The focus of the child welfare system is the immediate safety and wellbeing of young people, however those same young people often have problems obtaining and having equal, consistent person-centered access to their history, stories, photos, and medical information.
Power of story is a response to disconnect.
As former foster youth Adam Starks puts it, “We need to know our story to succeed in the future. It’s extremely difficult to wander through life without knowing your past. That void haunts and revisits you in unexpected ways if left unchecked.”
Staff
Alisa Matheson
Founder and Executive Director
Alisa Matheson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Counseling, from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and completed an Advanced Certificate in Therapeutic Lifestory Work and The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative Courses.
She has previous experience as an adoption recruiter, educator, and contractor, with over 11 years of experience in the child welfare system. In every role, she has championed communication, relationship building, and respect for the personhood and rights of youth in the child welfare system.
Board
Diane Stang
Board President
Diane has over 23 years in Child Foster Care and Adoption in county government and is a current consultant with Quality Parenting Initiative, a national non-profit organization promoting excellent parenting in the child welfare system
David Elkin
Board Treasurer
David is the Chief Financial Officer of Glacial Lakes Energy has nearly two decades of extensive corporate finance and accounting experience.
He has earned a Bachelor in Business Administration in finance and accounting from Texas A&M University and the University of Houston-Downtown, respectively.
He is currently earning his Master of Business Administration from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is a licensed CPA.
Julie Richards
Founding Board Member
Julie comes to the board with 20 years of experience in the field of youth and human development across several systems such as education, juvenile justice, affordable housing, and non-profits.
Her belief in breaking down systemic oppression in order to imagine and re-build a more inclusive and equitable community drives all that she does.
She is thrilled to support young people and the right to their identity.
Arnisia Coleman
Founding Board Member
Arnisia is a powerful advocate for youth who are being treated unfairly.
With her strong commitment to justice and personal experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the work of Power of Story.
Abby Fenton
Founding Board Member
Abby Fenton has worked in the non-profit sector as an organizational founder, program director, and board member in the field of youth leadership development for over 25 years.
This includes the Voyageur Outward Bound School, Will Steger Foundation, River’s Edge Academy, and the Farm and Wilderness Foundation.
Zena Mohler
Founding Board Member
Zena has worked in various roles in the human services field for over 10 years, including as a behavior therapist and a foster care case manager.
She obtained her MSW from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with an emphasis in child welfare.
Volunteers
Serena Adeleye
Volunteer since January 2022
Serena was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. In May 2022, she graduated with a degree in Psychology from Loyola university Chicago. She enjoys enjoy photography, digital art, and reading.
Ashley Perttula
Volunteer since January 2022
Ashley is a recent graduate from UW-Eau Claire. She is a graphic designer who is excited to be a part of power of story, and bring her lived experience of being an adoptee into her volunteer work.
Emily (Lee) Noyes
Volunteer since May 2022
Emily (Lee) is originally from Maine, but attended college at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN where they earned a degree in History. In 2018, they moved to Philadelphia for a VISTA year at the School District of Philadelphia and to pursue a Master’s in Education, focusing on student’s rights and teacher advocacy. Once again a resident of Minnesota, Emily is so excited to participate and contribute to the mission and impact of the Power of Story.
Athena Tedesco
Volunteer since June 2022
Athena is an undergraduate student at Saint Mary’s College of California majoring in politics and minoring in law. She grew up and continues to live in the San Francisco Bay Area. In her free time, Athena loves to read, play with her dog, and hang out with friends.
Joni Hillary
Volunteer since July 2022
Joni has a Masters in Social Work and has been working with youth & families for the last several years. Joni is a mom of two little ones and loves to travel and cheer for the Iowa State Cyclones!
Our Supporters
Connections to Independence
Minneapolis-based, Connections to Independence (C2i) provides holistic and unique programming and advocacy for foster care youth, ages 14–24, to promote a successful and healthy transition to living independently as they reach adulthood.
Sauer Family Foundation
The mission of the Sauer Family Foundation is to invest in strengthening the well-being of children so they thrive in their families and communities. And the vision is that children experience well-being. They grow up and develop in environments where they are:
- Supported and nurtured
- Safe from abuse and neglect
- Resilient in the face of trauma
- Successful in school
- Thriving in their families and communities.
View the newest video on the Power of Story on our homepage.
Power of Story 