Lucia Duff
Lucia Duff joined the MHIF board because she was impressed by the Foundation's outstanding research and educational outreach. "MHIF touches the lives of people around the world," explains Duff. "The physicians and staff who work for the Foundation are the very best at what they do."
Duff feels that because the board is comprised of surgeons, physicians and members of the community, it serves us all well since it brings together so many perspectives in working toward a common goal.
"There are so many tangible ways every day of MHIF making a difference in the community - for example, the breakfast programs for busy executives and the school programs that impact tens of thousands of children," says Duff.
Formerly a senior copywriter at Campbell Mithun Esty, Duff has a busy freelance practice. She has served on the boards of the Weisman Art Museum, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and the Friends of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
"It's wonderful to have someone with Lucia's energy and creativity on the Foundation board," says Dr. Ford Bell, MHIF president. "She helps us look at challenges in new and different ways. We're grateful for her tremendous commitment, expertise and generosity."
Conley Brooks, Sr.
MHIF Board of Directors
Conley Brooks, Sr. was always interested in medicine - so much so, that if there hadn't been a family business that beckoned him, he would have become a physician.
Brooks is a board member of the Allina Health System and was chairman and a long-time trustee of Abbott Northwestern Hospital. He joined the board of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation in 1990.
Brooks volunteered to work in a hospital while he was attending college. "In the early forties, many doctors and nurses had been called to serve overseas, leaving hospitals short handed. I was eagerly welcomed," says Brooks, "as they were glad to accept any level of assistance. It was a chance to see a lot and my interest was further strengthened."
Brooks' principal business career was with a large pine lumber manufacturer with operations in Florida, Oregon and British Columbia. He served in many management positions including CEO of family-owned Brooks Scanlon, Inc.
"Con has been extraordinarily generous to this organization, not only with substantial financial contributions, but with time and expertise, as well," says Dr. Ford Bell, president of the Foundation. "He has been a great ambassador for us in the community and we're very grateful for his service and friendship." Brooks has also experienced on a personal level the expertise of the physicians who work with the Institute and Foundation, having undergone both angioplasty and bypass surgery under the watchful care of Drs. Van Tassel, Nicoloff, and Mooney.
He is a board member of Brooks Associates, Inc. and Brooks Resources Corporation as well as serving as a trustee of Carleton College and the Marbrook Foundation. Brooks is a past board member of the First National Bank of Minneapolis, First Bank System and Northwestern National Life Insurance Co., including a number of other businesses and charitable enterprises.
Brooks says that he will devote the rest of his time to a lot of unfinished business, including time with his family that includes 8.5 grandchildren.
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