Sue Crolick, Founder/President

After a career as an art director and designer, Sue dreamed of tapping the energy and talent of creative people in her field to help inner-city kids. In 1994, she founded Creatives for Causes and the Art Buddies program.

Sue’s creative career

Sue’s career began in the sixties. She was the first female art director at Minnesota’s two largest ad agencies, and in 1981, opened her own Minneapolis advertising and design firm.

Sue’s honors

Sue won the top awards in her industry, including Gold Medals from the New York One Show and the New York Art Directors Club, plus awards from Communication Arts, Graphis, Print, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). She also won two Best of Shows from the Advertising Federation of Minnesota.

In 2004, Sue received the Advertising Federation of Minnesota’s Silver Medal Award for her career achievements and community service.

In 2006, she was named a Purpose Prize Fellow and national leader in social innovation by Civic Ventures, a San Francisco-based think tank helping society achieve the greatest return on experience.

In 2009, Sue was selected by AIGA Minnesota to receive its Fellow Award, the chapter’s highest honor.

Sue’s public service

From 1991-1995, Sue served as Public Service Director of AIGA Minnesota, and founded its events to help people with AIDS and children who were abused or abandoned.

Her interest in helping children started in the sixties, when she volunteered as a Head Start aide in Detroit’s inner-city, and a Big Sister to an at-risk child there. Later, she served as a Kinship Friend to a child in north Minneapolis.

Sue is thankful for the support of the Twin Cities advertising and design community in making Creatives for Causes a success. She is grateful to all the people who have helped her share the joy of creativity with deserving kids.

Steph Vagle, Program Director

Stephanie joined Creatives for Causes in the fall of 1997 after working for the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and Americorps as a Vista Volunteer.

She holds a degree in elementary education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. In 1999, she completed an intensive nonprofit leadership course through Next Innovations.

Steph’s love of the arts

Stephanie knows first-hand how vital creativity is, especially for children. She grew up in a family where music was the second language. Her parents, both professional musicians, instilled a love of the arts in all their children.

Music, visual art, dance and poetry have been an intrinsic part of Stephanie’s personal and family life. She delights in seeing Art Buddies mentors give kids the same opportunity for creativity and self-expression that she enjoyed as a child.

Steph’s love of children

Stephanie is a devoted mother of four, and has always had a passion for kids.  She is proud to be working for an organization that encourages the creative potential of deserving children.

Scott Mikesh, Program Manager

Scott serves on the Art Buddies Advisory Board, and has been a dedicated Art Buddies mentor for the past 4 years.  He is excited to lead our new after-school program at Bancroft Elementary.

Scott’s creative career

Scott was a Senior Communications Specialist at Medica, with over ten years of professional experience as a writer, graphic designer and team leader.

Scott is now principal of his own design and illustration firm, Scott Mikesh Creative.

When Scott was a child, his parents gave him lots of one-on-one attention and encouraged him to discover all his creative gifts. 

He looks forward to giving that same attention and encouragement to more children in need.