The Camp Odayin Board of Directors provides the direction and oversight needed to ensure the continued growth and
success of the camp and its mission, while maintaining the fiduciary and governance oversight to protect the interest of
the camp's donors. Each Camp Odayin board member signs a Conflict of Interest statement annually. Please contact our office
if you'd like to review these documents.
Tom Armitage
Tom is a 20 year veteran of Medtronic. He currently serves as the Vice President
of Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs for the Medtronic Structural Heart Disease Business. His position has
enabled him to be involved in the development of medical devices that serve children with cardiac diseases. Outside of
his career Tom has had the opportunity to work on children's cardiac care issues internationally through his
participation on the board of Children's HeartLink, a local non-profit with its headquarters in Edina. Tom's service
to Children's HeartLink includes two years as board chair from 2005 - 2007. Tom is looking forward to serving Camp
Odayin. He is inspired by the dedication of the staff and volunteers and he is grateful for the chance to make a
difference in the local community.
Dr. Charlie Baker
As a volunteer since the first week of Camp, Charlie has enjoyed the
rewards that participation has provided. The role of "Ol Doc Baker" at Camp has been a wonderful addition and contrast
to his role as a pediatric cardiologist at The Children's Heart Clinic and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of
Minnesota. "To see our patients participating in all aspects of Camp, especially free time during waterfront, is truly
amazing." A native of Rochester, Minnesota, Charlie's education has taken him from Madison, to Minneapolis, to Salt Lake City
and finally to Boston. He served as Medical Director of Camp Odayin from 2004 through 2007, and has been practicing at The
Children's Heart Clinic since 2000.
Amy Boyle
Amy joins the board with 22 years of experience in the cardiac medical device
industry and works as the Vice President of Corporate Brand and Marketing for St. Jude Medical. Her personal interest
in children with cardiac disease stems from the work she did in the 80's and 90's with the Hospital for Sick Children
in Toronto, which is a world renowned pediatric cardiac center. There she interacted with many of the kids with
pacemakers, defibrillators and other cardiac surgeries, their parents, and the medical team and gained a tremendous
appreciation for challenges and rewards that these very special patients and their families experience.
Kris Flanagan, Vice President
Kris has experience working in Medical Device marketing (Cardiac Surgery Business and Cardiac Rhythm Management) and currently works in the Healthcare Service Industry at Abbott Northwestern Hospital/Minneapolis Heart Institute. As a Referral Business Development Manager, she is passionate in developing and building Physician to Physician relations and creating programs around Healthcare Professionals and consumers. Working with Minneapolis Heart Institute opens a world of learning, educating and understanding of how Heart Disease impacts patients, families and friends lives. Kris is excited to be part of the Camp Odayin Team creating awareness, bringing children with heart disease together and sharing in experiences that last a lifetime!
Reed Gilbert, Secretary
Being a native of Minnesota, Reed has held business development positions in the technology and financial services industries in the Twin Cities for more than ten years. He has served as a volunteer for several non-profit organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and Sharing and Caring Hands. Reed began his Camp Odayin volunteer efforts several years ago at the Heart and Sole 5K. His involvement and enthusiasm for Camp Odayin has continued to grow. "It is an honor to serve on Camp Odayin Board of Directors and a great way for me to help further the mission of bringing children with heart disease together to share an experience they would otherwise not have had."
Jeanne Kenady, President
Jeanne has worked at Boston Scientific Corporation for over four years. During this time, she has held positions in company operations and employee communications and currently serves as a Manager in the LATITUDE Clinician Support Group. After assisting with the Camp Odayin Heart and Sole 5K volunteer effort, Jeanne sought another opportunity to make a difference for kids living with heart disease. She often reminisces of her first visit to Camp Odayin when she truly discovered the magic that Camp Odayin creates for their campers. Jeanne hopes to use her leadership and energy to continue Camp Odayin's powerful mission.
Sara Meslow
Sara is the Executive Director and founder of Camp Odayin, a life long camper, and a heart patient herself. She has worked and volunteered at many camps and holds undergraduate degrees in Social Work & Communication, and a graduate degree in Youth Development Leadership.
Sara is very familiar with the cardiac care world. She herself has had a
catheter ablation to correct her supraventricular tachycardia, and has an implanted
Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) as a result of ventricular tachycardia. She believes in the positive impact summer camp can have on everyone, especially children with special heath concerns.
Beth Nelson
Beth is currently a part time marketing and communications manager
for Allina at their River Falls Area Hospital. She has extensive experience in creating effective marketing
plans that build businesses, while focusing on providing the optimal customer experience which is critical
for long term success. As a parent of a current Camp Odayin camper, she is excited and passionate about helping
to drive the continued success of the camp and to positively impact the lives of children who attend. "I believe
my past experiences as a parent of a child with heart disease, my leadership roles, my marketing and public
relations skills, and other non profit experience will help make a difference and I am excited to be a part of
this great board."
Rhett Neuman, Treasurer
Rhett was searching for a way to be part of an organization that helped children in need.
Camp Odayin was a perfect fit for him. "It's been so rewarding to see how the camp has touched the lives of so many children
that may have never experienced camp during their lifetimes without a set up like ours. The fact that qualified children are
able to attend with almost no financial obligation has also made me proud to be a part of such a great organization." Rhett
is a Senior Vice President, Investment Officer for a national brokerage firm and serves as the Camp Odayin Board Treasurer.
Steve Poucher
Steve has 22 years experience with Abbott Laboratories, including nine years as a cardiovascular and peripherial vascular specialist. He has served as a volunteer for several non-profit organizations including: Boy Scouts of America, Minnesota Stroke Association, Minnesota Dietetic Association, Minnesota Epilepsy Foundation, Camp Oz, Twin Lakes Preservation Association, and held various board member positions. Steve is currently active in "SOAR for Jobs," a job transition support group, as core committee member, speaker, mentor, and a small group facilitator. Steve and his wife lost their infant daughter, Erin, to congenital heart disease in 1990. " I believe that serving on Camp Odayin's board of directors is a great privilege and an extraordinary way to touch the hearts of many children and their families."
