Board of Directors
Interested in being a Board Member?
If you believe in our mission, and are looking for a way to go above and beyond, consider becoming a Board Member with Partnerships for Permanence. Board Members have a larger role to play in our organization, usually working behind the scenes with our executive team, and have a unique role in our decision making process. Click on Application to apply to become a Board Member, or Contact Us if you have questions about the process.
P4P Board Members
Laura Gladney
Board Member
Human Resources Expert
Laura currently serves as a Sr. Human Resources professional in Supply Chain for a major retailer. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and has over 15 years of leadership experience in various business areas. Laura is very passionate about advocacy, leadership and doing the foundational work centered around underserved communities.
Laura is originally from the Rondo community in St. Paul, Minnesota, but relocated to Houston, TX in 2020 with her husband and 3 children, ages 7, 5 and 3.
Besides spending time with her young family, Laura has a passion for music and recently picked up a habit of running. She completed her first half marathon in March and plans to complete the second in October of this year. “I am so honored and excited for the privilege to serve as a Board Member for P4P. I look forward to supporting the work the organization is doing to change lives.
LAUREN CAUSEY
Former Board Member
Curriculum Developer & Grant Writing Expert
Lauren is a Senior Evaluation and Research Associate at the Science Museum of Minnesota, where she leads research studies within the museum’s Science Learning Division. At the museum, she uses qualitative techniques to understand various topics related to racial equity, including engagement with visitors from underrepresented groups, and professional development for local K-12 teachers.
Prior to her role at the museum, she earned a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, with a focus in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction. She holds an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, with a focus in Language and Literacy, and a B.A. from Howard University, where she majored in English. She was a member of the 2015 cohort of the Association of Science - Technology Centers Diversity and Leadership Fellowship Program, and in 2013 she was a recipient of the Buckman Fellowship for Leadership in Philanthropy, via the University of Minnesota.
GEORGE GAETANO
Board Member and Treasurer
Communication & Training Development Expert
George is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Communication Studies Department at Hamline University. He teaches courses in Family Communication, Organizational Communication, and Intercultural Communication.
His classes are primarily discussion based, often with the emphasis on improving students’ oral communication skills and analytical skills. The communication skills that the students learn in Professor Gaetano’s classes enhance their family, interpersonal, and work relationships.
He graduated from Hunter College in New York with his Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He continued his education and graduated with a Master of Arts, couple years then later he earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Minnesota.
AMY JONES
Board Member and President
Child Welfare Expert
Amy Jones joins Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) with over twenty five years of experience in Child Welfare. She served as a supervisor for the Ramsey County Guardian ad Litem program for twenty two years, and over two decades providing outstanding services for adults with disabilities.
Ms. Jones also participated in several county and state committees including DHS Racial Disparities in Child Protection for three years, Council on Black Minnesotans for two years and Ramsey County's Sibling Reunification Committee for five years; all of which she so dedicatedly served in her effort to increase permanency outcomes for youth aging out of the foster care system. Amy also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Hallie Q. Brown Community Center for five years.
She is well respected in the field of child welfare and continues to be a strong partner for systems change; even though she retired in 2014. Ms. Jones is passionate about Partnerships for Permanence and believes in the mission, goals, and our efforts to inspire change within the child welfare system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some responsibilities or expectations of a Partnerships for Permanence (P4P) Board Member?
A. As a P4P board member some of the responsibilities include:
Establishing and monitoring performance relative to a long-term strategy
Ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
Contributing to P4P’s fundraising goals
Monitoring P4P’s programs
Connecting P4P to potential resources and partners
Being an active advocate and ambassador for P4P
Q: I really want to serve as a board member. What is the time commitment?
A. A minimum of 5 hours a month. Our Board meets 4-5 times a year. We also have an onboarding/orientation meeting for new members and one annual training for all our members.
Q: Do I need any specific expertise?
A. Given P4P’s strategy and to complement its current board members, P4P is actively searching for new board members with:
expertise and skills in advocacy/policy, finance, fundraising/grant writing, human resources, marketing/communications, and nonprofit management
connections with others in corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy
strengths as a critical thinker and connector
an entrepreneurial spirit/mindset
diverse perspectives and lived experience representing a variety of genders, abilities, ages, races/ethnicities, etc.
