Our people
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Taylor
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice PresidentScott Taylor is vice president co-founder and chairman of Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation. Scott and his wife, Katey, are parents of four daughters, one of whom is Abbey Taylor. On June 29, 2007, 6-year-old Abbey was disemboweled by a faulty drain in a wading pool. Over the next nine months she would endure 16 surgeries and a triple-organ transplant, before finally losing her battle in March 2008.
Abbey's hope was that what happened to her would never happen to another child. In her name, the Taylors formed Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation in July 2008.
Scott has worked in the financial communications industry for more than 19 years. Currently, he is vice president, sales for the Merrill Corporation. Previously, he worked as a sales executive at R.R. Donnelley. Prior to that, he served as the senior vice president of sales for Bowne & Co. He worked at Merrill in an earlier stint as an account manager and project manager.
Scott attended Minnesota State University at Mankato, studying business marketing and industrial psychology. Scott has volunteered with several local nonprofit charitable organizations, including Children's HeartLink, Child Guidance Program at Washburn Center for Children, and Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Additionally, he has been very active in local fundraising by attending and donating to several charitable events each year, including Children's Cancer Research Fund, and the Children's Miracle Network among others.
Katey Taylor
PresidentKatey Taylor is president and co-founder of the Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation. Katey had been a "typical" stay-at-home mom until June 29, 2007. It was on that summer evening that one of her four daughters, 6-year-old Abbey, was disemboweled by a faulty drain in a wading pool. Over the next nine months Abbey would endure 16 surgeries and a triple-organ transplant, before finally losing her battle in March 2008.
Abbey's hope was that what happened to her would never happen to another child. In her name, the Taylors formed Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation in July 2008. To fulfill Abbey's legacy, Katey and her husband, Scott, work to advocate for children and to educate parents, community leaders and others of the dangers in and around pools.
Katey has a Bachelor of Science degree in family education, child protection and public health from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. In December 2008, Katey received her Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO) certification from the National Swimming Pool Foundation. She serves on the Advisory Board of Minnesota SafeKids, is a member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
BriAN MAXWEll
TreasurerBrian Maxwell attended the University of St. Thomas where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He has worked in Community Banking for over 20 years and is currently the Market President for Gateway Bank in Edina, MN.
Within the banking industry, Brian specializes in professional practice, real estate, and Small Business Administration lending. Over his career, Brian has worked with a diverse group of businesses and individuals to help them achieve their financial goals. Whether his clients are starting their first business or buying their first house, his approach is that of an advisor, not just a lender.
In addition to helping people achieve their financial goals, Brian enjoys giving back to the community. At the bank, Brian has helped establish “Gateway Gives”; a program which encapsulates the bank’s volunteering and community events and embodies their community spirit. Associates at Gateway Bank are involved in a number of organizations, including the Edina and Dakota County Chambers, Rotary, VEAP food shelf and meals on wheels. Brian also coaches his children’s sports teams and is on the Board of Directors at Edina Country Club where he serves as Treasurer.
JuDy Barnhart
Board MemberHallie Baker
Board Membergracie taylor
Board MemberGracie Taylor joined the board of directors in 2021. As Abbey’s older sister, Gracie has been an active supporter of Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation since its inception. She has volunteered at charity and safety education events, spread the word about safe drains and entrapment prevention, and represented Abbey and her story within the aquatic community. As a member of the board, she is excited to continue the mission of Safer Pools. Safer Kids. Gracie is set to graduate in Spring of 2021 from Miami-OH University where she is studying Public Health and Medical Sociology with a focus on children and families. While at college, Gracie enjoyed competing on the University of Miami-OH RedHawks' Women’s Swim Team and was selected as Captain for her senior year. Some would say that chlorinated pool water is in her blood! Gracie plans to attend graduate school in the Fall of 2021. Gracie looks forward to a career in the healthcare industry promoting health for children.
Outside of swimming, Gracie enjoys spending time with family and friends and serving as a leader for Best Buddies, Oxford Chapter. There is no doubt that given Gracie's personal experience, educational background, and her professional goals, she will be a great addition to the Abbey's Hope team.
Dr. Erika Malvey-Dorn
Board MemberDr. Erika Malvey-Dorn is a pediatrician and President of All About Children Pediatrics in Eden Prairie. She is board-certified in pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Erika is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School and enjoys teaching medical students about all aspects of pediatric care. Erika has also been a member of the Help Me Grow organization, working to effectively provide early childhood intervention services for children with developmental delays and chronic medical illnesses. Erika strives to provide the best medical care to all of her patients and their families, and routinely discusses healthy living and safety.
Erika received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Wellesley College. She then graduated from Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Minnesota, with a Ph.D. in Immunology in 1998 and her M.D. in 2000. She lives in Edina with her husband and three active children.
Sam Carolus
Board MemberSam Carolus joined the the Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation from the unique place of having been the most recent Program Director. In her time employed by Abbey's Hope she learned the Foundation inside and out and repeated demonstrated her deep commitment too it's mission. Sam is excited to continue her dedication to Abbey's legacy in this new role. Sam has extensive nonprofit and fundraising experience. Her expertise in all thing Abbey's Hope is an invaluable resource to the Board of Directors and staff of Abbey's Hope
When not in the office, Sam enjoys her time at home with her three kids, her husband and their family dog. Sam enjoys trying out new restaurants and supporting small businesses in the Twin Cities. Sam is also attempting to lower her golf handicap on the course and and to squeeze in lots traveling adventures with family and friends.
DAN MIKKELSON
Board MemberDan Mikkelson joined the board of directors in 2019. Dan has been friends of the Taylor family for years and was Abbey's swim coach.
Dan grew up in Plymouth, MN and attended Armstrong High School. While at Armstrong, he was on their swim team, baseball team and was involved in their music program. After graduation, he attended and swam at Gustavus Adolphus College where he was an All-Conference and All American Honorable Mention swimmer. No doubt his experience in the pool will be valuable to our organization. Dan received a bachelor's degree in Financial Economics and a minor in Political Science from Gustavus. After Gustavus, Dan attended the University of St Thomas School of Law, graduating with a JD in 2011. Immediately after graduation, he started working in sales at Robert Half Legal. Since 2012, he has worked in the software space for CareerBuilder, Workiva, Sprinklr and now Dell Boomi.
Annelys farrell
Board MemberAnnelys Farrell joined the board of directors in 2017. Annelys is the Senior Director of Principal Gifts for the University of Minnesota Foundation, earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling -Gerontology at Notre Dame de Namur University in California, and launched her career as Program Director at Ralston Village, where she oversaw the delivery of quality care to seniors afflicted with Alzheimer's and dementia.
Leveraging her passion for serving the needs of the senior community, she subsequently joined forces with the Alzheimer's Association as a Major Gifts Specialist, and advanced through the ranks to become Senior Nationwide Strategic Gifts Director. In that capacity, she built relationships with high-profile donors, provided strategic leadership and personally raised over $35 million in foundation funding.
Annelys has been recognized throughout her career as an accomplished fundraiser and Abbey’s Hope is thrilled that is she is now willing to use her talents for our organization.
Staff
Alan Korn
Executive DirectorAlan Korn is the Executive Director of the Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation where he assists the organization in its management, public policy, marketing and public relations efforts.
Before joining AHCF, he was the Executive Director and general counsel for Safe Kids USA, a member of Safe Kids Worldwide’s global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children 14 and under. While at Safe Kids, he led the over 600 coalitions and chapters in the Safe Kids USA network of child injury prevention advocates. He also directed the public policy agenda at the federal level and guided the coalitions in their state advocacy efforts. In addition, he advised the organization on legal issues such as trademark, copyright, contract and liability.
Alan makes presentations around the country on government’s role in child injury prevention and liability issues associated with community-based safety programs. He has testified many times before Congress, federal agencies and state legislatures on issues of injury prevention and has appeared as a child safety expert on the Today Show, Good Morning America, the CBS Early Show and NPR as well as in dozens of magazines and newspapers.
Alan is an attorney and a member of the Missouri and District of Columbia Bar. Prior to his work for non-profits in both Washington, DC and Minneapolis, MN, he practiced law for five years in St. Louis, MO, specializing in health law, consumer protection and litigation. Alan received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and his J.D. from the Washington University School of Law. He is married, has one child and resides in Washington, D.C.
Alison petri
Program ManagerAlison joins Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation with a background in education and advocacy. Alison completed her undergraduate studies in education at the University of St. Thomas and her master’s in leadership at the University of Dayton. Alison has taught children from toddlers to middle school and is eager to use her expertise to support the educational component of the Foundation’s mission. Most recently Alison worked for a childcare company doing advocacy and outreach work, or as she puts it, ‘using her big voice to make the world better for its smallest people.' With drowning being the number one cause of unintentional death for children ages four and under Alison’s connections to the early education community will provide us an opportunity to reach this segment of our community.
Outside of work Alison is married to John, a Marine Corps veteran, and they have three lively boys. As a family their favorite things are snorkeling, Disney, and backyard camping. Alison feels it is a great honor to support the amazing work of Abbey’s Hope.
