Who We Are
We believe…
Access to food and proper nutrition is not only imperative for health and well-being but is a human right.
Every young person carries the capacity for “genius” and deserves a safe, nurturing spaces to realize their full potential.
Communities do not need to be “saved” but rather require sustainable and equitable access to resources and opportunities to flourish.
Racial, economic, and geographic disparities in Minnesota demand meaningful action with measurable outcomes.
Our role is to operationalize equitable and just solutions in collaboration with Minnesota communities.
We must be responsive and adaptable to the ever-changing landscape of circumstance, opportunity, and need.
Our Legacy
GMCC (Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches) was founded in 1905 as a faith-based initiative to serve the community. For 118 years, we have fulfilled our mission of “uniting people of faith, serving people in need,” through a range of programs and services, including advocacy and education around equity and poverty; volunteerism and service learning; mentoring and youth development; support services for seniors; and hunger-relief.
Today, GMCC embraces our legacy through an intercultural, interfaith approach that intentionally welcomes all belief communities in our work.
Our Work
GMCC is an entrepreneurial organization that partners with communities most impacted by challenges to co-design responses. We work in the areas of food, youth, and well-being.
Our work is guided by the following principles:
1. Focus on action
2. Support co-design and power-sharing with the community
3. Maintain an asset-orientation approach
4. Focus on the social determinants of health & well-being
We are not always the experts. We therefore engage people with lived experiences to lead and staff our projects to more effectively address the challenges.
Although a lot of great work is being done in Minnesota, it continues to be siloed. GMCC’s role is often not to build initiatives from scratch but to partner with those on the front lines to add capacity to their good work. We use our infrastructure, staffing, and networks to develop masterful collaborations that respond to needs and opportunities, make positive change, and result in healthy, equitable communities.
“We are small, but large in heart.” – Gloria J. Lewis, retired CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters MN, and former GMCC Board Member
Our Team
Hibat Sharif
Subject Matter Expert &
Peer Recovery Specialist
Ali Samator
Subject Matter Expert &
Peer Recovery Specialist
Board of Directors
Bruce A. Ensrud
Board Chair
Wealth Advisor and Founding Partner
Parable Wealth Partners
Erin Rupp
Vice Chair
Executive Director
Pollinate Minnesota
Jack Duffy
Treasurer
Area Senior Vice President, Segment Sales Leader
Gallagher
Heather Riddle
Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
American Public Media Group and Minnesota Public Radio
Kay Adam
Manager of Strategic Initatives
Hennepin County
Dominique Battle
Openings Associate
AvantStay
Nicholas Contreraz
Development and Communications Manager
Neighborhood House
Henriette Ngo Bissoy
Science Teacher
L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School
Schuyler Troy, J.D.
University of Minnesota Law School
Jeff Peterson
Chief Marketing and Experience Officer
Echo 360
Dr. Ryan Greiner
Medical Director
North Memorial Health
