Board President and Treasurer:
Adam Rao serves as Senior Associate, Corporate Strategy and Innovation at Sunrise Banks, a mission-driven bank that uses business as a force for good. Prior to his time at Sunrise, Adam launched and led Exodus Lending, a nonprofit organization that helps individuals refinance predatory payday debt and achieve financial stability, before earning his MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He is active in the local Minneapolis-St. Paul community as a nonprofit Board member and supporter of the arts.
Board Secretary: Katie Leverentz, LSW has been involved with Uprising Theatre Company in various roles since the first reading of the premiere show “Son of a Gun”. Most fulfilling and inspiring was serving as community engagement coordinator in what makes Uprising unique: connecting the audience with local non-profits doing powerful work on issues presented in the show. Katie has worked with individuals living with mental illnesses for 10 years and lives in Falcon Heights with her spouse Tim and cat Betty.
Lindsey Hunter was born and raised right here in the Twin Cities. She is the Director of Human Resources for Urban Homeworks – an affordable housing and community development organization in North Minneapolis. Her love for and training in the performing arts arena has provided her with many tools that she utilized to be effective in her current role, especially in the areas of intercultural development, employee relations, and overall HR strategy. After 25+ years of gloriously participating in all kinds of arts-centered activities, she continues to deepen her depth of love specifically for the Performing Arts. Lindsey is thrilled at the opportunity to be a member of the board for Uprising Theatre.
As an activist and former high school teacher, Nikole Mitchell is passionate about education and empowerment and believes Uprising does that beautifully through their powerful productions and connections with local organizations. She is thrilled to further support the work of Uprising through her role as a Board member. In addition to her work with Uprising, Nikole is a Compassionate Entrepreneur with Trades of Hope where she helps provide job opportunities for unstoppable women who have come out of desperate situations to pursue a bright future. She lives in St. Paul with her spouse John and their three crazy amazing kids.
Shannon TL Kearns is the founder and Artistic Director of Uprising and he also sits on the board. Shannon is a playwright and actor, entrepreneur, and is passionate about telling stories to make change. He also makes really good margaritas.
