Leadership

Mary Chung, Executive Director

Mary rejoined the Minnesota State Fair Foundation in April 2019 as its Executive Director. Mary previously worked for the Foundation in its early days in a variety of roles, including as Associate Director, and then spent eight years leading development and communication for Solid Ground, a nonprofit that addresses family homelessness.

State Fair Must: Enjoying shows at all of the free stages and exploring the beautiful displays of the Agriculture Horticulture Building rotunda.

Contact Mary at 651-288-4324.

Megan Currier, Development and Events Associate
Volunteer Coordination, Recognition Benches, & Taste of the Fair

Megan holds the longest history with the Foundation of any staff member having volunteered since the Foundation’s first year. She has worked with the foundation part-time the past few summers before joining the year-round Foundation staff in December 2022. She is now leading the volunteer program she has spent so many years with. She also brings the annual Taste of the Fair event to life and helps hundreds of donors each year with recognition benches and tables.

State Fair Must: Opening morning at the Snelling gate, closing evening at the J.V. Bailey House and everything in between!

Contact Megan at 651-288-4339.

Jennine Duda, Administration and Finance Manager​
Office Administration & Earned Income

Jennine oversees office administration, earned income, and finance. Jennine has worked in a variety of industries, from publishing to catering, and has held positions in other Twin Cities nonprofit organizations.

State Fair Must: Walk through Creative Activities to look at the quilts.

Contact Jennine at 651-288-4323.

John Lewis, Development and Data Coordinator
Gift Processing & Databases and Technology

John came to the Foundation in 2013 as a volunteer and joined the full-time staff in 2017. John has been responsible for a variety of our giving programs over the years, and now in addition to connecting with donors, takes care of all things data and technology for the Foundation.

State Fair Must: Watching a show at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell!

Contact John at 651-288-4325.

Alyssa O’Sullivan, Annual Giving and Communications Coordinator
Friends of the Fair & Marketing

Alyssa joined the Minnesota State Fair Foundation team in February 2023. A long-time Minnesota State Fair fan, and coming in with a communications and graphic design background in previous roles, Alyssa will be taking care of all things related to Friends of the Fair, marketing, and web for the Foundation.

State Fair Must: Walking through the livestock barns and catching some of the shows!

Contact Alyssa at 651-288-4322.

Danyl Vavreck, Senior Philanthropy Officer
Major Gifts & Endowments

Danyl has a long-standing relationship with fairs, festivals and theme parks, including 18 years working for the Minnesota State Fair in marketing and corporate sponsorships before joining the Foundation to secure major gifts in 2018. She is an advisor to the Minnesota Festivals & Events Association and has recently been re-appointed by the governor to the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council.

State Fair Must: Spin-A-Paint with my kiddo, Fine Arts, Creative Activities, and any music!

Contact Danyl at 651-288-4328.

Shana Zaiser, Development Director
Major Gifts & Planned Giving

Shana joined the Minnesota State Fair Foundation in October 2017 where she is specializing in major gifts. Shana has a broad background in development including 13 years at the University of Minnesota where she held a variety of roles including annual giving, campaign operations and major giving.

State Fair Must: People watching, crop art, and visiting the animal barns. 

Contact Shana at 651-288-4326.

The Foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors that look to advance the Minnesota State Fair Foundation by connecting community interests with the needs of the Minnesota State Fair. Through the time, talents and resources of community partners, the Foundation serves to further develop the State Fair as a “mirror of Minnesota greatness.”

Litton E.S. Field, Jr. – Chair
Partner – Senior Risk Consultant, North Risk Partners
Mendota Heights, MN

Cathy Lawrence – Vice Chair
Chief of Staff, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Minneapolis, MN

Renee Alexander – Secretary
CEO, Minnesota State Fair
St. Paul, MN

Eric Britt – Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking, Minnesota Bank & Trust
St. Louis Park, MN

Andrea Ames
Office Manager, Minnesota Dirt Works
Lakeville, MN

Dale Bachman
Retired CEO and Chairman, Bachman’s, Inc.
Eden Prairie, MN

Nicole Behne
Owner, Glacial Lakes Marketing, LLC
New London, MN

Danny Grunhovd
Board of Managers, Minnesota State Agricultural Society
Gary, MN

Doug Huebsch
President, Goose Group, Inc. and New Life Farms
Perham, MN

Pete Johnson
Senior Vice President, Mairs & Power Inc.
Edina, MN

Ted Johnson
Founder & Principal, Norden Strategies
Shoreview, MN

Jason Koerth
AVP, Animal Health Corporate Accounts North America at Ecolab
Hudson, WI

Liz Kramer
Solicitor General, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
St. Paul, MN

Peggy Lucas
Partner, Brighton Development
Minneapolis, MN

Terri McEnaney
CEO, Bailey Nurseries
Woodbury, MN

Frank Parisi
Community Volunteer
Minnetonka, MN

John Remes
Retired, General Manager of KARE-11
Bloomington, MN

Brad Ribar
Owner, Ribco Enterprises
White Bear Lake, MN

Ken Sandvik
Retired, District Court Judge for Minnesota
St. Paul, MN

Dan Shogren
Manufacturer’s Representative
North Oaks, MN

David Sorensen
Retired, General Mills
Circle Pines, MN

Frank Sullivan
Owner, O’Sullivan Auctioneers and O’Sullivan Cattle, Inc.
Maple Lake, MN

Linda Tank
Retired, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, CHS Inc.
Cottage Grove, MN

Darrell Thompson
President, Bolder Options
Plymouth, MN

Kayla Yang-Best
Founding CEO, Co-Retailing, Seasoned Specialty Food Markets
St. Paul, MN

Board Emeriti

Pat Bailey

Mitch Davis

Steve Eilertson

John Fabie

Joe Fox

Terry Gilberstadt

Dave Hyslop

David Johnson

Clarice Schmidt