Meet Our Board

Mikhail brings a powerful balance of structure, vision, and determination to his role at The Redemption Project. A proven leader in nonprofit governance and board building. He is known for his ability to reinvigorate boards by clarifying purpose, strengthening accountability, and building a culture of excellence. His leadership style is strategic and thoughtful, with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and an unwavering commitment to missions that uplift people and communities. His extensive background includes service to the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate, Governors, local legislators, and world leaders, roles that sharpened his skills in public service and executive administration.

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He is a trusted advisor and builder of strong coalitions in the nonprofit sector, guiding organizations through growth and transition. Beyond his professional and civic achievements, he is a devoted volunteer who embodies the principle of Unity in Service. He actively gives his time and talent to organizations, including the National Exchange Club, Lions International, Rotary, and the Masons. His deep personal commitment to the community, combined with a track record of operational excellence, makes him an invaluable leader in the fight to break cycles of incarceration and transform lives through purpose-driven mentorship.

Career Highlights:

• President of the Waseca Chamber of Commerce

• President of Waseca Tourism

• President of the Exchange Club

• President of the Arts Council

Mark is of counsel at Messerli Kramer, a law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he began practice in 1977. He focuses his practice on corporate, business, and tax law, with an emphasis in the general representation of exempt organizations and nonprofit providers of health care, senior living, and social services. Much of his work involves assisting these organizations with financing and development activities and complex business transactions, often involving real estate and tax-exempt revenue bond financing.

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TRP Board Committees:

• Governance

Career Highlights:

• Member of Messerli Kramer Board of Directors
• Member of Messerli & Kramer Foundation Board of Directors
• Officer of the former Minnesota Software Association
• Officer and Director of Center of the American Experiment
• Officer and Director of The Charlemagne Institute (formerly Intellectual Takeout)

Education:

• Law Degree | University of Minnesota School of Law
• Bachelor’s Degree - Political Science | University of Minnesota

Mitch is Founder of the Center of the American Experiment, President of Pearlstein Public Affairs, and served as president of the Minnesota think tank until 2015. He has also authored a number of books including: Education Roads Less Traveled: Solving America's Fixation on Four-Year Degrees and What Family Fragmentation Means for America's Future.

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TRP Board Committees:

• Development

Career Highlights:

• U.S. Board of Education during Reagan and H.W. Bush Administrations
• Special Assistant for Policy and Communications to Gov. Albert H. Quie of Minnesota
• Assistant to University of Minnesota President C. Peter Magrath
• Editorial Writer and Columnist (National and Foreign Affairs), St. Paul Pioneer Press

Education:

• Ph.D. - Emphasis in Higher Education | University of Minnesota
• Bachelor's Degree - Political Science | Binghamton University

Kris Chaffee is a licensed psychologist who has worked in the field of psychology since 1984. Her goal is to utilize her knowledge to help clients achieve their best selves. She works with people from 12-years-old up as individuals and as families. She sees clients of all backgrounds and beliefs and values all individual perspectives.

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Career Highlights:

• Minnesota Clinic For Health & Wellness - Licensed Psychologist

Specialties:

• Anxiety
• Depession
• ADHD
• PTSD
• Eating Disorders
• LGBQTIA+

Dwight is a Co-Founder and CEO of The Redemption Project. In this role, Dwight oversees the strategic direction of the organization with a particular emphasis on the Virtues for Success curriculum. Dwight has been approved by the Bureau of Prisons to serve as a mentor for incarcerated individuals and routinely visits the prisons in which The Redemption Project operates. Dwight has a strong passion for social justice and for providing second chances to former felons. He also brings over 20 years of executive management experience to the organization.

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TRP Board Committees:

• Development

Career Highlights:

• CEO and Co-Founder of the Charlemagne Institute

• Chief Operations Officer of the Center of the American Experiment

• Political Consultant for local and national races

• Led campaigns for U.S. House and U.S. Senate

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree - Business Administration | Winona State University
• Bachelor's Degree - Economics | Winona State University

After graduating with Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Penn State University, Odell was employed as a rehabilitation consultant with Sevdy and Locket Rehabilitation Service from 1991 to 1993 and went on to become a Vocational and Educational Counselor at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation from 1993 to 1997. Odell worked as a Supervisory Federal Probation and Pretrial Service Officer. He was a Federal Probation Officer for almost 25 years. Currently, Odell works for The Redemption Project and has agreed to serve on it's Board.

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Career Highlights:

• Supervisor for the Minneapolis Urban League "After Today" Group Home Youth Program for over 20 years
• Member of the 1986 Penn State National Championship Football Team

Education:

• Master's Degree - Counselor Education | Penn State University
• B.S. Degree - Rehabilitation Education | Penn State University