Event Recap

2025 Ann Bancroft Foundation Annual Celebration

Thursday, April 24, 2025
The Depot Minneapolis

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.

Learn more about Cheryl Reeve’s accomplishments

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
  • Delta Dental of Minnesota
Legend 
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Minnesota Lynx
Pioneer 
  • ECMC Foundation
  • Cargill
  • Anderson Foundation
  • Barry Foundation
Explorer 
  • Walser
Adventurer
  • Blaze Credit Union
  • John Sullivan
  • Minneapolis Foundation
  • Perforce
  • Carlson
  • Women's Foundation of Minnesota
  • Jones Day
  • Adelante Advisors
  • BMW of Minnetonka
  • Rudy Luther Toyota
  • Fredrikson
Dreamer 
  • Sears Imported Autos
  • US Bank
  • Mortenson
  • Dorsey + Whitney LLP
  • South Town Refrigeration & Mechanical
  • Best Buy
  • Evereve
  • ideal3
  • Old National Bank

Event Partners

  • Fladeboe Advancement
  • Shoot the Moon Productions
  • Joanne Grobe
  • Jenna Freimuth
  • Rosetree Events
  • Big Event
  • Minnesota Roller Derby
  • Alchemist Printing
  • Known MPLS
  • Renaissance Depot
  • Jeannine Marie Photography
  • Loffler

Year-Round Partners

  • Dolan Printing
  • Hutman Inc.