Mercedes Plendl (she/her) leads the design, implementation and evaluation of grant making programs at the foundation. Mercedes worked for a decade as the Program Officer at Better Way Foundation, supporting indigenous leaders and organizations through systems change and culturally-affirming programs.
Mercedes completed her Masters Degree in Public Policy through the Leadership and Nonprofit Management track at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, and also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota.