Shawna hedlund, Executive Director

I am honored to serve as the first Executive Director of the MN School Based Health Alliance.  Twenty-five years in community health, education innovation, and public policy has taught me to effectively lead student health initiatives that ensure access to meaningful healthcare and equitable education opportunities for kids to thrive. To create change for young people and communities, healthcare delivery needs to be dynamic and adaptive, recognizing that it is in our homes, schools, and communities that we heal. School-based care is responsive to communities, creates ease, cares for the whole person, and addresses the entire ecosystem in which children live. In my work and life, I endeavor to create space for dissent, dialogue, and discovery and live a life full of joy.

Connie Sheenan, Program Manager

I am the Program Manager at MN School-Based HealthAlliance. I work with the MN School-Based Health Alliance to support communities who would like to implement a new school-based health center or improve their existing school-based health center.  My background includes managing complex client relationships in a corporate setting for over 25 years. I am known for speaking and acting with the highest integrity, seeking to understand and connect with people across every human dimension, and being skilled at communicating clear and unifying visions and goals.

My key strengths include ethical, credible, and trustworthy leadership; clear and effective communication in written and verbal presentations; and an energetic drive to build and create positive change. I have expertise in the fields of wellness, training, and education.

My passion is working with students and adults in the BIPOC community to find joyful ways to move their bodies.

Abbe Penziner-Bokde, MD

Board Co-Chair

Chair of Advocacy Committee

General Pediatrician, Allina Health

Founding member, MN School-Based Health Alliance

Former Pediatrician for the NYC Office of School Health

Mary Jordan, MS, APRN, CNP

Board Treasurer

Nurse Practitioner for NorthPoint Health and Wellness

Coordinator of North High School’s School-Based Health Center, Minneapolis

Coordinator at Northside Teen Clinic / Community Teen Clinic at PYC

Pat Beierwaltes, DNP, BSN

Chair of Finance Committee

Associate Professor and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, MNSU Mankato and Health Commons at Pond School-Based Health Center

MI Children with Special Health Care Needs Advisory Board

MN NAPNAP Board

Spina Bifida Association’s Professional Advisory Board

Coral Garner

Chair of Development Committee

Public Health Consultant: strategic planning, workplace inclusion, healthy youth development, and healthcare clinic operations

21 years - Public Health Director, City of Minneapolis Health Department

Race Equity Advisory Committee, Radias Health

Sandy Naughton, HE

Supervisor of School-Based Health Educators at Health Start, a program of MN Community Care

Published Author, Human Sexuality Curricula

Educator: healthy relationships, sexual safety and stress management