Terry Tinson Saario

Terry Tinson Saario, Ph.D.

"Until 1996, Terry served as president of the Northwest Area Foundation St. Paul, Minnesota, an eight-state, regional foundation that focuses on alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development. Prior to joining the Northwest Area Foundation in 1984. Terry was vice president, community relations at The Pillsbury Company where she helped the company to refocus its charitable giving on hunger and youth. She has over 25 years of experience in philanthropy, corporate affairs and government. As a program officer at the Ford Foundation she worked on education, women's rights and public policy issues. She was a special advisor to President Carter's assistant for women's affairs, the White House.

"Terry has worked closely with NGOs in Europe, OECD, and the European Community on women's rights, youth policy, energy, and community development issues. She was recognized by Business Week magazine in 1990 as one of the five best foundation managers in the country. She currently serves on several boards, including Musicland Group, Inc., St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the East-West Management Institute. Her bachelor's and master's degrees are from the University of California, Riverside, and she received her doctorate from Claremont Graduate School." 

Former director of the Benton Foundation. She is married to Lee Lynch.


 * Director, Center for Victims of Torture