Board of Directors
Dr. AnnMaria De Mars, Chair, is a serial entrepreneur and technology executive, founding The Julia Group and co-founding 7 Generation Games and Spirit Lake Consulting. Her forty-year career has been focused on expanding educational opportunities for youth and educators in under-served communities. Contact her at annmaria@strongmindstrongbody.org.
Annette Mennem – Director of the Native American Center at Minot State University, commissioner on Minot’s Planning Commission, a member of the Prairie Public Broadcasting Community Action Board. Annette is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
Jennifer Rousey – A middle school teacher for 14 years, of her career teaching in urban schools, Ms. Rousey says, “Teaching in high-need schools was my Plan A. I always wanted to teach and I wanted to teach in these schools, which is why I deliberately chose the USC program that gave me an opportunity to student teach in Los Angeles.”
Executive Director
Eric Ortiz, Executive Director – A resident of the Lowry Hill East neighborhood in Minneapolis, Eric has extensive experience in journalism, community building, and social justice innovation with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He oversees all community programming and operations for the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation, creating curriculums and leading community programs that empower youth to build leadership skills and increase educational and economic opportunities. He develops and manages partnerships with schools, businesses, and community groups to provide educational programs and resources. Eric also is a longtime journalist and the former founder of Evrybit, a citizen journalism app startup and mobile storytelling platform that democratized community journalism. Contact him at eric@strongmindstrongbody.org.