It is with great excitement that Pollen announces the names of our four founding board members. We are thrilled to bring together the individual and collective talents of these extraordinary individuals. Together they will steward Pollen’s direction and shape the organization’s future.
As founding members, they will work along several lines. First they will help Pollen solidify our strategic plan and ensure a sustainable future. Second, they will guide Pollen toward greater mission fulfillment and help us formalize our 501c3 status. And finally, they will work to expand and diversify the board.
Dania Toscano Miwa
Dania Toscano Miwa is the Managing Principal and co-founder of Toscano Advisors, a consulting agency working with nonprofit organizations nationally. She specializes in strategic planning, fundraising strategy, and board governance. Dania has worked and volunteered for many organizations, including the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Great Plains Institute, The International Wolf Center, AZUL, YNPN – Twin Cities Chapter, The Minnesota Zoo Foundation and the Como Zoo. She currently serves on the board of Headwaters Foundation for Justice. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota.
Dana Nelson
As Executive Director and Cheerleader in Chief of GiveMN, Dana’s goal is to shatter old-school funding models—using digital tools and creative thinking to link more givers with more causes than ever before. She imagines organizations raising money without making anyone peddle chocolate bars or serving rubber chicken dinners!
Dana oversees GiveMN’s strategy, partnerships, operations and fashion sense. When she dons her green GiveMN track suit and downs a 20-ounce Americano, she has become an unstoppable force for growing giving in Minnesota.
Money quote from Dana: “I am a cheerleader without the little skirt. I love cheering on organizations and schools to raise more money online.” She proves it every day, but especially on Give to the Max Day, the 24-hour giving fest that Dana helped invent.
Dana has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Washington University. Her résumé includes productive stints at Target, Minneapolis Public Schools and Sun Country Airlines. She volunteers at Emerson Spanish Immersion Learning Center, Venture Academy and Pillsbury House.
Jonathan Weinhagen
Jonathan Weinhagen is Vice President of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. He oversees the chamber’s operations throughout Suburban Ramsey County and leads the chamber’s economic development efforts. He serves on the Mounds View School Board, Economic Development Commission in the City of Shoreview, is a Board Trustee and Treasurer of the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation and is engaged in various other non-profit board and committee roles. Jonathan is a 2012 graduate of the Leadership Saint Paul program and recently completed a Policy Fellowship through the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jonathan earned his MBA and Bachelor’s degrees from Bethel University. Jonathan and his wife Nicki, along with their four boys, live in Shoreview.
Alfonso Wenker
Alfonso Wenker is a nerd about all things philanthropy, facilitation and movement building. He leads the programs team at the Minnesota Council on Foundations. His previous work includes positions with Bush Foundation, Minnesotans United for All Families and PFund Foundation. Alfonso loves political conversations on patios and trying to make Mexican food as well as his mom. He is a proud millennial with a carefully curated social media presence.
We could not be more grateful for the support and service these individuals have shown to the Pollen community over the years. Under their careful direction, we feel confident about Pollen’s future both now and in the long term.
