About ConnectUP!

Our Mission

We curate connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and the business ecosystem to advance equitable access to capital, resources and networks (for underinvested communities) with an emphasis on Black and Brown women and their lived experiences.

Our Vision

We know that when Black/Brown women do well, we all do well. To that end, our vision is for Black/Brown women entrepreneurs to have intergenerational wealth through equitable access and culturally responsive resources, capital, & networks.

Our Values

Our value pillars have been shaped by our experiences, community, and vision for the future.

INTENTIONAL TRANSPARENCY

...with the work we do, the communities we serve and the relationships we build.

RESPECTING

..who people are, where they are and the identities they hold.

360-DEGREE COMPASSIONATE ACCOUNTABILITY

...to foster equitable and economically vibrant communities.

BEING GUIDED BY ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE

...that Communities hold wisdom that works.

BEING UNAPOLOGETIC

...about who we are, where we’re from and who we serve with courage and passion.

Our Team

Y. Elaine Rasmussen

Founder + CEO

Driven by the mission to mainstream impact investing and democratizing access to capital Y. Elaine Rasmussen founded ConnectUP! Institute. Grounded in her work as a mediator, a communications and finance professional, Rasmussen has extensive experience in building transformational relationships in a wide range of sectors: for-profit, philanthropy, government, education and finance.

Y. Elaine Rasmussen has been recognized for her innovation in driving impact & organizational effectiveness. She is a Cordes, Boston Impact Initiative and RSF Social Finance Integrated Capital Fellow where her Integrated Capital Fund project was named a MetLife Foundation Inclusion Competition semi-finalist. Rasmussen was featured in Fearless Commerce Magazine and received the NAWBO Achieve! Innovation Award for her work on inclusive economic development. Rasmussen was named Finance and Commerce’s Top Women in Finance, AARP/Pollen’s 50 Over 50. Rasmussen’s board service includes Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) and serves on the investment committees of Opus Group, Nexus Community Partners and Swift Foundation. Her overarching goal? To move billions of investment dollars in Black/Brown and rural communities. #MovingBillions #MoneyMoves

Elaine has worked for large and small organizations such as Shearson/Lehman Bros., Native Americans in Philanthropy, Warner Bros!, Dreamworks and the US State Department, and social enterprise ventures. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business from Woodbury University, as well as a masters degree in conflict analysis and resolution from Nova Southeastern University.

Elaine is an avid traveler. From her hometown of Los Angeles, California to the seas of Bosporus in Turkey and the Native American tribes across Turtle Island (United States). Elaine always seeks the strength of people, place, and culture—always making sure to break bread and foster connections. In her free time, you can find Elaine unwinding by crocheting, or with a glass of wine in hand, as a fire serenades a symphony of crackles at her feet.

Sarah Clyne

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Sarah Clyne was most recently, EquaSpace’s first executive director. Prior to EquaSpace, she served as the executive director of Northside Funders Group, a funder collaborative that makes strategic investments in North Minneapolis, as well as the executive director for the Domestic Abuse Project (DAP), where she helped establish an innovative and transformational birth-to-3 therapy program and engaged in projects with Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis to end gender-based violence.

In addition, Sarah served as executive director of Joyce Preschool, which was awarded the Nonprofit Excellence Award in 2013. Sarah serves serves on numerous boards, including Gender Justice, Serve MN, and TaikoArts Midwest. She also served on Mayor Hodges’ Cradle-to-K Cabinet and the Governor’s Council on Law Enforcement and Community Relations. She was a founding local advisory board member for Educators for Excellence-Minnesota.

Joanna Drew

Fundraising Lead

Joanna Drew is an independent fundraising consultant with ten years of experience. Working to increase the fundraising capacity of US-based nonprofits, international NGOs, and community-led projects, she manages all facets of the fundraising process. Her fundraising work includes individual giving, sponsorship and membership management, grant writing, event planning, and database administration. Joanna’s broad experience uniquely positions her to adapt her strategic thinking to a variety of contexts, build strong cross-cultural relationships, and thrive in dynamic, goal-driven professional environments.

Joanna holds a BSc in Business Administration from Boston University and an MA in International Development from the University of Kent Brussels School of International Studies. She is fluent in Spanish, a certified grant writer, and a member of the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits.

Joanna uncompromisingly partners with organizations that align with her values of inclusion and empowerment, striving to uplift the marginalized to ensure their seat at the table.

Jennifer Tuder

Strategic Partnership Lead

Jennifer Tuder is a dynamic professional with expertise in program administration, project management, and strategic partnerships within nonprofit and academic sectors. She has a proven track record of developing high-impact programs, coordinating large-
scale events, and cultivating meaningful stakeholder relationships. Jennifer’s leadership has consistently driven measurable improvements in program satisfaction, engagement, and operational efficiency.

Deeply committed to strengthening communities at the grassroots level, she is passionate about creating opportunities for growth, collaboration, and lasting impact. Jennifer’s enthusiasm extends to her personal life as well. You can find her volunteering with local arts organizations, walking her two dogs, and enjoying the vibrant Twin Cities theatre scene.

Makeisha Hall

Strategic CONSULTANT

Makeisha Hall brings over 25+ years of extensive expertise in systems engagement, facilitation, and strategic relationship management which has guided years of community change. She has worked for a variety of organizations such as Model Cities, The American Cancer Society, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN and is an independent contractor. Ms. Hall holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Strategic Management from the University of Saint Catherine’s and Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Makeisha aims to create conditions to influence and inspire others to work together to achieve desired outcomes, while simultaneously tying results to continuous improvement.

Easton Smiskey

COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

Easton works part-time as a brand strategist and copywriter, giving tongue-tied brands their voice. Fascinated by what makes people tick, she chose branding as her medium—because a brand is often someone’s baby.

As Communications Lead at [Company Name], she especially enjoys seeing founders go from stuck to scaling—watching them grow through the company’s programs and evolve as people. Outside of work, you’ll find her writing poetry, golfing, lifting weights, or exploring the intersections of psychology and wellness.

Samantha Forliti | Misko Binesi Ikwe

Program Specialist

Samantha, also known as Misko Binesi Ikwe (translated as “Red Thunderbird Woman”) is an Indigenous woman of Ojibwe heritage, deeply committed to advocating for sustainability and justice within marginalized communities. With a background in program development within housing sustainability, Samantha brings a wealth of experience working alongside communities that have been historically underserved and underrepresented.

As a dedicated activist for clean water, air, and land sovereignty, Samantha is passionate about protecting the environment for future generations. Her work is guided by a deep respect for Indigenous values, aiming to blend traditional knowledge with modern solutions to create sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities.

In her role as a Program Specialist, Samantha focuses on developing impactful programs that address immediate community needs while fostering long-term change. She strives to uplift voices within marginalized communities, championing efforts that protect both people and the planet.

Kaya Jelani

Program Specialist

Kaya, a proud daughter of an immigrant and of Caribbean lineage, brings over 17 years of diverse medical experience delivering compassionate, high-quality care across both major Twin Cities organizations and more intimate clinical settings. Her journey through medicine honed her ability to lead with holistic empathy and a deep respect for people from all walks of life.

Guided by wisdom gained from multicultural Teachers, Mentors, and well respected Elders around the world, Kaya blends intuitive insight and practicality in all she does. Outside of her work, she finds joy in traveling and dancing Kizomba, a soulful African partner dance that celebrates rhythm, connection, and culture.

An Alumni of the Lunar Startups Program and Program Specialist at ConnectUP! Institute, Kaya channels her passion for entrepreneurship into helping to support founders build stronger business foundations and refine their approach. With an intuitive and grounded style, she helps creatives and mission driven business owners grow with clarity, confidence and purpose through ConnectUP!’s programs offerings.

Rebecca Obounou

Integrated Capital FunD FELLOW

Rebecca is a well respected entrepreneurial leader and network builder. She specializes in social entrepreneurship & innovation and values-aligned investing, serving as a learning facilitator and funder. Rebecca is also a well-versed public speaker, facilitator, and collaborative team player.

With significant leadership experience at institutions like MIT and Babson College, as well as within international funder networks, Rebecca consistently adds value across the entire project lifecycle. She’s adept at guiding organizations, startups, and individuals in leveraging both financial and social capital for growth. A noteworthy achievement includes her work at MIT, where she transformed a long-standing social entrepreneurship pitch competition into a robust pracademic global social venture incubator, successfully launching numerous startups and entrepreneurs.

Currently, Rebecca is a fellow at the National Association of Investment Companies. She is based in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina, where she runs her own strategic planning and implementation consulting practice.

Kathy Forliti

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

Kathy, our Finance Lead, is Anishinaabe from the White Earth Nation. In her spare time, she enjoys beading and spending time with family and friends. She graduated from Augsburg University with a BA in American Indian Studies/Native American Art and studied at Hamline University for her Master’s in Nonprofit Management. She is currently enrolled at Red Lake Nation College to enhance her American Indian Studies.

Bianca Ramos

Program & COMMUNICATIONS Coordinator

Bianca Ramos is a dedicated administrative and communications professional with a diverse background in tourism, hospitality, and entrepreneurship support. Before the pandemic, she built her career at Dubai Airports, where she honed her customer service, cross-cultural communication, and operations management skills while engaging with people from different walks of life.

With over four years of experience as a Virtual Assistant, Bianca has developed strong expertise in organizational management, communications, and client relations. She now serves as the Program, Communications, and Administrative Coordinator at ConnectUP, where she advances inclusive entrepreneurship by driving efficient program delivery, strategic communications, and operational excellence.