Meet the Rebuilding Together Minnesota Staff and Board of Directors.

Kaitlyn Branyon, Home Repair Program Manager works with staff to plan and oversee our projects throughout the year. This includes previewing homes; developing work scopes and budgets; ordering materials; preparing tools and materials for the project day; scheduling contracted services; overseeing volunteers on project day; and assisting with final reporting documents.  Kaitlyn has extensive experience in customer service, working as a barista for 10 years and serving multiple communities throughout Minneapolis.

Michaela Brown, Communications and Grants Manager manages external communications and is responsible for all grant writing and final reports. Before joining Rebuilding Together, Michaela held several positions in New York State government.  She holds a Master of Science from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from the College of St. Rose. 

Eduardo Cardenas, Construction Coordinator works with our Program Manager to plan and oversee projects, including previewing projects, developing the scopes of work, determining volunteer and contracted labor needs,
supervising volunteers, performing repairs and accessibility modifications, and working to ensure that projects are completed within budget and time constraints. Eduardo comes to Rebuilding Together with over 20 years of experience in home renovation and construction work and over 15 years of community engagement work with neighborhood councils, labor rights organizations and energy efficiency reform efforts. He is particularly excited to have the opportunity to work directly with folks to improve their homes because he recognizes that every house is special and vital to the wellbeing and happiness of those who call it home. Eduardo also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and a Master of Fine Arts in Ecological Architecture from Vesper College.

Kathryn Greiner, Executive Director oversees the overall development, management, and execution of our programs and manages the day-to-day operations of the office, staff and working committees.  Working closely with the Board of Directors, she leads the effort to achieve our annual goals and develop partnerships with fellow nonprofits, community service agencies and sponsors. 

Starting as a Rebuilding Together volunteer in 2000, Kathy worked her way up the ranks from a house captain to chair of the Board of Directors prior to becoming Executive Director in 2005. Kathy received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Saint Benedict and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University.  Kathy is a graduate of the 2016 Financial Leadership Cohort from Propel Nonprofits and Leadership Twin Cities (2005) and completed the 2019 Shannon Leadership Institute program. She has spent more than 30 years working for nonprofits, and she possesses first-hand knowledge of residential construction and repair as well as extensive experience with coordinating the services of skilled trade professionals, contractors and volunteers. Kathy has served as an elected, regional representative to the Rebuilding Together National Affiliate Council, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Together, Inc.

Judy Hartman, Office Assistant supports the Office Manager in the coordination of day-to-day administrative matters for Rebuilding Together Minnesota.  Judy is a graduate of American Indian OIC’s School of Business. After graduation, she was employed part-time in the ABE/GED program while obtaining her Associate’s degree in Human Services from Minneapolis Community & Technical College. Judy has worked for numerous nonprofits throughout the Twin Cities, as well as Ramsey County Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Silva Helmer, Office Manager assists with the coordination and oversight of day-to-day administrative matters for Rebuilding Together Minnesota.  Silva has extensive experience in accounting and bookkeeping, as well as with performing intake and processing applications for nonprofit organizations.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Saint Cloud University.

Galen Kauffman, Southwest MN Program Manager  manages our programs and services in our Southwest Minnesota Region, which includes Cottonwood, Jackson, and Nobles Counties. Galen joins our team with more than 30 years of residential construction experience, including owning his own construction business which specialized in universal design and aging-in-place modifications; 35 years as a pastor; and 16 years as a municipal judge. Galen also holds a Master of Science in Education from Southwest Minnesota State University.  Galen is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

Tom Pfannenstiel, Safe at Home Manager manages our Safe at Home Program, which provides falls prevention and accessibility modifications for older adults and individuals living with a disability. He has over 38 years of administrative experience in the museum field, including project management, planning, finance, community engagement, staff supervision, and volunteer coordination. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree in History. He recently has received certificates of completion from The Shannon Leadership Institute and Neighborhood Leadership Program through the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Tom is also a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

Kate Piva, Grant Administrator works with grants and program staff  to carry out the implementation of monitoring and reporting for state, county, federal, and private grant contracts. Kate has more than 30 years of experience in grant and program management. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College. 

Kim Peterson, Development Director is responsible for cultivating individual donors and sponsors, which includes planning and overseeing events and identifying new strategies to raise money. With experiences in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Kim (she/her) develops big ideas and achieves ambitious goals through community-centered innovation. She is a skilled relationship manager energized by change and potential and is adept at developing long-term strategies, facilitating initiatives, and co-creating collaborative solutions. Drawing on her experiences as a performance artist, event producer, and community builder, Kim brings a focus on crafting engaging experiences that build authentic connections through the lens of justice and equity. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Texas Woman’s University, with her research focused on structural models for the funding of performing arts nonprofits.

Elise Sjogren, Ramp Coordinator works with our Program Manager to plan and oversee ramp projects, including previewing projects, developing the scopes of work, determining volunteer and contracted labor needs, supervising volunteers, and working to ensure that ramp projects are completed within budget and time constraints.

Tony Sjogren, Program Director is responsible for managing the Rebuilding Together Minnesota’s Program Operations from the initial application through project selection, planning, implementation and evaluation.  Tony has more than 30 years of experience in business management, construction management and event planning. He holds a dual Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and Accounting from St. Cloud State University and a certificate of Advanced Construction Management from the University of Wisconsin.  Tony is also a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).