Local nonprofit announces new chair, vice-chair to aid pandemic recovery efforts

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Twin Cities announced a new chair and vice-chair to its local advisory committee. The newly selected members Chair Stella Whitney-West and Vice-Chair Trent Bowman were chosen to lead efforts to develop strategic actions, make policy recommendations and oversee programs.

LISC Twin Cities is part of one of the largest nonprofits to support projects that revitalize communities and bring greater economic opportunity to residents in the U.S. The Twin Cities office has channeled more than $2 million into the Twin Cities region for COVID relief.
 
“I am thrilled to welcome both Stella and Trent to their new leadership roles. They bring a wealth of expertise and connections to the work at hand,” Jonathan Sage-Martinson, outgoing chair of LISC Twin Cities Local Advisory Committee said. “Stella and Trent will lead the committee during an important time as we continue to provide capital and new opportunities to the Twin Cities community.”
 
Stella Whitney-West is CEO of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, a multi-specialty medical, dental and mental health center that serves over 35,000 residents in North Minneapolis and Hennepin County. She has over two decades of experience working with governance and policy boards of nonprofit organizations, as well as extensive senior management experience in the Twin Cities nonprofit community.
 
“I am honored and excited about my new position as committee chair for LISC Twin Cities’ advisory committee,” Whitney-West said. “I look forward to continuing to support local community organizations in creating vibrant and healthy communities with an intentional focus on equity.”
 
Trent Bowman is VP/CRA Business Development Officer at MidWestOne Bank. He has over 20 years of experience serving as AVP/CRA-Residential Lending Officer at Associated Bank, VP/Community Development Officer at Old National Bank, and other roles at Wells Fargo, M&I Bank, and Centennial Mortgage. Bowman has an extensive history of supporting affordable housing initiatives by engaging community organizations to assess community needs and building collaborative partnerships to make a positive impact.
 
“I am honored to take on the role of vice-chair for LISC Twin Cities’ advisory committee,” Bowman shared. “I am excited to further leverage my expertise in affordable housing initiatives and community building to support the Twin Cities community.” 
 
“The experience, commitment and passion for closing the racial prosperity gap that both Stella and Trent bring will be essential as LISC launches bold new initiatives to facilitate transformational community ownership and wealth building,” LISC Twin Cities Executive Director Peter McLaughlin said. “Our outgoing chair, Jonathan Sage-Martinson, has done an incredible job leading the committee.

“He was crucial to LISC’s success at the time of the Green Line’s construction through his roles at the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative and as director of Saint Paul PED under Mayor Coleman,” McLaughlin continued. “We thank him for his service to the community and organization.” 

—Information provided by LISC Twin Cities.