Leadership & Board

As CEO of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF), Kris provides strategic direction to advance the organization’s mission, strategy, goals and objectives. She believes strongly in its legacy of innovation and collaboration, and the vision of creating a world without heart and vascular disease guides her work every day.

Before joining MHIF, Kris served as director of global engagement at Medtronic Philanthropy, where she led significant growth and impact in health-focused community development and social investment around the world. Under her leadership, 86,000 employees were mobilized to channel their time and resources into improving community health.

Kris has a proven track record in building effective teams, leading strategic initiatives, engaging diverse stakeholders and translating complex science into meaningful stories. This experience spans her work building a research portfolio at HealthPartners Research Foundation, leading a team of scientists at Medtronic and her most recent leadership at Medtronic Philanthropy. In both her professional and personal life, she is a passionate advocate for improving community health and currently serves on the board of the Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross and as an ex officio member of the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation board.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Benedict and holds an interdisciplinary PhD focused on health communication from Washington State University. She was also a policy fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Kris lives in White Bear Lake with her husband and three sons.

Tom Cronin, CPA, MBT, is the chief financial officer for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF). In this role, he oversees MHIF’s financial strategy and stewardship of financial resources and serves as a key partner to all functional areas.

Tom brings extensive leadership and expertise in accounting, financial reporting and business strategy across both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and CFO at Roers Companies, and previously held leadership roles at Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, TCF Financial Corporation, Platinum Bank, Wells Fargo & Company, Travelers Companies, Inc., and KPMG LLP. His board service includes time as past treasurer and executive board member with Twin Cities In Motion.

An avid runner, Tom has completed 14 marathons and two Ironman triathlons. He earned his master’s degree in business taxation from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University. Tom lives in Edina with his wife and their two children.

Ross Garberich is the vice president of scientific services for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF). In this role, he leads MHIF’s investigator-initiated research program, partnering with physicians to advance innovation by answering research questions and identifying pathways to improve patient care.

During his 15 years at MHIF, Ross has built a strong track record of designing programs and teams that equip researchers with the tools and support needed to design, conduct and disseminate studies. He has extensive experience leveraging clinical electronic medical records, data warehouses and statistics to execute research and quality improvement projects across cardiology.

With a passion for collaboration, Ross has co-authored more than 125 peer-reviewed publications spanning all cardiology subspecialties. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he also completed a master’s degree in applied and computational mathematics and an MBA. Ross lives in Chaska with his wife and two children.

Karen is the vice president of human resources for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. In this role, she leads talent acquisition and development, leadership development and organizational effectiveness, drawing on experience across small, medium and large organizations in the medical device industry.

She built her early HR career at Medtronic and St. Jude Medical, and continued her work in cardiology at AGA Medical and AtriCure. More recently, she worked at Smiths Medical and served as an HR leader for several small, private equity–owned medical device firms, roles that required strong business and organizational acumen as well as adaptability, change leadership, clear communication and action-oriented problem solving.

Karen earned her M.A. in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Minnesota and her B.A. in human resources from St. Olaf College. She and her husband live in Woodbury, where she enjoys traveling, working out, drinking wine and exploring new restaurants.

Cindy Resman leads marketing, communications and education at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF). She has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and medical technology communications, with expertise in corporate brand and reputation, media relations, stakeholder engagement, internal communications and crisis communications.

Before accepting an internal role at MHIF in December 2022, Cindy founded Point Forward Communications, where she provided strategic communications and marketing support to medical device and healthcare organizations of all sizes, including MHIF. Previously, she spent 10 years at Medtronic in various leadership roles within global communications, and also held corporate and business unit communications positions at Baxter Healthcare and Abbott Laboratories after starting her career in the healthcare practice at Golin-Harris International, a global PR agency in Chicago.

Cindy holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Drake University. She lives in Maple Grove with her husband, and they have three children.

Dr. Scott Sharkey is the chief medical officer for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and a practicing cardiologist at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia. He completed medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine, followed by a residency at Maine Medical Center and a fellowship at the University of Minnesota.

Lisa Tindell is the vice president of clinical research operations at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. In this role, she leads a large team of clinical staff responsible for conducting a broad range of cardiovascular studies across all areas of the specialty.

With more than 15 years dedicated to clinical research, Lisa previously served as a principal clinical research scientist at a large medical device company, where she successfully managed clinical trials in both domestic and international settings. She also worked as a clinical advisor for the electrophysiology division, authoring regulatory reports to support post‑market requirements, product approvals, indication expansions and label claims.

Lisa brings over 30 years of professional nursing experience in critical care, the electrophysiology lab, cardiac rhythm device patient management and as a cardiology nurse clinician. Her passions include health and wellness, with a particular focus on nutrition, physical fitness and the impact of cardiovascular health on youth. Lisa lives in Lakeville with her husband and is the mother of two grown children.

Kristen Bowlds is a board member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and has a passion for marketing. A young leader at C.H. Robinson working in market research and industry marketing, her focus abruptly shifted after the birth of her second child, when she experienced multiple heart attacks caused by spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).

Following her diagnosis, Kristen has partnered closely with the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation to raise awareness and generate research funds to make a difference in SCAD and heart health. Her advocacy has included helping launch the first Minnesota 5K SCADaddle run for research, as well as sharing her story on NBC’s “Today” show, ABC News Live and multiple local television and radio specials focused on heart health.

Kristen holds a degree in marketing and management from Iowa State University and lives in Chanhassen with her husband and their two young children.

Carmen rejoined the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors in 2024 after a brief break, having previously served from 2014 to 2020. She brings more than 26 years of experience as a chief financial officer in both public and privately held medical device companies, along with over 15 years in the broader health care industry.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Dakota and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Carmen is passionate about MHIF’s mission and was inspired to serve after meeting Dr. Robert Hauser and learning about the remarkable cardiovascular research and education underway, as well as the dedication of MHIF physicians to improving community heart health one patient at a time.

Conley Brooks Jr. serves on the board of directors of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. He is the retired executive chairman of Sawmill Trust Company, a regulated trust company and closed multi-family office based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with offices in Sioux Falls and Minneapolis, and now serves on the board of its holding company, Sawmill Holdings LLC.

In addition to his management, fiduciary and investment roles at Sawmill Trust Company, Mr. Brooks has served as an individual co-trustee for long-term trusts for a large Midwestern family and as a trustee director of four private trust companies for a prominent Hong Kong family. He has been active on corporate and nonprofit boards for more than 40 years, and his current board memberships include Marlow Management Ltd. (Cayman Islands), Marlow Trust Company USA (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Brooks Resources Corporation (Bend, Oregon), Bend Foundation (Bend, Oregon), the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and the Midwest Art Conservation Center.

Mr. Brooks received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1968 and his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1974. He also served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1971.

Dr. Joshua Buckler is a senior consulting cardiologist at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and director of the TeleHeart service. He received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and is board certified in cardiology, echocardiography and nuclear cardiology.

As a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, Dr. Buckler is passionate about the foundation’s mission. He describes MHIF as a one-of-a-kind organization whose research and education touch countless lives and says he is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its continued success.

Sara Criger is a retired health care executive who advanced patient care and health system excellence across Minnesota for more than 30 years. Most recently, she served as senior vice president at Allina Health, overseeing the hospital division and supporting complex clinical service lines, including cardiovascular care, where she was honored to partner with Minneapolis Heart Institute leaders and care teams to strengthen cardiovascular care delivery.

A seasoned board director, Sara has chaired both the Minnesota Hospital Association board and the LifeSource board of directors. She holds a Master of Science degree in health services administration, a bachelor’s degree in business administration and recently earned certification as a professional coach.

Dr. Michael Cummings is an internal medicine specialist at Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital and serves on the board of directors of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. He has more than 34 years of experience in medicine and has been recognized as a Mpls.St.Paul Magazine “Top Doctor” in 2019, 2020 and 2023.

Dr. Cummings enjoys teaching medical students and residents, with a particular focus on critical thinking and the art of medical practice.

Larry Getlin is a retired medical device executive who has led legal, regulatory, clinical and corporate compliance functions supporting a broad range of clinical trials and regulatory product approvals.

As a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, he is excited and considers it a privilege to engage with one of the world’s leading, innovative heart and vascular disease programs at the cutting edge of clinical research, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Thom Gunderson is chair of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors and former managing director and senior research analyst at Piper Jaffray. His passion for MHIF began years ago after hearing a speech by founder Dr. Robert Van Tassel about the importance and community benefits of having a top-tier cardiovascular team in Minnesota.

That passion has only grown through his ongoing interactions with MHIF physicians and staff, and Thom believes the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is a world-class organization.

Dr. Harris moved from Washington University School of Medicine to his current role as director of the Aortic Dissection Program at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute in 1998. He is a clinical cardiologist and echocardiographer with clinical and research interests in aortic disease and aortic dissection, valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart disease in athletes.

He is actively involved in cardiology education, serving as associate program director for cardiology training for the HCMC/Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital training program. Previously, he served for 12 years on the University of Minnesota fellowship committee. Dr. Harris is director of the Aortic Dissection Program and a member of the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) group, and he has authored more than 100 manuscripts.

In 2024, Dr. Harris joined the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, noting his gratitude for the support he has received over the years. Since its inception, he has been closely involved in the MHIF clinical research internship program and has enjoyed mentoring several interns, finding it gratifying to see research projects come to completion and to witness the career trajectories of the interns.

Frances Hoffman joined the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors in 2023 after retiring from Allina Health – Abbott Northwestern Hospital, where she served as administrative director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Programs. During a career spanning more than 30 years, she was privileged to work closely with MHIF physicians and staff on multiple clinical studies involving state-of-the-art technologies for the treatment of heart failure.

She has held leadership roles in several professional associations, including service on national committees, in elected office and on boards of directors for NATCO – The Organization for Transplant Professionals, the United Network for Organ Sharing and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Frances’ passion for improving the quality of health care through education and research drives her strong commitment and enthusiastic support for MHIF’s mission and work.

Frances earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the College of St. Scholastica and completed her Master of Science in Nursing and acute care nurse practitioner programs at the University of Minnesota.

Ann Houser, ACC, MSIR, GPHR, SPHR, is CEO of The Bailey Group, a premier leadership development and executive coaching firm. She brings more than two decades of leadership experience, including 16 years at Medtronic, where she rose to vice president of human resources and oversaw HR for a $5.7 billion global business.

As CEO, Ann partners with C-suite executives—particularly those leading complex, mission-driven organizations—to address strategic challenges, strengthen board relationships, implement succession planning and build high-performing talent strategies. Her client portfolio spans the life sciences sector and includes leaders from Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott, Insulet, GE Healthcare, Optum, Thermo Fisher, Medica, Medela, Beckman Coulter, CVS Health and others.

Ann serves on the boards of The Bailey Group and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Olaf College and a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Dr. Joe Jensen is a noninvasive cardiologist at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute with a special interest in preventive cardiology. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, completed his residency at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, where he served as chief resident, and holds an undergraduate degree in science-business from the University of Notre Dame.

Ariel Johnson brings extensive experience in investor relations, strategy and marketing and serves as vice president of strategy and investor relations for Endotronix. She holds a PhD in oral biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master of Science in chemistry from the University of Minnesota, and dual Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in chemistry, biology and physiology from the University of Minnesota.

As a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, Dr. Johnson is excited to help ensure that the community—and cardiology patients everywhere—receive the best possible heart care. She is especially committed to supporting MHIF’s work to expand access to innovative, state-of-the-art technologies that enable the best possible outcomes for patients.

Mark Johnson is a serial information technology entrepreneur with a track record of successful startups over more than 35 years. After graduating from St. Olaf College in 1982 with a degree in economics, he spent eight years in the financial services industry before co-founding his first technology start-up, MTI Group, in 1990, followed by several additional companies in the years that followed.

His corporate, civic and charitable work has included both leadership and volunteer roles. He served on the St. Olaf College Board of Regents from 2001 to 2013 and chaired the board of MSAADA, a global development organization that helps build hospitals, schools and clinics in regions such as Haiti, India, Central America and Africa. His corporate board experience has focused on information technology organizations, including public and private companies such as Eltrax, Workstations International, Provation and Solutionary.

Mark remains active as a consultant and advisor to organizations in the Twin Cities and enjoys mentoring younger professionals, particularly those interested in launching their own businesses. As a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, he is motivated by a desire to give back, noting that over the past 20 years, Minneapolis Heart Institute care teams have supported him through a wide range of heart health challenges and that he wants to contribute to the foundation and its teams in every way he can.

Dr. William Katsiyiannis is president and chairman of cardiology at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute and serves on the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors. He has a special interest and extensive experience in performing complex catheter ablations, as well as cardiac device implants and extractions.

He is co-director of the Genetic Arrhythmia Center, where he screens, diagnoses and cares for families affected by genetic arrhythmias. A recognized expert in his field, Dr. Katsiyiannis speaks nationally on the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms.

James King serves on the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors and spent more than 20 years as an institutional investor focused on public health care companies. He is deeply interested in the complexity and innovation within health care and was first introduced to the foundation through conversations with Minneapolis Heart Institute cardiologists while researching clinical-stage transcatheter aortic heart valves.

His decision to join the MHIF board is also personal, shaped by his mother’s ongoing battle with vascular disease and the loss of his father to a stroke in 2020. James holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.

Ginny Kirby has spent more than 30 years in the medical device industry leading efforts to advance new therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes. She has served on global senior management teams for companies ranging from Fortune 500 organizations to early-stage startups, focusing on strategies to establish clinical value and drive regulatory approvals, reimbursement and market acceptance for novel therapies and technologies.

Ginny continues to consult with medical device companies, primarily early-stage startups, and with Discovery Launchpad, a technology incubator within the University of Minnesota’s Office of Technology Commercialization. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in audiology and speech sciences from Purdue University and a master’s degree in management of technology from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Throughout her career, Ginny has partnered with leading medical researchers and focused her passion on designing and executing clinical trials that generate the evidence needed to bring new therapies and technologies to patients. Serving on the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors gives her the opportunity to contribute to an organization whose mission closely aligns with her values and experience.

John Mack is a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors and retired in 2023 as president of cardiac surgery after a 27-year career at Medtronic. He has maintained a longstanding passion for helping patients by advancing cardiovascular medicine and continues to stay active as a consultant and advisor.

As a board member, John is excited to share his expertise in medical devices, clinical trials and medical education to support the foundation’s mission and impact.

Dr. Michael Miedema is director of the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health and director of research at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, as well as the director of cardiovascular prevention at the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute. He obtained his medical degree and completed a cardiovascular fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical School and also has a master’s degree in public health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

He is a leading national expert in cardiovascular prevention. He serves as an associate editor for digital content for the Prevention Section of the American College of Cardiology. He served on the executive review committee for the 2018 ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines and was a member of the 2019 ACC/AHA guidelines committee for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Marc Newell is a senior consulting cardiologist and vice president at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute and serves on the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors. He has special interests in advanced cardiac imaging and CT, coronary prevention, systems of care and physician leadership.

Allison O’Connor is a senior executive with more than 20 years of experience developing and driving strategy execution across organizations, including in health care. She is an experienced leader in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, investor and board relations, organizational redesign, value-based contracting and delivery, and integration and implementation, and is passionate about building partnerships grounded in relationships and value creation.

Allison serves on the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, drawn by the opportunity to support an organization that impacts lives every day and is leading change in cardiac care. She received her MBA from Cornell University in New York and a BSBA from the University of Denver in Colorado.

Dr. Peterson is director of the electrophysiology lab and cardiovascular chair at United Hospital. His passion is bringing the highest level of cardiovascular care to patients locally and around the world.

As a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, he believes the foundation’s mission of research and education is a pivotal component of clinical care and that MHIF is uniquely positioned to connect researchers, educators, providers, patients and their loved ones to achieve the best outcomes.

Dr. Peterson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Joe is a semi-retired executive from the industrial automation industry who now balances ongoing work in mergers and acquisitions and board service with volunteer and personal interests. Originally from the St. Louis area, he and his wife have lived in the Twin Cities since 2001, where they have put down deep roots and two of their three children also now live.

Cardiac health holds deep personal meaning for Joe, whose father died of heart disease at age 45, when Joe was four years old. Recognizing how much knowledge and care have advanced since 1967—and how far there still is to go—he is keenly committed to supporting continued progress in heart health, including through his service on the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Scott Sharkey is the chief medical officer for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and a practicing cardiologist at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia. He completed medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine, followed by a residency at Maine Medical Center and a fellowship at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Robert J. Steffen is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, has been in practice for more than 10 years and was featured in 2021 as a “Top Doctors: Rising Star” in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.

Dr. Steffen completed his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering at Northwestern University and his postgraduate training at the Cleveland Clinic. During his training, he spent a year as a research fellow in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, served as chief resident in his final year of cardiothoracic surgery training and received the Charles Bryan Award for Clinical Excellence, and he was a clinical instructor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, where he received multiple teaching awards.

He has particular interests in the surgical treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, aortic disease and heart failure. Dr. Steffen has published numerous peer‑reviewed manuscripts, book chapters and review articles and has spoken locally, nationally and internationally on topics in cardiac surgery.

Jeff Steinle is the former chair of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board and is an attorney at Fredrikson & Byron, where he advises health care clients.

Jeff’s passion for the health care industry began in 2004 when his father suffered a heart attack on the family farm and was flown from their local hospital in St. James to Abbott Northwestern Hospital for a quadruple bypass. At the time, Jeff was practicing law at a large firm in Chicago, but while his dad recovered, he interviewed with Medtronic in Minnesota, accepted an offer and developed a deep interest in helping health care companies develop and commercialize medical technologies, attract investment and complete mergers and acquisitions.

He views MHIF as the intersection of his professional passion and personal gratitude, noting that the foundation’s work in cardiovascular innovation aligns closely with the care that helped save his father, who continues to do well today.

Dominica Tallarico is executive vice president and chief operating officer at Allina Health, where she leads operations across the care continuum and focuses on delivering the safest, best health outcomes for the communities the system serves. She joined the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors in 2024, bringing strategic leadership in safety and quality, consumer-driven and growth-minded innovation, and a strong passion for advancing health equity and access.

Dominica holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Science degree in health systems management from Rush University.

Tim Thorpe brings extensive experience in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. His background includes business planning, marketing and advertising, with strong expertise in strategic, media and communications planning, as well as deep nonprofit involvement with organizations focused on social services, the arts, education, youth and older adults.

As a member of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation board of directors, Tim is especially passionate about heart health research and best practices as the baby boomer generation ages. He has long admired MHIF’s work and notes that his grandparents, parents and even he himself have benefited from the foundation’s research. He is honored to serve as a board member and is eager to support, advocate for and contribute to the organization.

Dr. Jay Traverse is a senior consulting cardiologist at the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute and the director of research at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. His special interests include interventional cardiology, stem cell therapy, biomaterials and ischemia/reperfusion injury. He is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Bree Williamson is a strategic advisor to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, families, private foundations, endowments and nonprofits, helping clients clarify the vision and purpose for their wealth. She also serves on the board and executive committee of VEAP, the largest food pantry and housing assistance program in Minnesota, and on the advisory committee for Venture, an organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity and human trafficking.

An avid marathon runner, Bree is passionate about health, wellness and ensuring equitable access to health resources for all, a commitment that aligns closely with the mission of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.