Local Staff
As Executive Director, Mallory is responsible for the strategic operations of the NKF Serving Minnesota office and feels privileged to work with so many amazing kidney patients, advocates, health care professionals and kidney donors to advance the mission of the NKF. Mallory strives to raise awareness of kidney disease and the need for more organ donors in her everyday work. She will tell you the best part of her job is hearing from kidney patients who have found a living donor using strategies they learned through the NKF’s Big Ask, Big Give program. Mallory lives in South Minneapolis with her husband and two kids and enjoys exploring all corners of the great state of Minnesota.
As Program Manager, Claire is responsible for implementing NKF’s programs to patients, the public and professionals throughout Minnesota. As a kidney transplant recipient herself, Claire is so grateful to be a part of Minnesota’s amazing community of kidney patients and learns something new every day about kidney health! Her favorite part of her job is working with community members and brainstorming new ways to improve kidney health community education. Claire lives in Uptown Minneapolis and enjoys summer walks around the lakes!
As community outreach manager, Julie is responsible for coordinating NKF’s involvement in the community to raise awareness about kidney disease and NKF resources. Julie also oversees community-based programs like Kidney Kids Day, Drive for Dialysis, Donate Life Day with the Minnesota Twins, and other exciting events. As a kidney donor herself, Julie is excited to share NKF’s mission in Minnesota. Julie lives in south Minneapolis with her three kids, dog, and two cats. In her free time she enjoys baking, walking around the lakes, and travels to the north shore.
Local Board
Jen AndersonAssistant Vice President, Alliant Insurance ServicesAfter donating her kidney to her aunt at 19, Jen became involved with the National Kidney Foundation in Minnesota. After moving to Dallas, she became more involved on a corporate level with her firm as a corporate sponsor and the host for the golf classic. After moving back to Minnesota, Jen joined the board in April 2019 and served as board chair from 2020-2023. Jen is the lead advocate for Minnesota as well as chair of the NKF Konica Minolta Golf Classic.
Emily Beck, PhDSr. Manager-Kidney R&D at Miromatrix MedicalEmily leads a team at a local biotech company to bioengineer fully transplantable human kidneys to help patients suffering with end stage kidney disease. Building organs and creating technologies that can help the community has been a personal passion and mission for Emily for the last several decades. She became involved with the National Kidney Foundation through the Twin Cities Kidney Walk in 2022 and joined the board in 2023.
Jennifer Cramer-MillerClient/Marketing Consultant, L. Cramer Builders & RemodelersJennifer is a long-time kidney patient and a strong, motivated advocate for kidney health. She serves as an NKF PEER Mentor to help other patients navigate their journey with kidney disease, and as a Donate Life Ambassador to educate the public about organ donation. As a writer, speaker, (and happiness seeker), she addresses topics of living well with uncertainty. Jennifer joined the Board in 2019 and contributes passionate leadership to advance awareness and raise funds to support the life-saving mission of the NKF. Jennifer currently serves as the chair of the Minnesota Board of Advisors.
Bernadeia Johnson, PhDAssistant Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato Bernadeia has over 40 years of experience in education ranging from teaching fifth grade to Deputy Superintendent of the Memphis City Schools, Deputy Superintendent, and later Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools. Bernadeia earned her B.S. From Alabama A & M University, her Masters’s from St. Thomas University, and her principal license and doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Johnson currently teaches and conducts research dedicated to understanding the lived experiences of African American school and district leaders. Bernadeia is a frequent testifier at the Minnesota Legislature on Solutions not Suspensions. She has presented locally and nationally on her work to introduce School-based Mental health into the Minneapolis Public Schools. Dr. Johnson is a National Board Certified teacher and she serves on local and national boards, including as the board chair of the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, to promote education as a public good.
Jason KoenigOwner/CFO/Realtor, The Odd Couple Team with Keller Williams Integrity RealtyAs a business leader in St. Paul, Jason aims to help spread awareness and advance the NKF mission through his work on the Board. Driven to give back after his own mother was on dialysis for 19 years and ultimately passing away from kidney issues, Jason hopes to help other families like his who are affected by kidney disease.
Max LarsonDivision Vice President, DaVitaBio coming soon!
Kevin PlosserRegional CFO, Monogram HealthKevin has worked in the kidney industry since 2013, helping patients with kidney disease find and receive the best care, while improving clinical outcomes. Most recently, he has performed this work with Monogram Health, which is a leading value-based provider of in-home care management services for patients living with late-stage kidney disease. Kevin seeks to share his passion for improving patient experience and quality of life to help further the mission of the NKF.
Stacy ThompsonOptum Health SolutionsStacy has been a part of the healthcare space since 2009 and over the past 18 months has responsibility for the kidney care management program managed by Optum. The care management team ensures alignment to the nephrologist and their care plan, so the Optum renal nurse case managers can be in lock step with the members care needs. Stacy is native of Detroit, MI and has resided in MN for 20 years. She currently lives in Andover, MN with her husband Jason and son Nate.
Tim WellsCEO & Founder, Titanium CollectiveTim is a father, husband, entrepreneur, and kidney recipient living in Inver Grove with his wife, Mary Ellen, and their 11 year old daughter. Tim was diagnosed with FSGS at the age of 22, and ultimately received a kidney from his younger sister, in 2008. Tim joined the NKF Serving MN Board in 2021 and is excited for the opportunity to bring more people to the cause through his professional and personal network and utilize his passion to help drive awareness, outreach, and funds to enable the NKF to do more for the donor and recipient community.
Jean YsbrandChief Human Resources Officer, Nystrom & AssociateJean is an HR Executive in the Twin Cities with 17 years’ experience in healthcare, 15 of those years with DaVita Kidney Care, where she had the privilege of supporting the Upper Midwest clinics and the caregivers who are critical to giving life to kidney patients. Jean is committed to helping raise awareness for kidney disease having a personal connection to it through a lifelong childhood friend whose entire family has been impacted by it both through dialysis and kidney donations. Jean became a member of the Board to help others have the opportunity to access to care and resources as those close to her have received. Jean and her husband Mike live in Maple Grove.
Shirly SeidenkranzFinance Supervisor, Best Buy CorpShirly joined the Minnesota Board of Advisors in 2023. Her passion for serving the NKF stems from her father and sister’s passing due to kidney related issues. She cares about empowering kidney disease education and awareness in the Hmong community. Shirly received her degree from the University of Minnesota in accounting and finance. She is also a mom of four and currently resides in Elk River.
Salwa BullardProgram Manager, Mozarc MedicalSalwa has almost 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical and medical device industries, primarily as an analytical chemist, and more recently transitioning to program management. Salwa first became involved with the NKF in her capacity as leader of WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) at Mozarc, when she organized a Drive for Dialysis volunteer event for her colleagues in 2018. This engagement not only lead to many others, but sparked Salwa’s passion for NKF’s work, and she is thrilled to continue her support through her advisory board membership. Salwa lives in Plymouth, MN with her husband Jake and their two children.
Local Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Karthik RamanathanTransplant Surgeon, University of MinnesotaDr. Ramanathan obtained his medical degree at the University of Texas, Southwestern. He then completed surgical residency at Indiana University in Indianapolis, followed by training in liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation at the University of Minnesota. He is very excited to have joined the transplant surgery faculty at the University of Minnesota, and to have this opportunity to serve on the medical advisory board of the National Kidney Foundation. He first gained an understanding of the problem of renal failure from his mother, who worked as a dietitian in a dialysis unit in his hometown for many years. He saw the incredible alteration renal failure requires fundamental aspects of living, as well as the significant emotional, physical, and financial burdens it exacts on patients and families. His mother told him stories of the people she cared for, of those who struggled with this disease for years and of those who received life saving transplantation. Dr. Ramanathan is interested in working on all aspects of this disease process and in helping to develop programs and legislation to support patients with renal failure as well as those able to give the gift of life, and is eager to engage in this opportunity going forward.
Mirna Boumitri, MDNephrologist, University of MinnesotaDr. Boumitri is a nephrologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota. She joined the faculty in 2010 after completing residency and fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic. She is the clinical director of nephrology at the University of Minnesota and the medical director of the University Davita dialysis unit. She takes care of chronic kidney disease, hypertension and dialysis patients and organizes patient education. She strongly believes in patient education to empower patients to take control of their kidney health. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, traveling and reading.
Vanessa Humphreville, MD, FACSAbdominal Transplant Surgeon, University of Minnesota Medical CenterDr. Humphreville obtained her medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and went on to complete her residency in general surgery at the University of Iowa. Following that she completed her fellowship in liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant at the University of Minnesota. She first became involved with the National Kidney Foundation in Cleveland, OH serving on the medical advisory board and running the living donor program at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. She worked with NKF to start the Big Ask Big Give program locally and improve education about kidney disease in the Cleveland area. After being recruited back to the University of Minnesota, she was appointed as the surgical director of the living kidney donor program and has worked closely with NKF to propagate the Big Ask Big Give program here in Minnesota. Living donation is a particular passion for Dr. Humphreville and she has been active in supporting legislation to protect living donors at the state and federal levels. During her time with the NKF, she has seen the amazing effects on the lives of kidney patients that the NKF has had via their programs and support and is excited to continue to work with them for many years to come.
Sabine Karam, MD, FISNMember of Cohort 1, ISN Emerging Leaders Program, Assistant Professor of Medicine Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of MinnesotaDr. Karam is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota with a special interest in onco-nephrology, hypertension, and home dialysis. She is also passionate about the global advancement and equity in kidney health and is a member of several committees and working groups within the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and most notably Dr. Karam is currently the chair of the Young Nephrologists Committee (YNC) of the ISN. She is a firm believer in the importance of empowering the patient through dedicated and culturally-sensitive education and speaks, in addition to English, Arabic, French and Spanish. In my free time. She enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and discovering culturally diverse Minnesota.
Sarah Kaspari - DNP, RN, NE-BCSarah Kaspari (DNP, RN, NE-BC) is the Administrative Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Programs, Ambulatory Cardiology Clinic Operations and ANGMA Clinics at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute (AHMHI). She began her nursing career at AHMHI in 2008 as a cardiac nurse and in 2015 joined the advanced heart failure, VAD and transplant team. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Master of Science in Nursing from Benedictine University and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she is a Board Certified Nurse Executive.
Britta Kolodziej, PAPhysician Assistant Cardiology, Essentia HealthBritta became involved in the NKF in 2021 after donating a kidney to her mother through the paired kidney exchange program. As a living donor and medical provider, she aims to use her unique perspective to spread the word and advocate for living donation. She lives near Brainerd with her husband and 2 young sons.
Dr. MadhusoodananNephrologistDr. Madhusoodanan earned her medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School. and went on to complete Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology Fellowship at Hennepin County Medical Center. Since finishing training, she has joined InterMed Consultants where she sees kidney patients in the hospital, dialysis units, and clinic. She enjoys educating patients and relating with them as she was a caretaker for a family member with kidney disease. She has a passion for helping those struggling with the disease find a way to thrive and live their best lives. Dr. Madhusoodanan has seen people's lives transform with transplantation but finds it equally important to find ways for people to live their best if transplant isn't an option for them. Outside of patient care she enjoys spending time with her pup and husband, hiking, and baking.
Dr. RiadTransplant Nephrologist, Mayo ClinicDr. Riad is a nephrologist with expertise in kidney and pancreas transplantation. Dr. Riad specializes in immunosuppression management for kidney and pancreas transplantation and related complications. Dr. Riad is an advocate for individuals with kidney disorders and is passionate about empowering individuals with kidney disorders through outreach and education.
Dr. Saugar Maripuri, MD, MPHNephrologist, Hennepin HealthcareDr. Maripuri is a Nephrologist from Hennepin Healthcare has expertise in all facets of kidney disease. He has a specific interest in chronic kidney disease, including patients on dialysis. He is a strong advocate for home dialysis modalities, including home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. “I always strive to deliver the highest quality care while emphasizing the individual needs of my patients. I am passionate about empowering patients with kidney disease to take control of their lives, including picking treatments that work for them; not the other way around.