Tony Sanneh

Tony Sanneh likes to find solutions to big problems. As the founder of the Sanneh Foundation, he transformed a closing community center into a safe and vital place for youth development in Saint Paul’s East Side. He developed his strong work ethic and problem-solving skills first as one of the country’s leading professional soccer players and later by growing his nonprofit from a team of three volunteers to a full-time staff of 65. Now, he wants to embrace two bold passions: to change the way professional sports teams engage in philanthropy and to help build a diverse educational teaching force. To elevate his leadership in multiple arenas, he will complete his bachelor’s degree in education policy, seek advanced training in sports philanthropy and public speaking, and build a group of trusted mentors.