Our Team
Interim Executive Director: Brandon Jones
The James P. Shannon Leadership Institute is pleased to announce that Brandon Jones has been selected as Interim Executive Director. Brandon brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to this role. He has been serving as a facilitator for the Institute since the fall of 2022. Paul Robinson, Board Chair, said: “I am very excited to have Brandon on the Shannon team. He is smart, humble, and hungry to make a difference. I believe Brandon will help position the Institute for growth and expansion.”
Brandon Jones is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health. He has a consulting and therapy background, specializing in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), historical and intergenerational trauma, social/emotional intelligence (EQ), leadership, and the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Brandon lives in Saint Paul, MN, where he enjoys raising his three daughters with his wife and checking out local parks around the state. Outside of family time, he enjoys football, MMA, being on Youtube, and tacos.
Brandon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Arts in Community Psychology from Metropolitan State University, and a Master of Arts in Psychotherapy (Marriage and Family Therapy) from Adler Graduate School. Brandon is also a 2013 Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow.
Brandon lives by the motto: “Live Life with Purpose on Purpose.”
Program Coordinator: Libby Freis
Libby is the Shannon Institute’s Program Coordinator, also having supported the program prior to its departure from the Wilder Foundation. Her love of nonprofit work began at university with the BloodCenter of Wisconsin and has continued throughout her career, serving fantastic groups like the Girl Scouts of America and Habitat for Humanity.
Libby enjoys helping organizations achieve long-term goals for the greater good. Prior to the pandemic, Libby was the Project Manager of a cross-country cycling fundraiser through the Bil Gangl Memorial Fund for families affected by cancer. She later relocated to Pucón, Chile, to volunteer with the W.W.O.O.F. (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program before returning to the States and the nonprofit sector.
Libby lives in Eagan, MN with her partner Tony and their two cats, Wheezy and Ollie. When not at her desk, Libby enjoys home and event design, travel, and spending time with her family in eastern Wisconsin and South Carolina.
For all needs related to logistics, tuition payments, reimbursements, forms, and administrative concerns, please reach out to Libby at shannoninstitute@gmail.com .
Facilitator: Katrina Mendoza
Katrina was born and raised in the West Side community in St. Paul. She independently raised 3 children who grew up to be organizers and activists seeking to build a better world. She was raised by her grandma, who was undocumented and still found a way to be a light to her community.
Katrina has over 25 years working alongside community with houseless folks, young people and LGBTQIA2 providing community health education. Currently, she supervises the work of organizers building collective power on the West Side. She is an unapologetic fighter for social and racial justice and strives to be someone both her ancestors and descendants will be proud of.
She's a community auntie who is married with 5 "bonus babies", making her a mother to 8. She also has 2 grandbabies, Onyx and Lazuli and her life is abundant in the blessing of family.
Katrina was a participant in the Shannon in 2022.
Facilitator: Megan Powers
With more than 25 years in community engagement, facilitation, mediation, and communities of practice, Megan is passionate about supporting people in reflective practice and meaningful collaboration, enabling them to show up even stronger in and for their communities. She has worked as a grantmaker, consultant, and capacity builder both in the USA and globally. Past roles have included at the McKnight Foundation, Grassroots Solutions, Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), and the Advocates for Human Rights.
Megan is a 2005-06 Rotary World Peace Fellow and former Fulbright scholar. She pursued a Master's degree in International Conflict Resolution at the Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and she holds a B.A. in English Literature, Spanish, and Women’s Studies from the University of St. Thomas. Currently, she supports rural communities in the beautiful Cuyuna Lakes region of central Minnesota as Executive Director of the Hallett Charitable Trusts.
Megan has been one of the Shannon Institute facilitators since 2022. She lives in St. Paul with her partner, two kids, and a mischievous dog. She explores plant medicine as an herbalist and loves travel, music, mutual aid, and time outdoors.