About Us

Board of Directors

A native of Brainerd, MN, Shelly Boyum-Breen grew up with aspirations of playing professional sports. She spent countless hours on the basketball court, neighborhood hockey rinks and local golf courses. With a foundation of support from family, friends and the community, Shelly pursued a career as a physical education teacher and coach. Boyum-Breen received her B.A. from Augsburg College in 1997. She spent five years in the education field, coaching the Augsburg Women's Basketball Team and Anoka High School's basketball and tennis teams. Boyum-Breen then pursued a job with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx organization. Shelly served with the organization for three years as the Manager of Lynx Ticket Sales and later moved into a sales consulting role serving the Lynx, the New York Liberty and the 10th Anniversary WNBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.

Boyum-Breen founded Foundation IX in 2006. "Sports helped pave my path in life, building my character as well as my leadership skills along the way. No young lady should be prevented from experiencing these things because of her family's financial situation. It is my dream to eliminate cost as an obstacle and give girls more than money–the opportunity for experiences of a lifetime. It is an honor to work for girls; and to continue the work that many have done long before me in the name of girls and women in sports."

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