Joanne Reeck

Interim Executive Director

Joanne oversees programming and executive management of The Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Joanne is an IDI Qualified Administrator and an IDI Qualifying Seminar Instructor — her professional and personal experience bring a valuable perspective to The Forum’s mission. Born and raised in the Midwest by two white women, Joanne had the unique experience of growing up in an all-white community as a biracial child who was perceived by others as Black. Her journey navigating life in this complex world of race, culture, and ethnicity while working simultaneously through her own complicated racial identity development led to her passion for educating and training around issues of intercultural competency and racial and social justice. Joanne is currently a doctoral candidate studying leadership through the education program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

Additionally, Joanne has nearly 20 years of facilitation experience, the last eight of which she dedicated to building her own consulting company United for Change Consulting, LLC. where she serves as founder and lead consultant. Joanne believes that providing individuals and organizations with the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to work effectively across cultures leads to environments where all are affirmed in the entirety of their identities and able to reach their full potential. Furthermore, Joanne believes that striving to accomplish worldwide social justice is simply the price of admission for our time on this planet. When she’s not working in one of the above functions, she can be found serving on the Board of VocalEssence, a premier choral music organization based in the Twin Cities, or holding the position of Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at Augsburg University in Minneapolis MN.

Joanne has an 11-year-old son named Mateo and a rescue dog named Nova. Whenever possible, the three of them will be camping and hiking at a Minnesota state park or spending time with extended family in Northern Minnesota.

Catherine Hurley

Director of Partnership and Engagement

Catherine manages The Forum’s sponsorships, marketing, communications, branding and engagement.

Catherine has worked at Rolling Stone, Hearst Publishing and Food Network creating sponsorship packages and partnerships with many top worldwide brands. Most recently, she worked at Port Workspaces as Director of Sales, providing membership programs, creative spaces, communities and incubators for San Francisco Bay Area non-profits and startups.

An Augsburg University alum, Catherine is thrilled to return to campus to help bridge the gap between an amazingly diverse population of graduates and an equitable, inclusive workforce ready to hire them. She is also very glad there are no known recordings of her college radio show.