Eyleen Braaten, Executive Director, joined Giving Voice in 2017 and has been instrumental in the growth of organization. She has headed marketing and communications as well as launched programming for local choruses and a GVI global Learning Community of more than 40 Alzheimer’s choruses. Braaten earned her master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute. She continues to support Giving Voice by creating unique opportunities for growth and inclusive involvement in choruses with people living with dementia and their care givers to expand the GVI mission and vision into the future.
Mary Lenard, Co-Founder of Giving Voice Initiative, recently served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging, a consortium of nonprofit groups that advocates for older adults. Previously she was the Director of Aging Programs at the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND Chapter. Mary is inspired by her father, who passed away in 2009 after a 14-year journey with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Mary remains connected to Giving Voice as a volunteer and singer in the Minneapolis AM Chorus.
Marge Ostroushko, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Production of Giving Voice, has lent her talents as a radio and events producer to some of public radio’s most loved shows, including A Prairie Home Companion, This American Life, and Speaking of Faith. She has won three Peabody Awards and countless other honors. Marge has produced many live events for public radio and other arts organizations. Marge is inspired by her mother, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease and loves to sing.
MacPhail teaching artist, Jeanie Brindley-Barnett is Artistic Director of Giving Voice Chorus and a leading teaching artist in the field of arts and aging. She is co-founder and senior teaching artist of MacPhail Music for Life™, a pioneering music program for adults 55+. As a presenter, teaching artist, mentor, consultant, and curriculum design specialist, Jeanie has worked with the National Center for Creative Aging, Chorus America, American Choral Directors Association, National Guild for Community Arts Organizations, and the Minnesota State Arts Board-funded Arts and Aging Professional Development Initiative.
Board of Directors
Marge Ostroushko
Ex-Officio – Managing Director of Production and Co-Founder
Karen Kenny, Chair
Sally Scoggin, Vice-Chair
Jean Thomson
Angela Lunde
Darrell Foss
Richard Golden
Keath Young, Treasurer
Nancy Fushan, Secretary
Barbara Greene
Matthew Melsen
Heather Mulder
Zarina Madolimov