2016 National Conference

Christine Reeves Strigaro is the Director of Foundation Programs at the Alliance for Justice and Board Chair of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. She is dedicated to the intersection of philanthropy and social change. She creates content, opportunities, and presentations to explore the question: “How can foundations be advocates, with grantmaking and beyond?” While earning her master’s degree from Duke University’s Terry Sanford School of Public Policy, she wrote her thesis: “Major Trends of International Grantmaking Foundations: A Project for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.” Previously, Christine graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Emory University.

Catherine Gray is the Director of Impact Strategy, Civic Engagement at The Minneapolis Foundation, where she leads strategic grant-making, advocacy and partnerships to advance equity through civic participation. An expert in leadership development, Catherine is known internationally for her previous work at The White House Project, an organization aimed at increasing the number of women in civic leadership.  Catherine’s work is informed by her varied life experience as an entrepreneur and innovator, an athlete and a filmmaker. Her lifelong volunteer service as an advisor or board member has helped to advance women and girls, as well as LGBTQ causes. Catherine attended Scripps College and Minneapolis College of Art and Design, earning her Bachelors in Fine Arts degree.

Dr. Kathleen Annette leads Blandin Foundation in standing with rural Minnesota communities as they design and claim ambitious, vibrant futures. Kathy joined Blandin Foundation in 2011 following 26 years with the nation’s Indian Health Service.   She is the state’s first Ojibwe woman to become a physician. Blandin Foundation, based in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is the state’s largest rural-based private foundation and one of only a handful nationally that focuses exclusively on rural communities.  Celebrating its 75^th anniversary, Blandin awards grants in rural Minnesota, trains community leaders, and engages communities on public policy issues such as broadband, early childhood, and historical trauma.