Speakers

Renee Most joined Augsburg University’s StepUP® Program for students in recovery from substance abuse as its new director in fall 2019, bringing her own experience as an alumna of StepUP and her 15 plus years of clinical work in the field of addiction related issues. Renee holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Catherine’s University, is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), and earned a master’s degree in addiction studies from Hazelden Graduate School. 

Timothy Massawe is a lawyer in Tanzania. He is the founder and director of the non-governmental organization Saidia Agriculture and Social Care Organization (SASCO). SASCO runs the program "Education for Tanzania". Timothy is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Hai-Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and a past president of the club. Massawe currently serves as an assistant governor in the Rotary District 9211 which combines Uganda and Tanzania.

Ethan Neal is a 7th generation farmer and laborer born in Iowa and raised in Northfield, Minnesota. Despite being surrounded by agriculture throughout his life, it wasn’t until he started working with Pillsbury United that he grew food for community. Since that first growing season in 2011, connecting people to food, soil, and their farmers has been his life’s work.

Ethan has worked in a variety of roles with Pillsbury United – from working as a part time job coach for adults with special needs, to coordinating a food shelf, to stewarding Pillsbury’s mission to grow food security as the Director of Food Systems. Through food shelves, community meal programs, outdoor and hydroponic farms, Ethan is dedicated to providing families with choice and access, feeding PUC’s goal of a food system nurtured by and for the community.

Ethan studied at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and earned a Certified Professional Project Management certificate from the University of St. Thomas. He is a member of the Twin Cities Leadership Cohort of 2021, a charter member of the Twin Cities Rotary Ecoclub, and a former Rotary Youth Exchange Student and program ambassador.

Ethan can be reached at EthanN@pillsburyunited.org.