Six new trustees join one of the Twin Cities’ strongest and hardest-working boards, bringing marketing, management, diversity, and financial and organizational skills to help support the Saint Paul Public Library and the communities it serves.
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, February 11, 2016 – Six trustees recently joined the governing board of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library – a board historically known for its talented, committed and well-connected members. Fifty community activists, educators, and business professionals currently serve as Friends’ trustees, with an additional three individuals recognized as trustees emeritus. Joining The Friends’ board for three-year terms are the following individuals:
Heather Anfang,Vice President of Marketing at Land O’Lakes, is an enthusiastic library lover and reader, calling the public library “a personal passion I want to ensure is available to everyone.” Anfang brings more than 15 years’ experience in marketing and management to The Friends’ Board.
A retired educator, Kate Dienhart is a tutor, a board member and volunteer for the Highland Friendship Club, and serves on the development committee at St. Catherine University and on the parent advisory board at Cretin-Derham Hall. Dienhart believes the public library’s strength is that is serves everyone, no matter their age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or language. She is particularly interested in its role in providing digital resources and early childhood literacy.
Sia Her has a deep understanding of the issues and barriers immigrants face as they strive to learn the English language and become American citizens. As the executive director of the Minnesota State Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, she uses personal and professional experience to work across bi-partisan, organizational, and socioeconomic lines. She views public libraries as community and family spaces where parents, grandparents and children—as well as neighbors, employers and community leaders—can access resources and explore together; where important dialogues can take place and real connections (not just e-mail, texting, etc.) can happen.
Kimberly Lees, Vice President of Commercial Solutions at Ecolab, brings significant experience in business management, marketing, team and project leadership, and financial acumen to The Friends’ Board. She believes that the strength of the public library lies in allowing children, families and individuals from the wide, diverse community to improve their abilities by providing access to resources.
Greg Mazanec is the associate publisher of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. He considers the public library critical for achieving literacy for all, crucial to closing the achievement gap, and lauds it as a community gathering place uniting people from all walks of life. Mazanec is well-connected in the East Metro and possesses strong financial and strategic planning skills. He is currently a board member of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and coaches for Stillwater Youth Hockey and the Lake Elmo Basketball Association.
Cathy Paper brings marketing, networking, strategic planning, and event planning skills to The Friends’ Board. President and a principal consultant for Rock Paper Star, she works with business owners to take their intellectual property, their messages and their companies to the next level. Her volunteer involvement includes Data 360, Quest for College, and the Carlson School for Entrepreneurship. She values the public library’s role in work skills programs and providing access to knowledge and learning.
Members Leaving the Board:
The bylaws of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library limit trustees to serving three 3-year terms. Members leaving the Board after serving the maximum number of years are: former Chair Tanya Bell, Principal, Grand Real Estate Advisors; Heidi Gesell, CEO, BankCherokee; Phyllis Karasov, labor attorney at Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd; Diana Lewis, Sr. Vice President of Human Resources at Ecolab, retired; and Terry Russell, Executive Vice President, Guy Carpenter. A donation was made to the Book Endowment Fund at the Saint Paul Public Library to honor and recognize the longstanding work and gifts of each of the retiring Board members.
Click here for a complete list of Friends Board Members and their professional affiliations.