Event Recap
2025 Ann Bancroft Foundation Annual Celebration

Thank You!
Thank you to those who supported this year’s annual celebration. Together, we raised critical funds needed to provide transformational experiences to K-12 girls in Minnesota to reach their potential.
This year's theme, Be Unapologetically You, is a call to reject messages of fear and limitation and instead embrace individuality, confidence, advocacy, and boldness.
Our community uplifts girls in all their brilliance—whether joyful, melancholy, funny, active, thoughtful, awkward, beautiful, bold, or quiet—because we believe that every girl deserves to be celebrated for exactly who she is.
By fostering authenticity, self-confidence, and self-expression, girls can navigate cultural and societal challenges, creating a ripple effect that benefits not only themselves but also their families, communities, and the world.
Read the stories of courage and resilience below that highlight the transformative power of investing in a girl's potential.
Cheryl Reeve DreamMaker Day
A highlight for the evening was the state of Minnesota issued a Proclamation making April 24, 2025, Cheryl Reeve DreamMaker Day. The Proclamation honors her significant contributions to the advancement of women's sports and social advocacy work.
Read the full proclamation below.

Meet Our 2025 DreamMaker Honoree
Cheryl Reeve, Head Coach of The Minnesota Lynx

For over a decade, the Ann Bancroft Foundation has recognized individuals and organizations that inspire and dare to dream of endless possibilities for women, girls, and the broader community. Through the DreamMaker Award, we honor Ann Bancroft’s enduring passion for helping others achieve their dreams by embracing risk, pursuing education, and seizing opportunities.
This year, we are proud to celebrate Cheryl Reeve as our 2025 DreamMaker honoree! A trailblazer in professional sports, Coach Reeve’s leadership—both on and off the court—truly embodies our mission. She not only inspires her players but also countless young women and girls who see her living authentically and leading unapologetically without hesitation.
The theme of this year’s celebration, “Be Unapologetically You,” is a call to reject messages of fear and limitation and instead embrace individuality, confidence, advocacy, and boldness—qualities that Coach Reeve exemplifies so powerfully.
As we navigate a world that too often dictates to girl-identifying youth how to be, what to say, and how to dream, Cheryl’s leadership stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the limitless possibilities that unfold when we dare to be true to ourselves.
2025 Rising DreamMaker Award
Sienna Dhariwal

High school senior Sienna Dhariwal is a successful entrepreneur, business owner, and Ann Bancroft Foundation grantee, as well as a 2025 Trailblazer Fellow. Her drive to create, innovate, and succeed is matched only by her determination to make the world a better place.
With the conviction that “all bodies are bikini bodies,” Sienna launched Bikini Blend, an online enterprise promoting and selling body-positive swimwear, in 2021.
"As a woman of South Asian descent from a family of entrepreneurs in both India and America, my identity was rooted in business. Yet, I wanted to be more than just an entrepreneur," said Sienna. "My goal was to be both a business owner and a changemaker—selling a product that promotes sustainability, gender equity, and body positivity for women of all colors, shapes, and sizes."
At school and in the community, Sienna has been a passionate advocate for racial and gender equity, mental health awareness, and environmental sustainability. In November 2024, she co-founded and co-chaired the first annual Twin Cities Girl Up Gala, an event celebrating female empowerment while raising funds for local nonprofits. The gala brought together United Nations Girl Up chapters from five area schools: Academy of Holy Angels, Breck School, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Blake School, and Woodbury High School.
Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation initiative, empowers girls and women by providing access to education, healthcare, and leadership opportunities.
"This work matters to me because I believe a leader plays a pivotal role as a change agent for underrepresented communities—a voice for those without resources or advocacy in a world where change happens far too slowly," said Sienna.
Girlhood Summit
Watch a recap of the inaugural Girlhood Summit and hear from attendees on why this gathering is important.
Founder Story
Hear from Founder, Ann Bancroft, on the vision behind the Ann Bancroft Foundation and her inspiration:
Event Committee
Lisa Brezonik, Co-Chair
Kris Petersen, Co-Chair
Amy Ebel
Amy Eppen
Dr. Gigi Chawla
Ethelind Kaba
Grace Schreder
Joanne Grobe, Experience Design
Ki Kunhly, Event Planner, Rosetree Wedding & Events
Leah Masonick
Leila Keita
Paloma Rodrigues, Event Planner, Rosetree Wedding & Events
Robert Radtke
Ruth Maynard
Sara Janz
Table Hosts
Alice Johnson, Amy Crawford and Friends
Angie Boelter and Kari Henry
Andy Steiner Manning
Ann Bancroft
Jill Romans
Jill Tokarczyk and Leah Masonick
Joanne Grobe
Joyce Spehar and Jill Pohtilla
Julie Alkatout
Kris Petersen
Lisa Brezonik
Maribeth Romslo
Mike and Amy Ruetz
Pahoua Yang Hoffman
Peggy Callahan
RSM
Sara Armstrong-Nathan
Sara Porter
Sarah Strehl
Sponsors
Pinnacle
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Delta Dental of Minnesota
Legend
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Minnesota Timberwolves
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Minnesota Lynx
Pioneer
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ECMC Foundation
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Cargill
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Anderson Foundation
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Barry Foundation
Explorer
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Walser
Adventurer
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Blaze Credit Union
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John Sullivan
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Minneapolis Foundation
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Perforce
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Carlson
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Women's Foundation of Minnesota
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Jones Day
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Adelante Advisors
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BMW of Minnetonka
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Rudy Luther Toyota
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Fredrikson
Dreamer
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Sears Imported Autos
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US Bank
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Mortenson
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Dorsey + Whitney LLP
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South Town Refrigeration & Mechanical
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Best Buy
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Evereve
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ideal3
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Old National Bank
Event Partners
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Fladeboe Advancement
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Shoot the Moon Productions
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Joanne Grobe
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Jenna Freimuth
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Rosetree Events
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Big Event
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Minnesota Roller Derby
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Alchemist Printing
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Known MPLS
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Renaissance Depot
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Jeannine Marie Photography
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Loffler
Year-Round Partners
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Dolan Printing
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Hutman Inc.
