Volunteers play a crucial role in making magic happen here at the Blaisdell YMCA. Our volunteer-based Community Board brings together diverse talents from numerous industries across the Twin Cities.

Learn a little more below about each member’s motivations for investing their time and talents.

Angela Anderson

I am a native of St. Paul and graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a degree in French Studies. After living in more temperate areas of both the US and abroad, I returned to Minneapolis in 2010 to pursue a career in real estate, and live with my puppy in Stephen's Square. Previously, I served as a tutor for Hennepin County Corrections; now, I volunteer regularly for the education nonprofit World Savvy, and serve as Vice President on the Friends of the Minneapolis Central Library Board.

Austin Rondou

Austin moved to the Twin Cities from Green Bay, Wisconsin in 2007 to attend the U of M and earn his bachelor's degree in Spanish Studies. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing degree from Marquette University, and is certified in pediatric critical care nursing and clinical nurse leadership. Austin works on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Children's Minnesota. Austin is enrolled at Rush University where he is a part time student earning his Doctor of Nursing Practice to become an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner. His professional interests include health equity and organization-systems leadership. Outside of work, school, and the Y, Austin enjoys weight lifting, biking, skiing, and spending time with his girlfriend Rocio, and her five-year-old son Luca.

Carol Barnhart

Carol lives in Minneapolis with her family and works for Cigna Health Plan. She has a son and daughter that still live in the area as working young adults. Carol and her husband have been members of the Blaisdell Y since 2009. Their children attended Camp Kici Yapi for 6 years and swimming lessons for 4. The entire family enjoys the diversity of the Blaisdell Y and the excellent choice of classes.

Chris Parker

Chris has been involved with the Y for over 9 years on the staff side. He started as a Wellness Coach with the YMCA of Greater Louisville in his hometown of Louisville, KY. Upon completion of his Masters of Health Education degree, Chris was promoted to Wellness Director of a branch in the same association. After spending over 5 years in that position, he moved on to a position as a Employee Wellbeing Coordinator at UCHealth in Denver, CO for the next 2 years. Most recently, Chris served at Wellness Director at the YMCA of Northwest Florida in Pensacola, FL.

Chris moved to Minneapolis in July 2018 with his wife, Kara, as well as their dog and 2 cats. He started a pet services business in South Minneapolis that specializes in dog walking and pet sitting. When not working, Chris enjoys playing tennis, volleyball, working out and hiking.

Joanna Rosa

Joanna Rosa is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and working towards a secondary license as an LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor). Joanna is currently employed at Allina Health as a Service Coordinator providing outpatient therapeutic services and case management to clients with dual diagnosis. In May 2021 Joanna earned her Masters of Science in Co-occurring Disorders Counseling from Metropolitan State University in St Paul, MN. In December 2017, Joanna earned her B.A. in psychology at Metropolitan State University. Joanna was on the dean’s list (2017), received an academic achievement scholarship, and graduated Cum Laude. Joanna’s passion is to work in underserved communities in the Twin Cities.

In her free time, Joanna is a member of the YMCA community board for the Blaisdell branch and works on the community development committee to create initiatives that engage underserved members of the community in healthy living activities. She also serves on the Hiawatha/Howe Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) as president, chairs the Antiracism Parent Action Committee, and is committed to creating an inclusive and culturally reflective experience for all students. Joanna lives in the Longfellow neighborhood in South Minneapolis with her two daughters Izzie (12), Maggie (8), their tenderhearted dog Jack and mercurial cat Hermione. She enjoys gardening and travel.

Samantha Silker

Samantha Silker is the Program Director for the Center for Integrative Leadership at the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the University, she managed and coordinated operations for nonprofit and for-profit organizations including working as an Aquatics Director at the YMCA. Samantha’s experience with the Y started in her youth where she swam competitively on the swim team and then started working part time as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and summer camp counselor at YMCAs in Mankato, MN, La Crosse, WI, and Washington D.C. Samantha earned her MBA with a focus in Organization Management from Carlson School of Management, and her BS in Communication Studies and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Samantha lives in the Field neighborhood in South Minneapolis with her husband, Noel, and their one-year-old daughter Beverley.