir, BigTen Basketball Championships
MINNESOTA SPORTS & EVENTS

Andrea is a Minneapolis-based brand experience consultant currently acting as the Co-Executive Director of the Big Ten Basketball Championships coming to Minneapolis in 2023 and 2024. She originally partnered with Minnesota Sports and Events as a member of the Minnesota Local Organizing Committee responsible for bringing the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship Tournament to Minneapolis. For this project she was responsible for the VIP hospitality events programming, oversaw the partner advisory council, managed local DE&I priorities, and served as the Title IX Program Director for the Title IX 50th Anniversary campaign. With a passion for community building and a need to create work that positively impacts the world around us Andrea has also been lucky to have worked with the teams at Minnesota Festival and Events Association, Twin Cities Catalyst Music, St. Paul Downtown Alliance, Towerside Business Alliance, the Basilica Block Party Planning Committee, Rock What You Got, Surly Brewing Co, and American Public Media Group. Andrea is also a co-founder of the Great Lakes Association of Musicians and Artists, a membership-based non-profit committed to supporting the contribution of independent artists and musicians in our community by providing the social, mental, and physical support resources that allow them to continue to create a kinder, more beautiful world.

Anita adjei-wiafe

Director, People & culture
Minnesota Vikings

Anita Adjei-Wiafe joined the Minnesota Vikings in September 2021 where she oversees HR processes within the organization, including recruiting, talent and culture engagement, performance & compensation management and policy formulation and compliance. Anita's HR career began in the Minnesota Army Nation Guard where she served in the guard for 10 years. She feels fortunate to have had the ability to work in various HR roles in different industries such as banking, retail, senior living, and health care services.

Anita earned her master’s degree in HR from St Mary’s University in Minneapolis and her HR undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is also involved as a member of the African American Leadership Council and Vice President of Black Sports Professionals (BSP), Twin Cities Chapter. 

Ann Dunne

Assistant General Manager
ASM Global, U.S. Bank Stadium

Ann Dunne is the Assistant General Manager at U.S. Bank Stadium. In her role, Ann oversees the revenue generating efforts for the stadium including booking, special event sales, sponsorships and ticket operations. She also leads marketing and communications, event management, human resources and administration.

Shortly after graduating from Hamline University, Ann landed her dream job with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Target Center. She spent six seasons working for both the team and venue manager in marketing and communications. She also spent one season as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader and two seasons as a Timberwolves Performance Team Member. 

The next opportunity took Ann into media sales and marketing at KARE-11 and then Comcast Advertising. During her tenure in media, her focus was creating sales and marketing strategies, managing premium client events and incentives and leading sales teams to record setting success. 

A Minnesota native, Ann lives in Wayzata with her husband Joe and their three fur babies Winston, Solvi & Jagger.  Traveling, wine, and dogs are a few of her favorite things. 

LinkedIn Profile

Ashley Armstrong

VP, Membership Service
Minnesota Timberwolves & lynx

Ashley Armstrong, a Stillwater, Minnesota native, graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in Professional Strategic Communication and minors in Management and Spanish. During her time at the University, Armstrong became the President of the Sports Management Association, leading the organization to a five hundred percent increase in participation. She was also the Promotions Director for Gopher Football along with the sideline reporter for Big Ten Digital Network. Outside of school and work, Armstrong was very involved in the triathlon community. For three years, Armstrong served as the Race Director for Tri-Fitness organizing many triathlon events around the Twin Cities.  

Directly following graduation, Armstrong accepted a position as a Fan Experience Specialist with the Minnesota Timberwolves. After eight months, she was promoted to an Account Executive in a newly established Membership Service Department. Two years later Armstrong took over as the Manager of Membership Service. With new responsibility of the Premium Services department, a year later, she was promoted to the Director of Membership & Premium Services. Today Armstrong is the Vice President of Membership & Premium Services. Armstrong manages all Account Executives that service Members from the 200 level to the Lexus Courtside Club to the suite lease holders on the premium level. She also coordinates all programming for membership and premium accounts which include integration with the Timberwolves app, plans and executes all events associated with both areas, and oversees operations for all Premium Club spaces inside Target Center.

Gretchen Korf

EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Admin Officer

Minnesota United

Gretchen Korf is the Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Minnesota United. Gretchen joined the Club in late 2022 and is responsible for leading the accounting and finance departments and providing oversight for the IT and human resources departments. In this role, she collaborates and works cross-functionally to provide leadership and input regarding the financial implications of all major business decisions.

Prior to joining the Club, she spent 14 years at UnitedHealth Group in the corporate affairs and philanthropy space. During her time there she led the development of UnitedHealth Group’s first annual Sustainability Report, released in 2020, and spent more than a decade managing all operational and financial elements of UnitedHealth Group’s Office of Social Responsibility and United Health Foundation.

Before joining UnitedHealth Group, Gretchen spent six years with EY. While at EY, Gretchen was one of five managers to spend three months in South America as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility Fellows Program. While there, she provided her professional expertise to an emerging entrepreneur in Santiago, Chile. Additionally, Gretchen co-created EY Cares, the Community Engagement Committee, that coordinated various community service projects for the more than 500 Minneapolis employees.  

She received a B.A. in accounting from the College of St. Benedict. She has served on the board of directors for BestPrep a local Minnesota nonprofit, as well as the Alumnae Board for the College of St. Benedict. In her free time, Gretchen and her husband, enjoy cheering on their three sons in their various sporting activities.

Ieesha McKinzie Collins

Managing Director
CONNEXT MSP

Ieesha McKinzie Collins is a committed and energetic leader with a passion for educational equity and creating opportunities for black and brown people. She currently serve as the Managing Director of ConnextMSP, a new strategic initiative powered by the GREATER MSP Partnership focused on ensuring BIPOC college students and early-career professionals are recruited, hired, and supported by local employers as they launch careers.

Prior to joining GREATER MSP, Ieesha served as Managing Director of External Relations for national education nonprofit Breakthrough Collaborative, supported a network of 54 schools as Director of Strategic Communications for KIPP Texas Public Schools, and managed brand marketing & communications at General Mills. Ieesha also served as Education Program Officer for the General Mills Foundation where she engaged with dozens of local and global grantees.

Ieesha is a proud first-generation college graduate and HBCU alumna who earned a B.A. in journalism from Hampton University, a M.S. in integrated marketing communication from Northwestern University, and a second master’s in educational leadership from the Broad Center for Urban Education. As someone who values lifelong learning, Ieesha has participated in several leadership development programs including Teach for America, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and The Broad Residency in Urban Education. She has also volunteered on several nonprofit boards which aligns with her deep commitment to educational equity.

Jessica Poole

Chief Operating Officer
Minnesota Aurora FC

Jessica Poole has been an industry leader in athletics for over 20 years. She believes that sports can change the world and has enjoyed seeing the opportunities created and lives changed when people have the opportunity to participate in sports. While the bulk of her career has been spent in a college setting, Poole has spent time working in professional tennis and the opportunity with Minnesota Aurora FC provides her an opportunity to return to her first sport of soccer. 

“The mission and vision of Minnesota Aurora FC is unique and rare in today’s athletic landscape and culture. The idea that we are able to center all that we do around values steeped in community, equality and boldness is a game changer for our organization. I am grateful to have a front row seat for all that we will accomplish now and in the future.” 

Prior to taking on her role at Minnesota Aurora, Poole served as the Deputy Athletic Director at Chicago State University and also served as Interim Director of Athletics. Poole provided leadership, vision, strategy, direction and management over professional and support staff with oversight of business operations, human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), facilities, events, campus engagement, and capital engagement.  Poole also led in the oversight and management of policy development and strategic planning.  

Poole also served as Senior Associate AD for External Operations at Florida Atlantic University where she oversaw FAU's communications, marketing and corporate sponsorship areas while serving as a member of the athletics leadership team. 

A communications specialist by nature, Poole served in athletic communications capacities in athletic departments in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) at Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, in the Big Ten at Michigan and also in the Ivy League at Dartmouth College. 

When not out and about representing Aurora, Poole is active on the Board of College Sports Communicators (CSC), where she recently completed service as Board Chair and was the first Black woman to hold the position. She is also a member of the Black College Sports Information Directors and serves as a member of the executive team while also serving on the NCAA's Women's Basketball Final Four Media Coordination Committee.

She is also mom to her son William and enjoys spending time with friends and family. As an Ann Arbor, Michigan native, you can also always catch her cheering on her beloved Michigan Wolverines. 

•   Bachelors of Journalism. University of Missouri-Columbia

•   Women Leaders in College Sports Institute of Administrative Advancement (2013)

•   College Sports Communicators Executive Board of Directors Chair (2022-23)

•   Memberships include: College Sports Communicators, Women Leaders in College Sports

John Penhollow

EVP, Chief Revenue Officer
Minnesota Vikings

John Penhollow is an innovative and results-driven sports executive with vast experience in leading revenue, strategy, and organization development with industry-leading teams, such as the Minnesota Vikings, the Cleveland Browns, and the New York Yankees. As a trusted and authentic leader, John has built modern sports organizations, empowered teams and franchises to see the big picture, generated exponential growth through cutting-edge solutions, and enabled organizations to capture new opportunities. An exceptional decision-maker, he assesses situations and analytics to drive decisions and achieve consistent and sustainable growth. 

As the Director of Corporate Sales and Sponsorships for the New York Yankees, John was recruited to rebuild Yankee Stadium. Throughout this expansive project, he and the team pitched and negotiated deals, ideated new ways to generate revenue, and secured $450M+ in revenue by the grand opening, breaking the MLB’s record for new venue project revenue. Included within these accomplishments, he generated $36M in sponsorships and engaged with culinary experts to share his vision for the stadium, inspiring partners to eventually create Legends Hospitality. His efforts helped position the team to open a world-class venue and win the World Series Championship in 2009. 

Following his success with the New York Yankees, John joined the Cleveland Browns to lead sponsorship, media, and suite sales activities. Facing difficult situations and challenges in this role, such as a lockout year, John remained positive and crafted revenue preservation and generation strategies. He achieved double-digit growth in the first year of employment and secured a $102M, 17-year deal with a leading energy company. During his time with the Cleveland Browns, he achieved the most new-business generated in a year since 1999 with sponsorship revenue up by 21% and suite revenue growth by 12%. 

John is currently with the Minnesota Vikings. He started with this team as a Director of New Stadium Partnerships and quickly progressed to the Vice President of Corporate and Technology Partnerships. He was tasked with strategizing how to open the stadium to move the team from the bottom of the NFL in all categories in 2015. Through a new foundation and architecture for sponsorships, new sales materials, and strategies, he led the team into the top 5 in all categories by 2016. His efforts grew revenue from $18M to $60M+ with $650M+ in contractually obligated income that accelerated the team’s decision to build a world-class training facility. 

Currently, as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, John oversees all revenue-generating activities while driving the vision, strategic priorities, and culture of the entire organization. By leveraging his vast expertise, he was able to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve revenue and retain 90% of sponsorships. By applying strategic selling approaches and new business plans, he set records around sponsorships sales, suite sales, and ticketing in 2023. The Minnesota Vikings have secured $1.7B+ in sponsorships and suites under John’s leadership, negotiation and execution.

John has a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Canisius University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University. He served as a head and assistant coach for the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association. He was a previous board member for the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities and formerly on the Sponsorship Steering Committee for the National Football League.

Kristin rortvedt

Executive director
Minnesota Twins community fund

As the Director of Community Relations for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club and Executive Director of the Twins Community Fund, Kristin Rortvedt is committed to improving the lives of others through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration.  During Kristin’s tenure, the Twins launched a new strategy that strives to advance social equity by investing in the full potential of our children, specifically focused on eliminating racial and socioeconomic opportunity gaps prevalent in K-12 education and overall youth development.

Prior to this role, she served in multiple roles with Ronald McDonald House Charities including a leadership development consultant for the global nonprofit organization and as the Executive Director for the New Mexico Chapter. Kristin has also worked in community relations for a multi-state utility company, leading employee volunteerism efforts as well as administering Foundation grants.

Originally from a tiny town west central Minnesota, she is passionate about serving her home state after nearly two decades in the Southwest.  Active in many organizations, she is currently a board member for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, is a member of Women in Sports and Entertainment, and is a committee member with Minnesota Keystone Program.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead.  She enjoys traveling and is still trying to perfect her New Mexican chile-making skills now that she’s back in the Midwest. 

Leticia Silva

SVP Human Resources
Minnesota Twins

Leticia Silva, who is beginning her 27th season with the Twins in 2024, was promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources in January 2021. She began her Twins career as an intern in 1998, joined the club’s Finance/Human Resources department full-time during the 1998 season, and was elevated to Vice President in January 2020. 

Silva, who was named to the Sports Business Journal’s Game Changers: Women in Sports Business Class of 2022, oversees the club’s Human Resources department, which includes talent acquisition, organizational and employee development, compensation, benefits, diversity and inclusion, HRIS, employee relations and administrative services. Also, she was the recipient of the Twins Tradition Award in 2021. 

Silva received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, where she was a four-year recipient of the university's Puckett Scholarship founded by Kirby and Tonya Puckett. Leticia currently holds certification as a Senior Certified Professional through the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP) and a Senior Professional (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. 

Leticia resides in St. Paul, MN with her husband, Joe, and their five children, Elina, Liliana, Joe Jr., Adriana, and Marco. 

Dr. Nicole Lavoi

director
Tucker Center / University of Minnesota

Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in the area of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota and the Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. Through action-oriented collaborative research, she translates data and answers critical questions that can make a difference in the lives of girls and women. As a leading scholar on gender, leadership and women coaches, Dr. LaVoi has published 100+ book chapters, research reports and peer-reviewed articles in top-rated journals. Her seminal research includes the annual Women in College Coaching Report Card™ which is aimed at retaining and increasing the number of women in the coaching profession and holding decision makers accountable, a groundbreaking book Women in Sports Coaching (2016), and a documentary GAME ON: Women Can Coach (2018). GAME ON is the third Emmy-nominated collaborative film project with tptMN; along with Concussions & Female Athletes (2011) and Media Coverage & Female Athletes: Women Play Sports, Just Not in the Media (2013, Regional Emmy winner, Best Sport Documentary). As a public scholar she hosts a podcast, consults with a variety of stakeholder groups, works with industry partners, speaks around the world, fields media requests, provides thought leadership, and serves on numerous mission-driven advisory boards related to girls and women in sport. She is an award-winning coach and distinguished teacher, regional Emmy winner, two-time NCAA Academic All-American, two-time Hall of Fame inductee and was named a 2023 USTA Champion of Equality. LaVoi played collegiate tennis at Gustavus Adolphus College winning a NCAA-III National Team Championship where she currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Prior to her career in the academy, she was a USPTA Teaching Pro, an assistant coach at Carleton College, and the head tennis coach at Wellesley College. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, biking, hiking, golf, and soaking up the sun.

Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D. is a leading scholar on gender and sport, a Senior Lecturer in the area of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota and the Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. As a public scholar and through action-oriented collaborative research, she translates data and answers critical questions that can make a difference in the lives of girls and women. 

Patrick Rees

Chief Communications Officer
Minnesota timberwolves & Lynx

Patrick Rees enters his first season as Chief Communications Officer with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. Rees was hired on September 11, 2023 for the organization’s newly created leadership role.

As Chief Communications Officer, Rees oversees all Timberwolves and Lynx day-to-day communications, inclusive of internal and external communications, executive communications, and media strategy. Rees leads strategic vision and will work closely with ownership, the leadership team, and across all departments to ensure consistency of messaging and to drive thoughtful and intentional storytelling.

Rees brings nearly 20 years of experience in executive communications, brand development, crisis and reputation management, media relations, and strategic and internal communications. He joins Minnesota after serving as senior vice president of communications for Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. for the New York Knicks and New York Rangers where he oversaw all corporate, internal and team public relations efforts. Prior to his time in New York, Rees served as the vice president of communications for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and the Philadelphia 76ers where he successfully implemented brand awareness strategies and helped lead all strategic and crisis communications for team and business matters. Rees also held communications roles with the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic. 

A native of Washington, D.C., Rees graduated from Elon University with a double major in Broadcast Communications and French and was recently honored as the university’s 2022 School of Communications Alumnus of the Year.