Advisory Board

KARL O. BENSON,
FOUNDER OF THE BENSON FAMILY FOUNDATION, OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR ONE2ONE MENTORING, PRESIDENT OF MINNEAPOLIS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

As an entrepreneur and leader of multiple organizations, Karl understands the concept that effective communication and change begin and end with our relationships. In addition to founding the Benson Family Foundation, Karl serves as the operations manager for One2One, which develops school-based mentoring programs in the Twin Cities. He is also president of Minneapolis Sports & Entertainment, which represents athletes, charitable foundations, and non-profit organizations through the event management of their community, charitable, and non-profit endeavors. Karl previously served as president and CEO of Minnesota’s Black Chamber of Commerce.

Keillen Curtis, Esq.
Attorney at Curtis Law Firm

Keillen Curtis, Esq. is a commercial law attorney and runs the Curtis Law Firm, a practice dealing primarily with entrepreneurs from start up to exits. He helps business owners understand transactions from a legal perspective, as well as a business perspective. Keillen helps his clients think through entity formation, employee governance, contract negotiation and when necessary arbitration and litigation. Keillen is admitted to practice in the state of Minnesota since 2007 and the U.S. District Court District of Minnesota. He is also part owner of Lazarus Consortium, LLC, an information technology consultancy.

David Edgerton, Jr.,
Managing Principal at The DEJ Group

As managing principal at the DEJ Group, a Twin Cities executive search and recruiting firm, David helps connect diverse candidates and inclusive companies across the country. He also serves as entrepreneur-in-residence with the Discovery Launchpad MN Program at the University of Minnesota, helping turn research ideas and innovation into companies. Previously he was director of diversity and inclusion at Andersen Corporation, where he also worked in IT management. He is also a board member at Walker West Music Academy, which provides music education and enrichment rooted in African-American culture.

Nam Provost,
Director of Diversity and Inclusion for American Public Media

Nam is director of diversity and inclusion for American Public Media, the parent organization of Southern California Public Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, Marketplace, and the Fitzgerald Theater. She has also led diversity and inclusion programs at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the College of St. Scholastica. Highly experienced in developing organization-wide diversity and inclusion strategies, she is committed to building relationships and moving organizations towards greater inclusion and organizational effectiveness.

Kelli Williams,
Founder of Williams Brand Consulting, Co-Founder of 40-Acres Investments

Kelli is the founder of Williams Brand Consulting, co-founder of 40 Acres Investments, a strategic marketing advisor, a professional speaker, and a dedicated business leader. Kelli is a board member with the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the Vice President of Programming for the Minnesota Chapter of the American Marketing Association, and an Advisory Board Member for the Minority Business Growth Alliance. As a member of the MBGA Advisory Board, Kelli is energized and excited about supporting the board’s mission to help other minority entrepreneurs thrive by providing consulting support and connections to business resources.