Philanthropist and Co-Founder of Innovative Humanitarian Magazine to Deliver Convocation at Carleton College

Stephanie Kinnunen, co-founder of NEED magazine, will deliver the weekly convocation at Carleton College on Friday, January 22 at 10:50 a.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel. Driven by the motto, “We are not out to save the world, but to tell the story of those who are,” NEED magazine highlighted individuals involved in humanitarian work, and supplemented their stories with outstanding professional photography. Kinnunen will discuss her experiences with the magazine and its photojournalistic approach to build awareness, inspire volunteer work, and drive contributions to relief organizations around the world. This event is free and open to the public.

NEED magazine, a Minneapolis-based publication that debuted in 2006 and ceased publication in January of 2010 due to funding constraints, used educational, artistic, and visual narrative to address global and domestic humanitarian issues. Kinnunen, who co-founded the magazine with her husband Kelly, was teaching in Europe when a trip to a shelter for former child sex workers inspired her to take action. The husband-wife team, both Minnesota natives, returned to the Twin-Cities to create a magazine geared towards exposing humanitarian aid and efforts around the globe. The publication’s high quality photographs and global news-based content created a dynamic, and compelling narrative that Kinnunen describes as “if Vogue and the United Nations had a love-child” and earned the magazine several awards from the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Kelly Kinnunen, husband to Stephanie and co-founder of NEED magazine, recently teamed up with Dina Fesler, founder of the Northfield nonprofit Children’s Culture Connection, to film a documentary in Afghanistan. The documentary focuses on their civilian-led humanitarian mission to provide medical care to the countless children who suffer horrific living conditions in camps for internally displaced persons, and will be incorporated into the middle and high school curriculum of schools in Cannon Falls. Kinnunen and Fesler hope to not only raise money and aid for children in war-torn regions, but to educate and inspire others to take action. Despite the closing of NEED magazine, the Kinnunens remain dedicated to building awareness of global issues, and the mobilization and coverage of relief efforts around the world.

The Skinner Chapel is located on First and College Streets in Northfield. For more information regarding the convocation, please contact the Office of College Relations at (507) 222-4309.