ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Center for Victims of Torture™ (CVT) announces the election of three new members to its board of directors. Kate Barr, John Habich and Ann Huntsrod all began their terms in 2024. In addition, Julia Classen was elected as vice chair. CVT is happy to welcome these new members.

Kate Barr is a community leader and the recently retired president and CEO of Propel Nonprofits. She started there in 2000 and has led the organization to help strengthen the Minnesota nonprofit community. In 2017 Propel Nonprofits was formed when she led the merger of the Nonprofits Assistance Fund and MAP for Nonprofits to create the leading resource organization for nonprofits. A national leader, speaker and writer on nonprofit strategy, finance, and governance, Kate collaborated with Propel’s board of directors and leadership team on strategic planning, business development and external relations. Prior to her tenure at Propel, Kate held roles as a bank executive and arts administrator. Active in her community, she currently chairs the boards of the Jerome Foundation and the advisory board for Minnesota Bank & Trust. Kate holds a Master’s degree from Hamline University and serves on the adjunct faculty of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. 

John Habich, a former journalist with a diverse background spanning Georgia, Florida, Minnesota, and New York, specializes in cultural affairs. A Wisconsin native and alumnus of the University of Georgia and the National Arts Journalism Program at Columbia University, he is not only an accomplished freelance editor, contributing to prize-winning nonfiction titles but also an advocate when he was part of the Minnesota chapter of the National Gay & Lesbian Journalists Association. He is a former editor at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. His commitment extends to environmental conservation as a former board member at Scenic Hudson. Additionally, he co-chairs a fundraising committee for PEN America, a global champion of free speech. John shares a home in New York with his husband, the writer and activist Andrew Solomon, and their son, in the historic house where Emma Lazarus wrote poem that appears on the base of the Statue of Liberty.

Ann Huntrods is Of Counsel in the law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and a Minnesota State Bar Association Certified Labor and Employment specialist. Ann has more than 30 years of experience in employment law and litigation. She also practices in the area of nonprofit law. She advises and defends employers in state and federal courts. She is a frequent speaker for employer and other groups on employment law issues. Ann graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1981 where she was a member and articles editor of the Minnesota Law Review. She has served on numerous boards of nonprofits, including The St. Paul Foundation, Minnesota Community Foundation, Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth, Saint John’s University and Madeline Island Chamber Music (“MICM”). Ann currently serves as a board member for The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

 “It is my pleasure to welcome these three new members to CVT’s board of directors, and I look forward to the breadth of knowledge and expertise they bring to our humanitarian and human rights work. These accomplished individuals have extensive leadership experience that spans business, journalism, law and nonprofit work, all with a core commitment to human rights,” said Dr. Simon Adams, CVT president and CEO. “I am delighted that CVT has this opportunity to benefit from their expertise and vision.”                                                                             

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