2024 Changemaker Honorees

Erika Binger is a former world triathlete and aquathlete champion. In her career, she has combined her focus on athletics and health with an unwavering commitment to equality and access to opportunities for all. A competitive collegiate swimmer and basketball player, Erika started her coaching career as a boys' basketball coach at a Boys and Girls Club. While biking the length of the Mississippi River to raise funds for B&GC, she was encouraged to try triathlon, subsequently earning many national and world titles. While at B&GC she also took on the role of Athletic Director, developing and implementing a top-notch girls’ sports program.  

In 2007, Erika earned her USA Triathlon Coaching Certification and launched V3 Sports to bring the sport of triathlon to underrepresented Minneapolis youth. Her larger vision came to life fully when V3 opened its own northside athletics facility in June 2024, after 15+ years of planning and community engagement. The facility will serve more than 25,000 families annually.  

Erika also serves on numerous philanthropic and civic organization boards, including the McKnight Foundation and Sports Minneapolis Advisory Board.

Damaris Hollingsworth is a trailblazing architect and founder of Design by Melo, based in the Twin Cities. As a Black female architect, she stands out in a field where only a quarter of licensed professionals are women and a mere two percent are Black. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and later an immigrant to the United States, Damaris's journey reflects her resilience and determination. She focuses on creating inclusive and welcoming spaces, informed by her own experiences of entering unfamiliar environments.  

Recognized for her leadership and contributions to diversity in architecture, she received the 2020 AIA Young Architects Award and was named the 2022 Architect of the Year by the Minnesota Real Estate Journal. Damaris's work embodies cultural fluency and empathy, emphasizing values of global engagement, sustainability, and community inclusion. Her dynamic personality and multicultural background enable her to connect with diverse communities, making all voices heard through her thoughtful and equitable design approach.

Lili Hall is the founder, CEO, and President of KNOCK, inc., a women- and minority-owned creative agency based in Minneapolis that leads strategic brand development on national and global scales. Founded in 2001, KNOCK focuses on impeccable client service and a nimble approach to new opportunities. Lili's leadership also extends to two sister companies, TREAT AND COMPANY and NEIGHBOR, all of which prioritize community impact through their work.

Born to a Brazilian mother and Irish-American father, Lili’s multicultural background and fluency in English and Portuguese shape her inclusive business approach. Committed to community service, she champions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and serves on various nonprofit boards. Lili's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to service have earned her recognition as one of EY’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women and Most Admired CEO by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal. Lili measures her success not just by her companies' growth but by their positive impact on communities worldwide and the legacy of inclusion and progress she is leaving for the next generation.

Ravyn Miller is a pioneering leader in the med tech industry, blending her dual graduate degrees in business and divinity to champion ethical leadership and inclusivity. As Vice President of Portfolio Strategy & Business Development at Medtronic, she drives global marketing strategies that not only advance business goals but also improve patient outcomes. Ravyn's commitment to inclusivity is reflected in her efforts to reduce healthcare disparities and foster diverse work environments.  

Her career began in medical device sales, but her curiosity and passion for ethical leadership led her to roles in health policy and public service, including serving on Minnesota's statewide health care initiative. Ravyn's leadership is guided by deep integrity, a fearless approach to challenges, and a belief in the power of business to positively impact lives. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as a Women in Business Honoree by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.

High school junior Ilona joined Girl Scouts in elementary school and has since earned her Bronze and Silver awards. Ilona is a member of the Red Lake Nation and a dedicated community volunteer for multiple organizations and causes, including the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. She is also a curious student, teaches swimming lessons to disabled youth at the YMCA, and is a member of the competitive USA Swimming Riptide team, competing in the 2024 Team USA Olympic trials in Indianapolis.  

In the summer of 2023, Ilona’s mother and grandmother nearly drowned during a family boating activity. Facing her own fears, Ilona came to their rescue and swam against the wind and waves in choppy water to tow them to safety. For her bravery, Ilona was awarded a prestigious Bronze Cross by Girl Scouts of the USA which was presented alongside her Ojibwe naming and feathering ceremonies. Since this life-changing experience, Ilona has continued to advocate on behalf of increasing swim literacy among marginalized communities. She’s currently working on her Gold Award project to address this critical issue that disproportionately affects youth of color and disabled youth.  

In the future, Ilona wants to become a Pediatric Nurse. “I want to change the world by bringing honest and good health care to people who need it,” says Ilona.  “I want to make sure that every kid I help will be able to look back at their life and appreciate everything and every aspect of it.”

High school senior Anastacia joined Girl Scouts as one of the founding three members of a ConnectZ troop her freshman year. She has since become a true leader in her troop, eager to give the incoming freshmen a positive experience and be the one they can go to for advice or mentorship. Her confidence and willingness to tell her story of navigating high school through classes, clubs, and changing friendship has created a foundation of vulnerability and safety for her peers.  

Outside of Girl Scouts, Anastacia has cultivated her leadership skills by serving as president of Asian Club at her school, volunteering with Brooklyn Park’s Hmong New Year event and MN Zej Zog, becoming a student assistant for her Hmong teacher, as well as working at her family’s flower farm. She participated in GSRV’s Japan trip in 2024.  

She’s not sure how yet, but in the future Anastacia wants to help our world. “The things we do, our dreams, our goals, they are what make us who we are,” says Anastacia. “I want to change the laws that say people can’t do something because of their age or their [place in] society.”

High-school senior Havyn started Girl Scouts at just 5 years old and has gone on to earn both her Bronze and Silver awards and participate in many Girl Scout programs. She’s always been dedicated to serving others, volunteering with her church, Girl Scouts, the local VFW, and as a member of the American Legion Junior Auxiliary.  Havyn is also a member of the National Honor Society, has earned varsity letters in tennis, basketball, and track and participated in the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

At 15, Havyn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and fought through multiple surgeries and six rounds of chemotherapy before entering remission in April 2023. Her experience showed her value of support and little moments of kindness for those experiencing illness. Since then, she has paid it forward by collecting and donating thousands to Minneapolis Children's Hospital and Hennepin County Medical Center.

In the future, Havyn would like to become an Oncology Nurse so she can use her past experience with cancer to support others that are affected by the same disease. “I believe the support I can offer people will change their lives and in turn change the world,” says Havyn.

High school senior Sumeya joined the Girl Scouts ConnectZ program in sixth grade and it made a huge impact. “In elementary school, my family moved a lot,” said Sumeya, “so I wasn’t able to stay at one school long enough to make strong friendships. On top of that, I often didn’t have classmates who looked like me, who wore the hijab, so I was picked upon a lot. When I joined Girl Scouts, everything changed. I finally found a group of girls who shared similar experiences and understood what I was going through.” She has since become a leader within her troop and within her school.  

Sumeya credits her parents, who emigrated from Somalia, with inspiring her strong sense of Curiosity. “Because of their sacrifice, I always want to make the most of every chance I get and try new things,” she said. Sumeya is a member of the National Honor Society, is a board member of the Muslim Student Association, and has led multiple efforts to further inclusion and cultural education at her school.  

In the future, Sumeya would like to become a become a Pediatric Dentist. “I want to be able to provide care to children especially those from underprivileged areas,” says Sumeya.