Board Member Spotlight: Jennifer Brenna

This month, we’re excited to shine our Board Member Spotlight on Jennifer Brenna, a

dedicated advocate for learning, community, and the magic of discovery!

What inspired you to join the MCDC Board?

Jennifer has always had a special place in her heart for the Magic City Discovery

Center. While the location was still in the planning stages, she helped secure funding for

the Discovery on the Go! program through her workplace, expanding MCDC’s reach to

the Northwestern region of North Dakota.

Now that the building is thriving, her daughter loves visiting whenever they get the

chance. Being invited to join the Board of Directors felt like the perfect way to help

shape a sustainable future for the organization that has already brought so much joy to

her family.

Why are you passionate about MCDC and its impact on the Minot community?

“I love programs that make learning engaging and accessible to children,” Jennifer

shares. “The Magic City Discovery Center delivers on so many levels through its variety

of exhibits and strong programming. It’s a place where curiosity truly comes to life!”

What is your favorite exhibit at MCDC, and why?

Her favorite exhibit is the Painting with Light Exhibit. “My daughter loves to draw, and

it’s endless fun for us to create glowing pictures together,” Jennifer says.

How long have you been on the MCDC Board, and which committees do you

serve on?

Jennifer has been serving on the MCDC Board since September 2024, just over a year

now! She brings her expertise to both the Fundraising and Finance Committees,

helping guide the organization toward a sustainable and vibrant future.

Can you share a little about your family and how they enjoy MCDC?

“My daughter absolutely loves the Discovery Center—she asks to go often! Having a

membership makes those visits even more special because we don’t feel rushed to see

everything in one trip. Each visit is a new adventure, and it’s wonderful to watch her

excitement grow. My husband enjoys the exhibits right alongside her, so a trip for our

family—two adults, a little kid, and a baby—is always a great time.”

What’s your favorite memory from an MCDC event or program?

Jennifer recalls the Scheels Trunk or Treat in the mall fondly: “Our booth was so much

fun for my toddler (at the time)—she talked about it for weeks afterward!”

What advice would you give someone interested in supporting MCDC or joining

the board?

“Remember what it felt like to discover something new as a child,” Jennifer says. “Magic

really is the perfect word for MCDC—everything here feels so wonderful, it must be

magic. The Magic City Discovery Center gives children a safe space to explore, learn,

and find that same sense of wonder in even the simplest STEAM concepts.”