Denver - Executive Committee

	Amar Patnaik, Chair, Board of Directors, Director of Program Development Amar is Global Strategic Marketing Manager for Covidien, a leading provider of advanced medical devices. His prior professional roles include investment banking services, corporate finance and extensive sales and marketing experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Amar holds a dual BS in Biology and Chemistry from the College of William and Mary and a MBA in Finance from the University of Denver.
	Bijal Choksi, Board of Directors, Development Director As a founder of Minds Matter of Denver, Bijal led the start up effort for the chapter. As Co-President for the first 2 years, Bijal oversaw the programming, recruiting, community outreach, and financial aspects of the organization. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors, heading up the strategic aspect of the organization. Her most recent role is as Development Director for both the local chapter and the national Minds Matter organization, based in New York. In addition to Minds Matter, Bijal is an organizational consultant. She has worked for the IBM Corporation in Colorado. Prior to that, she worked for McKinsey & Company and Deloitte & Touche in New York. Bijal is also the doting mother of 2 young children, who keep her very busy. Bijal received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pennsylvania's Undergraduate Wharton School, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University's Teacher's College.
	Diana Crabtree, Co-President, Co-Director of Mentors Diana has been involved with Minds Matter of Denver since 2005, previously serving as a Mentor and as Director of Mentees. She is the Chief Financial Officer for Stolberg Equity Partners, a private equity investment firm. She also operates her own tax and financial planning business, and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver. She is the author of a newly released book titled Money for Teenagers. Diana obtained a Masters in Accountancy and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Denver in 1997. She is a Certified Public Accountant.
	Jamie Pruett, Co-President Jamie began working with Minds Matter's Denver chapter as a mentor in 2005. He has been in the role of co-president since 2006 and recently joined the Board of Directors in the Spring of 2008. He founded Pruett Scholes Insurance Agency in 2006 and also serves on the Advisory Board for the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship. The Pruett Scholes' culture is reflective of Jamie's personal commitment to community. Every employee of the firm donates a portion of their after-work time to their favorite cause. Outside of the office Jamie spends his time snowboarding, mountain climbing, or playing basketball.
	Dawn Brock, Co-Director of Mentees Dawn currently works as an account executive for Blackbaud, a software company that solely supports non-profit organizations. Dawn specifically works with Independent Schools across the nation. Prior to a career in sales Dawn taught middle school math, science, Spanish, and coached soccer, cheerleading and track. Outside of work Dawn enjoys skiing, tennis, hiking, reading and watching football. Dawn attended Concordia University where she received her BA in Liberal Studies.
	Paul Davis, Director of Mentors Paul has been in software sales since 2001 and is currently a Senior Account Exec at NetSuite in Denver. Prior to working at NetSuite he served as President and Founder of social networking start-up called Nayburz that enabled people to meet and interact with people in their neighborhood or apartment community. He is an avid skier and a self-proclaimed outdoor junkie.
	Sage Haughey, Director of Prep Programs Sage has been involved with Minds Matter since 2007. She graduated from Florida State and moved to Denver in 2001. She spent many years in the sales world, traveling all across the country and the world. She now stays at home with her daughter and has started a photography business to keep her even busier. Sage loves to travel, ski, hike and spend lazy days at the beach on vacation.
	Katie Lee, Co-Director of Mentees Katie has been involved with Minds Matter since 2007, and began with the program as a Team Lead. She currently works as a sales consultant for Paychex, Inc. where she helps small businesses with their payroll, benefits, and human resource needs. Katie attended Colorado State University where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing in 2001.
	Megan Marquez, Co-Director of Senior Program Megan works for Denver Public Schools' Educational Technology department and is focusing on developing programs to promote data driving decision making for teachers and school administrators. Prior to joining DPS, Megan worked in the telecommunications industry primarily at Level 3 Communications and as Associate Director for the University of Colorado's Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Graduate Program. She is in the process of completing her master's degree in Education Foundations, Policy and Practice. She has been involved with Minds Matter of Denver since its inception in 2004.
	Lauren Neupert, Co-Director of Senior Program Lauren has worked at IMA of Colorado, an insurance brokerage in Denver, since October 2007 where she is an Account Manager Trainee. She has been involved with Minds Matter since 2007. Lauren graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee in 2007 where she received a degree in English Literature.
	Andy Seth, Development Director Andy has been involved with youth mentoring programs since he was 13 years old – first, as a student receiving guidance and scholarships to Culver Military Academy (high school) and Boston College. After graduating, Andy began mentoring low-income high school students in Los Angeles and after moving to Denver in 2008, he and his wife, Natasha, joined Minds Matter. Andy holds degrees in Economics and Spanish and is the founder of LotusGroup Advisors: a nationwide investment management firm focused on helping the average family reach its financial dreams.
	Karen Siddiqi, Secretary and Director of Information Technology Karen is a Project Manager at InterCall, Inc, the world's largest conferencing provider. Karen graduated from Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 2001 with a degree in English/Professional Writing. After beginning her involvement in Minds Matter as a mentor, Karen transitioned to her current role when she moved away from the Denver area.
	Jonathan Tofel, Director of Test Prep Jonathan has been working in Brand Management and entrepreneurial CPG start ups for the past 10 years. He is currently a partner at GameChanger Products serving both Fortune 500 companies and small start ups while simultaneously launching Gamechanger's own consumer product portfolio. Prior to GameChangers, Jonathan worked for The Clorox Company, Procter and Gamble and Orange Glo International. Jonathan holds an MBA from the Leeds School of Business and a double BA from the University of Vermont. He is an avid backcountry adventurer and world traveler.
	Maureen Upton, Director of Marketing Maureen has been involved with Minds Matter of Denver since 2005 when she served as a Mentor. She is Founder and Principal of Resource Initiatives LLC, a sustainability consulting firm serving primarily the natural resources sector, and serves as Sustainability Advisor to the World Gold Council. Previously, she has held positions at Newmont Mining Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co., and served on the Board of Janus Funds. She holds an MBA in Finance and a Master of International Affairs in Economic Policy from Columbia University, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.