OUR MISSION

We help people launch projects that improve communities.

WE BELIEVE

You matter. Your ideas and actions can change the world. Believe it. We do.

OUR VISION

To reinvent a self-sustaining model of charity that inspires people to action for good.

How We Were Called to MATTER

“What do you have in your own two hands?”  This foundational question is the soil from which we have grown to become MATTER.

When Minnesota business owners Dennis and Megan Doyle saw valuable corporate surplus being discarded, they took action. Using what was in their own two hands, warehouse space, they began to gather life-saving resources to put into the hands of people that could benefit, specifically people living in scarcity. It soon became their calling, and in 2002 they started Hope for the City.

Over 20 years later, we have evolved to be called MATTER. Our name calls us to action and drives us to create a world where we all matter. As an organization, we focus on leveraging some of Minnesota’s biggest resources: healthcare, education, and agriculture.

While not a faith-based nonprofit, we refer to MATTER as “faith-inspired,” a result of the deep conviction and strong belief of our founders, who were inspired by two scriptural commands: “To take care for the least of these”, from Matthew 25; and to be good stewards of God’s creation and its abundant resources, as found in Genesis 2.

Since 2002, tens of thousands of donors and volunteers have helped grow MATTER into an organization that has distributed over $731 million in restorative aid and is impacting millions of lives around the world.

What do you have in your own two hands? It’s a simple, yet profound, question that can change the world. That IS changing the world. Join us in creating a world where everyone and everything is valued for all its worth.

A world where we all MATTER.

Meet Our Staff

Angie Dammeier

Angie Dammeier

VP of Projects & HR
With a degree in International Business, Angie has held several challenging positions in hotel management, program development, business administration, event planning, and human resources in Germany, England and the U.S. In her role at MATTER, Angie leads our People & Culture Team and facilitates the Projects Business Unit. She also works with the Board Team, manages global project shipping logistics, human resources, strategic plan tracking, and various executive, administrative, and technology projects.
Brian Numainville

Brian Numainville

Communications & Organizational Insights
Brian has been involved with MATTER since its founding as a past corporate funder and board member. He possesses an extensive professional background in research and communications, and is the co-author of Feedback Rules!. Currently, Brian provides expertise to MATTER by leading organizational insight activities to listen to MATTER constituents through stakeholder feedback, project evaluations, and staff & board assessments. Brian also plays a significant role on the communication team building visibility for MATTER through search engine optimization (SEO), Google/social media ads, content marketing, public relations, social media, and the website.
Chris Newhouse

Chris Newhouse

Executive Director of Sustainability
Chris came to MATTER after owning and operating a successful organic farm for over a decade. In his role at MATTER, Chris ensures transparency and accountability for the business units and MATTER’s push to accomplish the vision of sustainability through Social Enterprise. Chris is also Owner of the Chaya Tree Project, ensuring the vision is fully realized to improve health and nutrition in rural communities and to build an economic development component.

Dean Buckner

VP of MATTER 360 Operations
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Greg Hanson

Greg Hanson

Nonprofit Engagement - Event Sales
Greg works with MATTER as a Nonprofit Engagement Event Sales Representative. With over 40 years of experience in sales in various roles, Greg is focused on MATTERbox – more specifically sales of MATTERbox Volunteer Kits to companies and organizations in Minnesota that want to create meaningful employee engagement events to impact their communities with healthy food.
Isaac

Isaac Ohland

Medical Supplies Associate
Jacob Ross

Jacob Ross

Vice President of MATTERpro
Jacob began his career as an elite sports performance coach, training hundreds of professional and collegiate athletes. He was also general manager of a sports performance facility in Chicago, as well as an Assistant Athletic Director at Chicago State. His work for The Luol Deng Foundation led him to MATTER. As Vice President of MATTERPro, Jacob will work to deepen relationships with the current professional athletes who partner with MATTER, as well as seek new strategic partnerships to continue MATTER’s mission of helping people launch projects that improve communities.

Jaime Figueroa

Operations Manager
Jaime leads our Operations Team. He also manages warehouse activity including warehouse support staff, scheduling of pickups and deliveries, and building maintenance.

Jeremy Newhouse

Chief of Financial Strategy & Africa Projects
Jeremy joined MATTER following extensive international experience working in Congo and Tanzania in education, microfinance initiatives, and entrepreneurship development. While studying for his M.B.A. at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, Jeremy was a founding member of Microfinance Alliance. At MATTER, Jeremy is owner of the MATTER Innovation Hub and provides oversight and direction to the Finance Team.

Joe Newhouse

Chief of Brand & Strategy
Throughout Joe’s career as an innovator, strategist, and brand storyteller, the passion for solving big challenges and telling compelling stories have been a driving force. Joe is Lead of our Strategy Team and heads our strategy development, execution planning, and monitoring of success. From an organizational to project level, Joe helps ensure that we keep our strategy and vision aligned to our mission. As driver of the MATTER brand, he also works with the Development and Marketing Team and the business units to drive sales and donations to launch projects.

Joel Anderson

Executive VP of MATTER 360
With 18 years of technology sales, 12 years as a small business owner, and seven years in nonprofit development, Joel brings a wealth of diverse knowledge and experience to his role at MATTER. As Owner of the Equipment Team, Joel is responsible for acquiring GIK and procuring items to fuel the growth of social enterprise. He also works on strategic relationships with donors and buyers of medical supplies and equipment in addition to consulting on projects.
Josh Anderson

Josh Anderson

Warehouse Operations Support
Josh works with the Supply Sales Team, as well as with the Operations Team, to support warehouse activities.
Judy Timmons

Judy Timmons

MATTERbox Associate
Judy works with the MATTER 360 Business Unit to help ensure MATTER’s sustainability so we can increase activity to launch projects that improve communities.
Katie Johnson

Katie Johnson

Director of Global Health Initiatives
With nearly 10 years of experience in the medical field and certification as a Functional Medicine Coach, Katie has a passion for providing dignified healthcare and nutrition to people all around the world. At MATTER, Katie is Owner of the Hospitals and Clinics Team. She works closely with the MATTER 360 Business Unit to ensure sustainability goals are met.
Katie Olson

Katie Olson

Volunteer & Events Director
Katie has experience in corporate and non-profit organizations in the US and abroad. She joined MATTER in 2017 but took a sabbatical for two years to serve at a secondary school in Uganda. Since returning to MATTER, Katie provides leadership as Owner of our Events Team and Volunteer Team, as well as collaborates on Insight Trips.
Max Konald

Max Konold

Medical Chief Technology Officer

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With a degree in computer science, Max has a passion for improving work efficiency with new processes and technology. At MATTER, Max facilitates the MATTER 360 Business Unit and ensures financial metrics are achieved. Max also ensures that the Supply Sales Team technology is progressing to handle the increase requirements to fulfill MATTER’s vision of self-sustainability.
Meghan Smelter

Meghan Smelter

Medical Supplies Associate

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Meghan joined MATTER with a diverse range of experience in both the Culinary Arts and Law Enforcement. As part of the MATTER 360 team, Meghan helps ensure MATTER’s sustainability so we can increase activity to launch projects that improve communities. When she’s not at work, Meghan enjoys watching Minnesota sports, traveling, drawing, reading, writing and spending time with family and friends.
Michael Pohlad

Michael Pohlad

MATTER 360 Market Research Consultant

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Michael is an independent consultant at MATTER tasked with helping MATTER grow in multiple ways with an emphasis on supporting MATTER 360. A recent graduate of Saint John’s University with a bachelor’s in philosophy and a minor in English writing, Michael is planning on enrolling in law school in the fall of 2023. Michael has also served as a volunteer at MATTER events in Minnesota as well as spending the summer of 2021 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, assisting with Chaya projects and clinics. Some of his interests include botany, cooking, and any sort of racing.  
Mike Pliner

Mike Pliner

Medical Supplies Associate

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Mike works with the MATTER 360 Business Unit to help ensure MATTER’s sustainability so we can increase activity to launch projects that improve communities. A Wisconsin native and UW Madison alum, Mike has lived in St. Louis Park, MN for over 20 years. He and his wife are raising two children and enjoy family time and traveling whenever their schedules allow. 
Mike Stoebner

Michael Stoebner

Videographer & Storyteller

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Michael’s career in videography has focused on crafting stories that highlight the impacts of nonprofits in developing communities around the world. Storytelling with heart and dignity marks his work and shines through the stunning videos he creates for MATTER.

Quenton Marty

President
Quenton has extensive experience in the field of international development and microfinance, having developed a funding strategy for HOPE International, led microfinance in Ukraine, and ran a small business in Poland. Quenton holds an MBA with a concentration in International Finance and has traveled to over thirty countries. As President of MATTER, Q leads the Board Team and acts as the Owner of the Major Donor Team.
Rebecca Newhouse

Rebecca Newhouse

Chief of Staff & Development
Rebecca came to MATTER with 20 years of nonprofit development and fundraising experience in the areas of education, cultural and environmental causes, and healthcare outreach. In her role at MATTER, Becca provides oversight for MATTER’s development activities and goals, including Insight Trip strategy and planning. She also leads the Development and Marketing Foundational Team.
Roberto Munoz

Roberto Munoz

Director of Finance
As a graduate of Bethel College with a degree in Accounting and Finance, Roberto leads the Finance Team and works with the Business Unit facilitators to ensure the social enterprise goals are realized.
Romeo

Romulo Zhagui Puma

Warehouse Associate

Ryan Schouveller

Medical Supplies Associate

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Sue Anderson

Communications Coordinator
Sue came to MATTER with nearly thirty years of experience in teaching and curriculum development. In her role at MATTER, Sue leads our storytelling efforts through our blog by writing engaging updates about partners, projects and people. She also assists the Development and Marketing Team in writing copy for communication pieces for internal and external audiences.
Tami Hedrick

Tami Hedrick

Executive VP of External Engagement
Tami spent decades in the professional sports industry, most recently as Director of Women’s Initiatives, Strategic Development and Cheerleading for the Minnesota Vikings. She served as the President of the Women in Sports and Events Twin Cities Chapter since its inception and is now on the advisory board. Recently, Tami was named one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal. In her role at MATTER, Tami facilitates the External Engagement business unit and ensures financial metrics are achieved. Tami also is Owner of MATTERpro.
Tammy Barreca

Tammy Barreca

VP of Acquisitions
A native of New York, Tammy has over 25 years of experience in start-up business and non-profit promotion and structure, grant writing, strategic planning programs, economic development, tourism and Native American health and education programs. In her role at MATTER, Tammy is Owner of the Acquisitions Team. She also works with the MATTER 360 Business Unit to help procure equipment and supplies for projects and assist with MATTER’s vision of self-sustainability.
Trevor Elrod

Trevor Elrod

Medical Supplies Manager
Trevor came to MATTER with a diverse variety of experience, including coffee shop management, technology repair and carpentry. As Owner of the Supply Sales Team, Trevor focuses on sales to current and new buyers, and finds new and improved ways to leverage supplies to achieve MATTER’s vision of self-sustainability. He also collaborates with the MATTER 360 Business Unit to achieve goals.
Truman Marty

Truman Marty

Medical Supplies Associate
Truman works with the MATTER 360 Business Unit to help ensure MATTER’s sustainability so we can increase activity to launch projects that improve communities. In his free time, he enjoys sports, fishing and traveling the world.  
Valentin

Valentin Figueroa

Warehouse Associate
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Vicki Bachmann

Vicki Bachmann

VP of Business Partnerships
Vicki came to MATTER with broad nonprofit experience from 25+ years of board leadership positions, including serving as President of the Women’s Board at Dayton Children’s Hospital and several other nonprofits. Vicki also possesses event leadership expertise, including developing corporate sponsors, as well as planning and executing special events. In her role at MATTER, Vicki is Owner of our MATTERhouse Team. She also works to develop relationships with business owners and corporations to contribute to MATTER’s projects and help achieve MATTER’s vision of self-sustainability.
Victor Salamone

Victor Salamone

Executive VP of Business Operations
Victor’s 30 years of experience in the for-profit industry of hospitality and food service management includes such well-known companies as Hilton, Famous Dave’s and Crave. At MATTER, Victor is Owner of the MATTERbox Team. He also works to ensure MATTER’s operations, including occupancy and internal operation functions, work well and improve. Additionally, Victor assists the People and Culture Team in providing ongoing support to the team, its efforts and improvements.

Our Founders

Dennis Doyle

Dennis Doyle

Co-Founder

Megan Doyle

Megan Doyle

Co-Founder

Our Board

Amanda Escen
MATTER Board Chair
Chief Operating Officer
University of Minnesota Foundation Investment Advisors
Devin Doyle
MATTER Board Treasurer
President
Wildamere Capital Management, LLC
Dr. Christopher Tashjian
MATTER Board Secretary
Partner
Vibrant Health Family Clinics
Michael Ackmann
Co-Founder & CEO
Artisan Venture Lab
Casey Carl
(Former) EVP and Chief Omni Strategy and Operations Officer
Walmart
Sarah Charai
Director, Supply Chain Operations
Allina Health
Jay Deverell
Chief Operating Officer – Wholesale Banking
TCF Bank
Dan Fagan
President & CEO
Tradition Capital Bank
Pete Goddard
CEO
Deephaven Data Labs
Aaron Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
Twin Cities Orthopedics
Derrick Johnson
Group Manager
TCF/Huntington
Meg Martin
VP, Senior Wealth & Fiduciary Advisor
Bell Bank
Roger McCabe
Co-Founder
Roger and Nancy McCabe Foundation
Chipo Mtasa
Managing Director
Tel One Pvt. (Zimbabwe)
Shelly Nelson
Vice President of Marketing
Cambria
Mark Pletts
Managing Member/Partner
Waypoint Capital Advisors
Steve Ryan
Partner in Charge
Taft, Stettinius & Hollister
Mike Tamte
Executive Chairman
EVEREVE

Financial Responsibility

MATTER is built upon a foundation of sound financial stewardship. We believe that to whom much is given, much is required. We apply this belief to every donation, large or small, and use it to create the highest level of financial accountability and transparency.

More than $731 million in resources distributed

$1 donated equals $25 in material aid

96 cents of every dollar donated goes to projects

View Financials

Supporting Partners

We are deeply grateful to our supporters for their generosity. A big thanks to the following companies and individuals who have helped make our work possible.

Make a difference. Become a Supporting Partner today.

Contact Us