Envision Family

Envision Community brings together a unique group of organizations from across our community including homeless advocacy groups, housing providers, supportive service agencies, health experts, academic institutions, faith communities, and other groups interested in making Envision Community a reality.

2024 Board of Directors

Frederick Toran, Envision Leader
William Walsh, Chair, Minnesota Design Center a the University of Minnesota, 
Kyle Van Acker, Treasurer, Goodwill Easter Seals, MN
J. Paul Seifert, Vice Chair, Retired
Catera Etheridge, Ryan Companies
Courtney Kiernat, Peris Foundation 
Ozuya Crow

Architecture and Development Group

Tom Fisher, Director, Minnesota Design Center
Jacob Mans, Decentralized Design Lab
Geoffrey C. Warner, AIA, Alchemy Architects, Principal Architect
Tommy Schaperkotter, Decentralized Design Lab
Chris Wilson, Development Consultant

Research Team

Assists the Envision Leaders and serve as co-investigators on research studies. This group focuses on the intersection of housing, social-connection, and health.

Stuart Grande, PhD, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
William Walsh, MD, Hennepin Healthcare and Minnesota Design Center
Lawrence (Ripley) Smith, PhD, Bethel University

Want to join a working group? Click Here

Donor Family

We thank the organizations who generously supported the development of Envision Community:

  • Bush Foundation

  • Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota

  • Cross of Hope Lutheran Church

  • Dayton Hudson Endowment at the Minnesota Design Center

  • Family Housing Fund

  • Graves Foundation

  • Head Count Lizzo Campaign

  • Headwaters Foundation for Justice

  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

  • McKnight Foundation through a grant to the Minnesota Design Center

  • Pohlad Family Foundation

  • St. Odilia Social Justice Committee

  • United Health Foundation through a grant to Hennepin Healthcare

We also thank the individuals who financially supported Envision:

  • Julia Dayton

  • Gretchen Musicant

  • Jamie and Bill Walsh

  • William Walsh Sr. in memory of Mary Cecilia Walsh

  • Dori Wholey in memory of Doug Wholey

We thank the suppliers who generously donated materials to our prototype unit: