PeaceMaker Minnesota Welcomes New Board of Directors Member

PeaceMaker Minnesota is pleased to welcome Gwen Gmeinder to the Board of Directors.

“ If kids do not learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully, their chances to become young juvenile offenders has just maximized.  Keeping kids safe and helping them deal with bully behavior is a key to their success. I want to be part of this success.”

Gwen is an experienced administrator with a background in event and fiscal management, a trained mediator, and accomplished team facilitator. Her calm and reasoned approach to change and uncertainty along with a passion to figure out how people who are different can work together, has enabled a 44-year career at the University of Minnesota. Her positions included administrative manager for the College of Liberal Arts and the departments of criminal justice studies, history, and sociology, 1978-1999; college administrator for the Dean of Extension and coordinator of Extension government relations, 1999-2020.  Gwen’s educational background: a master’s degree in human resource development (1998); a bachelor’s degree in history and elementary education (1980); both from the University of Minnesota. She serves on the communications team for the Social Justice Committee in her church community, is a former Board Chair of SAGE Academy (2013-2018) and is a lifelong learner with many interests.

As we welcome Gwen, we thank Mary Stadick for her years of service. Mary served on PeaceMaker’s board since 2016 and continues to support the organization through other volunteer efforts.

Q & A

There are so many worthy organizations in our area, why did you decide to get involved in PeaceMaker Minnesota?

I respect the work that PeaceMaker Minnesota does, and I support their mission of helping schools be safer places for everyone.  I believe that reaching children and helping them learn positive relational skills such as empathy, respect, cooperation is critical to creating strong and healthy young adults.  If kids do not learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully, their chances to become young juvenile offenders has just maximized.  Keeping kids safe and helping them deal with bully behavior is a key to their success. I want to be a part of this success.

What prompted your decision to join the board of directors?  

It is a privilege to be more involved in the services PeaceMaker Minnesota offers. I believe this organization’s comprehensive and doable strategies will make a difference for schools and I want to be involved in this mission.

What are you most excited about when it comes to PeaceMaker's future and the services offered?

I am excited about the Peace Guide Program, Ambassadors for Respect, and their efforts to increase training to help schools stop bullying behavior.

What do you hope to bring to your role on the board? 

I served as a school board chair for Sage Academy, September 2013-December 2018 and observed behavior issues that kids exhibit when they do not know how to handle conflict in a peaceful manner. I have a master’s degree in training and development from the University of Minnesota, 1998, and I continue to have a strong interest in developing training programs.