MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (July 23, 2009) — VocalEssence, the Minneapolis-based non-profit choral ensemble, is very pleased to announce the election of three new members to its board of directors. They were elected at the quarterly board meeting on May 20, 2009 to serve three-year terms beginning in July.

Susan Crockett, Ph.D. is Vice President and Senior Technology Officer, Health and Nutrition at General Mills. Previously, she served as Dean of the College for Human Development at Syracuse University from 1990 to 1999. Susan Crockett has published research about nutrition education and received an award from the Secretary of Health and Human Services for Innovation in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for her proposal, “Parent Health Education: Maximizing Impact.” She is President of the Board of Directors of the International Food Information Council (IFIC) and earned a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota.

Kari E. Davis is a Director at the Greater Twin Cities United Way where she is responsible for the management and oversight of diversity and inclusion activities for the organization. Through cultural diversity training, she works with the organization’s external partners to strengthen relationships with diverse communities. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Prince of Peace Church in Burnsville and Executive Director of the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota. Kari E. Davis received a B.A. in English and Criminal Justice from Rutgers University.

As Director of Business Development for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group, Kristen Hoeschler O’Brien managed and grew the retail business lines including the print and online catalog, Pretty Good Goods, the Lake Wobegon Store at the Mall of America and MPR Headquarters, and three online only businesses, Public Radio MusicSource, Public Radio BookSource, and Public Radio Market. Formerly Vice President, she continues to serve as a member of the James Sewell Ballet Board of Directors. Kristen Hoeschler O’Brien earned an M.B.A. in Management, Marketing, and Finance from Columbia Business School in New York.

“We are delighted that these three distinguished individuals will be joining the VocalEssence board of directors. Their differing backgrounds will be an incredible asset to the organization and we are grateful for their willingness to serve,” stated VocalEssence Managing Director Mary Ann Pulk.

For more information, contact Jennifer Bauer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at (612)-547-1459 or jbauer@vocalessence.org.