Bernadette Christiansen has worked at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis since 2001. She was hired as the director of human resources, and was named administrative director in 2004. As a member of the senior management team, she has managed labor relations and overseen key administrative areas including human resources, facilities, and information systems; supervised management of the theater’s volunteer and intern programs; and developed long-range staffing projections.

"Bernadette's wealth of experience and expertise, combined with her creativity and compassion, will be tremendous assets to McKnight's staff and board," says interim president Peg Birk. "She embodies the Foundation's values. The skills Bernadette acquired throughout her career will benefit our work—and, by extension, our grantees and our community."

Prior to her work at the Guthrie, Christiansen was an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Thomas Center for Nonprofit Management, where she developed a course curriculum in human resource management. In the late 1990s she founded a human resource consulting practice with a broad client base including local social service agencies and national Fortune 500 companies. Before that, she served as director of human resources for the Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley. She holds a BA in Family Studies from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.

As vice president of human resources and administration, Christiansen will manage McKnight's human resources and oversee facility operations, information systems, and grants administration. She will also serve as a member of the Foundation's senior management team, supporting the philanthropic work of the board. As the Guthrie relocates to a new facility this spring, Christiansen will continue working with the theater's administration to help ensure a smooth transition; she begins work at The McKnight Foundation on May 15.

ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION

Founded in 1953 and endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, The McKnight Foundation has assets of approximately $2 billion and granted about $90 million in 2005. McKnight is an independent private philanthropic organization; the Foundation has no relationship with the 3M Company, although Mr. McKnight was one of 3M's early leaders.

Contact
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220