Leadership in the Valley Alumni Alliance

I am a registered nurse and the owner of Smart Start Childcare and Learning Center. At Smart Start I have combined my love for family, my connection with children and my interest in health and wellness to create a unique childcare center that focuses on quality through safety, education and health and wellness. I live in Stillwater with my husband, Ryan, and two daughters, Taylor and Jordan.

Robin serves as the President of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce where she began in 2016. Prior to that she worked twelve years in local and state government, 8 years in global consulting, and 6 years as a small business owner building a business from the ground up. She is a self-starter and team-player fostering collaboration, ability to multi-task, and to successfully work in fast-paced organizations. She has a passion for the community and has lived in Stillwater for over 33 years. Robin has two children and two grandchildren. 

Tom Ballis has been with the Stillwater Fire Department for the past 21 years. Tom has worked in the Fire/EMS industry for over 30 years. Tom has an MPA in Fire Administration and holds numerous certificates in technical rescue and code enforcement. Tom is also the fire marshal for the City of Stillwater which includes code enforcement, plan review for life safety, sprinkler and fire alarms. Tom values working with others to achieve a common goal. Personal interests include fishing, hunting and relaxing at his cabin in Northern Minnesota.

Katie is a Stillwater Area High School graduate and received her B.A. from the College of St. Benedict where she studied Business Administration Management and Economics. She is the Vice President of Trust and Estate Services at Lake Elmo Bank. Katie has been with Lake Elmo Bank since 2005. Katie is involved with multiple local civic and charitable organizations. She is a member and past president of the Stillwater Rotary Club, serves on the board of directors for The Partnership Plan, and is Treasurer of Bridge to Books, the non-profit she and her sisters founded in 2021. Katie lives in Stillwater with her husband and two young boys.

I was born in California but moved to Stillwater when I was 2 years Old. I have lived in the St. Croix Valley my whole life. I went to school to be an EMT in 1995 and then went on to Paramedic School in 2000. I started working at Lakeview in 2001. I also have worked in Chisago county as a Paramedic. I went back to school in 2005 for Architectural Drafting. I worked for 2 years as an Architectural Drafter but realized I missed being a paramedic full time. I came back full time to lakeview in January of 2008. I am currently the Operations Supervisor at Lakeview EMS as well as the Paramedic Team Lead for Washington County SWAT since 2014. I live in Bayport with my wife 2 kids and a dog. We have 4 kids two adult children Michelle and Hannah and then Keanna and Jayden. I love to Fish, Golf and spend time on the water with my family. I own a small business building custom fishing rods.

Amy Berge is the Administrator for all of the early childhood and adult basic education programming for the Stillwater Area School District. Amy has been with the school district since 2017. Prior to coming to Stillwater, she was the Assistant Director of Special Education for Hastings Public Schools. Amy's education background is in special education and educational leadership. Her passion is seeing students grow and succeed as they work their way through their education journey, as well as foster a love for lifelong learning. Amy lives in Stillwater and has two children that attend Stillwater Area Public Schools. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends in addition to traveling domestically and internationally.

Jen Bertsch is a teacher, speaker, and creator of LeadWell Academy where she coaches business owners and senior leaders to develop a culture of empowered leaders where people thrive. 

Derek grew up in the Stillwater area and graduated Stillwater Area High School in 2005 followed by the University of Minnesota-Morris in 2009. He has a degree in Biology and worked on various waterfowl research projects across the country prior to beginning work in a laboratory setting. Derek has been with Diasorin Inc since 2015.

Lindsay Briggs DC, RN earned her doctorate of chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University and a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica. She has worked in the health care field for 18 years starting as a paramedic, then RN, and now doctor. During that time she has served 12 years the military. She served in both the Army Reserve, as a combat medic and Air Force Reserve, as a flight medic. That service included two overseas deployments, one in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Dr. Lindsay Briggs is also blessed to have a supportive husband and two children, a 13 year old daughter and 14 year old son.

Lyz Carlson works at First State Bank and Trust as a Branch Banking Manager and Business Development Officer. She believes that community banking is so important, both to the clients they serve and the community they operate in. Lyz's favorite part of her job are the countless relationships she has built with her clients over the years. She has worked at FSBT since 2016 and is excited to see the bank continue to grow in the Valley. Lyz graduated from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls in December of 2010 with her degree in Communication studies and emphasis in Principles of Banking. She lives in Oakdale with her husband and daughter along with their 4 animals!

Nicki Castro, Procurement Manager, graduated from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Nicki moved to Costa Rica for three years after graduating from UWEC prior to planting roots in Stillwater with her husband, Orlando Castro. Nicki and Orlando moved to Stillwater in 2010 and became owners of Brick Alley Studio of Massage and Bodywork located downtown Stillwater for the next 12 years. In addition, Nicki was hired by Washington County in 2014 and transitioned from Management Analyst to Contract Specialist to her current position as the County’s Procurement Manager. Nicki is a Certified Professional Public Buyer.

My name is Meg Cernohous. I grew up in Anoka MN, and moved to River Falls WI in 2014. I studied psychology at the University of St Thomas. I began my career in banking in 2005. RCU is the fourth financial institution I’ve worked for. I spent my prior ten years as a Branch Manager with U.S. Bank. In my spare time you can find me at a softball field or in a hockey rink watching our daughter. When we have a free weekend we try to get up to our cabin in Pine City as much as possible!

My name is Holly Corbid and I am the founder and owner of Capture Your Photos, where we help families celebrate life, tell stories and touch hearts with their photo and video collections by helping them to organize, preserve and share their lifetime of memories. I believe photos are a powerful force in building relationships and love helping families connect, while bringing the peace of mind that comes with knowing their memories are safe.
 

As a wife, mother, daughter, and working professional, I am trying to do it all. During the day you will find me championing our National Park, the St. Croix River. Evenings and weekends, I'm on the side of the pool or the soccer pitch cheering on my children or volunteering in our community. Throughout my life, building relationships has always been a focus. From patients in my clinic, members and supporters in the nonprofits I have worked with, colleagues in my volunteer efforts, and parents on the sidelines. I am most excited about the connections and relationships that will come from my cohort in Leadership in the Valley.

Alex is an experienced Operations Manager and Event Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the Hospitality Management Industry. 
He is also skilled in nonprofit organizations, event management, fundraising, and volunteer management through his work supporting The Zephyr Theatre, Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Discover Stillwater (CVB), United Way of Washington County East, Knights of Columbus co. 1632 and the American Cancer Society. 

I grew up in the Stillwater area and graduated Stillwater High School in 2012 followed by the University of River Falls in 2016 with a Major in Criminal Justice and Sociology. I started working for the Stillwater Police Department in 2017 as a Data Specialist and Terminal Agency Coordinator. I met my husband in 2012 and in 2017 we got married at the Stillwater Country Club. We have two boys that are four and one years old. I love spending time golfing, fishing, hunting and being outside all year round. My husband is a full time Firefighter for the Stillwater Fire Department, along with my father who is an Assistant Chief for the Stillwater Fire Department.

Jesse Farrell is the Deputy Director of Public Works / City Engineer for the City of Stillwater. His primary focus is on infrastructure and how it can impact and improve lives for residents and visitors. Prior to Stillwater, Jesse held engineer positions including Director of Public Works for Vadnais Heights, and Design/Construction Engineer for Saint Paul Public Works. He enjoys all types of construction, but his favorite projects have all improved pedestrian safety and mobility. His other passion is water quality, and he spent 5 years as a technical advisory commissioner for Vadnais Lakes Area Watershed Management Organization and received their 2021 Partnership Award.

I have been a lifelong resident of Stillwater and enjoy living in the St. Croix Valley area.  I have been a Police Officer for Stillwater for close to 30 years and I have had many different assignments and job responsibilities during my career.  My wife Debbie is a RN for Stillwater Medical Group and we have two adult children. 

Outside of work I like mountain biking, exercising, hunting and spending time with family and friends.
 

It is rare for someone in the 21st century to possess the natural qualities of the Heldentenor voice that is reminiscent of the golden age of opera. Obed Floan has been hailed as having a voice "with unforced power, purity of tone, and all the vocal bloom of youth" and possessing a "genuine helden sound" (Wagner Society of Ohio) and sang "Nothung! Nothung! from Wagner's Siegfried in a voice of spun gold" (Brooklyn Daily Eagle).

Floan is also a 2015 winner of The Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition - Wagner Division which resulted in Floan's Carnegie Hall Debut in April 2015.

I'm a fierce and loyal friend, an ally for good people doing good things, and HUGE supporter of businesses supporting their community. Professionally I'm a graphic designer, creative thinker, and dependable worker/business owner. I own Big Red Dog Studios - a graphic design/print company specializing in vinyl graphics, graphic design, and all things print related. I create top notch designs and know what files look the best throughout all stages of print, social media, signage, etc. I'm also the General Manager/Strategic accounts manager at Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More where I work on the bigger, long term accounts. I make sure corporate clothing sites are running smoothly, orders are fulfilled in a timely manner, and quality is superb.

I'm also super goofy and am the BEST instigator/lover of shenanigans.

Mike has been the Superintendent of Stillwater Area Public Schools since 2022.

He has been a superintendent since 2005, most recently serving as the Superintendent in Albert Lea from 2009-22. He was a high school social studies teacher, coach, activities director, and principal. Mike is also a Retired Army Colonel from the Minnesota National Guard with 30 years of service. As a career infantry officer, he commanded soldiers at the platoon, company, battalion, and regimental level. He deployed twice to the Balkans in the early 2000s. He has a strong academic background in strategic operations, with a Doctorate in Educational Policy from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters in Strategic Studies from The United States Army War College. Funk was Named the Minnesota Superintendent of the Year in 2022, by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

Tim Gladhill is the Community Development Director for the City of Stillwater, focusing on economic development policy but also providing support for long-range planning, building safety inspections and code enforcement/neighborhood health. Prior to Stillwater, Tim spend approximately 20 years with the City of Ramsey, starting as a Public Works Maintenance Worker and moving up to Deputy City Administrator/Community Development Director. Tim also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Planning Association, a 40,000 member professional organization serving local Planning Professionals. Tim served nearly a decade on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association, including two (2) terms as Chapter President.

Shawn Glaser was born and raised in Stillwater, Minnesota where he continues to live today with his family. December of 2006 graduated from UW-River Falls with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance emphasis. He started work at First State Bank and Trust as a part time teller while going to college in 2004 where he continues to work to this day as the Bank Services Director. He has served on several non-profit boards including the Bayport Public Library Foundation, Halos of the St Croix Valley and currently still serves on the Stillwater Public Library Foundation.

Stuart Glaser has been with the Stillwater Fire Department for over 33 years, the last fourteen of which he has served as fire chief. Chief Glaser has extensive emergency response experience through the fire service and as an emergency manager. In addition, Chief Glaser actively represents the City of Stillwater on a number of professional organizations.

Julie lives in Bayport with her husband and three children. She loves being outdoors, traveling, baking, and being an Uber for three different schools and multiple sports. With two degrees in environmental policy and water resources, Julie has a diverse background with over 26 years of program management in national and local non-profits, museums, state government, and corporations. She enjoys work that reflects the intersection of mission, staff and volunteers, programs, community, and budgets. She finds professional fulfillment as a consultant focused on non-profit organizational development for volunteer programs, staff structures, fundraising, coaching, and strategic planning.

I have been a trusted advisor in the financial industry since 1998 and have focused on Treasury Mangement for the past 13 years. I have extensive experience serving Business and assisting them to create efficiencies that wave them time and allow them to do what they do best. I am very active in my community; I lead a women's group at my church to help create a feeling of sisterhood and embrace the life changes they go through. I was also the president of the Traveling Basketball Board for 3 years. I love leading and encouraging people to become leaders.

Pastor Clare arrived to the St. Croix Valley in 2021. She supports the people of St. Croix United Church in this pursuit: We envision an ever-expanding safe harbor where we thrive together and work with God toward love and justice. Previously in outdoor/retreat ministry and bilingual public education (in TX and WI), Clare later followed a call to ordained ministry. She studied at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, then served for 9 years with the people of St. Paul's UCC in St. Paul. She enjoys time with her children (ages 10 and 7), aerobic exercise, reading, music, decluttering, and visiting family in northern Wisconsin. Pastor Clare describes herself as optimistic, curious, assertive, appreciative, flexible and open-minded. Christian faith compels her to collaboratively honor the inherent dignity of every being.

I moved to the St. Croix Valley 26 years ago. I am a Wisconsin native who was drawn to the fresh thinking and energy of the metro area, but when it came to really settling down and raising a family, we picked Stillwater as our home. I was drawn to the Valley’s sense of place and heritage, while still touched with the energy and fresh thinking of a metro community. After graduating from UW-Madison I began my career, as a CPA with Coopers and Lybrand. After C&L I spent several years in the banking industry before taking an 11-year sabbatical to parent our three children. In those 11 years, a team of us developed a vision for St. Croix Prep, a Stillwater Charter School. St. Croix Prep opened in 2004 and I have spent the last 20 years executing on that vision.

As a dedicated Planning Manager based in the City of Stillwater, Ben excels at orchestrating complex projects with an eye for detail and strategic vision. With a passion for assisting property and business owners through both easy and difficult permitting processes Ben strives to not only assist people, but build connections as well. Ben enjoys seeing that every initiative runs smoothly and efficiently, driving success for the team and the community. Outside of work, Ben enjoys unwinding with a good TV show, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and taking leisurely walks to explore the local scenery. Travel and music are also integral to Ben's life, offering both inspiration and relaxation.

Brenda became the vice president of ancillary services at Lakeview Hospital in 2023 and has operational oversight of several programs and teams, including pharmacy, lab, rehabilitation services, emergency medical services and oncology. She joined HealthPartners in 2016 and has held various roles across the care system, serving most recently as the director of surgical services for Hudson Hospital & Clinic and the St. Croix Valley. Brenda holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Business Administration from St. Catherine University, and has bachelor’s degrees in nursing and theology from the University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University.

James provides business development for Market & Johnson, a leading construction management and general contracting company. James' role is working with clients early on in the construction process to assist them in evaluating and identifying the right construction delivery method for their project. James is also responsible for actively developing and managing quality relationships with past, current and potential clients of Market & Johnson. James' background is in community and economic development, with previous experience providing planning and economic development services for municipalities, counties and Xcel Energy.

Michele joined the Bayport City Council in November of 2010 and was elected mayor in 2022. Her professional background is in market research, working for Readex Research in Stillwater for most of her career. Recently retired, her focus is now on volunteering in the local community. She currently enjoys being a member and past president of the Bayport Community Action League, service chair of the Afton Bayport Lakeland Lions Club, Stillwater Area Public Schools Community Education Advisory Board Member, Planning Team Member for Thrive at Community Thread, and a VESL program volunteer at Andersen Elementary.

I graduated from Stillwater High School in 2004 and went on to attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where I played Division 1 soccer. In 2008 I and graduated with a BSBA and studied abroad in Australia my junior year. After college I lived in Norway for 2 years and started working for a Swedish Dental Manufacture. Currently I am the marketing manager for Directa Dental USA and also the Community & Corporate Partners Coordinator & Content Creator for St.Croix Soccer Club. I am married to my husband who is also from Stillwater, where we live with 2 kids (2 and 4) and our most loved dog Kaprice.

Joe and his wife, Stephanie, and their 4 children live in Lake Elmo. Joe grew up in the East Metro and chose to move to the greater Stillwater/Lake Elmo area because of the amazing school district and the wonderful community. Joe has been in the United States Marine Corps Reserve since 2007, which has given him the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best leaders one could imagine. Joe currently works for a Managed Security Service Provider that helps small and medium sized business protect their companies by mitigating IT risk and managing their IT infrastructure. When Joe is not working or fulfilling his military obligation, you’ll find him doing one of the following: playing with (or chasing) his kids, playing sand volleyball with his wife, or doing a home project!

Entrepreneur 360 Award Recipient from Entrepreneur Magazine as a technology leader known for innovation and web product development expertise with deep experience in Compliance, Security, Amazon Web Services & Cloud technologies, along with DevOps and Agile methodologies.

Elsbeth Howe joined the Stillwater Public Library Foundation as executive director in September 2023. Other roles have included Development Director at the Inver Hills Community College Foundation and Executive Director at Students United, an advocacy and scholarship nonprofit organization. The majority of her career has been in higher education, and other positions have included lobbyist, instructor, and student senate advisor. She also worked as a Legal Aid attorney. Elsbeth earned a B.A. in history from Drake University and a J.D. degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. In May 2023 Elsbeth completed a master’s degree in philanthropic studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She has served as a board member and volunteer for several local nonprofit organizations.

Sara grew up in a northern Minnesota mining town where she learned the value of hard work, the healing powers of the deep woods, and importance of a connected community. She loves a good challenge and is certain to push her physical and mental strength with unique challenges every year. Her family: Nathan, Astoria, & Elianah, fill her life with joy. Sara, along with her husband, have co-owned several Anytime Fitness Centers since 2005. She founded Look Good Naked Training which was later rebranded as Trumi Training. She and her husband launched the Trumi Franchise system. She was a virtual trainer for Wellbeats; a virtual fitness experience. In December of 2019 Sara ventured into the world of hospitality, by opening The Lumberjack, an axe-throwing bar, and in 2021 Mad Capper. Her and Nathan also own three vacation rentals in Stillwater.

I am a partner with Johnson Boog, LLC. Johnson Boog, LLC is a tax and accounting firm with offices in Stillwater, MN, St, Croix Falls, WI. Our firm provides tax compliance, planning, accounting, bookkeeping and payroll services for both businesses and individuals. I have been working in the tax and acoounting industry across a number of firms since 2008. Prior to my accounting career, I spent 10 years managing a small specialty sporting goods store in White Bear Lake. 

REALTOR in MN and WI, with over 20 years of experience in a variety of related fields such as contract administration, construction, title insurance and portfolio lending. Combined with a passion for sustainable SMART living, natural health, water conservation and indoor air quality I focus on clean conscience real estate consulting.

Raised in Minnesota, Andrea and her husband, Jon, are now enjoying life in Wisconsin. They followed the river north from Red Wing to Hudson and continue to love the outdoor beauty and communities of the river valley. They are entertained by the shenanigans of four children, two dogs, and the many adventures they bring. Andrea is passionate about the communities she serves and is driven to ensure their continued growth and prosperity.

I am a Police Captain for the Stillwater Police Department, in charge of the Patrol Division, and oversee all Patrol Officers and Patrol Sergeants, as well as all patrol operations. I have worked for the Stillwater Police Department for the past 12 years, first serving as a Community Service Officer, then Patrol Officer, then Patrol Sergeant, and now most recently Patrol Captain. My wife Gina and I live in Bayport with our two children, Jacob and Isla. I am enjoy fishing with my son, being at our cabin with family, and playing softball with our Police Association softball team. I am big into the outdoors and also do a lot of duck hunting in the fall. I love my job and strive to do good for our community on a daily basis on and off duty.

Brad is a 1988 graduate of Stillwater Senior High who earned his Degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting from Brown Institute. After a three-year blurb he calls "the dark years" at WDOR in Sturgeon Bay, WI he returned home to get married and start a family. Brad spent the next several years in construction as Job Site Supervisor for Krongard Construction before moving on to Anderson Windows in the factory and later as a Customer Service representative. Brad began his career with the Stillwater Police Department as a Community Service Officer. He transitioned into his current role as a Community Resource Officer where he maintains the property and evidence room, social media releases, and much of the department's crime prevention and community engagement objectives. You will find him engaged at St. Mary's Church, mountain biking all of the nearby trails or sailing on the St. Croix River with Liz his wife of 29 years.

Dustin Kalis was appointed Fire Chief for the City of Lake Elmo in September of 2020. He began his fire service career in 2004 with the North St. Paul Fire Department. With North St. Paul, he served as fire inspector, code compliance officer, fire marshal and deputy fire chief. In 2014, Dustin went to work for the Vadnais Heights Fire Department as a fire technician providing incident response, rental housing inspections, plan review and emergency management. Chief Kalis graduated from the Concordia University – St. Paul with a BA in Kinesiology, minor in Community Health Education. Dustin lives in Lake Elmo with his wife Gina and two children.

Carissa has served as the Stillwater Area Public Schools' Community Engagement Manager since 2008. After working as a school communicator in several other school districts she was thrilled to have the opportunity to return to her alma mater and serve her hometown schools. Carissa holds a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University and a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has also earned her accreditation in Public Relations (APR). She lives in Lakeland with her husband, Bryan, and daughter, Emmie.

Born and raised in Dassel, MN. Once I graduated from high school I started pursuing a nursing degree at Bethel University. After 2 years I decided to make a career change and started pursuing construction management at St. Cloud University. I graduated in the fall of 2015 and soon after started with my first company, Kraus Anderson. For the first 6 years of my career in the construction industry I worked/ managed projects across the country, including states (Ohio, Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wyoming). I recently relocated to Somerset, WI and began working for Market & Johnson out of their Stillwater office. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors and spending time with my family.

I grew up in Woodbury and went to the University of Minnesota - Duluth for a BA in Social Studies Education and a minor in Russian Language. Following graduation, I eventually landed a teaching position at Takini School on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. Moving back home I wound up teaching at the ALC in Stillwater and starting a family with my best friend and wife, Chelsea. In my time in education I have become active in our local union and work toward creating a district that enables all children to succeed. I strive to make the world a just, verdant, and collaborative place where each person is given a truly equal shot at accomplishing their goals and making better life for themselves.

Jade is a member of Eckberg Lammers, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Team. She provides estate-planning services to individuals and families throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. She guides clients through careful planning by understanding their unique situations; establish expectations; and works diligently to meet each clients’ individual planning needs. Jade lives in western Wisconsin her dog Waylon. She spends much of her free time with friends and family enjoying the outdoors, visiting local breweries and wineries, watching movies, and listening to local musicians.

Dr. Krista Koehler is from the small town community of Marshfield in central Wisconsin. She attended the University of Minnesota for both her undergraduate and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, and is a current member of the Minnesota Dental Association and American Dental Association. Dr. Koehler opened Stillwater Modern Dentistry in 2023. She has a passion for educating her patients on the Mouth Body connection and how oral health contributes to overall body health. Dr. Koehler is excited to be putting down roots in Stillwater and investing in being a part of the community.

Joe Kohlmann grew up in South St. Paul and attended South St. Paul High School. He attended Hamline University and majored in Political Science. Afterward he attended Minnesota State University and obtained a M.A. in Urban and Regional Studies with a management concentration. He has worked in City Administration for 13 years for the the cities of Tonka Bay, St. Francis and now Stillwater.

I have lived in and around the St. Croix Valley for the past 27 years, raising a family in Lake Elmo before moving to downtown Stillwater. I love learning, trying new things and becoming more involved in the community. After leaving a career in hospital nursing at Lakeview Hospital, I completed my master's degree in public health and transitioned to working in occupational health and total worker health for Boston Scientific. My focus on wellbeing and how the work environment effects the employees, families and community has provided me with a new framework for care. I am personally involved in the local special needs community enjoying the Lumberjacks Special Olympics. I love living in the heart of downtown Stillwater and enjoying all the benefits this community brings.

Emily is passionate about history and making connections between the past and present. Since 2021, she has served as the Site Manager at the Washington County Heritage Center in Stillwater. A native of Ohio, Emily graduated from Miami University with a B.A. in mass communication. She’s had a diverse career path, starting out as a radio DJ in Ohio to living in Nashville for five years and working for the Grand Ole Opry. Emily earned a Master of Library & Information Science with a focus in archives from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020, for which she interned at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and other repositories. Emily also serves as the co-chair of HYPE Young Professionals program and is a member of the Chi Omega Archives Committee. Outside of work, she enjoys being out on the lake, listening to country music, and petting every dog.

Kristin has served as the Executive Director of the United Way of Washington County-East since July 2023, where she leads a passionate team committed to strengthening communities across Washington County. Over the course of her career, she has worked in nonprofits large and small, and subsequently joined a small consulting and benefit auction firm, where she provided strategic guidance to more than 150 nonprofits over her ten-year tenure. Kristin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Iowa State University and Master’s degree in Education from DePaul University. She is an active member of the Chamber's Women’s Business Bridge and has volunteered with Girls Scouts of River Valleys, Youth Advantage, Valley Outreach, Community Thread, St. Croix Preparatory Academy, and Partnership Plan. She was honored to serve a six-year term on the board of directors at FamilyMeans. Kristin resides in Stillwater with her husband, Nolan, and their three children.

I am currently in the construction field as a Project Manager. I enjoy seeing the design projects come to life after being a Designer for nearly 20 years and not always having the chance to see them built. The best part about the being a Project Manager is that I get to reach out to several vendors / trades at once and bring them together within the challenge of budget and schedule. At the end of the project there is a lot of pride and (normally) a very happy client. If I can also get tradespeople together and try to inject as much fun and teamwork along the way, it is going to naturally be a fantastic project. That should always be a goal as well.

My wife and I have lived in the Hudson area for over 25 years. We have three children, a daughter (19) and two sons (17 and 13). We have enjoyed much of what the St. Croix River Valley has to offer and look forward to being apart of their continued growth. For the past 4 years, I've been working to establish branch office in Stillwater. I enjoy golfing and traveling with my family.

Amanda Lathrop, owner of Lead Sheep Productions, LLC, received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UW-River Falls. Film Studies had been her choice for a “fun minor”, but after an internship with the MN Film and Television Board, she decided to pursue a production career. Since then she has worked on independent films, commercials, corporate videos, and many television series for History Channel, Food Network, and Travel Channel. After producing a family history video for her own family, she combined her genealogy hobby with her professional video business. Giving her the opportunity to use her skills to help people capture, share, and preserve their own stories.

I grew up in the Town of Afton and currently live in Denmark Township. At age 14 I joined the Washington County Sheriffs Office explorer program. My senior year in high school I joined the Lower St. Croix Valley Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT and retired from the fire department in 2012. When I graduated from Stillwater High School I joined the Reserve program at Washington County Sheriffs Office. I attended Century College and Mpls. Technical Collage and obtained by associate's degree in law enforcement. I was hired at Washington County Sheriffs Office in 2003 as a Deputy Sheriff. I have had the opportunity to work multiple positions at the Office. Patrol, School Resource Officer, Water/Parks/Trails, Water Recovery, Explorer Advisor, K9 Handler with K9 partner Zeke, MFF Commander, Honor Guard, Sergeant (Patrol, Special Projects and Sgt. of Security Operations) and SWAT Commander.

I completed training and have worked at specialty clinics such as community mental health, neurodevelopmental conditions (FASD, ASD, ADHD, LD, etc.), neurology (brain tumor, genetic syndromes, epilepsy, etc.), and intensive residential care (complex medical, neurodevelopmental, childhood, trauma, etc.).

I was initially licensed in 2010. Since then I have practiced in WI, CA, and MN.

I offer comprehensive pediatric neuropsychology assessment at my specialty private practice in Stillwater, MN.

As the owner of Valley Vision, Adriane works with executive leadership to build strong teams and develop effective, implementable strategic plans that do more than just sit on a shelf. She brings over 15 years' experience with private companies, nonprofits, and public agencies, helping them better understand where they are and where they want to go. Her previous work has been in support of volunteer programs, youth development, agriculture and food access, community health and social services, and natural resources. Her professional experience spans from private sector tech to nonprofit senior leadership, from Google to Girl Scouts, and includes extensive work on diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and racial justice.

I am an Account Executive working in Fundraising and Events with K2 & Co. I received a full ride athletic scholarship to run track at the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in journalism and a business minor. My experience as a Division I student-athlete taught me how to overcome obstacles while properly managing my time. It also helped me become goal oriented, determined and confident. In my time since graduation I have worked at different country clubs around the US where I helped coordinate and execute large holidays and events. This sparked an interest in me and has developed my passion for event management. I love interior design and making sure everything is aesthetically pleasing. I am thrilled that K2 is branching out into the event space and I believe I will soon be able to make a positive impact. In my free time I love trying new restaurants, going to sporting events and spending time with my family.

Heidi moved to the St. Croix Valley in 2022, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has held several roles in fundraising, communications, and administration with the University of Minnesota Libraries and the Minnesota Zoo Foundation. She currently serves as the Annual Fund Manager at Dodge Nature Center and Preschool, officing out of Dodge’s new Education Center at their Shepard Farm property in Cottage Grove. With a deep passion for education and environmentalism, she has dedicated her career to driving positive change within the communities where she lives and works and has recently joined The Partnership Plan’s board of directors. Her husband Curt is the middle school band and general music teacher in Osceola, and together they are raising their one-year-old child in Bayport.

I was born and raised on a farm in rural Southern Minnesota and attended college at the University of Minnesota. My husband and I have 3 grown children living throughout the US. We opened, 83rd Street Abstract in 1998 and are still open on a small scale today. As our kids grew and became involved in activities and sports, I found that it was important to give back to those organizations as a Volunteer Non-Profit director, team manager, uniform coordinator, Program Director, Tournament Director, Fundraising Coordinator, etc. This provided the opportunity for my current position as Administrative Director for the St Croix Soccer Club.

Building on this history and continuing to provide opportunities for our players and community is a passion for me. It's important for me to work within the community and beyond to share the game of soccer at all levels with our youth and provide them with opportunities to expand beyond the St Croix Valley.

Marketing is multidimensional, ever-evolving and time consuming, but the rewards are limitless with the right team, resources and strategy in place! Peachiie partners with businesses in the St. Croix Valley and surrounding areas to bring forward modern ideas and strategies that deliver agency quality results without the associated, hefty fees. We bring you creativity and insights to ignite your brand.

Whether you take a big or little bite, the results will be juicy!

When I moved to the Valley to go to SAHS, I had no idea how living here would impact my life. I came to find that this place and the people who lived here were my community. I developed life long friendships from my time at SAHS. I left the Valley in 2003. Although there were times of temporarily moving back here, I did not return to live here permanently until 2010 when I found a job at DiaSorin, Inc. When this happened, I came back to the community I called home and started my eldest son into the Stillwater School system at Withrow Elementary. Now both of my sons are in the Stillwater school system (Rutherford and Stillwater Middle School) and the schools continue to astonish me with their high quality staff and constant opportunity. The Valley is the place I live, work, shop, promote, entertain, play, you name it!

Bob Manning serves as one of the new Career Pathways Coordinator for Stillwater High School. Until this year, he spent his 26 years in education teaching Global Studies and AP Human Geography in Stillwater. He has lived in Stillwater for 20 years with his wife, Chris (who teaches 2nd grade in Centennial School District), and sons Jack (23), Luke (21) and Joe (17). Bob spent over 15 years as a volunteer hockey and soccer coach in Stillwater and still enjoys watching, maybe as much as he enjoys playing golf. He and Chris are also owners of The Passport Club, a geography enrichment program for elementary and middle schools.

After nearly 15 years of working in nonprofits in Minneapolis and St Paul, I excitedly joined the team at The Partnership Plan in 2019. As the Program and Communications Manager, I combine my skills and expertise in the areas of volunteer and program management, grant writing, and data analysis to help fund the extras that make school fun for kids throughout the Stillwater Area School District. My husband and I have lived in Bayport for the past 11 years, just houses away from where he grew up. We have 2 kids who in Stillwater Area Public Schools.  In my free time I volunteer with the Bayport Community Action League and the Andersen Parent Group and serve on the Steering Committee for Leadership in the Valley and as a board member of Bridge to Books.

Kelli Matzek graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College and then went on to earn a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She was a City Planner for the City of Lake Elmo for over five years. She then moved into an emergency management position at Washington County. Currently she works in the Washington County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Division as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management. Kelli has over ten years of emergency management experience in Washington County and is the President of the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers. Kelli has children who are in 9th, 7th and 5th grade and enjoys watching all three of them in their sports and musical endeavors.

I grew up in So. St. Paul and went to college at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. I have lived in the Stillwater area for 20 years with my husband and 3 children. Working part-time while raising my kids allowed me the opportunity to pursue my passion to volunteer and plan fundraising events for a variety of groups including Rutherford Elementary, Youth Advantage and Ponies Football. I began working with Discover Stillwater almost 5 years ago and have absolutely loved promoting our beautiful town. My primary responsibilities in this role are Events Calendar management, information distribution, social media content and creation, customer service and project assistance. I look forward to collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to provide the best experience possible for our tourists and our community.

Alexis is a municipal prosecutor at Eckberg Lammers law firm. Alexis has varied history working in the criminal justice system, including work as a pre-trial service agent, a correctional officer, and a probation and parole intern. These broad and comprehensive firsthand experiences have deeply diversified her work, helping to shape her perspective on crime and inspire her approach as an advocate in criminal court proceedings. Alexis grew up in Stillwater and still resides in the east metro area. She is committed to animal welfare and volunteers in local rescue efforts. The outdoors was a large part of her upbringing, and she remains enthusiastic about nature, conservation, and related pursuits. She also likes reading, spending time with family, kayaking, paddle boarding, outdoor adventures with her dog, Kenna and enjoying all that the St. Croix River Valley has to offer.

Caitlin Mejia is the co-owner and operator of Curio Dance, a performance-based dance school based in Stillwater, where she has successfully combined her expertise in dance with strong entrepreneurial skills to create a thriving arts enterprise over the past decade. In addition, Caitlin co-founded Curio Dance Company, a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization, with the mission to extend dance opportunities to underserved populations and bring professional dance performances to the St. Croix Valley at no cost to the community. Beyond her work with Curio Dance, Caitlin has made significant contributions to dance education. She has served as the Ballet Program Director at Premiere Dance Academy, Jete Dance Centre, and Heartbeat Studios. Caitlin’s performance portfolio includes notable credits such as iLuminate at the New World Stages Off-Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, Broadway in the Park, and television appearances on America’s Got Talent. 

Nicole recently joined the City of Lake Elmo as the City Administrator. Prior to joining the team at Lake Elmo she worked for the City of St. Anthony as the Assistant City Manager for nine years. Nicole has experience working in state government as well as the private sector. She believes in building positive relationships, collaboration and promoting the success of others on her team. She has passion for serving residents, businesses and stakeholders in the community. Nicole has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Nicole and her husband reside in Wyoming, MN with their three kids.

 was born and raised in Woodbury, Minnesota where I graduated from East Ridge High School. I went on to attend the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, where I graduated with a B.S in Environmental Public Health. I've been working in the Valley for over 5 years now with DiaSorin. Previously I had spent 18 months in Seattle, Washington working as an EHS Manager. I enjoy hiking, fishing, and playing sports as well as spending time with my family and friends.

Lori is an experienced HR leader with over 18 years of driving people strategy across diverse industries. Known as a trusted partner to leadership and a positive, passionate champion for employees, she focuses on building scalable, people-centric processes that support both growth and culture. With an optimistic, solutions-oriented approach, Lori brings deep expertise in talent strategy, organizational design, employee engagement, and operational excellence—consistently aligning HR practices with business goals while keeping the human experience at the center.

Lori was a graduate of the inaugural LITV Program in 2020, and is honored to serve on the Steering Committee, currently as a Co-Chair of the program.

Brian Mueller was appointed as the Chief of Police for the City of Stillwater in January 2021. He began his law enforcement career in 1998 with the White Bear Lake Police Department. Shortly after he accepted a position with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Brian has spent the majority of his 24 year career working in narcotics, investigations and SWAT. Brian has served as Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Commander, Commander of the Washington County Drug Task Force, Commander of the Washington County Investigative Unit and Overall Commander of the Washington County SWAT Team. In 2017 Brian was appointed by Sheriff Dan Starry to be the Chief Deputy, overseeing all Sheriff’s Office Operations. Chief Deputy Mueller graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Criminal Justice, minor in Business Administration and an MA in Police Leadership and Education Brian lives in Baytown Township with his wife Lori and 5 children.

Ed  has over 40 years of experience in the Nonprofit and public service sectors. He loves and appreciates living in Stillwater and doing his part to give back to the community. Public service is an important part of his ethos. He has served on many non-profit boards, been an Executive Director for a resource conservation district and a community arts theater group, He is currently Chair of the Human Rights Commission for the City of Stillwater, a Certified DEI Facilitator, member of the United Way of Washington County East DEI Task Force, a Volunteer Park Ranger for the National Park Service, Board Chair for the St. Croix Valley Opera, committee member for Union Art Ally, and an Ambassador for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Ed was born and raised in Los Angeles His greatest joys are his family, time spent in nature, and baseball.

I am currently Vice President of Development Operations at Datastream Connexion. I work on building large collaboration web platforms, including Laboratory systems for federal clients. I originally went to school for Aerospace Engineering but discovered I had a passion for Computer Science instead. I grew up in Apple Valley, MN, and moved to Stillwater in 2005. I have enjoyed my time living in Stillwater.

I like attending sporting events, musical theater, biking, or hiking in my free time.

I’ve been a long-time Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Wild season ticket holder.

Vianney Nguyen is the Youth Evangelization and Discipleship Coordinator at the churches of St. Mary's and St. Michael's in Stillwater, MN. Originally from Rochester, MN, he is the oldest of four and his parents work at the Mayo Clinic. Vianney studied at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN from 2014-2015, then left and finished his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at St. Mary's University of Minnesota. He accepted the position in Stillwater after graduating from college and is beginning his third year of ministry this fall. Vianney lives in New Brighton, MN. He plays piano and vocals for In the Name Worship band, playing various gigs around the Twin Cities area. In his free time, he enjoys playing disc golf, volleyball, and racquetball. He also enjoys exploring coffee shops and breweries in the Metro area with his friends.

Melena is the Director of Development & Communications with local non-profit, FamilyMeans. With a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from the University of St. Thomas, and over 10 years of marketing and development experience, she thrives in a hands-on, face-paced environment. New to the Valley, Melena likes to try new experiences and spend time outdoors with her husband and their dog, Delilah!

Kelly works for Discover Stillwater, the convention and visitor bureau for Oak Park Heights and Stillwater, MN. She is a graduate from the University of Minnesota- Morris, and holds a certificate from the University of Minnesota for Growing Tourism Leadership, along with a certificate in Nonprofit Administration. Kelly was part of the award-winning efforts for “Integrated Marketing and Branding” recognized at the 2020 Explore Minnesota Tourism Awards Ceremony. She is an alumnus of the Blandin Community Leadership Program, and serves on numerous volunteer boards. She has a strong passion for travel, historic downtowns, and marketing, and is enjoying becoming part of the Stillwater community.

Dan O'Neill was born and raised in Scandia, MN, where his family still lives. He has three three brothers, one older and two younger. He now lives in Stillwater with his Wife, Ashley and Daughter, Josie. Dan became an Electrician Apprentice in 2006 and worked for a large contractor out of St. Paul for the majority of his career until he decided to leave that company and start his own Electrical Construction Company, along with his wife Ashley, in 2016. The company is called O’Neill Electric Inc. and operates with eight employees, growing quickly. The intended direction for O’Neill Electric Inc. is to grow into a 100+ employee company that intensely focuses on premium customer service in the Industrial and Commercial service areas, as well as emergency power generation sectors of the industry.

Ashley O'Neill is Stillwater local, along with her husband, Dan, and daughter, Josie. Ashley is the Vice President, Operations and Business Development of O'Neill Electric Inc. (Commercial, Residential and Industrial Electrical Contractor) as well as a co-owner of The Croix Group, LLC. – an office rental company in Stillwater. Ashley holds 17 years’ experience in roles ranging from Business Development and Management, Marketing, Executive Support and Planning, Project Management, Healthcare Operations, and more. In prior years involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, Ashley served as a Board member for the Women's Business Bridge and most recently serves on the Steering Committee for the World Snow Sculpting Championship, as well as other various volunteer roles in the Chamber and other organizations in the Construction industry. Outside of running their business, time is spent raising traveling, enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

As an attorney at Seiler Law. James T. Olsen practices business/corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, entertainment law, and estate planning. He lives in Stillwater with his family and is a Board member of Chesterton Academy of the St. Croix Valley.

With over 25 years of expertise in Insurance and Financial Services, John acts as President of Ostrowski Insurance Agency located in Stillwater. As an Independent Broker, John is licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin where he offers products from over 50 insurance companies. Community involvement is a huge passion of John’s, serving on multiple Board of Directors over the past 25 years. John was a member of the Founding Steering Committee and student for the Leadership in the Valley Program. He also supports and volunteers for the Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce  as well as many organizations in the St Croix Valley. Family is a high priority to John and enjoys his time with his grandchildren. In his free time, John likes spending time hiking, gardening, and traveling with his wife, Shelley.

Kirsten is a deeply skilled communications strategist and executive coach with more than twenty years of professional services consulting and advisory experience. From the break room to the boardroom, across nearly every industry, she built her career helping C-level execs of Fortune 500 companies communicate effectively with employees, clients and shareholders. As a professional executive communications coach and adviser, Kirsten works with senior executives and their leadership teams to help them become more impactful and influential speakers and leaders. She lectures, mentors, and advises future CIOs and start-up founders as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota Technological Leadership Institute. Kirsten Parker is a board member and past board chair of The Partnership Plan for Stillwater Schools, a board member for Curio Dance Company, and a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and LUMA-certified Design Thinking Practitioner. 

Jenny is a Stillwater native now residing in Lake Elmo after living in the Bay Area with her family. Jenny is the Community Manager at Lift Bridge Cowork and loves supporting Cowork Members and the Stillwater Community. Jenny has experience working in the fast paced world of startups and Venture Capital with the players that brought Twitter to IPO. She is most excited to be back working on Main Street. Her first job was at The Supreme Bean in the Staples building at the North end of town.

Aimee grew up in No. St. Paul and graduated from UW Madison with a degree in Interior Design. She worked in the corporate world designing spaces and selling office furniture for 15 years before she decided to open a yarn store in 2009. Darn Knit Anyway is located on Main Street in Stillwater. The business has grown over the years and has expanded to include a robust online store as well as a Maker's Lounge. Throughout her 14 years on Main Street she was the chair of the Stillwater Parking Commission and was on the board of the now dissolved Mainstreet Stillwater Independent Business Alliance. She and her husband are enjoying a recent empty nest now that their two kids are college bound. She lives in Somerset, WI.

Brooke grew up in Hudson, WI and completed her undergraduate degree in journalism with an emphasis in communication studies from UW-River Falls. She was always the kid who asked ‘why?’ so getting paid to ask questions and get to know people felt like the perfect fit. Upon graduation, Brooke accepted a role as a marketing manager in Eau Claire, WI – a town she had never even heard of before moving there. After calling the Chippewa Valley home for over 8 years, she is thrilled to be back in the Stillwater area! Brooke currently serves as Business Development Manager for Market & Johnson, officing in Stillwater.

Personally, Brooke is the proud mom to her first baby, Nora, fur mom to two rambunctious labrador retrievers, Timber and Tundra, and adventure partner to her husband, Corby. Outside of work and family time, you can find Brooke racking up miles on her Peloton, throwing around heavy weights, and sampling hard ciders on a patio overlooking a lake

Jenni Pinski has worked for the City of Oak Park Heights since 2007 and has worked her way up to Assistant City Administrator. In her role, she works closely with the City Council, organizes City functions and events, and administers the municipal elections. Throughout her years with the City, she has met many community members and representatives from various organizations. With her recent promotion to Assistant City Administrator, it is important to expand her involvement in the community and create opportunities for partnerships. Jenni holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and is a Certified Municipal Clerk through the Minnesota Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association. In her free time, she organizes a running club in her hometown and is a member of a local cycling club. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have one four-legged baby.

Liza started at Royal Credit Union in July of 2011. Through her years with Royal she has worked extensively with consumer lending, home equity lines of credit and various account types. In 2017 she was excited to join the Mortgage Loan Team in the Somerset office. Liza understands the complex process of home buying and is dedicated to help create a positive experience throughout the process. Liza grew up in a small town and enjoys being actively involved in her community.

Rachel Presslein is the Program Director of Thrive at Community Thread. In this role, she is responsible for a membership-based network offering social activities, direct support services, volunteer opportunities and more for older adults in Washington County. Before moving to Minnesota in 2019, Rachel worked with the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation in North Carolina where she developed several programs focused on improving rural and community health and managed the organization's communications and fundraising efforts. Rachel also previously worked as a Volunteer Program Manager. Rachel holds degrees in Public Administration and Nonprofit Organization Management. Rachel lives in Oakdale with her husband and two young sons, and she is proud to additionally serve her community as a board member of the 622 Education Foundation.

I am married with two grown daughters. I lived in Wisconsin most of my life, having moved to Minnesota in 2021. I am a Vikings and Wild fan and enjoy going to a game when I get the chance. I also love to go on cruises. I am currently working for the City of Stillwater and have spent over 30 years working in the area of municipal accounting. I enjoy what I do and try and keep the taxpayers and my coworker in mind whenever faced with a decision that has an impact on them. I like to look for ways to improve and streamline current processes.

I was born and raised in South Dakota, graduating with my Bachelors Degree in Microbiology from South Dakota State University. I started my healthcare career in the Laboratory at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, SD. My leadership journey began to flourish with opportunities to; create and operate a mobile laboratory, develop leadership positions in Quality and Infection Control and finally, advancing to a Healthcare System Leadership position as Chief of Diagnostics Services. After a few years I found myself at Lakeview Hospital where I have the pleasure to lead a highly engaged team in Ancillary Services. My wife, Donnie and I have settled into the St. Croix Valley, enjoying everything it has to offer, from the magic of the St. Croix River to the diversity of the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.

I proudly own La Vie Est Belle, LLC.  La Vie Est Belle is a labor of love as a result of our own journey with our daughter courageously living with a panic disorder that has pivoted our lives.  Our Lake Elmo, MN gift and home decor store is not a financial endeavor, but a human endeavor.  In honor of our beautiful daughter, 20% of our net profits are donated to non-profit organizations raising awareness and transforming care for children and families experiencing a mental health condition.  

Jacob currently serves as City Administrator for the City of Oak Park Heights. Prior to Oak Park Heights, he served as Village Administrator for the Village of Cary, IL for approximately 6 years where he oversaw several transformational projects including the construction of a new municipal center and new downtown commuter train depot. Jacob attained his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Jacob has been married to his wife Nikki for almost 8 years. They share their house in Vadnais Heights with their two golden retrievers, Lenny (9 years old) and Archie (4 years old).

My name is Ashli Rode and I am a product manager at DiaSorin. I have worked at DiaSorin for 6 years starting as a product support specialist in 2014 and recently moving into my current role in 2020. I enjoy learning new skills and strongly believe in our company’s mission striving for quality and innovation to support laboratories and physician so they can focus on what matters most, patient care. I grew up in Stillwater, MN and have always felt a strong connection to the community. I am thankful for the support and love of my family, especially my parents and my husband. I have been blessed with two beautiful and strong willed children; Chris (2) and Annmarie (1) who inspire me daily.

I am a life long resident of the city of Stillwater, born and raised. My love for this town has guided me most my life. I have passed up many jobs and other opportunities outside of Stillwater, as part of my loyalty to our town. My wife Jen and I are very adventurous, constantly enjoying the wonderful activities, Stillwater has to offer. I have also spent many hours on the ball fields with my son Carter and daughter Charli. The St. Croix River seems to flow through all of our veins.

Jen is an outgoing, ambitious, and motivated professional based in the St Croix River Valley area. Jen was recruited into the real estate industry several years ago, following a 20 year career as a veterinary technician, and she has excelled in her career and developed a strong passion for helping clients find their dream homes, along with helping clients market their homes properly in order to sell in a very competitive market. Jen brings a blend of dedication and expertise to the industry, reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and hard work. Jen has been an active member and ambassador of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce for 12 years. Married for 12 years to her husband Chad, she is also a devoted step-parent to two wonderful children.

Heather Rutledge joined ArtReach St. Croix as Executive Director in October 2011. For the previous ten years, Heather was Assistant Director of Abington Art Center & Sculpture Park in suburban Philadelphia. Heather has also worked with the MidAtlantic Arts Foundation’s Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour Program and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Heather completed professional development programs in cultural leadership and management with ArtsLab, Indiana School of Philanthropy, The Pew Charitable Trusts and Leadership Philadelphia. She is a resident of Stillwater, MN and a graduate of the University of Iowa. A former dancer, Heather recently joined the board of Franconia Sculpture Park. She also enjoys Tai Chi, bicycling and hiking 

I am a local Independent Insurance Broker with over 17 years experience as an insurance agent.  Specializing in Auto, Home, Life, Business.  I love to meet with people to review their current insurance coverage, explain they benefit from it and make any suggestions to insure all of their needs are met.
I live here in Stillwater with my wife and three daughters. We spend most of our time traveling for volleyball, soccer and softball.
Proud supporter of American Cancer Society's Relay for Life along with Stillwater Pony Athletics.  I am also a member of Stillwater Elks #179.

Annette Sallman is the Director of Community Education for Stillwater Area Public Schools.  She has more than 25 years of experience in education. After joining the Stillwater school district in 2004, Annette served in several roles before assuming the director’s position in 2014.  Although she does not live in Stillwater she considers this her community.  Beyond her work for the school district, she is a board member for United Way Washington County East, serves on the Lakeview Health Foundation Health and Well-Being Advisory Committee and is an active chamber member. 

I graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. I was born and raised in Houston, TX. I moved to Minnesota 1 month after graduation and have worked at Xcel Energy King Plant since. I have a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Graphic Design. I enjoy the outdoors and love any activity that involves being outdoors such as running, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and skiing. I am a sports fanatic; my favorite teams are of course the Houston Texans and Astros - oh, and the Packers. I love to get involved in the community whenever and wherever I can.

Jennifer is a diligent leader with years of experience in service and guest experience. Jennifer values relationships and enjoys lending support to others. Working for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, she is passionate about serving the community and sharing all the wonderful opportunities we have to offer local residents, businesses and our visitors.

My name is Todd Scheel Owner of Scheel's Catering & Stillwater Event Center. I truly love what I do and enjoy assisting clients with their special event / celebration.

I have worked in the finance industry for over 15 years, building his expertise in a wide variety of areas. I am passionate about working with Members to help them achieve their dreams of homeownership. I attended South St. Paul High School where I played hockey, and graduated college from University of St. Thomas with a degree in Entrepreneurship. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, playing disc golf, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, and spending time with my wife Danielle, daughter Adeline, and two dogs Odin and Cali. I regularly volunteer with local organizations such as Safe Hands Pet Rescue and Feed My Starting Children, as well as Goodwill where I taught first time homebuyer classes to individuals coming out of prison or treatment through Goodwill’s Re-Entry program.

Samantha is originally from West Central Wisconsin where she grew up on her family's dairy farm. She attended UW-River Falls where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology. After college, she moved to the Twin Cities area and has worked in the biopharmaceutical, medical device, and in-vitro diagnostics industries. Samantha has been employed with DiaSorin, Inc. for over six years. Her current role is as an Operational Excellence Specialist.

 I grew up in the St. Croix River Valley and have always enjoyed the small-town

feel of the Stillwater area, but also appreciate the abundant opportunities and resources it has to offer. I attended Stillwater Area High School, where I developed a passion for law while working with other students to form the Mock Trial Team that I now coach. Through this team, I was introduced to Eckberg Lammers, the Stillwater law firm I clerked at throughout school.

I live in Afton with my wife Erin and our twin 16 year olds - Niko and Addie. I've been a realtor for 22 years with Edina Realty. I enjoy trail running, snowbarding and playing drums. Growing up, we moved a number of times before landing in Afton in 1985. I graduated from Stillwater High School in 1992. I spent 2 years at the University of North Dakota before graduating from St. Thomas. I worked for 5 years at Target HQ, before becoming a realtor.

Jill has been the director of the Bayport Public Library since 2015. Her love of libraries is centered in sharing a love of books and reading with children (and their grown ups!). Early literacy is her passion, and supporting families with young children is a critical issue for our communities. She can help if you want assistance using library resources, especially eBooks and databases. Need a library card? Have a program idea? Want to recommend a book? Get in touch!  

After 30+ years in a variety of leadership roles in the corporate world Margaret founded UXL. A career coach, author and workshop facilitator, she works with individuals and teams to accelerate their career and overcome challenges.
Margaret is also a licensed practitioner for Insights Discovery, a self assessment tool that helps her clients identify their strengths, motivators and management style to enable their ultimate effectiveness. Margaret and her husband, Marlay, raised their two boys in Stillwater and continue to reside in this historic town.

Deborah loves the Midwest – she grew up in Wisconsin and North Dakota and has lived in Minnesota since attending St. Olaf College. She has been in community banking for nearly 25 years, and with First Resource Bank since November 2020. Deborah got her start in banking as a teller and has held several different roles, all of which have led to her current position at First Resource Bank. As VP Commercial & Retail Lending and Onboarding Manager for OnPoint, a new division of the bank, she splits her time between the deposit and loan sides of the Bank.  Deborah is married with two middle schoolers and an adorable dog, Doc. Her favorite thing to do is watch her kids play all sorts of sports including baseball, soccer, football, dance and freestyle skiing. She also enjoys reading, walking the family dog, dabbling in mountain biking and skiing, cabin time, and simply spending time with her friends and family.

Rachel Steil is a 22+ veteran English teacher at Stillwater Area High School. She has taught a variety of English courses, including Enriched 10, English 11, and the award-winning Newspaper Journalism class. Rachel has been named Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2015 and 2020 and Minnesota Journalism Advisor of the Year in 2018. Prior to teaching, Rachel interned at the local NBC KARE 11 and ABC's "Nightline with Ted Koppel." Rachel has served as the Communications Chair for the St. Croix Education Association for 17 years. Four years ago, Rachel began working with the high school Innovations team, which is now connected with the Career Pathways program. She is one of two Career Pathways Coordinators, who are building a new, innovative program for students to explore their passions and interests in order to better determine long-term college and career planning.

Kelly Stenerson is the Development and Community Engagement Manager for the United Way of Washington County East. Her role is to educate the community on the importance of philanthropy, while bridging relationships and fundraising for the many agencies that United Way supports. A life-long resident of Stillwater, Kelly is active with the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and loves to contribute her time and talents with various local non-profit events. Kelly loves living in downtown Stillwater with her husband Christian and her black lab, Luna.

Matthew Stepaniak is a dedicated nonprofit leader, connector, and advocate committed to creating inclusive opportunities that transform lives. As the driving force behind Limitless Cycling, he combines strategic expertise with heartfelt collaboration to bring mobility and joy to underserved communities. Balancing his professional work with his role as a caregiver for his vibrant 91-year-old mother, Matthew exemplifies compassion and resilience. As a longtime community leader and St. Croix County Advocate Chair for the Wisconsin Bike Fed, he champions positive change through partnerships and shared purpose. Grounded in humility and driven by connection, Matthew is passionate about fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment in every endeavor.

Anne is a personal injury attorney and founder of Stoudt Law in Stillwater, MN. Anne grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota, graduating from Maple Grove Senior High in 2000. Anne then went to St. Olaf College where she majored in math and political science. Anne was captain of the St. Olaf Women's Swim Team during the 2003-2004 season, which was also the season she qualified for NCAA Division III Nationals and earned All-American Honorable Mention honors. Anne no longer swims competitively, but she has completed 6 marathons with Grandmas 2022 being the most recent. Anne is married to Dan Stoudt, owner of Dan Stoudt State Farm Insurance with offices in Stillwater, Lake Elmo, and Woodbury. They have four children in the Stillwater District: a 4th grader, 2nd grader, kindergartener, and almost preschooler. Anne is an active member of the Stillwater Chamber and Women's Business Bridge.

I was adopted and grew up in Stillwater and Lake St. Croix Beach. I went to Stonebridge Elementary, Oakland Middle School and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1994. I am married and have two children, my oldest who is 20 graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 2000 and my youngest is 14. My parents are both retired educators in the district and my dad was the Varsity boys soccer coach for over 20 years. I love my hometown, from lazy Sunday walks downtown to a fun night out supporting many of our local restaurants and shops there is no where else I would want to live. I have been the Finance Director at Inver Grove Toyota for 10 years, being in the automotive business has been the most rewarding and challenging job I have ever had. When I am not working you will find me at a Hockey rink in the winter and the river in the summer.

My name is Kayla and I currently live in Woodbury with my husband and 2 children. I've worked for the Washington County sheriff's office in the jail for over 9 years and am currently the jail operations sergeant. I have worked in Stillwater for almost 20 years and live this community and I am eager to learn more about each unique and vital component of this community.

Julia has years of experience working on both the agency and the client side of the media relationship. She has established herself as a multi-faceted Marketing and Social Media Consultant.  

Julia has a a successful track record of developing and implementing winning marketing and media strategies for a variety of businesses. From traffic driving promotions to social media engagement she knows how to help businesses speak to their customers in their own voice and in their own way. 

She studied Marketing Management and Innovation at Concordia University and was awarded Summa Cum Laude. She also has her Master Social Media Certification from one the the top social media schools in the nation, Splash Media University.

She enjoys sailing, running,  travel, spending time with my family at out lake place. 

Bill Tiedemann is a highly accomplished and passionate transformational leader interested in impacting the complex social issues that prevent many of us from living our best lives. He is known as a social entrepreneur, innovator, disrupter of the status quo, collaborator, convenor, and student of organizational development and leadership. Bill is proficient at identifying the solutions needed to make the necessary and sometimes difficult changes within organizations and communities to deepen impact
and improve peoples lives.
Bill is the former Executive Director for Hope House of St. Croix Valley and a 2021-22 LITV graduate.  Bill resides in Mendota Heights along with his life partner Mike and Mike’s daughter Megan who is in
her second year at Kenyon College in Ohio and Bella-Grace a black lab border collie who only listens to the sound of shaking treat bags and the refrigerator opening for her morning ham.

Originally from St. Croix Falls, WI, where I grew up on the St. Croix river with my immediate and extended families. The river and being near it is and has been an important part of my life.

I love all things with an engine, hunting and many outdoor activities. I am on the board for eRATicate Cancer Cruise, a non-profit where we raise money for Local  cancer patients, their families and caregivers. I have a passion for helping people and enjoying time with family and friends alike.

I am Retired Army after 22 years and I am proud to offer a Military/Police/Fire/EMS discount.

I highly value my relationship with clients and enjoy that I get to partner with them in reaching their personal and family goals. 
 

Sheila-Marie Untiedt has been very active in the community and the St. Croix Valley. She works as a Mediator Neutral in her practice Clean Slate Mediation assisting clients to resolve disputes in a collaborative method. She volunteers at Minneapolis Institute of Arts as a docent guide and also performs in local theater. Sheila-Marie has been an elected Town Board Supervisor for 25 years. She is married to Jim Untiedt, lives in Stillwater Township and has two daughters, one a senior at Gustavus Adolphus College and the second a junior at St. Croix Preparatory Academy.

I have been in the financial services industry for 30 years spending much of this time in a leadership role. During this time I have worked in Rochester MN, Eau Claire WI and now Oak Park Heights where I am a Business Loan Officer at Royal Credit Union. My husband, David and I have two adult children and a 15 month old granddaughter. I love spending time with family, friends and my two dogs. I also enjoy nature, running, meeting new people and learning new things.

Michael is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and the Manager of Anesthesia Services at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater. Michael is professionally involved with the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Minnesota Hospital Association. He also volunteers as a coach for his son's hockey team with the Stillwater Area Hockey Association and for the Valley Athletic Association Mountain Bike Club. Michael and his family have lived in Stillwater since 2013.

Michael Wilhelmi is the Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy in 50 northeast metro communities. Michael's experience is working with local government leaders in the St. Croix Valley. He has guided several projects through public processes and built a network of friends and business associates throughout the valley communities.

Caitlyn Willis is currently serving as the Executive Director of Elementary Education for Stillwater Area School District. Caitlyn started her career as a business owner and independent contractor; her company, Half Steps, LLC, provided music therapy and music education to 17 different metro school districts and early childhood development centers. Through this experience, Caitlyn found a passion for students in special education and decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Special Education with teaching licenses in Emotional Behavior Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders. While teaching special education, Caitlyn found herself acting in various building and district level leadership positions. 
When Caitlyn is not working, she can be found enjoying her "hobby farm" in Houlton, WI with her husband, Matt, daughter, Ruth, son Will, Great Dane (Harley), Bernedoodle (Walter), 3 cats (Raphael, Simba, and Shenzi) and 26 chickens 

Hadley Wuertz, ArtSpoke’s Executive Director is the mom of three awesome girls. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Additionally, she has completed post-graduate courses in Montessori Education, Grant Writing, Writing for Public Relations, and Social Media. Hadley brings a unique mix of professional experience from the non-profit sector as well as both public & private education environments. Hadley served as the Events Director at an AIDS nonprofit based in Las Vegas. As Events Director, she also started and ran Camp Courage, a summer program for kids affected by HIV. In her spare time, you can find Hadley indulging her love of health & wellness, coaching CrossFit & running her dog Boone.

Dan has been a member of the Stillwater Police Department since 2010. He is currently a Patrol Sergeant, supervising patrol officers. Dan has also served as an investigator and patrol officer, and he began his career in Law Enforcement with Stillwater as a Community Service Officer. Dan serves as a use of force and firearms instructor for the department Dan grew up in the Stillwater area, graduating from Stillwater Area High School. Following graduation, he attended St John's University and obtained a BA in biology. After college, Dan worked briefly in the medical device industry but a calling for public service caused a career shift to Law Enforcement. Dan lives in the St Croix Valley area with his wife and children. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, and outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, archery, and camping.