Marc Hosmer joined Urban Boatbuilders in 2012 and brings a diverse background of youth development and non-profit management experience.  This experience, combined with his passion for creating opportunities for youth to build bright futures, guides Marc in his leadership of Urban Boatbuilders.

Michael came to Urban Boatbuilders with more than five years of youth empowerment work at nonprofit organizations. Past experiences include a 40-day backcountry adventure in Vermont with high school students, performing disaster relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Sandy, and taking youth to the Boundary Waters Canoe and Wilderness Area.

Dennis started volunteering with Urban Boatbuilders in late 2016 after finishing a 3-month stint with the Conservation Corps and teaching middle school math in rural North Carolina. Dennis is focused on ensuring our programming runs smoothly and helps youth develop empathy, feel empowered, and ensures youth have the tools they need to be successful in whatever they take on.

Anaïs came to Urban Boatbuilders in 2018 with a background in experiential education. Through building makeshift merry-go-rounds with campers in the hills of Vermont to helping students develop research experiments in the Great Barrier Reef, they have seen the power of project-based learning foster students’ agency, ability to problem-solve, and work as a team.

Friends call Alphonso, Fonz. He graduated with a degree in Political Science and International Affairs from a liberal arts college in Portland, OR. He discovered his passion for youth work as an outdoor educator in Northern MN, where led 5-22 day wilderness expeditions. Fonz specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and elevating youth voice. He believes that youth make our future and integrating these topics into curriculum is imperative in developing pathways to success.

Elizabeth Barnard, known as E.B., comes to Urban Boatbuilders with a background in outdoor education, woodworking, music education, and youth development work. One dream was to lead bicycle trips, and she led an American Youth Hostels bike trip with high school students across the United States, an adventure that began a career in outdoor education. She developed a concept of “eco-cycling,” leading bike trips that focused on environmental issues.

With 25 years’ experience in nonprofit administration including fiscal management, human resources, technology implementation, governance management, planning and budgeting,  Amy has spent her career exclusively in the nonprofit sector.

Matt Sayre has spent the past ten years working in the construction industry, most recently managing Ryan Companies Senior Living sector. Matt got his start as a laborer and carpenter.

Fue is currently an Assistant Ramsey County Attorney in the Human Services Division. He is a lifelong resident of St. Paul and enjoys its great parks and recreation opportunities.

Tina’s background is in science and education. As a sophomore biology teacher for 20 years, Tina developed an expertise in curriculum writing. Tina chaired Saint Paul Academy’s Science Department for 6 years, where she oversaw all k-12 science curriculum.

In Brian’s 25 year career at the University of St. Thomas he taught, was the director of communications and was the college’s senior editor.

As a Financial Advisor, Eric helps people develop and implement individualized goal-based retirement savings plans and provides life insurance and disability insurance to protect their families and resources.

Mr. Mercure has worked in human services for over 20 years. Prior to The Bridge for Youth, Tim was the Development Director at Hope Dental, and the Director of Development and Communications at ESR, Inc.

Val's journey to Urban Boatbuilders has been an adventure that at least occasionally involved a canoe but always included working with youth.