Meet the People Behind PeaceMaker Minnesota
A small staff and a volunteer board who've each chosen to spend their time building safer, more empathetic communities across Minnesota.
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Dan McNeil, Executive Director
“There’s so much potential in people to grow toward kindness — that’s the less violent, more peaceful world I want to see.”
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Hayla Drake, Program Manager Peace Guide Services
“Conflict is a shared human experience — but so is our ability to learn to resolve it in ways that strengthen, not harm, our communities. I can think of nothing more important.”
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Mandy Grunklee, Programs Manager
“As a victim advocate, I saw how violence devastates families — this work equips youth to break that cycle before it starts.”
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Rachel Townsend, Administrative Assistant
“Being a peacemaker isn’t inherent — it’s a skill we have to teach and practice ourselves.”
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Isabelle Aubry, Peace Guide
“This work helps me create space where children can feel safe, heard, understood, supported, and treated with dignity and respect. I also value the sense of purpose this work provides.”
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Hannah Beeves, Peace Guide
“I can see the difference a positive relationship with an adult can make.”
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Rick Flaherty, Peace Guide
“This work matters to me because I have a chance to interact with young people on a daily basis and maybe help them become the person they want to be.”
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Eileen McConkie, Peace Guide
“Every student does well if they can — our job as Peace Guides is to give them the skills and the caring adult to make that possible.”
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Kyoko Nagayasu, Peace Guide
“Every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported — and to discover they have the power to find solutions on their own.”
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Isaac Nicholl, Peace Guide
“I get to support students in ways that tackle the heart of the issue, maintain their integrity, and build their skills to become kinder, more capable people. And to be that radically supportive adult for others that I wish I had gotten as a child.”
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Mel Peifer, Peace Guide
“I know, firsthand, just how important it is for youth to have a trusted adult they can open up to. This work allows me to be that person for so many.”
Board of Directors
The board that oversees PeaceMaker Minnesota’s work — and the reasons they volunteer their time to do it.
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Gwen Gmeinder, Chairperson
Retired Government Relations Associate, University of Minnesota Extension
“Helping kids learn to be peacemakers — to talk through conflict and treat each other with respect — means less violence and discord in our schools and communities.”
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Carole Froehle, Treasurer
Consultant, Salo, LLC
“Peace starts with our youth, and we can all help develop the peacemakers of tomorrow.”
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Pamela Schmid, Secretary
Freelance Writer & Editor, Self-Employed
“Kids learn empathy and the courage to stand up for others best when they’re young — that’s exactly when PeaceMaker Minnesota reaches them.”
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Jack Frundt, Parliamentarian
Law Student, University of St. Thomas
“Peaceful habits start young — PeaceMaker Minnesota teaches kids the tools to resolve conflict, communicate, and build healthy relationships.”
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Jeff Gintz, Board Member
Sales & Use Tax Auditor, State of Minnesota
“Nobody deserves to be bullied — I stand with PeaceMaker MN to help every student live free of it.”
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Bill Hudson, Board Member
Retired Head of School, Mounds Park Academy
“I’ve spent my career believing in young people’s potential — PeaceMaker Minnesota turns that belief into action, teaching kids to navigate differences, resolve conflict, and care for one another. I can’t imagine a more important investment.”
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John Nelson, Board Member
Lawyer, Fredrikson
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Brandon Reichel, Board Member
Treasury Consultant, BMO Bank
“The world gets better, and stays better, when youth grow up knowing how to resolve conflict.”
WORK WITH US
Meet the people. Then let’s talk.
The people on this page show up in Minnesota schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Reach out, and one of us will help you find the right fit. Or fund the work directly: your gift supports bullying prevention and conflict resolution across the state.
Prefer to talk? 651.631.1604
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