Inger McDowell-Hartye

CEO & Founder

I am the CEO & Founder of Story Circle Training, where I lead with a passion for empowering communities through meaningful dialogue. With over two decades of experience in education advocacy, community organizing, and leadership, I am dedicated to creating spaces where every voice is heard and valued. My innovative approach to community engagement is rooted in the belief that true progress begins with open communication and a commitment to equity.

Under my leadership, Story Circle Training has become a catalyst for change, guiding educational institutions and organizations to foster stronger relationships, build trust, and drive impactful solutions. My unwavering dedication to transforming how we connect and collaborate makes me a true leader in the field of community engagement.

Rose McGee

Consultant

Rose McGee is Founder of the internationally recognized Sweet Potato Comfort Pie®, a catalyst for caring and building community. She is a well-known story circle practitioner, one of Minnesota’s 50 Over 50, Golden Valley League of Women Voters, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Minneapolis Women’s Rotary. She resides in Golden Valley, MN where she was named Citizen of the Year, presented the Bill Hobbs Human Rights Award, is a recipient of the prestigious Bush Fellowship, the Black Collectives Foundation Fellowship, and the U of Minnesota’s Hub Fellowship. She is a St. Paul and MN Foundation Facing Race Award recipient. Rose is author of the book, Story Circle Stories, the play Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story, and has a TEDx Talk on The Power of Pie. Her new children’s illustrated book, Can’t Nobody Make a Sweet Potato Pie Like Our Mama was released by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.