About Us

Our mission and vision set us apart

We support girls so that they can live their dreams and imagine something bigger through grants, mentorship and ongoing development opportunities. We envision a world in which all who identify as a girl have a chance to live their dream and reach their full potential.

our Culture & values

We have a passion for making a difference

We believe a sense of belonging developed through equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to fulfilling our mission and vision.

  • We work as an organization to create an environment where all feel respected, valued, and able to dream.

  • We are conscious of the practices and norms that perpetuate inequity. We commit to involve and reflect the communities we serve.

  • We partner with value-aligned individuals and organizations to cultivate an environment that supports girls in the achievement of their dreams.

At the core of our mission lies an unshakeable belief in the potential of girl-identifying youth across our state. We firmly hold that the power to create change resides within every girl, and our role is not to manufacture that power but to provide them with the tools and opportunities to harness it.
Ethelind Kaba
Executive Director

Our Story

Nurturing the belief to do and be more

Hear about the vision and inspiration for the Ann Bancroft Foundation from our founder

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Our founder Ann Bancroft is one of the world’s preeminent polar explorers

A leader who’s dedicated to inspiring women and girls, Ann believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams, she can help inspire other girls to unleash the power of their dreams.

In 1991, Ann founded the All Women’s Expedition Foundation (AWE), which produced curricula centered around her 1993 polar Arctic expedition. These teaching materials have reached more than 200,000 students worldwide.

In 1997, the AWE Board of Directors decided that the foundation would better achieve its mission by focusing on honoring and encouraging girls and women to reach, explore, and discover their own dreams — and the Ann Bancroft Foundation was born. The vision of the reborn organization is for every girl and woman who dares to dream to have the support, inspiration, and resources that will help make their dreams come true.

Read Ann's full bio

Learn more about Ann’s work to create a sustainable tomorrow.

Visit Bancroft Arnesen Explore

Our Team

Teamwork makes the dream work

We achieve the mission of the Ann Bancroft Foundation through the cooperation of our staff and board of directors.

Staff

Board of Directors

  • Ann Bancroft
    Founder & Director Emerita
  • Sarah Strehl
    Chair
    Educational Credit Management Corporation
  • Lee Vue
    Vice Chair
    Seiche
  • LaCora Bradford Kesti
    Secretary
    Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
  • Veda Pai-Panandiker
    Treasurer
    Cargill
  • Jan Malcom
    Director Emerita
    Minnesota Department of Health (Retired)
  • Sharon Olson
    Director Emerita
    Olson Wealth Group
  • Dr. Amy Bergstrom
    Board Member
    College of St. Scholastica
  • Andy Steiner-Manning
    Board Member
    Freelance Journalist
  • Carley Knox
    Board Member
    Minnesota Lynx
  • Jackie Hartman
    Board Member
    The Nature Conservancy
  • Jade Denson
    Board Member
    Target
  • Dr. Gigi Chawla
    Board Member
    Children’s Minnesota
  • Kelly McNamara
    Board Member
    Mortenson
  • Sara Kilian
    Board Member
    Perforce Software

our community

Inclusion, empowerment, and connectedness

We are supported by a community made up of alumnae who have received grants (“Trailblazers”), mentors who guide the process, partners and volunteers who enhance the impact, and supporters who fund our approach.

  • Our community is diverse, inclusive, connected, accessible, transparent, and supportive.
  • We encourage members of our community to be bold, courageous, and innovative.
  • We take pride in the growing network of people who eagerly claim membership in our community.
Read stories from our community