Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) has announced two new governance appointments and the retirement of a founding board member.
On March 3, 2026, Sarah Crippen joined the Boards of Directors and Program Committees for Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and Anne Ray Foundation, and Sarah Oquist joined the Program Committees. Alongside these new additions, Stuart Tobisman, one of the organization’s first Directors and an early legal advisor to founder Margaret Cargill, announced his retirement from the organization’s governance.
Board members serve as stewards of MACP’s mission to provide meaningful assistance and support to
society, the arts, and the environment. Program Committee members provide additional perspectives and expertise to guide program strategies and oversee and approve grant awards.
“We are excited to add new voices to our governance structure,” commented Christy Morse, Board Chair for the Philanthropies. “The diverse backgrounds, deep governance expertise, and wide-ranging perspectives offered by Sarah Crippen and Sarah Oquist will support MACP’s mission and help our organization continue to make a difference through the good work of our grantees in local, national, and international communities.” She continued, “We also celebrate Stuart’s many contributions to MACP. Stuart’s legal expertise and wisdom have been invaluable to the organization. His integrity, heart, and unwavering dedication to Margaret’s vision for her charitable resources remain at the center of all we do and who we are today at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.”
Sarah Crippen is a partner at Best & Flanagan LLP in Minneapolis, where she served as the firm’s Managing Partner until 2023 and chaired the Litigation and Employment Law practice groups. Sarah has represented MACP since 2008, supporting the organization’s growth and providing legal counsel on governance, operations, and employment matters. She played a key role in restructuring MACP’s grantmaking organizations into its current two nonprofits. Sarah holds a juris doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School and a BA from Carleton College and is certified by the Minnesota Bar Association as an expert in Labor and Employment Law. She has also been honored for her pro bono work and leadership, including being named a 2018 Woman of Distinction by Girl Scouts River Valleys.
Sarah Oquist is an accomplished Board Chair, Director, and former CEO with experience across banking, healthcare, real estate, hospitality, and professional services. She has led Finance, Compensation, and Governance committees, often breaking barriers as the first Native American or African American woman in her positions. Sarah’s leadership includes guiding regulatory oversight, advancing succession planning, and contributing to nonprofit boards including the Walker Art Center. As CEO of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, Sarah sustained profitability through economic volatility and avoided workforce reductions. Sarah holds NACD Directorship Certification, a juris doctor from Creighton University, and has received honors such as Twin Cities Women Leaders in Business & Philanthropy and Notable Women in Commercial Banking.
Stuart Tobisman is a senior partner of the law firm, Loeb & Loeb LLP, where he began working with Margaret Cargill more than 25 years ago to create an estate plan to support her philanthropic interests, serving as one of her trusted advisors until her passing in 2006. In 2015, Stuart was named a director of Akaloa Resource Foundation, now part of Anne Ray Foundation. He has served as a member of the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and Anne Ray Foundation Boards, Program and Investment Committees, Compensation Committee, and Akaloa Program Committee for many years, bringing significant legal expertise in trusts, philanthropy, and tax, along with a deep commitment to preserving Margaret Cargill’s intent and stewarding her legacy for future generations. Stuart served in these important roles for MACP while also remaining active in many other professional and philanthropic endeavors.
