Marla Amborn, Program Coordinator
Marla Amborn, who joined the staff in March 2004, has over 15 years of college experience in faculty and administrative roles. She has been a leader in initiating and supporting college instructors to use creative and powerful methods to engage learners. Her Master’s Degree in Human Development from St. Mary’s University focused on brain-compatible learning, providing a solid foundation in the educational research and neuroscience of the brain and learning.

Prior to joining The Collaboration, Marla conducted staff development for instructors and provided consulting for organizations on becoming learning-centered and brain-compatible as the Director of The Center for Engaged Learning. She received her baccalaureate from Ripon College and worked as an instructor and administrator at Century College, Dakota County Technical College, and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.

back to top

Timothy Barrett, Program Director
Tim Barrett, who joined the staff in June 2007, most recently served as Senior Educator at the Bakken Museum, where he worked with K–12 and especially K–8 children and teachers, created and managed an innovative Bush Foundation-funded school program, and oversaw a unique Science Theatre program. With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of St. Thomas and a Master of Arts from North Dakota State University, Tim has a background in theatre, with an emphasis on acting and technical production.

Before working at the Bakken, Tim taught through the joint Theatre Department at the University of St. Thomas and the College of St. Catherine from 1989–2004 and served as Technical Director and Assistant Production Manager for The O’Shaughnessy. He also worked as Production Manager at Twin City Public Television for three years and has other teaching, workshop presentation, and theatre experience. In his work with The Collaboration, Tim is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing our distinctive, cutting-edge professional and organizational development programs, including conferences, Traveling Workshops, and Summer Institutes.

back to top

Dr. Lesley K. Cafarelli, President and Chief Executive Officer 
Dr. Lesley K. Cafarelli has served as The Collaboration's first president and chief executive officer since July 1998, concurrent with the organization's start of independent operations, and before that, as its director from 1984-1998. 

With 26 years experience in faculty development and the improvement of undergraduate education, Lesley served from 1984-90 as director of educational development for the University of Minnesota system, including coordination of the Bush Sabbatical Program and Morse-Alumni Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education. During this time she led a system-wide initiative to develop and strengthen honors programming, founded the University's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, and coordinated a grants program to support the improvement of liberal education. 

From 1990-98 Lesley served as assistant vice president for leadership development for the Minnesota Private College Research Foundation, including work as director of the Blandin Faculty Fellowship Program and liaison with the colleges' chief academic officers.

With an academic background in Greek and ancient Near Eastern languages, literature, myth, and archaeology, Lesley was on the faculty of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities from 1977- 92, teaching in the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies and the College of Liberal Arts Honors Division. Her experience with faculty development and instructional design began in 1981, while coordinator for media-assisted instruction at the University. 

She has consulted with and evaluated programs at many colleges and universities and has served on the boards of the Professional and Organizational Development Network (POD), the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities, and the National Conferences for Undergraduate Research. 

back to top

Lisa Guyott, Director of Marketing & Special Projects
Lisa Guyott, who joined the staff in June 2007, is a communications and marketing professional with more than 15 years’ marketing, editing, project management, and writing experience. From 2001–06, she served as Communications and Marketing Director for International Programs at the University of California–Berkeley Extension. Her previous employment included writing, editing, and communications for a travel agency and technical staffing firm; soliciting and editing manuscripts, handling contract negotiations, and coordinating publication for a children’s book publisher; and writing and soliciting copy for a monthly sports magazine. With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and a Master of Liberal Studies in Writing from Hamline University, she is responsible for directing The Collaboration's marketing and communications efforts and managing selected programs and special projects.

back to top

Diana Longseth, Manager of Administrative Services 
Diana Longseth has been a member of The Collaboration staff since 1990 and has an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Inver Hills Community College. She manages the organization's human resource functions, provides administrative support to the president and chief executive officer and Board of Directors. She is responsible for maintaining the organization's accounting system and membership records. 

back to top

Janet Luna, Administrative Secretary 
Janet Luna joined The Collaboration's staff in May 2007, with a diploma as a legal secretary from St. Paul College. She brings 15 years of experience as an office assistant with a broad base of skills. Janet is responsible for database and registration management. She provides clerical support to senior staff for program and marketing and friendly front-line customer service to our members, clients, and other callers.

Prior to joining The Collaboration, Janet worked in financial and legal settings, including positions with Macy's Headquarters, the Minnesota State Attorney General's Office, and a small law firm. 

back to top