Member Education Session: The NAP Effect (Stories from Our Members)

Nicholas Banovetz is Executive Director of the Better Way Foundation, bringing 20 years of experience across business, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. His career has centered on leading complex strategies and building relationships to advance mission-driven work.
Before joining Better Way, Nicholas served as Chief of Staff at Great MN Schools, a venture philanthropy network focused on improving K–12 education. He played a key role in incubating the initiative at The Minneapolis Foundation, helping shape strategic priorities and drive financial, operational, policy, and coalition efforts.
Previously, Nicholas was Director of New Sites & Expansion at 50CAN, where he worked at the intersection of philanthropy and community engagement to launch state-based education advocacy organizations. During this time, he was a founding Executive Committee member of MinneMinds, a statewide PreK scholarship campaign that has expanded access to high-quality early learning for thousands of low-income children in Minnesota.

Nicholas began his career as a Senior Account Executive in Investor Relations at Padilla, advising clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies on IPOs and mergers and acquisitions.

He serves on the boards of Friends of the Boundary Waters and World Savvy Midwest. He holds a master’s degree in Public Communication and bachelor’s degrees in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government from American University.

Nicholas lives in Mendota Heights, Minn., with his wife and three children. He frequently visits the state’s Arrowhead region, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and enjoys coaching youth sports, running, biking, and exploring the outdoors.

Diane is a Yakama and Comanche woman who has spent most of her life on the beautiful Yakama Reservation, where she has been blessed to raise her four children and carry on Yakama traditions. Diane is a pow wow dancer, crafter, and lover of all things relating to her tribe, family, and community. She has extensive experience working in Tribal, Federal, and State programs and is using these skills and this knowledge to elevate Peacekeepers to higher levels of service. Before Peacekeepers, Diane spent 6 years working with Yakama Nation Youth Activities as Program Manager while simultaneously working as an Appointed On-call Associate Judge for Yakama Nation Justice Office.

Before this, Diane spent 6 years working as Yakama Nation Suicide Prevention Coordinator, a cause now close to her heart after losing her eldest son to suicide. Diane’s work with Peacekeepers before assuming this role began during our first distribution as a volunteer. Later, Diane was trained as a Grief Specialist and implemented free 10-week Grief Recovery Courses for those living on the reservation and experiencing grief.

Diane lives a drug and alcohol free life, which has influenced her work both as a social worker and a Tobacco Prevention Program Manager for the state of Washington. Diane’s extensive experience in different aspects of the community has made her a multi-faceted, thorough, and strong advocate for her community and a fearless leader for Peacekeepers. She had this to say about her new role. “I follow my sense of purpose, intuition and innovation to propel towards personal, family, and program development and growth, to reach every corner of the Yakama Nation Reservation from the river to the plateau. I will always serve my Indigenous people, community and tribal nations.” 

Reyna Davila Day was born and raised in Saint Paul, and identifies as Indigenous, specifically Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe and Mexica-Nahua. As the oldest of five siblings, she has always found herself in leadership positions and loves being of service to her family and community. She has worked within the Native communities, serving as a youth mentor, project manager, administrative assistant, and cultural consultant.

Ms. Day was previously at a cultural center for 3 years, which allowed her to receive experience working with a variety of artists in Minnesota. Her recent accomplishments include becoming a mother and a recent graduate from Hamline University with a bachelor’s in business administration.

Shandiin was born and raised on Diné Bikeyah, filtering through many different towns on the Navajo Nation during her childhood. She currently lives on traditional Ohlone and Esselen lands, now recognized as the Monterey Bay in California.

Her community has guided her professional work, where she has focused on supporting Indigenous-led nonprofits in communication and development roles, working with grassroots organizations like Yee Há’olníi Dóo or larger legacy organizations like the Association on American Indian Affairs.

With a deep appreciation for traveling and learning from new perspectives, she is grateful to have spent three years studying in France for her Bachelor of Arts in journalism and global communications. She continues to freelance as a journalist with work published through Navajo Times, Peacock Plume, and Changing Womxn Collective.