Sparking Sustainable Futures
2019
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT
GENESYS WORKS Twin Cities
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I am proud to be part of an organization that is sparking sustainable futures and improving our Twin Cities communities and neighborhoods. That spark happens because of you.
All of our supporters provide the spark for our students to discover and leverage their incredible talents, motivations and resilience through their experience in Genesys Works. And our gratitude is deep.
I reflect on the ways that our various partners and supporters have sparked new opportunities and innovation during 2019. Innovation that enabled us to improve our training and support of our students as they navigate their post-secondary plans, all through the lens of 21st century, future-proof skills.
During 2019, we welcomed more than 400 students to summer training, a true testament to the support of our school partners who help us recruit students. Due to the engagement of our corporate partners and the meaningful work experiences they provide, our young professionals earned nearly $4 million throughout their year-long internships. While we are very proud that we were able to put that money in the pockets of our students, it is important to consider the deeply-sustainable and positive community impact of that $4 million of student earnings.
We are making incredible strides to build a stronger, more diverse workforce. And, there is still much work to do. While talent is evident in each of our young professionals, opportunity is not distributed equitably. Genesys Works serves as the catalyst to new opportunities, which is made possible by supporters like you. Each year, these opportunities provide the spark for hundreds of self-motivated students to leverage their talents, delivering valuable technology support that enables our corporate partners to meet their goals and sparking sustainable futures for our Twin Cities communities.
Thank you for the sparks that you provide through your continued support of our young professionals and our mission. Genesys Works works… because of you.
Karen Marben
Executive Director
Genesys Works Twin Cities
Genesys Works provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships.
Total students served
Total student earnings
College enrollment rate
First-generation college students
Qualify for free or reduced lunch
Students of color
-
Median earnings of employed alumni
Earn more than both parents combined
Earn the same or more than at least one parent
Social Return on Investment
Aisha Mohamed was just three years old when she and her family emigrated from Kakuma, Kenya. While dependent upon government assistance, they were determined to succeed when opportunity presented itself. It’s this experience that became her motivation. Says Aisha, “I value coming from a place of struggle and using it to drive your ambition.”
It’s clear from her internship work at Cargill that Aisha values a challenge and that she isn't afraid to step into the unknown. Early in her internship, her supervisor Christopher challenged her with a task in which she didn't have experience. One day later, she presented the requested data and took the initiative to add supplemental data and interpreted results to the report. Says Christopher, “We were amazed.” Others at Cargill are also taking notice of Aisha, including Kim Kettler, a global IT director: “Not only does Aisha deliver high-quality results, but she also often goes above and beyond our expectations.”
Aisha has already been accepted into the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota where she plans to continue pursuing a business and technology career. As long as opportunity presents itself, she will be one of the first to confidently walk into the challenge.
Best Buy understands the big picture. While Genesys Works interns provide invaluable work for the company in the short-term, company employees invest in young professionals in order to cultivate sustainable, long-term impact for Best Buy and the interns alike. Best Buy’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer Brian Tilzer is quick to vouch for the program’s long-term benefits: “Through our partnership with Genesys Works, we are working to build a pipeline of diverse technical talent in our local communities through meaningful work opportunities so that they can channel their talent, energy, and ideas into bright futures.”
As a Genesys Works supervisor and senior manager in technology operations, Mandy French empowers intern Brandon Vi to complete tasks in everything from building ServiceNow reports to creating process flow charts. As Brandon and the five other interns gain real-world technology skills and access to a professional work experience, Mandy knows their current experience has long-term implications: “The Genesys Works program is not only helping bright, young people transition into successful, professional careers; it is helping to diversify the next generation of IT workers.”
The significance of a Best Buy internship experience as a senior in high school is not lost on Brandon, either. In addition to gaining confidence in himself, Brandon sees and feels the immense support surrounding him: “I’ve realized that my success and experience matter to everyone at Genesys Works and Best Buy.”
In 2014, Denise Reyes rode the bus for an hour every morning on her way to Genesys Works summer training in downtown Minneapolis. During that long commute, she dreamt about her future. Fast forward to December of 2018, she is a first-generation college graduate who not only fulfilled one of her dreams but one of her parents’, too.
Nancy Yang grew up in a low-income family, so she joined Genesys Works to gain financial freedom. Since graduating from high school in 2014, the program has provided opportunity for her to do just that — and more. Says Nancy, “Genesys Works has helped me focus less on myself and more on the overall community.”
Although Denise and Nancy have unique experiences and backgrounds, their paths eventually converged after college graduation as full-time employees at Land O’Lakes, Inc. Denise is an international credit analyst; Nancy is a second-year IT TAP associate on the data and analytics team. It’s a best- case scenario: two talented, former interns who have now been hired on by a Genesys Works corporate partner. And Chief Information Security Officer Tony Taylor agrees: “It’s a win-win situation.” For Denise and Nancy, their journeys are just beginning.
Harding Senior High School has been a partner since the inception of Genesys Works in 2008. Due to strong advocates at the school, the partnership has both breadth and depth. With the support of Jerry Utecht, a teacher in work-based learning, more than 130 students have entered the program and earned a professional work experience and in turn, are having a more holistic learning experience. Says Jerry, “The expectations of the Genesys Works program have helped to improve student attendance and increase student motivation and work-based experiences.”
It’s champions like Jerry who are crucial to the success of Genesys Works and its students, such as Class of 2020 student Gilverto de los Santos Rios who now has the opportunity to explore a potential career in web development at Bremer Bank. And for Class of 2018 Harding student Ge Thao, it not only led to a high school internship at 3M but a college internship at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, as well.
On an even larger scale, Saint Paul Public Schools superintendent and Genesys Works Twin Cities board member Joe Gothard has made the long-term success of students a priority: “I want to see the diversity within our schools and classrooms serve as the framework to build our future. Partnering with Genesys Works and our community creates significant opportunities for student success.”
In addition to her exciting college acceptance, Kinza Ahmed had another notable acceptance to celebrate. In Summer 2019, she was accepted into the Genesys Works Talent Development Pipeline (TDP), joining more than 90 other young professionals. This program provides intentional professional development, leadership, and networking opportunities for local college students pursuing business technology careers. TDP orientation was hosted by Ecolab, which is also where Kinza excelled as an IT client services intern during her senior year of high school.
Now as a student at the University of Minnesota, Kinza continues her professional development through TDP events hosted by corporate partners such as Target and Best Buy. She also has earned a college internship, this time as an IT quality assurance intern at CHS, Inc. Through these experiences, Kinza is gaining valuable social capital that can connect her to future opportunities as a woman in technology.
Genesys Works is able to make a difference in the lives of Twin Cities students because of the financial contributions made by our generous donors. For these gifts, we are most grateful.
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
York Solutions
Think IT Association
Otto Bremer Trust
WEM Foundation
3M
Ecolab Foundation
Evolving Solutions
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
McNeely Foundation
Medtronic
ThreeBridge
Travelers Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Abbott Fund
Accenture
AHEAD
Allianz Life Foundation
Andersen Corporate Foundation
Anonymous
Best Buy Foundation
Boston Scientific Foundation
The Carlson Family Foundation
C.H. Robinson Foundation
CHS, Inc.
Comcast Foundation
Flexential
Medica
The Minneapolis Foundation – Protolabs
Minnesota Employment and Economic Development
Morning Foundation
Nutanix
Optum
Pure Storage
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
Sundance Family Foundation
Target Corporation
TCF Bank
Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
Zscaler
Abbott
Affinity Plus Foundation
Albright Foundation
Allina Health
Amazon Web Services
Ameriprise Foundation
Anaplan
Andersen Corporation
Best Buy Corporation
Boston Scientific Corporation
Box
Cargill
Data Recognition Corporation
Dell Corporation Foundation
Ecolab
General Mills
Hardenbergh Foundation
Infoblox
Insight
Land O’Lakes
Life Time Fitness
Mortenson Company
Okta
Mary Lynne Perushek
RBC Wealth Management
ServiceNow
Smikis Foundation
TCF Foundation
Xcel Energy
Youthprise
Jamie Anderson
AppDynamics
CenturyLink
Cisco
Bret Roberts
Rubrik
Sirius Computer Solutions
Michael and Sherry Sivo
TITUS
Zoom
Dan Abdul
Anonymous
Ascent Solutions
Rhonda Blatti
Bremer Financial Corporation
Greg Downer
Eric Gartland
Jenna Gilbert
Kathryn Gooding
IntegRhythm Inc.
Aileen and Kim Kasper
Mike Larson
Steve Lytle
Karen and Michael Marben
Marco Technologies LLC
Mentormate
Michael Moliterno
Matthew Neale
Sarah Nieters
Osseo Lions Club
Alina Parast
Craig Pratt
Renodis
Sleep Number
Tim Thull
United Health Group
Michael Walstrom
Wells Foundation
Todd Adams
Joe Burns
Tim Costigan
Ernest de los Santos
Paul Dottle
FPT Software
Nicholas Gardino
Bo Gebbie
Mr. David A. Henseler and Ms. Carol Henseler
Hull Family Charitable Fund
Joel Drotos
Michael Jones
Joseph Keefe
MANIFEST Technology
Microsoft
The Minneapolis Foundation – ConnextMSP
Peak-Ryzex
Presidio
Price Waterhouse Coopers
Anne Reich
Todd Soller
SPJ GTM
Jackie Statum Allen
Talend
Thrivent Financial
Jeff and Jennie Tollefson
Walmart Store #4787
Walmart Store #5089
Rick Walstrom
Zebra Technologies
Joe Akerson
Jill Aleshire
Allison Alexander
Ameriprise Financial
Carson Amiot
Matt Ammentorp
Kristina Ammon
Amplifon
Chris Anderson
Anonymous (2)
Rhonda Arnold
Kavita Baball
Richard Baredziak
Allison Barmann
Teddy Bekele
Andy Berg
Joan Bernard
Scott Blahauvietz
Scott Boedigheimer
Molly Bott
Nancy Brainerd
Bridget Brask
Myron Braun
Chris Brooks
Robin Brown
Latha Budideti
Matt Bykowski
Charles Byrne
Bai Chang
Francois Charette
Kellie Christensen
Lindsey Christian
Dave and Laura Coggins
Joel and Lorie Crandall
Scott Cummings
Rick Daley
Rassoul Dastmozd
Datatrend Technologies Inc.
Don and Colleen Dawson
Katie DeCabooter
Dell EMC
Acquanetta Denson
Shawn Determan
Faith Dietz
Edward and Linda Donahue
Chris DuFresne
Julie Durham
Dynatrace
Martin Farrell
Scott Farwig
Patton Fast
Gerald Filler
Greg Foslien
Jenny Fraley
Teresa Freeman
Kathryn Freeman
Victor Garcia
Rachel German
Ellen and Jeff Gilbert
Garrett Gleason
Michael Goar
Michael Green
Mary Grindland
Brian Groff
Mike Han
Tom Hannigan
Kelly Hanson
Kate Helmberger
Stephanie Henry
Nick Joseph Hernandez
Amie Hoffner
Melissa Holman
Alison Lienau
Michael Johnson
Amy Johnson
Tammylynne Jonas
Joshua Kass
Dan Kelly
Matt Keske
Darrell Kesti
Kinetic Data
Dale Knudsen
Jeffrey Koschmeder
Lisa Krocak
Rose Kruger
Ethan Kuehl
Kathryn Lamp
David Lardy
Txuci Lee
Sarah Lewandowski
Mike Liddy
Terry MacVey
Joe Maddox
Brenda and Kurt Marben
Maryville Consulting Group
Julie McConnell
David McGauvran
Mark Mettert
Elizabeth Moncrief
MongoDB
Donald Monk
Chris Moses
Randall Muellner
Abbey Nelson
Robb Nelson
Keith Norbie
Daniel Oase
Andrew O’Brien
Jesse Okerlund
Michele Olson
John Otteson
Gary and Julie Pagel
Sumal Paravath
Matt Pellowski
Dmytri Pendino
Guy Perera
Chris Perrault
Karin Petty
Larye Pohlman
Michael Pooley
Wes Ratliff
Jackie Reeves
Henry Reich
Erik Renk-Grant
David Robertson
Andrew Roche
Brian Roche
Rodman Family Foundation
Jennifer Rogers
Debra Roquette
Mike Ryan
Adam Sand
Billy Schuett
Patricia Schulke
Emily Sharpe
Amy Sharpe
Dave Silvernale
Charlie Smith
Shawn Smith
Scott Spiess
Greg Spoden
Courtney Stoesz
Mark Stoesz
Mark Strehlow
Susan and Bill Stuart
Kurt Svendsen
Tony Taylor
Sanjay and Sheela Terakanambi
Ben Tims
The Toro Company
Jason Tschetter
Veeam Software
Walmart Store #5977
Jim Westerman
Works Computing
World Wide Technology
Ronald Wrenholt
Allied Parking Inc.
Brave New Workshop
Cose Nuove
Forget Me Not Floral Events
Hylden Advocacy & Law
MSP Hatfield and McCoys
Riddle Room
Tech Guru
Think IT Association
Leadership Society member
Alumni
The collaboration between Genesys Works and our corporate partners is at the heart of our success. We want to thank the following companies for providing life-changing work opportunities to our young professionals.
| TWIN CITIES 2019 Financials for annual report | 2019 |
|---|---|
| INCOME | |
| Earned Income | 7,689,383 |
| Contributed Income | 1,238,280 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 8,927,663 |
| EXPENSES | |
| Student Wages | 4,087,711 |
| Other Program Expenses | 3,903,873 |
| General & Administrative | 578,440 |
| Fundraising | 297,247 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | 8,867,271 |
| Net Unrestricted Income | 60,392 |
| TWIN CITIES 2019 Financials for annual report | 2019 |
|---|---|
| ASSETS | |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 2,205,585 |
| Accounts Receivable | 1,118,358 |
| Other Current Assets | 128,122 |
| Property & Equipment (Net) | 11,792 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 3,463,857 |
| LIABILITIES | |
| Accounts Payable | 133,941 |
| Other Liabilities | 370,759 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 504,700 |
| Unrestricted Net Assets | 2,843,807 |
| Temporarily Restricted Net Assets | 115,350 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 2,959,157 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES and NET ASSETS | 3,463,857 |
