Foundation Leadership & Staff
Robert Longendyke is responsible for marketing, public relations, communications and strategic planning at Medica and is also the executive director of the Medica Foundation. He is a member of the senior and all-officer teams as well as the executive staff representative to the Community and Public Affairs Committee of the Medica Board of Directors. Mr. Longendyke is a senior communications executive who has more than 20 years in the field and has worked with four Fortune 500 companies in four different business sectors.
Before joining Medica, he served as vice president of communications for Honeywell Home and Building Controls. Mr. Longendyke is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, an organization of senior public relations professionals from large companies.
JoAnn Birkholz began her career as a registered nurse and has been with Medica since 1999. She currently serves as director of the Medica Foundation. In 2003, Ms. Birkholz led the re-establishment of the Medica Foundation when Medica separated from Allina Health System, developing the infrastructure and processes for the Medica Foundation. Ms. Birkholz is an active member with the Minnesota Council on Foundations and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. In January 2013, she was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Council on Foundations and serves as chair of the Membership Committee. She volunteers for a variety of nonprofit organizations, including serving as an officer on the board of directors for Bolder Options.
JoAnn Birkholz earned her undergraduate degree in Nursing from the University of Tulsa and her master’s degree in Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management. Before joining the Medica Foundation, Ms. Birkholz was employed by United HealthCare, Mefford Knutson and Associates, and several hospitals.
Gina DiMaggio is the Program Manager and newest member of the Medica Foundation team. In this role, she leads and mentors the Grant Partnership Committee, oversees a portfolio of grants, and helps the Foundation share their work both within the organization and with the larger community.
Gina got her community organizing start in Costa Rica where she helped create the first recycling program in the district. She brings six years of grant program and grants management experience from the Pohlad Family Foundation where she managed several program areas, organized employee volunteer projects and oversaw special funding projects. She volunteers at Open Arms and has served on the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis.
Gina studied in 11 countries while earning her B.A. with high honors from Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Heather Craig joined Medica 1998 and is currently the Medica Foundation coordinator. She is an active member of the Grants Managers Network, serving on its Steering Committee. She is also the Grants Managers Network chair for the Minnesota Region.
Heather Craig earned her undergraduate degree from Macalester College. Before joining the Medica Foundation, she was employed by United HealthCare.