
Our Founders
With a passion for elevating their community, Maddie and Kimmi are using their 2 decades on work experience to bring their skills in programming,
youth work and business development to young people in the Twin Cities!
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Maddie is a proud native of North Minneapolis with experience in youth work, program development, and community engagement. She spent a large part of her career working with young adults experiencing the foster care system and maintaining a platform for their voices to not only be heard but also implemented in systemic change.
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As a parent herself, Maddie gained a perspective on what it really means to have a community surrounding you while raising a child. Using her passion for youth work and identifying the gaps that many young parents and families face, she is eager to see The Upton Program thrive and provide a space for young parents and their families to be seen, heard, and empowered.
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Kimmi was born and raised on the north side of Minneapolis and attributes
her community and upbringing to the core of the person she is today. Throughout her education, Kimmi learned the importance of discipline and
a strong work ethic, which have led her to successfully lead multiple Minneapolis-based businesses before taking the leap into entrepreneurship and starting her own business.
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Kimmi has seen how access to financial education, career skills, and ample resources and connections can dramatically impact the life of a young person. She is passionate about providing that access through The Upton Program and creating systems that better support our community.
Board of Directors



Tori graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors in Family Social Science and has spent the last decade working primarily in the field of child welfare. She currently works as a Child Welfare Trainer and Foster Parent Educator for both Hennepin County and the MN Child Welfare Training Academy. Tori is deeply passionate about providing education on the violent and oppressive historical roots and present day practices of the child welfare system, offering opportunities to assess present day disparities and tools and strategies for participating in direly needed systems change.
Kierra is a writer and analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Her professional career includes a history in finance, communication, and customer service. Kierra describes herself as a passionate storyteller, who is constantly evolving. Above all, she is a mother to three creative, adventurous, and compassionate human beings.
Charlie serves as the Board President and acting ED for the Minnesota Minx Womxn's tackle football team. When Charlie isn't working, serving, or on the football field, you can find her reading, cooking, or camping.