Wanda Elliott, is the Special Programs Director for the Pink Purse Project. Wanda was born and raised in Clearwater/Largo Florida. After receiving a BS in Computer Information Systems from Florida A & M, she moved to St. Paul, MN to pursue a career with 3M. Wanda worked several years for 3M and then accepted a position as an IT Specialist with Enclos Corp in Eagan, MN. At Enclos, she manages and administers the messaging and collaboration infrastructure and the BlackBerry and wireless device deployment and development. Wanda is a member of Speak the Word Church in Golden Valley, MN, where she has been involved in the Children's Ministry and the Video/Word's ministry. In her spare time, she enjoys, exercising, golfing, traveling and spending time with her family. Contact: wanda@pinkpurseproject.org
Sandra K Heinen, is the Project Director and Board member of the Pink Purse Project. She became interested in finding a community service initiative she could share with friends & colleagues after President Obama's call to service action in 2009. She found the simplicity & power of Pink Purse Project to be perfect. She now works with her colleagues and friends in advertising, design, and public relations to develop and grow the vision and impact of the Pink Purse Project organization. Ms. Heinen is also an advertising professional who runs her own staffing business, Sandra Heinen Recruiting. She works with corporations, marketing and advertising agencies, promotional and graphic design firms all over the country assisting them on searches and placement of premier talent. In the past, Ms Heinen was also the director of an advertising school, recruiter for the largest ad agency in MN, director of a modeling / talent training center, and studio manager for two large commercial photography studios. Ms Heinen has been a docent at the Walker Art Center and an elected board member of the Art Director Copywriters Club of MN. She has a BFA degree from The College of Saint Catherine, Saint Paul, MN.
Benita Jackson serves on the Pink Purse Project Board as the Insides and Necessities Coordinator. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a BSBA and currently works in the area of finance. Benita has been involved in the Target Volunteer Council, Boys & Girls Club, HOSTS mentoring and CMU’s Peer Mentoring programs. She brings to the PPP a sincere desire to help others. Contact: benita@pinkpurseproject.org
As the Director of Youth Ministries at Jubilee Christian Church, Valerie spent several years working with teens and their families. She was a founding member of the steering committee for a regional 5-state outreach program for teenagers, responsible for coordination and administration of an annual summer camp program and other regional events. After a hiatus from outreach activity, Valerie has found new inspiration for empowering and encouraging others in the Pink Purse Project.
DeLois Brown, is the Connection Coordinator for the Pink Purse Project. She is a woman of God, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister and an Early Childhood Educator, a Teen Parent advocate and mentor and an example for others. Mrs. Brown is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, but has spent most of her adult life in the Twin Cities area. Her work experience includes: Administrative assistant, accounts receivable and credit supervisor, child care director and is currently self employed as an Early Childhood Educator. She considers herself to be a replica of a butterfly. All of her life’s experiences and stages encourage her to help others. The chapters of her life allow her to identify with the various struggles women have and that these struggles only come to make us stronger and equip us to help others as they develop into the individual they are created to be. She believes that through the Pink Purse Project she will be able to serve women in a capacity that will nurture their needs and desires to overcome any obstacle that they face.
Gretchen Heim, is the Special Projects Director of the Pink Purse Project. She has been in the advertising industry for the past 6 years, working on brands like Burger King, Nature Valley Granola Bars, Popsicle, 5/3 Bank and now the Pink Purse Project. Her roots were started in northern Minnesota, growing up in a town with a population of 250. Moving slowly south and then east she has lived and worked in Chicago, Hamburg, Germany, NYC and now settled into Minneapolis where she enjoys rock climbing, horses and photography.
Natalie Johnson Lee, is the Media Director for the Pink Purse Project. Mrs. Lee is the founder of Sisters in Power (SIP), an organization developed to re-power women to lead and pursue their destinies. Known for her “down to earth” communication style, she coaches individuals to discover their inherent gifts and realize their full potential. She is a servant leader with a keen understanding of the critical issues that challenge our communities and cities today. Natalie’s passion to provide access to economic power, political influence, educational opportunities, community strength and social justice led her to a seat on the Minneapolis City Council. There she served on various committees, boards, and as the Chair of the Health & Human Services which allowed her to directly impact decisions that affected citizens throughout the City of Minneapolis. Johnson Lee is recognized in corporate and social service circles for her rich experience in workforce development, she has received national recognition as a work-force educator and facilitator. Her career spans the corporate, non-profit and public sectors. Natalie is a life-long learner, dedicated wife, committed mother to five, faithful servant and a compassionate mentor to many.