Joe Cavanaugh is a nationally-known advocate promoting timeless values and personal character to audiences of all ages. With over 25 years of experience working with young people, he is one of the foremost communicators to youth on the topics of respect, integrity, courage and compassion. In 1987, Joe founded Youth Frontiers, Inc., a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that partners with schools to create more positive school communities. Through programs that help young people realize the importance of living a life of character, Youth Frontiers is transforming the day-to-day experience in schools across America so that our schools - and therefore our kids - can thrive. Youth Frontiers' work has impacted nearly one million students and educators and has received national acclaim by providing powerful retreats with the vision of changing the way young people treat each other in every hallway, lunch line, and classroom of every school in America so that today's young people can make tomorrow's world better.

Joe has been the subject of countless newspaper articles as well as radio and television interviews including "The Osgood Report" on CBS radio and a 90-minute PBS television special titled Respectfully, Joe Cavanaugh. He has been recognized by General Colin Powell of America's Promise as being a leader in our nation's effort to rescue America's young people. He currently serves on boards and committees for St. John's University and Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Jack brings to Youth Frontiers 15 years of experience in business and finance. A graduate of Notre Dame, Jack spent four years in commercial banking in Cincinnati, a short banking stint in Paris, France and received an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1993. He spent nine years in finance out west with Intel Corporation, working with everything from an internet start up to the $2.5 billion construction of a new fabrication facility. In 2002, he decided to return to his native Twin Cities and make a career shift, and now uses the skills gained in business to make a difference in schools, and in kids' lives.

Jack plays and coaches a lot of soccer, and deals with his current frustration with Notre Dame's football team by playing the piano, cooking and speaking French. He is active in his church, serves on the board of Upstream Arts and is a Rotary member. He and his wife, Laura, love to travel and have dragged their two daughters, Elisabeth and Catherine, on many long car trips that have taken them through 42 states and several countries.

After graduating from the University of St. Thomas, Kris spent more than fifteen years in the magazine publishing industry, most recently as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Distribution for Greenspun Media Group in Las Vegas, NV. She grew up in a family focused on education – both parents, a grandmother and numerous aunts and uncles are educators. Kris serves on the Board of Trustees for Sunny Hollow Montessori.

Kris and her husband, Patrick have two daughters. The family loves being outdoors and can often be found at a soccer game. Kris also enjoys running, swimming, cooking for friends and family and playing her violin.

Rebecca Haddad, Director of Donor Relations, has more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, which has included roles in both Project Management and Fund Development. She began her career as an Information Officer at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and has since worked at several nonprofits with missions related to youth development, early childhood education and social justice. She earned her master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Montana, Missoula and her bachelor's degree in Sociology and Social Work at Miami University in Ohio. Her professional skills include management, marketing, public relations, fundraising and community development. Rebecca enjoys connecting donors with the wonderful mission of Youth Frontiers. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, eating unusual foods, competitively fencing and spending time with her family.

Todd Hansen, Business Operations Manager and Retreat Director, graduated magna cum laude from DePauw University's economics honors program, McDermond Management Fellows, but turned down careers with Proctor & Gamble and Gallo Wine to pursue an acting dream in California. There he received a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Southern California. After enjoying a 20-year stage and commercial acting career, which included running a non-profit theatre company in Los Angeles, Todd was looking for a more meaningful way to use his presentational skills. He joined Youth Frontiers in 2005 as a Retreat Director, bringing both his flair for drama and his business knowledge to a growing non-profit company. As both the Business Operations Manager and a Retreat Director, Todd connects the mission and programs of Youth Frontiers to the management of a successful non-profit.

Todd enjoys writing songs and improvising on the piano. He is a huge high school hockey fan, and spends much of March in front of the TV watching the boy's and girl's state tournaments. His wife, Midi, is a teacher of 23 years and is currently in the St. Louis Park district. His daughter, Griffin, is a fluent-French-speaking high school swimmer. They have enjoyed traveling together to Singapore, Australia, France and Ireland.

Ali Sipkins, Director of Communications, had her first encounter with Youth Frontiers as a ninth-grade participant on the Respect Retreat for South View Middle School. After the transformative experience, Ali embraced the Youth Frontiers core purpose to build the character of young people and continued to volunteer for Youth Frontiers throughout high school and college. Ali attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in International Studies.

Ali has worked for Youth Frontiers in many capacities since 2005 including as Executive Assistant, Evaluation Coordinator, PR Coordinator and Intern and Volunteer Coordinator. As Director of Communications, Ali leads a talented team to broaden awareness of the Youth Frontiers mission in the Midwest and around the country and to tell the story of Youth Frontiers' powerful impact on students and schools.

Ali received her Mini-MBA for Nonprofit Organizations from the University of St. Thomas in 2009. She has served on the YMCA Camp Warren Community Board and Tonka CARES Coalition.

An avid yogi, Ali appreciates the Youth Frontiers retreat model as it gives the space and time for students to be reflective and mindful about their attitudes and behaviors toward themselves and others, and make a positive change to build a culture of respect at their schools. She is a proud Youth Frontierian, both as a graduate of the programs and as a member of a passionate, mission-driven team.

Andy Zimney has worked with youth his entire career. After graduating from St. John's University with degrees in English and Theater, he worked as a camp counselor, wilderness guide, substitute teacher, rock climbing instructor, acting teacher, and youth mentor. As a staff member at Youth Frontiers since 2001, Andy loves the opportunity to challenge both youth and adults to live more closely to the ideals they hold most important. Andy is a father and husband who loves spending time at the park, in the back yard, and up north with his family. Andy is also an actor and comedic improviser who can be seen regularly at Comedy Sportz Twin Cities, an all-ages improvisational comedy company in Minneapolis.