Dragon Crane, Inc. operates under the efforts and guidance of its board. The Board meets annually, or as needed.
Bryan Nelson, Chair, Secretary
Bryan Nelson is a statistician at HealthPartners, inc. He has volunteered for many non-profit Organizations over the past 15 years. Most recently, he has volunteered at Friends of the Mississippi River conducting research. Friends of the Mississippi River engages people to protect, restore and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region.
Bryan has also worked with Find Your Power to help expand internet access for underrepresented women worldwide, connecting them with resources that further education, advocacy, community, and employment. He brings a wealth of experience to Dragon Crane as a creative thinker with project management experience and a proven ability to communicate goals and priorities. We welcome Bryan's enthusiasm and dedication to the Dragon Crane mission.
Fun Fun Cheng, Treasurer
Fun Fun Cheng received a B.A. in English Literature from Carleton College and a M.A. in Library & Information Science from the University of Iowa. She will complete a Master of Public Affairs at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in Spring 2019 with focus on leadership, equity, and systemic change.
Fun Fun's passion for doing work for the common good is rooted in her experience of growing up as an immigrant affected by poverty and racism. As a result, she has a strong belief that everyone should have access to resources that allow for a better life. Fun Fun has been involved in a wide range of social justice work, including fundraising and grant making for Headwaters Foundation for Justice, fundraising for local non-profits through Eat For Equity, and serving on the board of Mississippi Market Co-op.
In her spare time, Fun Fun enjoys growing and donating food from her community garden and bringing people together around a homecooked meal.
Caitlin Priem, Member, education advisor
Caitlin Priem is currently a 3rd grade homeroom teacher at Uchon Elementary School in Korea where she is a lead teacher who is responsible for all 3rd grade teachers and curriculum. She has been teaching elementary school in Korea for 8 years, the last 6 years at an English immersion school. She has helped develop a new curriculum for this program that focuses on workshop-style classes and authentic learning for subjects such as global citizenship and reading.
Caitlin has been exposed to many different learning backgrounds and styles, bringing this knowledge and experience to the leadership at Dragon Crane. Teaching has been a valuable and rewarding learning opportunity for her and she’s constantly inspired by her students.
Caitlin graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a major in Religious Studies and a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. She loved studying in Minnesota and grew up identifying as both a Wisconsinite and Texan because she has roots in both places! She is an avid baker (cookies & banana bread!), reader (especially mysteries), and hockey fan-turned-player (Go Wild!).
Claire Mathews-Lingen, Member, funding advisor
Claire is currently working at Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha as their Donor Organizer. She most recently worked as the Development Assistant and Director of Partnerships at RCFL, as a part of my service year through Lutheran Volunteer Corps.
Claire developed a love of fundraising while leading fundraising efforts for Halla Henderson's winning campaign for St.Paul school board and for the Deb Patterson Campaign for Oregon State Senate. Claire worked with Thru-Talk and Vote Builder to remotely reach voters and volunteers. She has considerable experience with phone-banking as well as individual fundraising. As an advisor to Dragon Crane, Claire brings a passion for justice.
Claire graduated from Willamette University, and holds a Black Belt in Shaolin Kenpo Karate and is an avid dancer, camper and hiker.
Robyn Lingen, Director, ex-officio
Robyn Lingen has served in leadership and teaching roles for more than 30 years, including 23 years in martial arts. She is currently the primary instructor at Dragon Crane, and volunteers her time.
Robyn holds a Fifth Degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kenpo Karate, and is a certified master of Floating Monk Qigong which originates from the philosophy and technique of Jook Lum Ting Sing Qigong. She is the only women in the United States certified to train teachers in this important qigong. Robyn has degrees in English and art from St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesoata. She has completed certification by the American Sports and Fitness Association in Self Defense Instruction and Martial Arts Fitness Instruction, 2016-2019. She is certified by the Brian Grant Foundation in their exercise for Parkinson's training program.