About Us

Board of Directors

A founding board member of Foundation IX, Joanne graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1994 with a BFA in graphic design and worked for several years at various design firms. In 1998, she founded velvetpeel, a visual communications + strategic branding firm. Joanne oversees the firm's creative vision, messaging strategy, planning logistics, and team resources.

Joanne utilizes her expertise in design and strategic marketing and partners with clients to advance their agenda as efficiently and imaginatively as possible. She has especially been a strong advocate for Girls and Womens organizations: The Ann Bancroft Foundation, Foundation IX, Minnesota Lynx, The Woman's Club of Minneapolis and the YWCA of Minneapolis to name a few. Joanne brings people together to unleash a collective power that is both awesome and humbling.

Joanne has participated in sports her entire life. As the youngest of 11 kids she grew up in a competitive + sport-minded family. Competing in High School as a 3-sport athlete, Joanne has benefited from sports tremendously. Although her design education steered her away from basketball in college, Joanne is an avid female sports fan.

What has sport given me? Sport has and continues to give me: confidence, self-expression, loyalty, discipline, sportsmanship and the ability to believe in people and possibilities.

Board of Directors

Shelly Boyum-Breen
Foundation IX Founder/President

Nancy Hite
CEO YWCA of Minneapolis, Retired

Rayla Allison
Title IX Attorney,
Professor of Sports Marketing,
University of Minnesota

Joanne Grobe
Creative Partner, velvetpeel

Regina Sullivan
Senior Associate Athletic Director,
University of Minnesota

Shannon Pierce
Principal, Stagetime Productions

Stacey Clawson
Director of Curriculum and
Instructional Support,
Capella University

Joan Barnes
President
sweetspot
Strategic Communications & PR

Kadian Douglas
Staff Accountant,
Nonprofit and Government
LarsonAllen

Paul Schroeder
Retired, Capella University