MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 4, 2024)— Cookie Cart announced today that it has named Jacquelyn Carpenter as its executive director, effective June 3, 2024. Carpenter will oversee all operations of the organization and brings over 25 years of leadership experience in both nonprofit and for-profit settings.

“I have admired Cookie Cart and its mission for many years, and I am excited to be joining the organization,” said Carpenter. “Cookie Cart has had a tremendous impact on the communities it serves for the past 35 years, and I look forward to helping the organization continue to grow and support more youth in the Twin Cities, particularly the North Minneapolis and East Side Saint Paul neighborhoods.”  

Carpenter most recently served as Vice President of Workforce and Development at Twin Cities RISE! At Cookie Cart, she will oversee all departments of the company, including advancement, programming, and social enterprise. She will assume the role from Jim Altman, who has served as interim executive director since September 2023.  

“I have gotten to know Jacquelyn through the hiring process, and I am thrilled she is joining the team at Cookie Cart,” said Altman. “These are exciting times for Cookie Cart and her passion for our mission and proven leadership experience will be valuable assets in driving the organization forward. I am excited for Cookie Cart, an organization I care deeply about, to be in such good hands.”

The board of directors and staff want to thank Jim Altman, Cookie Cart’s interim executive director since September 2023. Altman practiced law in Minneapolis, Minnesota for thirty-nine years, serving as vice president of Xcel Energy’s law department for the last fifteen years of his career. In addition to practicing law, he also served on the board of several nonprofit organizations, including Cookie Cart.