She is co-author of Social Entrepreneurship: the Journey from Issue to Viable Venture and founder of the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship serving the College of Saint Benedict and Saint Johns’ University. She brings to her work more than 30 years of experience as a nationally recognized nonprofit and philanthropy leader with extensive experience in United Way, corporate giving, and family foundation operations. She earned an MBA and BA cum laude at the University of Minnesota as well as completed an Executive MBA program at Carnegie Mellon University. She has enjoyed volunteering throughout her life, currently serving on the boards of Folk School Warroad, Market Access Fund, and Impact Hub MSP. Enjoying birds, nurturing native gardens and prairies is how she shares her leisure hours with her husband.

Brett earned his BS from Depaul University and is in the process of earning his MBA at the Carlson School of Management, where he'll focus on development finance, impact investing, and social enterprise. He has earned the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

With the belief that using the power of financial markets for social good is not only morally right, but in the economic best interest for all parties, he began his impact investing journey with a fellowship at 17 Asset Management. He hopes to continue to utilize and build on these skills to further the Cogent mission. Ryan holds a BA in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross and is a CFA Charterholder

She has worked with various nonprofits in a professional capacity, most recently with the San Francisco Symphony on the foundation and corporate giving team. Her work in event planning ranges from small engagements to company galas with 2500+ attendees. She has served on the board for Climb 4 Kidney Cancer. Ashley is a dedicated mother of an energetic toddler and enjoys spending her time with family outdoors in the woods, on a bike, or on the lake. She lives with her husband and daughter in St. Paul, MN.

Eric joined Cogent in 2016 after a decade at Slocum (now Pavillion, a Mercer Practice), a full-service investment consulting firm serving more than 100 clients representing over $120 billion in assets. As co-founder and head of Slocum’s Responsible Investment Strategies Group, Eric worked with mission-driven organizations, advising on policy and program construction, sourcing and completing investment manager selection, and program monitoring and assessment, placing more than $300 million in impact investments and another $2 billion in traditional private investments across the religious, foundation, and corporate clients. At Cogent, he is most gratified by designing the now $105 million Minnesota Impact Investing Initiative Fund collaborative and working with $10 million, $100 million, $1 billion, and $3 billion clients to move from interested to invested in impact. A resident of Saint Paul, he spends his free time enjoying bouldering with his sons and walks with his wife and 4 dogs.