Chair and Marketing Chair: Amanda Magistad '12

Amanda Magistad, a proud member of MPA's 13-year club, graduated from Mounds Park Academy in 2012. She discovered her passion for marketing and communications during her time at Occidental College in Los Angeles, which led her to Miami, Florida, where she now serves as the Marketing Director for a communications agency. In her free time, Amanda enjoys traveling and is currently working towards visiting all seven continents. She and her husband Andrew (‘09) reside in Pinecrest, FL with their two goldendoodles Luna and Stella. Amanda is thrilled to serve as the chair of this year’s alumni board, and looks forward to supporting MPA's legacy and fostering a vibrant alumni community for future generations.

Immediate Past Chair: James Cordon '97

James graduated from Mounds Park Academy in 1997 after having survived Maureen Conway's political lessons unscathed. He is remembered fondly for the dent he put in the gym floor with his chin but mostly just because he was there for so many years. From there James went on to Colgate University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics in 2001. He is an avid supporter of the Lung Cancer Alliance, North Shore Animal League, MPA, Colgate and the Robinhood foundation. James is a talented singer and an alumnus of the Colgate Resolutions a cappella group. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, singing and spending time with his family. He and his wife Samantha reside in Glen Ridge, NJ with their daughters Madelyn and Amelina.

Engagement Chair: Tim Koerner '03

Tim Koerner attended MPA K-12 and graduated with the class of 2003 as a 'Lifer'! He is now an MPA parent to sons, Lewis (1st Grade) and Arlo (PreK). After graduating from MPA, Tim received his B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and went on to receive his MBA in social entrepreneurship from Augsburg University. He spent 12 years in the non-profit sector as a fundraiser, events planner and program manager, including Director of The Open Door Mobile food pantry in Dakota County. Tim became a published author in May of 2021 with the release of his debut children's book, 'What Does A Screen Mean?' in an attempt to address technology and screen time with his young boys in a foundational way, following the MPA premise of instilling how to think (about screens and screen time) as opposed to what to think (about screens and screen time) in a world with ubiquitous technology. For the past 6 years Tim has worked with MN DHS Community Services in the field of emergency programs, including developing and implementing covid relief programs for Washington County via federal funds. Winner of the 'Twin Cities Finest' young professionals award in 2022 via the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Tim is a 'CF' survivor who has outlived his life expectancy of 14 by 26 years and counting and is grateful for great health and a long term horizon to share with his wonderful wife, Ashlee, and their two boys. Some of the most impactful and meaningful mentors Tim has ever had were MPA staff and faculty, while the walls and halls of MPA always provided a safe haven to dream big, do right, and ask probing questions. When asked about data or metrics he is evaluating for his boys' time at MPA, he simply states "I am watching for the moment the moment they feel MPA is their second home, too, and that has already happened with our rising 1st grader!"

Philanthropy Committee Co-Chair: Kethan Dahlberg '14

After graduating from MPA in 2014, Kethan attended Harvard College during which time he pursued internships in various levels and branches of government.  He graduated in 2018 with a concentration in government, secondary in music and citation in Spanish.  After undergrad, hoping to gain some exposure to the private sector and business law, Kethan took a job as a corporate paralegal in New York City for three years. He then attended Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., graduating cum laude as a Business Law Scholar.  Kethan has returned New York and is currently a law clerk at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in the general practice group focused on capital markets, corporate governance and executive compensation.  Although he has now spent much time on the East Coast, he returns to the Midwest as often as possible to spend time with family - including siblings Kian (’16) and Declan (’18) - and to enjoy all of the great things Minnesota has to offer from the State Fair and the Twin Cities Marathon to Wild Games and cross-country skiing.   

Hugh Schilling III '00

Hugh Schilling attended MPA from the 6th grade through graduation in 2000. After graduation, he attended the University of Saint Thomas where he graduated with a degree in Leadership and Management. Hugh began his professional career at Bremer Financial Services while also working part-time at Nexen Group Inc. In 2009, he left Bremer to become a full-time employee at Nexen Group. During his 20+ years at Nexen he held positions in various departments before becoming Special Advisor to the Board of Directors and Owner of Nexen. Hugh and his wife Leah reside in North Oaks with their three children Tristan, Aviarra and Liviana.

Victoria Simmonds '01

Clare Halloran graduated from Mounds Park Academy in 2003 after attending since Kindergarten. After graduating, Clare received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. To further her career in research, Clare completed a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. Over the past decade, Clare has focused on education research, working at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. and currently (remotely) for Brown University. Clare has always been grateful for the support and dedication of MPA teachers as well as the lifelong friendships formed while growing up at MPA. Clare looks forward to strengthening connections to the school and MPA alumni through the Alumni Board.

Clare Halloran '03

Clare Halloran graduated from Mounds Park Academy in 2003 after attending since Kindergarten. After graduating, Clare received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. To further her career in research, Clare completed a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. Over the past decade, Clare has focused on education research, working at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. and currently (remotely) for Brown University. Clare has always been grateful for the support and dedication of MPA teachers as well as the lifelong friendships formed while growing up at MPA. Clare looks forward to strengthening connections to the school and MPA alumni through the Alumni Board.

George Mills '04

George Mills is a 2004 MPA alum and a Ramsey County native, who went on to the University of Redlands, just east of Los Angeles. After obtaining a BS degree in Biology he went to work at a National Cancer Institute called the City of Hope near Pasadena, where he started his career in Clinical Research. In 2015 he and husband Barclay were married, and in 2016 returned to Minnesota, settling in Maplewood. George worked at several medical device companies before transitioning to working on several gene therapies for rare diseases. For the last two years George has worked remotely for CSL Behring on global, post-marketing commitments for their gene therapy for Hemophilia B, called HEMGENIX®. George and Barclay have two children, Odysseus (age 4) who is attends MPA’s Pre-K program, and Ansel (age 1) who will hopefully join MPA in a few years too. On the weekends you will often find them frequenting the local museums, zoos, parks, or floating around on the St. Croix.

Christian DeMarais '07

Christian DeMarais graduated from Mounds Park Academy in 2007. While at MPA, Christian was a Varsity Soccer Captain, performed in Spring Musicals and Winter Shows alike, sang in Choirs + Quintets, played in Bands and (maybe most importantly) met and learned from some of the most meaningful people in his life, even to this day. Immediately post-MPA, Christian graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in Business Management and Honors Theatre, with a Minor in Dance. He then received an MFA in Acting from the NYU Graduate Acting Program at Tisch School of the Arts. Currently, Christian works as Director of Revenue Operations and Strategy at Wix in New York, while simultaneously pursuing a career as an Actor...having had Guest and Recurring roles on "Maniac" (Netflix), "The Equalizer" (CBS), "Mr. Robot" (USA), "FBI: Most Wanted" (CBS), "Elsbeth" (CBS) and "Elementary" (CBS).

Kevin McQuade '07

Kevin McQuade graduated from MPA in 2007 as a member of the school's 13-year club. He then completed his B.A. in Political Science at the University of Connecticut (go Huskies!) and M.A. in Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh. He then moved to Washington, D.C. with his now-wife, Erica, and has been working as a strategic consultant for the Federal Government ever since. Kevin focuses on helping Government agencies tackle some of their most complex challenges across the defense, intelligence, and homeland security environments. In addition, Kevin is an avid golfer, burrito connoisseur, and a U.S.A. Weightlifting-certified trainer, remaining engaged in the local community and helping train others to achieve their fitness goals. He and Erica are the proud parents of their young daughter, Rory.

Beth (Larson) Fewing '08

Beth Fewing graduated from Mounds Park Academy in 2008. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center on Gender Equity and Health and has worked in the sexual and reproductive health field for the majority of her career. Her primary research interests include the use of normative approaches to understand sexual and reproductive health and how social norms influence women’s and couple’s family planning decision-making in Francophone West Africa. Beth’s work is grounded in the reproductive justice framework to improve access to maternal, and sexual and reproductive health services for those residing in low- and middle-income settings. She holds a PhD and a MSPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Beth lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her husband, Cameron Fewing, and their dog, Avah. Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis and softball, volunteering as a clinic escort at Planned Parenthood and to distribute food in her community, spending time outdoors, and baking.

Isaac Marshall '11

Isaac graduated from MPA in 2011. He attended Hampshire College in Amherst Massachusetts, where his studies ultimately focused on microbiology and health care delivery systems. Since graduating, Isaac has worked as a College Admissions Counselor, Healthcare Project Coordinator, and most recently, as a Sales and Operations Specialist at Apple Mall of America. Isaac is currently pursuing his JD at the University of Iowa. He enjoys traveling with his wife, creating pottery, and playing with his cat. Isaac looks forward to contributing his time to the Alumni Association and advocating for MPA.

Lizzy Ehren '14

After graduating MPA in 2014, Lizzy attended Carleton College and earned a degree in history. She then spent a year on a Fulbright grant teaching English in the Czech Republic. Upon returning to the US, she relocated with her now fiance, Cullen, to Columbus, OH where she has been for the last 5 years. During this time in Ohio, she worked as an admission counselor, completed her Master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and served as the graduate assistant in the Office of Student Philanthropy. She currently works at the Ohio State University College of Public Health as the Engagement and Alumni Relations Specialist. She credits MPA with fostering her curiosity and encouraging her to always ask thoughtful and strategic questions.

Isabel (McKeown) O’Branski '14

After graduating from MPA in 2014 as a lifer, Isabel attended the College of Saint Benedict where she studied Global Business Leadership, Economics, and Spanish. After college, she started her career down the road from MPA at 3M within the Sourcing Department. A few years later, she moved to San Diego, CA and into her current role as Project Manager at Topgolf Callaway Brands (formerly Callaway Golf) specifically focused on Sustainability and Product Development projects. She now holds this role remotely since moving to NYC in August of 2023. Isabel's interests include sustainability and mentorship, so she is grateful to be able to focus on sustainability through her work and to participate in great mentorship programs like the MPA Alumni Mentorship program. In her spare time, Isabel enjoys exploring new restaurants with friends, spoiling her mini goldendoodle, and teaching yoga sculpt at CorePower Yoga.

Cooper Olson '16

After graduating from MPA as a lifer in 2016, Cooper earned a degree in Business Management through the Honors Program at the University of St. Thomas while playing (and then coaching) for UST’s men’s basketball program. Today, Cooper oversees marketing partnerships and digital advertising for Prep Network and lives in Northeast Minneapolis. In his free time, he loves to play soccer/basketball, try new restaurants with friends, and run a cooking Instagram page (LetCoopCook) with his girlfriend.

Rees Winga '16

Rees graduated from the University of St. Thomas Opus School of Business in 2020, with a degree in Marketing. He then went on to secure a job at a Minneapolis advertising agency on their digital media team. Eventually, Rees took what he had learned and started his own two e-commerce businesses during his time at the agency, and breifly quit his 9-5 to pursue freelance digital media and entrepreneurship full-time. He has since returned to the ad agency world in a digital strategist role. In his free time, Rees stays active through soccer and snowboarding, continues to run his businesses on the side, travels, and still to spends a lot of time with old MPA friends.

Sarah Ley '18

"After graduating from MPA in 2018, Sarah attended the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in interdisciplinary design. ""Throughout her undergrad, she enjoyed working as a researcher in an aerosol technologies lab, and decided to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Sarah currently works as an engineer at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies in Minneapolis, MN. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, running, and playing in a community band. After graduating from MPA in 2018, Sarah attended the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in interdisciplinary design.

Throughout her undergrad, she enjoyed working as a researcher in an aerosol technologies lab, and decided to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Sarah currently works as an engineer at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies in Minneapolis, MN. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, running, and playing in a community band.

Sarah has enjoyed being part of the MPA Alumni Mentorship program for the past two years, and she is excited to join the Alumni Association Board!