Eight adults stand against a railing with their hands touching in the middle, smiling at the camera

COMMUNITY OWNED, COMMUNITY DRIVEN.

As an organization powered by collective action, we know it takes a village to make long-lasting, systemic change. Our team includes community leaders from the nonprofit, government, business, and philanthropic sectors who serve on our Leadership Table; network members from across Rochester focused on specific goals; and the C2C Parent Council, which guides our work. The C2C backbone staff helps to make sure all partners are regularly coming together to share data, take action, and advance equity toward the same vision.

Our Backbone Staff

C2C’s backbone staff includes full-time team members who take on dedicated roles to bring together the people, the data, and the resources to create policies and strategies that make an impact across education in Rochester.

  • Headshot of Julie Ruzek against a red background. Julie wears a black sleeveless shirt and a colorful necklace.

    Julie Ruzek

    Executive Director

    Read Bio
  • Headshot of Winnie Godi against an orange background. Winnie wears an orange shirt and a brown jacket.

    Winnie Godi

    Network Facilitator

    Read Bio
  • Headshot of Beth Martinez against a pink background. Beth wears a white shirt.

    Beth Martinez

    Community Advocacy
    Manager

    Read Bio
  • Headshot of Angalee Schmidt against a blue background. Angalee wears a black shirt.

    Angalee Schmidt

    Communications Manager

    Read Bio
  • Headshot of Noah Shore. Noah wears a white collared shirt.

    Noah Shore

    Data Analyst

    Read Bio
  • Headshot of Greg Jacob against a green gradient background.

    Greg Jacob

    Special Projects Assistant

    READ BIO

Leadership Table

Systemic change requires strong leadership.

Our Leadership Table includes a group of leaders who represent many of our community’s key nonprofit, government, business, and philanthropic partners and guide Cradle 2 Career’s shared vision. The C2C Leadership Table ensures the community has the right people, resources, data, and policies in place to achieve the greatest impact for our youth, and supports the sustainability and reach of effective initiatives by utilizing their networks and skills to a common cause.

Interested in joining the C2C Leadership Table? Click the button below to fill out the interest form! Email the completed form to julier@c2cmn.com.

Leadership Table Officers

  • Christina Valdez

    Co-Chair

  • Marla Rotman

    Co-Chair

  • Irene Woodward

    Treasurer

  • Angie Ellsworth

    Secretary

Leadership Table Members

  • Headshot of Travis Gransee, who wears a black suit with a white shirt and red tie.

    Travis Gransee

    DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
    Olmsted County

  • Photo of McKinsey Goodenberger and their partner, smiling at the camera.

    McKinsey Goodenberger

    GENETIC COUNSELOR
    Mayo Clinic/Rotary Clubs of Rochester

  • Headshot of Elaine Westra, who wears a white collared shirt.

    Alaine Westra

    VP OF COMMUNITY IMPACT
    Think Bank

  • Headshot of Ashalul Aden, who wears a black hijab.

    Ashalul Aden

    COMMUNITY MEMBER

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    Zia Rauker

    STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

  • blank image to be filled

    Dania Amra

    STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

  • Headshot of Kent Pekel, who wears a brown jacket with a pink shirt.

    Dr. Kent Pekel

    SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
    Rochester Public Schools

  • Headshot of Erica Schumacher, who wears a brown turtleneck sweater.

    Erica Schumacher

    DIRECTOR OF EARLY LEARNING
    Rochester Public Schools

  • Headshot of Hason Post, who wears a black suit with a white shirt and red tie.

    Dr. Jason Post

    INTERNIST
    Mayo Clinic

  • Headshot of Tawonda Burks, who wears a pink blazer.

    Tawonda Burks

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
    Elocina/RAEDI

  • Headshot of Jeffery Boyd, who wears a black suit and tie with a white shirt and glasses.

    Dr. Jeffery Boyd

    PRESIDENT
    Rochester Community & Tech College

  • Headshot of Jen Woodford, who wears glasses and a blue jacket.

    Jen Woodford

    PRESIDENT
    Rochester Area Foundation

  • Headshot of Wafa Elkhalifa, who wears a purple blazer and a blue patterned hijab.

    Wafa Elkhalifa

    EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
    Destination Medical Center - DMC

  • mirna hernandez photo

    Mirna Hernandez

    PARENT / GUARDIAN SEAT

  • Headshot of Jerome Ferson, who wears a black jacket with a white shirt and red tie.

    Jerome Ferson

    PRESIDENT
    United Way of Olmsted County

  • Headshot of Katie Post, who wears a black blazer.

    Katie Post

    DENTIST
    Northwest Dental Group

  • Headshot of Lindsey Scurlock, who wears sunglasses and a pink shirt.

    Lindsey Scurlock

    PROVIDER
    Scurlock Family Childcare

  • Ryan Parsons

    Ryan Parsons

    BUSINESS SEAT

  • Headshot of Jered Bright, who wears a blue polo shirt.

    Bridget Tetteh-Batsa

    DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
    University of Minnesota, Rochester

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    RCS Representative

    TO BE FILLED
    Rochester Catholic Schools

  • marla rotman

    Marla Rotman

    PASTOR OF PROGRAMMING
    Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

  • Irene Woodward

    Irene Woodward

    COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
    City of Rochester

  • Angie Ellsworth

    Angie Ellsworth

    OWNER
    Time Out Behavior Coaching

  • Christina Valdez

    Christina Valdez

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Listos Preschool

Parent Council

C2C amplifies the perspectives of local families, centering their lived experiences and incorporating their perspectives into the collaborative solutions we propose. Our Parent Council includes family members of Rochester children and youth and plays an active role in setting the agenda and strategies for our shared work.

Members include:

  • Khadija Ali

  • Anavelia Segura

  • Kim Sin

  • Nita Martinez

  • Zeni Aly

  • L'Kendra Jacob

  • Robert Boupaengphan

  • Sherrell Spencer

  • Maria Zavala

  • Z'Maria Steele

  • Olivia Coleman

  • A man and a woman stand on a beach smiling at the camera, and the woman is wearing a baby in a sling.

    Maria Zavala

    I joined the Parent Council because…

    As a mother and educator I believe in the mission of C2C. Every child should have the resources and support needed to thrive.

  • A polaroid photo of a family of two adults and two children sitting a table smiling at the camera.

    Nita Martinez

    I joined the Parent Council because…

    My sister introduced me, saying I’d be a good fit being a mom of two young boys. I thought I’d give it a shot, but I’m glad I did because it opened up my eyes to a lot about my community and I’d like to make a difference/change in any way I can!

  • A family of two adults and three children stand together smiling at the camera.

    Khadija Ali

    I joined the Parent Council because…

    I wanted to have my parent perspective represented and taken into account. I wanted to be able to make sure my community would not have any barrier when it comes to education, because I will always bring back what I learned while attending the parent council back to them. And make sure that they feel their views matter and are being heard.

  • Zeni Aly

    I joined the Parent Council because…

    I want to help community members navigate resources. I volunteered to utilize my language skills, connections, and lived experiences along with ethical practices based on interpreter code of ethics and culture sensitivity. I speak three languages. Being in the community for almost 13 years I witnessed some of the challenges myself and other partners face.

Partners

We are grateful to have the partnership of over 35 organizations from across Rochester.

  • Rochester Area Foundation

    The Rochester Area Foundation serves as the fiscal host for Cradle 2 Career.

    Vist Website
  • United Way of SE Minneosta

    The United Way of Southest Minnestota serves as the employer for Cradle 2 Career.

    Visit Website
Civic Lead Day Nursery Logo: Caring and nurturing our community's children for over 85 years
Workforce Development Inc
Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association
Rochester Catholic Schools
Destination Medical Center
READI Retain Grow Diversify
Mayo Clinic
SPARK Children's Museum
Timeout Behavior Coaching
Northwest Dental Group
City of Rochester
Living Room Tutors
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce
Boys and Girls Club of Rochester
Listos Preschool and Childcare
Rochester Public Schools
think Bank
Next Chapter Ministries
Gillette Pepsi Rochester
ServeMN
Ready To Lead
Olmsted County Minnesota
Aldrich School of Rochester
University of Minnesota Rochester
Rochester Community Initiative
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Ethiopian Community Rochester MN
Ampact: Americorps in Action
Rotary Clubs of Rochester
Families First of Minnesota Rochester
Elocina
Winona State University
Pamoja Women
Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics, and Latin Americans
Arch to Philanthropy
journie

Get Involved

There’s a place for you in this community-wide movement. Reach out to find yours.