Can Foundations Lead the Social Purpose Real Estate Movement?

Nancy Zallek – President and CEO
Mankato Area Foundation 

Nancy Zallek is the President and CEO of Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) and an advocate for our local nonprofits. Nancy dedicates herself to building a community of individuals who believe in the strength of giving while supporting the work of the nonprofit sector.

Since joining MAF in 2009, Nancy has grown the foundation’s assets from $2M to over $22M and annual granting from $50,000 to over $1.7M. Such growth has led to large-scale community initiatives, such as The Children’s Museum of Southern MN, Kiwanis Holiday Lights and the Fallenstein Field and Playground, as well as increased scholarship opportunities for local students. Nancy also led the strategy to create and design the Shared Spaces nonprofit center, a collaborative workspace for regional organizations and their leadership teams.

The fifth generation of her family to grow up in Mankato, Nancy graduated from Mankato West High School and Gustavus Adolphus College. After graduation, she joined Brett’s Department Stores – eventually serving as Vice President. She transitioned into the nonprofit sector as executive director of Mankato Ballet Company, and executive director of the United Way of St. Peter – prior to joining MAF.

John Brothers – President
T. Rowe Price Foundation

John Brothers currently serves as the President of the T. Rowe Price Foundation and President of T. Rowe Price Charitable. Dr. Brothers comes to T. Rowe Price from Quidoo, an international consulting firm he started and led for over a decade, merging the firm in 2015.

Dr. Brothers served as a management and social policy professor for over a decade at NYU and Rutgers and served as a Visiting Scholar at the Hauser Center at Harvard. He is currently serving as an Honorary Professor of Practice at Queen’s University in Northern Ireland and has worked with the China Global Philanthropy Institute in Beijing.  Dr. Brothers received an MPA from New York University, an MBA from American University and a doctorate from Northeastern University.

Dr. Brothers began his work serving in the local community, inspired by growing up in deep poverty, serving as a community organizer and family case manager in urban neighborhoods in the Midwest to leadership positions, including CEO, with local and national organizations on the East Coast. Dr. Brothers is proud that this work leaves a legacy of innovative efforts that still serves every day a wide network of children and families, including homeless women and children receiving emergency services in Northern Virginia, to after-school programs for children in the housing projects in South Brooklyn to transitional housing options for immigrant families in Boston who are suffering from domestic violence.

Brian Treece – President and CEO
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation

Brian Treece is a lifelong resident of Findlay and serves as the President & CEO of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. A graduate of Findlay High School, Treece received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from The University of Findlay. He earned his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University in 2010.

Prior to coming to The Foundation, Treece worked for 15 years at The University of Findlay, serving as Assistant Dean of Students. Treece continues to serve an adjunct instructor in the College of Education, teaching courses in Human Resource Development, Research, and Collaboration. Treece served as Program Director for Community and Organizational Development and Evaluation at The Community Foundation for over four years before his current position.

Treece has been recognized for his achievements locally and regionally, as a Northwest Ohio 20 Under 40 recipient, Hancock Youth Leadership and Hancock Leadership Alumni Association’s Outstanding Service Awards, and Organization Advisor of the Year. He has served on boards for Hancock Youth Leadership, the Center for Civic Engagement, University of Findlay Alumni, Cancer Patient Services, University of Findlay College of Education, Arts Partnership and Hancock Federal Credit Union.

Personally, Treece is married and he and his husband Rick are proud parents to two-year-old Harper.