LEADERSHIP TEAM
Camp Manitowa Leadership Team
Andy Brown, MSW
B. Andrew "Andy" Brown, MSW, is a life-long St. Louisan with a long-standing commitment to camping. A 1988 graduate of Fontbonne College in St. Louis, Andy received his MSW from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis in 1992. After a brief stint at Youth Emergency Service, a University City-based shelter for troubled teens, Andy began his career in Jewish communal service. He was the assistant director at the St. Louis JCC's summer camp, Camp Sabra, and later the director of Camp Sydney R. Baer, the JCC's large day camp.
From 1996-2007, Andy worked as the executive director of Camp Livingston, the independent nonprofit Jewish camp serving kids from throughout the Midwest. Andy is married to the former Stephanie Zetcher, currently a teacher at United Hebrew Congregation, and is the father of four children: Dylan, a social work professional and Camp Manitowa Camp Director in Chicago, IL; Jake, a professional in New York, NY; Gaby a professional in New York, NY; and Lily, a BBYO Fellow and Camp Manitowa Program Director in New York, NY. Contact Andy at andy@campmanitowa.com.
Dan Grabel, MSW, MEd
Dan Grabel was born and raised in St. Louis, MO; moved to Knoxville, TN in 2013; and most recently to Denver, CO, in 2020. Dan has made a career working with children and young adults in a variety of settings. He has over 25 years of experience working in residential and day camp settings, including Goldman Union Camp Institute in Indianapolis, IN; Camp Sabra in the MO Ozarks; YMCA Camp Greenville in Greenville, NC; Camp Charles Pearlstein in Prescott, AZ; and Camp Livingston in Bennington, IN. Dan also has ten years of experience working in Illinois and Missouri public schools as a school social worker.
Dan obtained his BA at Indiana University, his MSW at Washington University in St. Louis, and MEd at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Dan's wife, Dr. Lisa Reyes Mason, is on faculty at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work, and his daughter Cora is a student at Thomas Jefferson Hight School. Contact Dan at dan@campmanitowa.com.
Dylan Brown, MSW
Dylan Brown grew up at summer camp and has been part of the Camp Manitowa community since its founding in 2010. After spending her childhood summers as a camper and counselor, Dylan now serves as Camp Director, leading the vision and day-to-day operations of the summer camp program.
Dylan earned her BA from the University of Texas and spent ten years teaching elementary school in Austin, TX. Her decade in the classroom shaped her deep understanding of child development, social-emotional growth, and the importance of building safe, supportive communities for young people.
She recently earned her MSW from Loyola University Chicago, further strengthening her commitment to youth development and leadership. Dylan brings both her educational experience and social work training to Camp Manitowa, where she focuses on camper well-being, staff mentorship, and fostering a camp culture rooted in confidence, connection, and responsibility.
As Camp Director, Dylan works closely with the leadership team to ensure every camper feels seen, supported, and empowered to grow. She believes that camp is one of the most transformative environments in a young person’s life — a place where independence is nurtured, friendships are formed, and lifelong memories are made.
Dylan lives in Chicago, IL, and spends her summers in Southern Illinois helping campers experience the magic of Camp Manitowa. Contact Dylan at dylan@campmanitowa.com.
