Rob Grunewald is an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Grunewald conducts research on community development and regional economic issues. He co-authored “Early Childhood Development: Economic Development with a High Public Return” in 2003 and has written several subsequent articles on the economic and social impact of early learning. He frequently speaks to community and business leaders, policymakers, and media throughout the United States.

Grunewald has served on boards and advisory committees for organizations involved with early childhood development, including Think Small: Leaders in Early Learning, First Children’s Finance, and the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency. He is also a past president of the Minnesota Economic Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and religion from St. Olaf College and a master’s degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota.

Suzanne Pearl joined First Children’s Finance as Minnesota director in 2019. With 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, mainly in the areas of international community development and humanitarian relief, Pearl brings to FCF culturally agile leadership along with expertise in program strategy and in strengthening the alignment of organizational mission and operations.

She previously held a nine-year position with the Minnesota-based Center for Victims of Torture, where, as International Services program manager, she oversaw mental health clinics for torture and war-trauma survivors in East Africa. Prior to CVT, she worked in Washington, D.C., for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, managing democratic governance programs in Bosnia and Serbia. A lawyer by training, Pearl also has experience in public policy and nonprofit management consulting. She holds a Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Minnesota.