For Phaedre Sanders, volunteering with BestPrep has never been about one moment – it’s been about consistency, commitment, and saying yes to opportunities that make a difference. Phaedre, a Senior Tax Accountant at Ameriprise Financial, first connected with BestPrep in 2013 through her workplace. Her journey began with the eMentors program, where she has volunteered ever since. As her involvement deepened, she stepped into the role of […]
This winter, Rylee Wahlberg, a senior at Anoka High School, participated in BestPrep’s eMentors program with her DECA Internship class. Through eMentors, Rylee was matched up with a volunteer mentor from RBC Wealth Management. They exchanged weekly messages discussing school, career experience, interviewing, and much more. Rylee and her classmates also visited RBC to meet […]
BestPrep is proud to partner with Wings Credit Union to help students build financial knowledge and career readiness. Wings employees support students across multiple BestPrep programs, volunteering as Financial Matters speakers, Classroom Plus mock interviewers, Minnesota Business Venture Resident Business Leaders and breakout speakers, and Educational Forum essay judges. Through these experiences, Wings volunteers share real-world insights that help students […]
As a former Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) student camper, two-time CEO, Operations Associate, and a panelist at the 2025 Educational Forum, Vihaan Shah is certainly no stranger to BestPrep. Vihaan is currently a freshman at the University of Southern California studying Business Administration (Finance) with a minor in AI Applications, but before he got to […]
After years of dedication and service, Barb Kuntz, former Cargill employee, celebrated retirement in a truly meaningful way — by directing her retirement party contributions to BestPrep! Her decision reflects not only a legacy of professional achievement, but also a deep commitment to giving back and making a lasting difference, one she wanted to emphasize as she retired. Barb has been heavily […]
Old National Bank (ONB) has been a committed partner of BestPrep, playing an active role in preparing Minnesota students for future success. Since 2018, ONB employees have generously volunteered their time and expertise across multiple BestPrep programs, helping students build confidence, career awareness, and professional skills. One of ONB’s most impactful contributions has been its involvement in eMentors, connecting employees with students in meaningful, one-on-one […]
BestPrep’s 2026 Educational Forum was a huge success! Nearly 700 guests joined us at the event on February 11 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Guests gave tremendous feedback on John Hope Bryant’s keynote, praising his authenticity, knowledge, and passion for financial freedom and economic opportunity. We were excited to hear that John was equally as moved with our event! Read about John’s experience […]
Abigail (Abby) Lugo, a Business Education Teacher at St. Louis Park Senior High School, integrates BestPrep’s career-focused programs into her classroom to help students connect lessons to future opportunities, making learning both relevant and engaging. A key component of Abby’s classroom is BestPrep’s eMentors program. Through one-on-one connections with professionals, students gain valuable guidance and insight into a variety of career paths. Abby […]
