Way To Grow

About Us : Management Team

Management Team

Ronel Bloomgren, Program Director, has worked with Way to Grow in Program Management and as a Family Resource Advocate since 1991. Ronel has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management and Communication, with additional studies in early education, business, and sociology. Ronel has deep experience working with a range of early childhood, health and human service, and community organizations.

Lindsay Drake, Community Health Manager, is a community health education MPH candidate at the University of Minnesota focusing on global and women’s health. Before coming to Way to Grow, Lindsay worked as a prenatal educator/lactation counselor for the Department of Family Medicine at the Hennepin County Medical Center. She also served as Director of Interpreting Services at the Philips Neighborhood Clinic, an interdisciplinary student run clinic affiliated with the University of Minnesota. She has collaborated with a variety of organizations within the Twin Cities and throughout the nation, including Planned Parenthood International Federation in Caracas, Venezuela, La Oportunidad, and the Center for Community Based Health Strategies at the Academy for Educational Development in Washington DC.

Elizabeth Fields, Director of Early Childhood Education, joined Way to Grow in May 2006 after eight years of licensed teaching experience in the field of Early Childhood Special Education. While teaching in St. Paul, Elizabeth worked as a member of a curriculum development team responsible for writing, implementing and evaluating early literacy curriculum. Elizabeth earned her Master of Education from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. She is thrilled to advance Way to Grow’s philosophy of embracing parents as an integral part of the teaching team.

Megan McLaughlin, Program Director, has worked with Way to Grow in program management since March of 2004. Megan had worked with Way to Grow in the past as a Community Initiatives Manager. Her background is in community partnership building, project development, and management. Megan has over twenty years experience working in the non-profit sector. She has a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology. Megan’s professional skills include marketing, fundraising, project management and community building.

Penny Saunders, Business Manager, joined the Way to Grow team in October of 2006. She came to us after having worked for over 10 years in the Accounting and Finance department of the YWCA of Minneapolis. Penny has studied Business and Accounting at the University of Phoenix and has over 20 years experience in the management, accounting and human resources fields. Penny brings strong organizational skills and extensive knowledge of GAAP guidelines with special emphasis to not-for-profit entities.

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