Irinia is Co-founder of Global Synergy Group. She developed her passion for people, learning, and leadership while growing up in Russia and Ukraine, before becoming a professional facilitator in the USA. Irina is also a co-founder and team member at HueLife. Irina earned her Doctorate of Education in the field of Organization Development from the University of St. Thomas, where her research focus was on leadership in collaborative, non-hierarchical environments.

Co-founder of Global Synergy Group, former City Manager, Writer, Navy Veteran, and Organization Development Consultant. Richard is also a co-founder and team member at HueLife, where he delivers dynamic workshops and strategic planning sessions. Richard has helped hundreds of organizations to develop and implement strategy, including national, regional, and local governments in the USA and Eastern Europe.

Currently serving as City Manager of Bloomington, MN, Jamie has previously served as Chief Administrative Officer in the cities of Brooklyn Park and Rosemount. He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. He also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Hamline University. Jamie visited Ukraine as part of Global Synergy Group’s delegation to the Open Youth Forum in July 2016 and is currently serving as Global Synergy Group’s Treasurer.

Mary has twenty years of experience as a nonprofit leader with a proven track record of designing and leading innovative, impactful programs and client services, including educational programming. Today, she is Chief Executive Officer of Fusion Learning Partners, a nonprofit committed to creating environments that promote learning for the individuals, organizations, and the communities they serve. Mary has been recognized for her strategic leadership skills and has been successful in overseeing complex change and growth initiatives. She currently serves as Secretary for Global Synergy Group.

Liz has over 20 years of experience driving growth in technology companies in the UK and Canada. Today, Liz leads the marketing team at Envisio, a govtech company on a mission to build trusted public institutions through transparent strategy execution and performance management. She also spearheads the company’s research initiatives with academic partners across the U.S. Liz has a Law degree from the University of Bristol and is a former Special Constable with the London Metropolitan Police. She has been a volunteer and YouLEAD alumni mentor with GSG since early 2022.

Patrick has lived in the City of Hopkins for over 17 years and has been mayor since 2022. He is also Deputy Commissioner of Sustainability, Healthy Homes, and Environment at the City of Minneapolis. In this role, he heads a division implementing wide ranging environmental and healthy homes policy solutions in partnership with leadership from communities, government agencies, businesses, and non-profits. Patrick has almost 20 years of deep community engagement expertise in Minnesota’s most diverse communities while leading teams that have delivered nationally recognized programs.

Steve Heckler is one of the country’s pre-eminent jazz impresarios, founding the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in 1999 and serving as its executive director until 2023. A New York native, Steve came to the Twin Cities in 1985, serving as a county social worker for the next 20 years. He was always drawn to music, touring with a rock band and getting hooked on jazz in his teens. He was also hooked on event organizing from the time he first attended a World’s Fair. In addition to the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Steve has directed numerous music and cultural events and festivals, and served as the Executive Director of JazzMN Orchestra.

Karen is grateful to have served her calling and passion for students of all ages for the past 38 years. Beginning with teaching for Department of Defense Schools in Germany and continuing with ISD 622 as a Special Education Teacher for 16 years. During her completion of a Doctorate in Organization Development, she traveled twice to Ukraine to conduct research and fell in love with the people and culture. For the past 10 years, Karen has served as a full-time Adjunct Faculty Instructor at University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Education. She founded GraceVine Center for Education, LLC and consults with families and guardians to navigate Special Education systems.