Northside Funders Group Announces Leadership Transition
After five years of thoughtful leadership, Joel Luedtke, Senior Director of Partner Foundations at the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota, is stepping down from his role as Chair of the Northside Funders Group (NFG). The collaborative will return to a co-leadership structure, welcoming Joannette Cintron, Community Development and Outreach Manager at Old National Bank, and DeSeandra Sheppherd, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Graves Foundation, as NFG’s new Co-Chairs.
Joel stepped into the Chair role after many years as an active member of the collaborative. During his tenure, he helped guide NFG through a period of growth, strengthening its role as a space where funders align resources, learn from community leaders, and invest in strategies shaped by the people who live and work in North Minneapolis. His leadership emphasized collaboration, community voice, and the role philanthropy can play in advancing long-term opportunity and stability on the Northside.
Among the highlights of Joel’s tenure was the launch of the Northside Youth Enrichment Fund, which centers a youth-led grantmaking approach and reflects NFG’s commitment to elevating the voices and leadership of young people in the community.
“It’s been an honor and a joy to help the members of NFG align funding to do transformative work in North Minneapolis,” Joel says. “Together, we’ve helped sustain critical Black-owned commercial real estate projects, and launched an exciting youth-led grantmaking project. I can’t wait to see how our new Co-Chairs help NFG continue to evolve and innovate to support this community’s best future.”
The Northside Funders Group is deeply grateful to Joel for his leadership, dedication, and care for both the collaborative and the broader Northside community. Please join us in thanking him for five years of leadership and impact.
As NFG moves forward, our co-leadership structure will ensure NFG continues to bring strong expertise and relationships to both economic development and youth development while deepening its commitment to community partnership and shared impact in North Minneapolis. To strengthen our work across two key strategic areas Joannette Cintron, Community Development and Outreach Manager at Old National Bank, will focus on Economic Development Strategies and DeSeandra Sheppherd, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Graves Foundation, will focus on Youth Development Strategies.
“What energizes me most as I step into the Co-Chair role is the opportunity to strengthen partnerships between funders and community leaders, ensuring our shared resources align with North Minneapolis’ priorities,” Joannette says. “I’m honored to support a network committed to listening, learning, and investing in the community’s long-term vitality.”
“As a Northside Funders Group member, I’ve learned so much about North Minneapolis' communities, culture and power,” DeSeandra says. “Sitting at this table so early on in my philanthropic career enabled me to gain a better understanding of how philanthropy can not only support community, but also work collaboratively to amplify the power, impact and vision of its leaders. Stepping into a co-chair role is an exciting moment. I look forward to not only supporting NFG's commitment to elevating community-driven solutions, but deepening relationships, amplifying leaders, and being of service to the Northside community.”
E. Coco will continue to serve as Managing Consultant of the Northside Funders Group.