Our Team
Dr. Claudia Cerruto Noya, PhD Acting Executive Director
Originally from Coroico, Bolivia, Claudia graduated from the UAC-CP's Veterinary Science Department in 2000. Prior to her current role as a Food Quality and Safety Regular in Customer Technical Services with Cargill Protein Group in Derby, Kansas, Claudia served as Director of the UAC-CP's Veterinary Science Department for two years in Carmen Pampa.
In addition to being a former Fulbright Scholar in the U.S., Claudia holds a diploma in molecular biology from Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan. She earned her PhD in Food Science from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 2011.
Nadine Leahy Development Director
Nadine has served in a variety of capacities at Carmen Pampa Fund since she first started working in the St. Paul office in 1999. Today, as CPF’s Development Consultant, Nadine is responsible for processing gifts, managing the donor database, and general office management. Nadine holds a Bachelor's Degree of Applied Science from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Board of Directors
Mark Leahy Chair
Mark has been in the financial services industry since 1994. Since 2004, he has held various positions with RiverSource Distributors, including national account manager; director, Variable Annuity Account Management; and vice president, National Accounts, where he managed a team of national account managers in the distribution of annuities through the outside distribution channel. Prior to that, Mark was director of Key Accounts with Jackson National Life Insurance Co., and also held a variety of wholesaling and marketing positions at Lincoln National Corporation in Philadelphia, including marketing manager, regional vice president and regional marketing director. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dr. Hugh Smeltekop, PhD Vice Chair
Hugh has nearly 25 years of experience working with the College and Carmen Pampa Fund. He served as a volunteer at the UAC-CP in various capacities before being named Director General of the College in 2013. In 2014, he accepted the position of Executive Director of Carmen Pampa Fund--a role he held until November 2019. Hugh holds a PhD in Crops and Soil Science from Michigan State University, a master's from South Dakota State University, and a mini MBA from the University of St. Thomas, where he currently works as Inclusive Excellence Program Coordinator.
Lonny Wittnebel Treasurer
Lonny has an extensive background in financial management and executive leadership with public and private corporations. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Data Recognition Corporation, a leader in the education assessment business, providing information and services to state departments of education and private school entities to measure the performance of students and programs. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business, holding B.S. and M.B.A. degrees, and is active in school and fraternal organization alumni groups.
Dr. Claudia Cerruto, PhD Member
Originally from Coroico, Bolivia, Claudia graduated from the UAC-CP's Veterinary Science Department in 2000. Prior to her current role as a Food Quality and Safety Regular in Customer Technical Services with Cargill Protein Group in Derby, Kansas, Claudia served as Director of the UAC-CP's Veterinary Science Department for two years in Carmen Pampa. Claudia, a former Fulbright Scholar, holds her PhD in Food Science from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Pablo Eduardo Member
Pablo is a Bolivian-born sculptor. For more than 20 years he has been a significant contributor to public works in the United States and internationally. His foremost collection of public works abroad is in Bolivia. These include installations for the Ministry of Foreign Service; the Ministry of Culture; the National Congress; the National Secretary of Culture, City of La Paz; and Iglesia Nuestro Señor de la Exaltacion, among others. His North American installations include two bronze portrait busts for the rotunda of the Rhode Island State House, several public works in the Boston, MA area, including the memorial for the Boston Marathon bombing victims, among others.
Pablo attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from Tufts University, Boston, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1994. He lives in Gloucester, Mass., where he works out of a private studio.
Ann Leahy Member
Ann is a co-founder of the College, along with her husband Dick and Sister Damon Nolan, MFIC. Ann has a Master of Arts in Social Work, and worked in private practice in the Washington, D.C. area for most of her carreer. She has served as interim Carmen Pampa Fund Executive Director and is an active supporter of social justice issues and causes.
Mary Pat Lee Member
Mary Pat is Executive Director at Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. She has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and fund development. Prior to joining the Crisis Nursery, Mary Pat served as Director of Development and Communications for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She has also held executive positions at nonprofits including The Center for Community Change in Washington, D.C., St. Catherine University in St. Paul, and the St. Paul Tenants Union. Mary Pat holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Tara L. Nolan Member
Tara is retired from her work as Senior Vice President at Concentric Energy Advisors. She currently works in philanthropy, and serves as an active liaison between the College and Carmen Pampa Fund. She is a graduate of Wheaton College, Massachusetts.
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