Great teaching and learning begins with understanding each student as a learner - and as a person.

Education

BARR Center

Hannah Scherer is the Strategic Partnerships Director and NSI Project Lead at the [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Hannah has also worked as a Family Liaison, Elementary Counseling Grant Coordinator, and School Counselor/ IB/CORE 4 Coordinator.

Hannah started their career in education as a School Counselor/ IB/CORE 4 Coordinator at Minneapolis Public Schools. Hannah then worked as an Elementary Counseling Grant Coordinator at St. Louis Park Public Schools before taking on the role of Family Liaison at Novi Community School District. In their current role as Strategic Partnerships Director and NSI Project Lead at the [BARR Center](/org/barr-center), Hannah is responsible for overseeing the organization's partnerships with schools and other organizations and leading the team that implements the NSI program.

Hannah Scherer has a Master's Degree in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Special Education and Teaching from the same school.

Some direct reports include Carrie Jennissen - Events Manager, Bryan Fleming - NSI Associate Director, and Lisa Shepherd - Communications Manager. Hannah Scherer reports to Rob Metz, Deputy Director. Some of their coworkers include Nate Schmidt - Finance Director, Christina Ritter - Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Dr. Anu Sharma - Senior Research Scientist.

Hannah Scherer

Rob Metz is the current Deputy Director at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Rob has worked as an elementary school teacher at various schools since 1981, including Cleveland Public Schools, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagen Public Schools, and Elmore Public Schools. In 1998, they became the Superintendent of Schools for St. Louis Park Public Schools, where they oversaw all operations of the school district. Rob held this position until 2017, when they began working at the [BARR Center](/org/barr-center).

Rob Metz has a Superintendent License from the [University of Minnesota](/org/university-of-minnesota), a Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from the [University of Minnesota](/org/university-of-minnesota)-Morris.

Rob Metz reports to Angela Jerabek, Founder and Executive Director. Some individuals on their team include Dr. Anu Sharma - Senior Research Scientist, Megan Redder-Schopp - Research and Data Analyst, and Christina Ritter - Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. Some of their coworkers include Zack Thury - Finance Director, Ali Sipkins - Executive Assistant, Special Projects Manager, and Jennifer Remick - Director of Prevention, Professional Education Solutions.

Rob Metz

Nate Schmidt is the current Finance Director at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Nate has over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. Nate started their career as an auditor at Ernst & Young. Nate then became an Accounting Manager at ACM. In 2004, they became the Controller at ACM. In 2008, they left ACM to become the Vice President of Finance at NovoLogix, Inc. Nate then became the Senior Director of Budgets and Financial Analysis at the University of Minnesota Physicians in 2011. In 2018, they left the University of Minnesota Physicians to become the Vice President of Finance at Revere Medical Management. Nate became the Finance Director at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center) in 2019.

Nate Schmidt attended [Marquette University](/org/marquette-university), where they received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Some of their coworkers include Dr. Anu Sharma - Senior Research Scientist, Hannah Scherer - Strategic Partnerships Director, NSI Project Lead, and Christina Ritter - Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. Nate Schmidt reports to Rob Metz, Deputy Director. and Janka Arsenault - Finance Manager reports to Nate Schmidt.

Nate Schmidt

Janka Arsenault is the Finance Manager at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Janka has over twelve years of experience managing multimillion-dollar grants for federal, state, and private organizations. Janka is responsible for the overall financial management of the organization and ensures compliance with all grant regulations. Prior to joining [BARR Center](/org/barr-center), Janka was the Grants Manager at [Spurwink](/org/spurwink-services), where they successfully managed multimillion-dollar grants. Janka has also worked as a self-employed nanny, where they designed a financial database to keep track of expenses and tax records, facilitated a happy dynamic for a family, and maintained and organized the household.

Janka Arsenault has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Southern Maine - School of Business and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington.

Janka Arsenault reports to Nate Schmidt, Finance Director.

Janka Arsenault

Zack Thury is the current Finance Director at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Zack has previous experience working as a Tax Manager at CliftonLarsonAllen from November 2017 to June 2021. Prior to that, they were a CPA and Senior Tax Associate at CliftonLarsonAllen from November 2013 to November 2017. Zack Thury started their career at CliftonLarsonAllen as a Tax Associate from July 2012 to November 2013. Zack also has experience working in academia as the Supervisor of Professional Development at Saint John's University from September 2008 to January 2011.

Zack Thury attended Saint John's University where they earned their bachelor's degree in accounting and finance. Zack then went on to obtain their Master's of Business Taxation from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management. Zack is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Zack Thury reports to Angela Jerabek, Founder and Executive Director. Zack Thury works with Rob Metz - Deputy Director, Megan Reder-Schopp - Research and Data Analyst, and Ali Sipkins - Executive Assistant, Special Projects Manager.

Zack Thury

Bryan Fleming is the current NSI Associate Director at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Bryan has also previously worked as the Director of Enrollment Management for [Minneapolis Public Schools](/org/minneapolis-public-schools), the Leadership Programs Director for Bush Foundation, and as both the Associate Director of Admissions and Director of Admissions for [The Blake School](/org/blake-school). Bryan has dedicated their career to helping others and making a difference in their community. Bryan is a skilled leader with a proven track record of success in managing daily operations, leading innovation and strategy, and inspiring others to achieve their goals.

Bryan Fleming has a MA in Education Administration from [Saint Mary's University of Minnesota](/org/saint-marys-university-of-minnesota) and a BA in Music Education and Trombone Performance from [The University of New Mexico](/org/the-university-of-new-mexico).

Bryan Fleming works with Lisa Shepherd - Communications Manager, Carrie Jennissen - Events Manager. Bryan Fleming reports to Hannah Scherer, Strategic Partnerships Director, NSI Project Lead.

Bryan Fleming

Ali Sipkins is currently an Executive Assistant and Special Projects Manager at the [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Ali has been in this role since December of 2018. Prior to that, they were a Yoga Teacher at Yoga Sol in Minneapolis from January of 2015 to December of 2018. Before that, they were with Youth Frontiers from July of 2005 to April of 2019 where they served as a Senior Executive Assistant and Donor Relations.

Ali Sipkins completed a BA in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ali then completed a mini-masters in nonprofit management from the University of St. Thomas. Ali also attended Edina High School.

They work with Jennifer Fox - Strategic Growth Officer, Jennifer Remick - Director of Prevention, Professional Education Solutions, and Rob Metz - Deputy Director. Their manager is Angela Jerabek, Founder and Executive Director.

Ali Sipkins

Megan Redder-Schopp is a research and data analyst at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Megan has previously worked at Black Hills State University, The Johns Hopkins University, and NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Megan has also been involved with the South Dakota Higher Education Association, Rapid City Vision Fund Committee, SDSMT, and TEDxRapid City.

Megan Redder-Schopp has a Doctor of Education from Johns Hopkins University School of Education, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from [South Dakota State University](/org/south-dakota-state-university), and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government from Black Hills State University. Megan also has a degree in Chemistry from SDSMT.

Megan Redder-Schopp works with Dr. Anu Sharma - Senior Research Scientist, Nate Schmidt - Finance Director, and Christina Ritter - Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. Megan Redder-Schopp reports to Rob Metz, Deputy Director.

Megan Redder-Schopp

Angela Jerabek is the founder and Executive Director at [BARR Center](/org/barr-center). Angela has dedicated their career to helping others, whether it be through their work as a High School Counselor or Federal Grant Director. Angela's passion for helping others led their to create [BARR Center](/org/barr-center), an organization that helps those with developmental disabilities.

Angela Jerabek has a BA in Education/Music from the [College of Saint Benedict](/org/college-of-saint-benedict) and a Master of Science in Psychology from [St. Cloud State University](/org/st-cloud-state-university). Angela is currently a high school teacher at Armstrong High School.

Some individuals on their team include Rob Metz - Deputy Director, Ali Sipkins - Executive Assistant, Special Projects Manager, and Jennifer Fox - Strategic Growth Officer.

Angela Jerabek

Emily Frumberg

Gail is a retired educator with 40 years in the field of education, Gail earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration. Gail has served in numerous positions in South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Minnesota on both the secondary and elementary levels. She has been involved in diversity training as a student and as a leader. As one of the students who integrated the schools in her Southern hometown in the 1960s, Gail has a unique experience and a critical perspective on equity.

Gail Toatley

Christina Ritter

Beth Heimer

Jenny has spent most of her career working with non-profit organizations focused on strategic growth and market expansion. She works in partnership with others to ensure that BARR is available to all communities and schools through awareness, public-private partnerships, funding strategies, and collaborative efforts. In her current role, Jenny is responsible for leading the national expansion of BARR.

Jennifer Fox

Jennifer joined BARR in 2015 with a background in project management, grant administration and education. Jennifer serves as the strategic implementation lead for BARR at Hazelden Publishing, providing leadership and supervision for the service delivery of the BARR model and oversees contracts and proposals. 

Board of Directors

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CEO and Executive Team

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