5:30 PM VIP Entry
6:00 PM Cocktail Hour & Silent Auction
6:30 PM Curtains Open
7:00 PM Dinner & Program Hosted by Pauleen Le
8:00 PM *Silent Auction Closes*
8:15 PM Live Auction & Bid from the Heart
8:45 PM Heads or Tails Game
9:00 PM 2024 Grand Champion Announcement
9:15 PM After Party featuring DJ B-Rock
11:00 PM Event Concludes
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
SIGNATURE SPONSOR PLATINUM SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS
Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders of inclusion. Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies over an 8-12 week campaign.
Our Champions are advocates for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Tonight we celebrate and honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!
Raised $44,416!
Congratulations to Sara Messerli for being crowned the 2023 Grand Champion! She and her Mission Partner, Maggie Erickson, raised over $44,000 to support Best Buddies programs throughout the state of Minnesota.
Sara Messerli is the Director of Human Resources at Doran Companies and a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in educational and workplace environments. Her passion for this cause is deeply rooted in her personal journey as a mother to her beloved son, Colin, who had intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sadly, Colin passed away in the spring of 2023, and Sara has channeled her grief into a powerful commitment to creating a lasting legacy for her son through her active involvement with Best Buddies.
In the face of personal tragedy, Sara has discovered a profound sense of purpose. This was evident through her acceptance of her Champion of the Year nomination and now her service on the Best Buddies Minnesota Advisory Board. With unwavering determination, she aims to provide meaningful opportunities for individuals like Colin, who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her ultimate goal is to empower them to lead enriching lives filled with genuine connections and foster a more inclusive society.
Each of these individuals has committed countless hours over the last several weeks to raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies in Minnesota. The time, energy, and passion they have given is admirable and we are honored to celebrate them tonight.
Champions, it is a direct result of your efforts that more people than ever know of and support Best Buddies in Minnesota. The entire Best Buddies team is immensely grateful for your commitment and dedication to our mission of inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Pauleen Le joined WCCO-TV as a reporter in April of 2022. She is a first generation Asian-American and is originally from Eagan, Minn. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communication and journalism and minoring in renaissance (general business) as well as political science. Pauleen began her career as a general assignment reporter in La Crosse, Wis.
She also made stops in Green Bay, Wis. and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Prior to WCCO, she served as morning anchor at CBS 58 in Milwaukee, Wis. Pauleen's reports on some of the biggest stories in the last decade have been seen on HLN, CBS Mornings and the BBC. Her work has earned her an Emmy award and 14 Emmy nominations overall. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends and checking out the Twin Cities restaurant scene. Pauleen is a member of the Asian American Journalist Association.
Ben and Bennett are 7th and 8th graders at St. Anthony Middle School where they were matched in a one-to-one friendship through their school’s Best Buddies chapter in 2023. While they met through the Best Buddies program, their friendship has gone beyond the school environment and they often get together after school and on the weekends. Some of their favorite things to do are play video games, hangout with their dogs and attend chapter events together. Their teacher and
chapter advisor, Corey Hughes, started her own journey with Best Buddies when she was in middle school and has seen the positive impact firsthand, which led her to continue her involvement into adulthood.
B-Rock is a vinyl DJ with roots in the Minneapolis hip-hop scene nearly 20 years ago. He has played at venues like Varsity Theater and Fine Line and set the musical stage for brands like Nike and the Vikings. Through decades of recorddigging he has curated over 3,000 records spanning multiple genres. Combining his wide selection with the technical chops
honed on turntables, he is able recontextualize music in ways never heard before that stir the body to groove. Vinyl and a good hifi system offer the best music experience. His goal is to share this with others and guide them on their own music and hifi journey by making all aspects more accessible. Check him out on Instagram: @DJB_Rock
Best Buddies helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) form meaningful friendships, secure competitive jobs, live independently and improve self-advocacy skills. Learn more about how your donation can equate to programmatic support.
$10,000 | Best Buddies Friendship Ball
Create a magical evening for school friendship program participants at the Best Buddies Friendship Ball. This inclusive school dance gives buddy pairs an evening to dress up and have fun together, an experience from which students with disabilities may otherwise be excluded.
$5,000 | A New School Chapter
Fund a new school chapter in the Best Buddies Friendship Program that builds one-to-one friendships between students with and without IDD from elementary school through college, creating a welcoming school environment for all.
$2,500 | Support Adult Buddy Pairs
Give the gift of friendship by supporting 5 one-to-one friendship matches in the Best Buddies Citizens adult friendship program that helps people with IDD become part of mainstream society and creates an inclusive and diverse community for all.
$1,000 | Prepare Future Leaders
Give a student leader or adult Ambassador the opportunity to attend the annual, unforgettable Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University, where they will learn to advocate for themselves and the larger IDD community.
$500 | Chapter Welcome Kits
Provide 5 school chapters with Welcome Kits full of supplies to help them recruit and train new members, host inclusive activities and promote inclusion at their school.
$250 | Inclusive Chapter Activities
Fund a group activity for a school or adult friendship program. Support school and community friendships by covering the cost of a fun, safe and inclusive activity or outing for the whole chapter.
For over 100 years, a commitment to our communities has been one of RBC Wealth Management’s core values. We are proud of our reputation for corporate citizenship and believe our most visible imprint is through the great work being done by the organizations we support.
Visit rbcwm.com/community to learn more about our community involvement.
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Maureen Cahill is a public relations and marketing executive who has more than 30 years experience in journalism, corporate communications, agency and nonprofit leadership. She is a partner at Bellmont Partners in Edina. Maureen has a passion for helping people and has been involved with many international, national and local nonprofits serving both as a board member and volunteer representing a variety of issues and causes. Maureen learned of Best Buddies through her daughter, Megan, and fell in love with the organization and wanted to get involved. She has
been involved with Best Buddies Minnesota for the last three years serving on the Advisory Board and participating in the Twin Cities Citizens program. She is proud to be a Champion Candidate with her Mission Partner, Amelie Wall, to raise awareness about Best Buddies Minnesota and the importance of inclusion for all.
Maureen is joined by her Mission Partner, Amelie Wall
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Jeremy Cmiel hails from Eden Prairie where he lives with his fiancé and 7-year old bonus daughter. He's an avid runner, golfer, and even runs his own hot sauce company. Jeremy works for a global software company, Anaplan, where he spends most of his days helping retail and consumer companies navigate tough planning challenges. He came to Best Buddies looking for a way to be in service to others and found a great buddy through the Citizens program, Keagan, who likes to play video games, DJ, and be outside. He thinks everyone should feel included and is grateful for the opportunity to be a Best Buddies Champion!
Jeremy is joined by his Mission Partner, Matthew Haas.
Danielle Dahlstrom is a born and raised Minnesotan, having grown up in St. Paul and now living on the other side of the river in Minnetonka. She has spent the past 25 years in the technology industry and now leads a product marketing team for a software company called Anaplan. Her personal life is filled with doing her best to keep up with friends, reading as many books as she can get her hands on, and supporting the incredibly busy social calendar of her Mission Partner and son, Aidan Coughlin. Danielle got involved with Best Buddies just over two years
ago when Aidan joined the University of Minnesota chapter. In that time, she has witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of Best Buddies. Aidan has developed truly meaningful friendships, engaged in leadership responsibilities, and started expressing interest in mapping his future for work, living, and community life. When asked to accept the challenge of being a Best Buddies Champion of the Year candidate, Danielle jumped at the chance due to her passion for expanding the Best Buddies programming and spreading the inclusion mission.
Danielle is joined by her Mission Partner and son, Aidan Coughlin.
Plymouth, Minnesota
Megan Henley is a Supervising Producer at home shopping network, ShopHQ. Specializing in the jewelry category, she has collaborated with renowned designers, celebrities, and industry figures. Her work has taken her across the globe, broadcasting live from the Caribbean Sea to the hills of Tuscany. Megan was introduced to Best Buddies by her sister, Allie, who she considers her greatest inspiration. Allie is Megan’s Mission Partner, best friend, and constant reminder of the incredible power of friendship. Megan is inspired by Best Buddies' mission and has seen firsthand the profound impact that inclusive communities can have on the lives of individuals with disabilities. Seeing that impact has fueled her passion for creating a world where everyone feels valued and included, regardless of our differences. Megan credits her late mother, Betsy, for showing her the importance of charity, kindness, and boundless love.
Megan is joined by her Mission Partner and sister, Allie Henley.
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Meghan Stiling is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and the Vice President of Strategy and Operations at Berghuis & Hunt. In these roles, she brings her passion for education and continuous learning along with her expertise in strategic planning and digital transformation. Meghan has participated in past Best Buddies events and was moved by the mission and members to become more involved. She is proud to accept her Champion of the Year nomination from friend and Best Buddies Advisory Board member, Jason Hagman.
Meghan is inspired by the community, organization, and most notably her mission partner, Grace Bohn. Driven by her commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive community, Meghan believes that the friendships and support fostered by Best Buddies can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Meghan extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone in attendance for their generous contributions and encourages each of you to continue seeking ways to get involved and make an impact.
Meghan is joined by her Mission Partner, Grace Bohn.
Reilly Woodruff is a special education teacher at Minnetonka Middle School West, where she leads the Best Buddies chapter, advises the Yearbook Club, and coaches the boys' tennis team. Since the start of her school's Best Buddies chapter in 2021, she has been committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. This year, her schools chapter has grown to over 80 students, making it the largest club in the school! Recently, Reilly joined the Best Buddies Citizens program, forming a meaningful bond with her buddy and mission partner, Reilly Hawley. Inclusion is at the heart of everything she does, and she has seen how friendships can transform lives, especially those of her students. Reilly feels deeply honored by her nomination and is grateful to the entire Minnetonka community for their unwavering support of Best Buddies. This mission is more than just a role for her—it's her life's work.
Reilly is joined by her Mission Partner and buddy, Reilly Hawley
Stated in our mission, Best Buddies is a volunteer-led movement. The work we do would not be possible without the support of individuals who believe in the power of inclusion. Thank you to the Best Buddies in Minnesota Advisory Board and Gala Committee for dedicating their time and talents to bring this event to life.
David Zimmel, Board Chair | InPursuit Search
Maureen Cahill | Bellmont Partners
Tasha Feigh | Finley’s Barkery
Madeleine Gagnon, M.D. | Gillette
Children’s Specialty Healthcare
Jason Hagman | Blue Yonder
Jen Hawley | Jvhconnect
Todd Hedtke | Winning Abilities LLC
Chris Koenig | Voyage Wealth Architects
Alicia Luther Toms, CFP | RBC Wealth Management
Sara Messerli | Human Resources Executive
Alison Michelsen | Innova Solutions
Jennifer Myster | Methodist Hospital
Megan Melroe, Gala Chair | Entrust
Sam Arnold | Twin Cities Orthopedics
Katie Gross | Saint Mary’s Graduate Student
Sarah Halls | Hopkins Public Schools
Alicia Luther Toms, CFP | RBC Wealth Management
05.18.25 9:00 AM | Viking Lakes (Eagan, MN)
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). Walk. Celebrate. Support.
