MIDB Philanthropic Advisory Council

Providing strategic insight and promoting a spirit of philanthropy

As home to the first-its-kind Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, the University of Minnesota and M Health Fairview are forging new frontiers in child and adolescent brain health. Inaugural members of the MIDB Philanthropic Advisory Council serve as key advisors to provide strategic insight around philanthropic priorities, inspire donor support, and serve as champions to advance the work emanating from the Institute.

In partnership with the MIDB and Medical Advisors, the Council is dedicated to advancing the Institute’s vision, promoting inclusion and engagement with the community, building awareness, and providing thought leadership to increase visibility of the Institute and its role in serving children and families locally and across the globe.

MIDB Philanthropic Advisory Council Members

Dainna Bartness
Community Philanthropist

Stacy Bee
Founder, ESBEE PR & Marketing 
Community Philanthropist

Denise Byers 
Executive Client Partner, Aera Technology

Sarah Clymer
Community Philanthropist

Mae Dayton
Community Volunteer

Alison Dubay 
Director of Marketing, CarVal Investors

John Grant 
Vice President, Hearth & Home

Sara Hamilton
Director, Tourette Association of America
Partner/Producer, FullFrame

Jazz Hampton 
CEO and General Counsel, TurnSignl

Liz Hawn 
Community Philanthropist

Maria Hemsley, Chair
Community Philanthropist 
Cloverfields Foundation

Peter Kolar
Vice President and Wealth Management Consultant, RBC

Danielle LaRue
Community Philanthropist

Eric Lien
Managing Director, BMO Harris Bank

Bill Lough
Community Philanthropist

Donna McNear
Education Consultant

Roger McNear
Retired Board Chair, Minnesota Masonic Charities

Kelly Monson
Vice President of Childhood Learning & Development, YMCA of the North

Susan Plimpton 
Community Philanthropist

Lynne Redleaf
Community Philanthropist
Lynne & Andrew Redleaf Foundation

Ted Risdall
Chairman and CEO, Risdall Marketing Group

Fran Sauvageau
CEO, TaraVista & MiraVista Behavioral Health Centers

MIDB Advisors

Amy Esler, PhD, LP
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Faculty Member, Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience
Faculty Member, Center for Neurobehavioral Development

Damien Fair, PA-C, PhD
Redleaf Endowed Director, MIDB
Professor, Institute of Child Development
Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Michael Georgieff, MD
Co-Director, MIDB
Executive Vice Chair and Martin Lenz Harrison Land Grant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Director, Center for Neurobehavioral Development