Events

Tabitha Benci DeRango is an engagement organizer, event planner, place-maker, and educator who strives to strengthen communities by connecting human knowledge and investment into communities and their needs. She works collaboratively with volunteers and stakeholders to ensure that planning is done authentically and encourages action. Tabitha prides herself in conference planning for issues that impact the community through her role at JFCS of Minnesota where she guides planning Mental Health and Caregiving conferences for all. 

Marion C. Greene is a member of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, first elected in 2014 and currently serving her third term, which runs through 2027. She is a former Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 60A from 2011 to 2013. Marion has a background as a health policy analyst and has worked in the medical device industry, including St. Jude Medical, focusing on Medicare and health policy issues. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Marion has championed policies on victim services, immigrant legal support, electrification of county vehicles, and equitable access to public services. She emphasizes reducing disparities and advancing long-term projects in transit, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, often collaborating with state and federal partners.

Ilon Preston is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Bridging, a nonprofit furniture bank in Bloomington, Minnesota, serving an average of 120 households each week. Ilon joined Bridging in July 2025 as part of the Strategic Partnership team, bringing experience as a Program Manager at a food pantry before transitioning to a furniture bank.

As Community Engagement Coordinator, Ilon leads volunteer groups, introduces new people to Bridging’s mission, and fosters connections between staff, volunteers, and the community Bridging. Ilon emphasizes the organization’s 1–2–3 model: connecting those with excess furniture/housewares to those in need, keeping functional items out of landfills, and providing stability and comfort to individuals and families 

Katie Burwell (Affleck) is the Director of Development at Jack’s Basket, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free baskets to families of babies with Down syndrome from diagnosis or birth up to the baby’s first birthday. She is also a Basket Delivery Parent (BDP), delivering baskets to families in her community and connecting with parents outside her area. 

Originally from Massachusetts, Katie has lived in Texas since 2007. She built a successful career in Talent Acquisition before transitioning into nonprofit leadership. Her personal journey took a pivotal turn when her daughter Tatum was diagnosed with Down syndrome. This experience deeply influenced her mission and led her to join Jack’s Basket. 

Shelby Ankrom’s work at the Center for Victims of Torture includes supporting the New Tactics program, where she assisted with training, researched successful tactics, and developed online courses. She also contributed to the creation of a promotional video and a blog post on vicarious trauma among human rights workers. Shelby’s contributions to CVT have been recognized, including her role as an events specialist and her involvement in the annual Restoring Hope Breakfast, which was the most successful in the event's 15-year history. Her work at CVT reflects her passion for human rights and her dedication to supporting survivors of torture.