Leadership

MACC brings the strength of its broad team to each of our members. Nearly fifty expert and credentialed professionals combine skills and experience with deep roots in the nonprofit sector. Our depth of staffing provides “bench strength” to all our members, regardless of their size. As a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, we are active participants in the community of nonprofits we serve.

Meet our Management Leadership Team.

Adam Cowing, Data Manager and Consultant, Client Data Services

In his role as Data Manager and Consultant Adam collaborates with member organizations to address client data management needs. He works on the implementation of the Client Track database and improving our members' data reporting processes. Additional responsibilities include setting up and maintaining software for members, supporting users, and system quality assurance.

Adam has a Masters of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota with a concentration in nonprofit leadership and management. He brings more than five years of experience working in social service nonprofits in the Twin Cities and nearly ten years of experience creating and maintaining database systems. “I like getting a window into the different nonprofits that we work with and seeing all the great work they’re doing.”

Serena Cram, Vice President of Financial Services

Pete Czachor

In her role as Vice President of Financial Services Serena is responsible for leading the Financial Services team in providing accounting services to MACC members. Among other things she is responsible for supervising staff and handling financial reporting and analysis. Additionally she handles audit coordination, budgeting, fraud prevention, Census and other government reporting as well as cash flow management for several members. Serena graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, and continued her studies there to obtain her Master in Business Administration degree. She specifically chose MACC not only because of the mission, but also because of the variety of work offered – it never seemed like there’d be a dull day, which has been proven true thus far. Serena is very passionate about learning. She mostly accomplishes her learning by reading, which is another activity she is passionate about. If you want to get her talking, just start talking about books – genre doesn’t matter, because she’s dabbled in a little bit of everything!

Pete Czachor, Vice President of Infrastructure Services

Pete Czachor

In his role as Vice President, Infrastructure Services, Pete Czachor plays a key role in managing our members' Facilities and IT services. He acts as a liaison to vendors, providing strategic IT and infrastructure advice and keeping an eye on the evolving infrastructure needs of our members. Pete has been in IT service management since 1997 in roles ranging from owning and operating his own Managed IT Services firm for six years to serving in several roles with deep business process design responsibilities. Most recently, Pete served as Director of Technology Consulting at Warner Connect, working closely with MACC and its IT Services members and gaining a deep understanding of our IT environment and needs.

"I like the concept of what MACC does for its members – clearing the “organizational overhead” so they can more effectively accomplish their missions. I'm excited by opportunities where IT can visibly amplify our members' missions and serve as catalyst for even greater mission impact!"

Amanda Golly, Vice President of Human Resources

As Vice President of Human Resources Amanda is responsible for leading the team of HR professionals who provide a full range of Human Resource services for MACC members.

Amanda has over ten years of experience working at third party administration firms in the Midwest. Her strengths are compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and the Department of Labor on retirement and health and welfare plans. She enjoys learning and teaching about the intricacies of benefit plans.

"I look forward to helping nonprofit organizations better understand and utilize employee benefits and benefits strategies."

Laurel Hansen, Social Enterprise & Program Manager

As MACC’s Social Enterprise Manager Laurel is responsible for assisting our member organizations that are interested in developing new or enhancing existing social enterprise operations.

Laurel has 30 years’ experience growing business for a social purpose. With a background in retail, business & communications, Laurel has helped many nonprofit organizations create winning social enterprises. Laurel worked previously as the business director for The Arc and has served as a social enterprise consultant for numerous nonprofits.

“What appeals to me is the possibility of more social enterprises in the twin cities. Businesses with a greater social purpose that non only generate revenue but make a greater impact in the community.”

Steve Houtz, President and CEO

In his role as President and CEO, Steve has overall responsibility for ensuring that MACC fulfills its mission of supporting the unique missions of its nonprofit members by providing outstanding management and administrative services in a collaborative framework.

Prior to joining MACC in January 2013, Steve was a Group Vice President at Digital River, Inc. Before that he was with Thrivent Financial for nine years, where he held executive positions in technology shared services, continuous improvement, and as Director, Human Resources and Financial Systems. Steve’s background also includes eight years in executive consulting with Accenture. Steve holds an MBA in Finance, an MHA in Health Services Administration from the University of Minnesota, and a BS in Psychobiology from UCLA. Steve has served on the Boards of Directors at Pillsbury United Communities and Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP).

"Together, we'll keep working to make a more powerful impact on our communities"

Clara Owen, Communications Director

As MACC's Communication's Director Clara plays a key role in the strategy development, execution, coordination of MACC’s communications and engagement approach. Operating within a set of strategic communications goals and strategies - the communications team provides leadership, guidance, and support for MACC’s communication and engagement.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2010 Clara served two years with the Minnesota Reading Corps. She worked with local elementary students helping to improve their reading skills. Immediately prior to coming to MACC she was working with The Family Partnership providing administrative support. “I’m excited get to work with local nonprofits providing so many diverse services to so many different groups of people”

Alicia Ranney, Vice President of Data and Evaluation

In her role as the Vice President of Data and Evaluation, Alicia collaborates with member organizations to design strategy for client data management and evaluation needs.

Prior to joining the MACC team, Alicia was the Database Administrator for Pillsbury United Communities, providing evaluation support and helping implement Client Track at the agency level. She also holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis with an emphasis on Social Economic Development and Research.

“Working with our members is interesting and informative. I enjoy learning about their work and what’s going on in our communities,”

Trisha Reinwald, Vice President of Member Advancement

Trisha works across all of our services as an advocate and connecting point for members and prospective members. She helps connect members to the right mix of programs and services that allow an organization to focus on mission and collaborate in new ways. She leads member engagement through technology and communications, and develops support strategies that help members get the most out of their member benefits.

Trisha’s career focus has long been in associations and capacity-building nonprofits in the Twin Cities community. Immediately prior to joining MACC she was Executive Director of the Minnesota Jaycees. Prior to that she held Program Assistant roles with Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. She holds an MA in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University and a BA in Political Science from St. Olaf College. Trisha served two terms on the national board of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) and was a founder of the Twin Cities chapter of YNPN.

"It's exciting to be a part of a unique organization- MACC's "special sauce" is something that makes us stand out in our community. Pairing social capital and trusting relationships with a powerful administrative platform makes a lot of new things possible. I enjoy supporting members as they engage and identify what might be possible."

Victoria Robinson, Controller

In her role as Controller Victoria provides accounting support to a number of MACC members in the General Ledger function. She manages account and bank reconciliations as well as journal entries for payroll transactions and other internal account activities.

Victoria brings twenty-five years of wide-ranging accounting experience to her role at MACC. “We have solid relationships with our members, they really trust that we’re here for them.”

Diane Seep, Senior Human Resources Consultant, Human Resources Services

Diane is a part of our Human Resources team. In her role as Senior HR Consultant, her responsibilities include providing advice; guidance; assistance; and follow-up on policies, procedures, and employee relations for our members. Additionally, she assists with Member staff policies & procedures administration, recruitment and performance management.

Diane is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) bringing over ten years of experience as an HR Generalist to her role. “I really feel like there’s a strong partnership between MACC and all of our Members”

Pom Vongkaysone, Accounting Manager - Government Contracts & AR, Financial Services

Pom manages the accounts receivable team and all functions of bringing in revenue and tracking it for MACC members, excluding mental health billing. She also manages MACC's support of member government contracting and serves as a government funding/contract expert and consultant to members. Pom brings many years of accounting experience to the MACC team. Before joining MACC Pom worked as an Accountant with another nonprofit - Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver, and Dakota Counties. Pom holds and accounting degree from the Minnesota School of Business.

"I started working for a nonprofit for the first time back in 2012 and really enjoyed working in the nonprofit field. Working with MACC gives me another opportunity to continue to work for a nonprofit and what's great about MACC is that it's a nonprofit that gives services to other nonprofits!"

Beth Wright, Senior Controller

As a Senior Controller, Beth leads a team that provides accounting services to a number of MACC Members. Among other things she is responsible for supervising staff and handling financial reporting and analysis. Additionally she handles audit coordination, budgeting, fraud prevention, Census and other government reporting as well as cash flow management for several members.

Beth brings to MACC a wealth of experience in accounting. Most recently she worked for 12 years at the Metro Area Agency on Aging as their senior accountant. She has degrees in Psychology and Accounting from Augsburg and has worked in almost every area of accounting. “I’m used to doing all the accounting from A to Z and I’m excited to take those skills and move them up a level while staying in the nonprofit field. I love helping nonprofits achieve their mission and goals.”

Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities
3433 Broadway St NE, Ste 230, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Phone 612-341-1601 · info@macc-mn.org
Business Hours 8:00 am- 4:30 pm