About Us
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Northspan began providing economic development consulting in 1985, and we now serve between 70-80 clients per year. We have a broad pool of services tailored to the needs, opportunities, challenges, hopes, and goals of each client. Our work is grounded in our values to be Inclusive, Trustworthy, Stewards, Adaptable and Diligent, our fee for service professional experience works to engage your constituency, embrace tough challenges, identify areas for growth, and chart a specific, strategic and tailored path forward to help you succeed. |
Vision
Engage & Elevate
Mission
To be expert navigators, transforming ideas into accomplishments.
CORE Values
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Adaptable: We have a broad range of expertise which enables us to seize new opportunities and tailor our offerings. Diligent: We deliver excellent service and clear results. Trustworthy: We earn loyalty by operating ethically, reliably, confidentially, and with integrity. Inclusive: We facilitate intentional engagement and seek common solutions to challenges. Stewards: We carefully manage the resources entrusted to us and focus on long-term well-being. |
Our expertise lies in
1. Forging strong relationships,
2. Streamlining processes,
3. Facilitating impactful conversations, and
4. Sparking innovative insights and actions.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Members at Large
Chris LaFleur
Zane Bail
Tom Werner
Molly Solberg
Kiera Wilson
Brian Bosley
OPEN POSITION
Seeking Applicants.
OPEN POSITION
Seeking Applicants.
Team
Elissa Hansen
President & CEO
ehansen@northspan.org
Elissa Hansen leads Northspan with more than 20 years of experience in business, community, organizational, and economic development across Minnesota and Wisconsin. She invests her time creatively advancing others’ capabilities. In Elissa’s role at Northspan, she engages with and elevates every client by facilitating tough conversations and moving organizations forward with action-oriented strategic methods. She works to create a setting for meaningful communications that respects diverse perspectives, creates joint resolve, and inspires individual and group action.
A Typical Week
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Elissa Hansen
President & CEO
ehansen@northspan.org
Elissa Hansen leads Northspan with over 20 years of experience in business, community, organizational, and economic development across Minnesota and Wisconsin. She dedicates her time to creatively advancing others' capabilities. In her role at Northspan, Elissa engages with and elevates every client by facilitating tough conversations and driving organizations forward with action-oriented strategic methods. She fosters meaningful communication that respects diverse perspectives, creates joint resolve, and inspires individual and group action.
KARL SCHUETTLER
VICE PRESIDENT
kschuettler@northspan.org
Karl Schuettler works to integrate Northspan’s vision into its consulting work with clients of all shapes and sizes. His roles include project management, community research, and facilitation of strategic planning processes. He joined Northspan in 2016 and served as its Research Director until 2022, when he was promoted to Vice President. Karl holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Minnesota.
ZACK FILIPOVICH
CONSULTANT & FINANCE MANAGER
zfilipovich@northspan.org
Zack Filipovich joined Northspan in 2022 and provides community, organizational, and business development services such as facilitating conversations, conducting business valuations, packaging Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications, and designing loan fund services. Zack brings over 9 years of in-depth accounting and financial experience and 8 years of public service experience including reviewing and approving budgets. Zack holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is currently pursuing his master’s of business administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
STAFF TEAM
ALI BILDEN CAMPS
SENIOR CONSULTANT
acamps@northspan.org
Ali joined Northspan in 2022 as a Consultant and provides community and organizational development services. For two years, Ali managed the NORTHFORCE program by connecting career-minded individuals with professional advancement opportunities and supporting our regional employers’ current and future workforce needs. Ali brings over 15 years of nonprofit management and community development experience including working with organizations and individuals across all sectors. She has roots in northern Wisconsin and has called northeast Minnesota home for almost 20 years.
JARED DUNLAP
CONSULTANT & TRIBAL LIAISON
jdunlap@northspan.org
Jared Dunlap is an experienced consultant specializing in strategic planning, technical assistance, and data-driven decision-making. As a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a first-generation college graduate, Jared brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to his work with Tribal Nations, non-profits, and public agencies. With over 15 years of experience, Jared excels at facilitating collaboration, designing impactful strategies, and driving sustainable outcomes for communities and organizations.
Amber Lewis
CONSULTANT
alewis@northspan.org
Amber Lewis focuses on using expert facilitation skills and conflict resolution expertise to build connections across differences and bring community centered solutions to challenges. She manages many of the Welcoming Community initiatives under the DAWN program. Her work involves fostering a more welcoming community in northeast MN and supporting talent retention and community engagement in the region through facilitating community conversations, learning opportunities, and community projects centered on belonging and inclusivity. She joined Northspan in 2021 on a two-year fellowship with Lead for America, before joining the staff as a full-time employee in 2023. Amber graduated with a bachelor's degree from Utah Valley University and holds a master's degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.
STEFANIE SJELIN
CONSULTANT
ssjelin@northspan.org
Stefanie joined the Northspan team in 2023 as an Associate Consultant and was promoted to Consultant in early 2025. Her role focuses on several areas, including strategic planning facilitation, community and stakeholder engagement, survey design, data analysis, and research. Along with an adaptable skillset and strategic mindset, Stefanie brings a sense of emotional intelligence and situational awareness to her work. She is dedicated to meeting individuals, groups, and organizations where they’re at, bringing diverse perspectives together, and delivering quality results that maximize client’s potential.
COOPER GRAHEK
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT
cgrahek@northspan.org
Cooper is a graduate from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, earning his Bachelor of Science in Business, with a focus in Finance and a Minor in Marketing, in 2024. Having grown up in Eveleth, Minnesota, he developed a strong work ethic through sports and his commitment to his community. Cooper’s academic and work experiences have equipped him with skills needed for success. Cooper is passionate about applying his analytical skills and finance knowledge to support organizational growth and decision-making. His previous work experience has allowed him to deepen his financial knowledge, while honing his ability to communicate and collaborate across teams and departments to solve complex problems.
History
Northspan has been a behind-the-scenes force for economic development for more than 30 years. It was born in 1985 as a private, nonprofit organization to offer professional business and community development services. At the time, northeast Minnesota was reeling from a recession, record high unemployment, and a shrinking tax base.
Northspan’s founders chose its name to reflect its broad mission across the Upper Midwest and formed it as a private, nonprofit fee-for-service consulting group to nimbly address issues while remaining committed to its mission.
Northspan then built a team of professionals with broad capabilities that worked without limits imposed by geography or any professional field. Since its inception, Northspan has spearheaded regional partnerships, lent a fresh perspective, and built deep relationships in the communities it serves.
1980s
- Arrowhead Regional Development Commission Revolving Loan Fund Management Begins (1985)
- Northspan Offers Small Business Administration 7a Services (1985)
- Arrowhead Business Connection Created (1987)
- Minnesota Marketplace Created (late 80s)
1990s
- Upper Minnesota Film Office Created (1996)
- Carlton County Economic Development Committee Support Begins (1998)
2000s
- Aitkin Iron Works Infrastructure federal EDA application (2000)
- LTV Steel Crisis Response, Hoyt Lakes, MN (2001)
- Cirrus Expansion EDA Application (2002)
- Blandin Paper Company Crisis Response, Grand Rapids, MN (2003)
- Minnesota Community Capital Fund Relationship Begins (2003)
- City of Sandstone Technical Assistance Begins (2003)
- APEX Start-Up Staffing Assistance (2004)
- Arrowhead Business Connection Rebrand as Northland Connection & Website Launch (2005)
- Duluth Defense Base Realignment and Closure Adjustment Planning EDA Application (2005)
- Cloquet Business Park Infrastructure EDA Application (2006)
- Arrowhead Growth Alliance Relationship Begins (2007)
- Range Readiness Initiative Facilitation (2007)
- Duluth Heritage Sports Center EDA Application (2008)
2010s
- ARDC RLF Recapitalization (2010)
- Addition of Valuation and Succession Services (2010)
- Facilitation of Minnesota Power Community Advisory Panels Begins (2011)
- Go Cook County Facilitation Begins (2012)
- Boise Crisis Response, International Falls, MN (2013)
- NORTHFORCE Created (2014)
- Sandstone Business Park EDA Application (2015)
- Duluth 1200 Fund Technical Assistance Begins (2016)
- Addition of SBA 7a Loan Guaranty Sales (2016)
- East Central Development Partnership Relationship Begins (2017)
- UPM-Blandin Crisis Response, Grand Rapids, MN (2018)
- East Range Joint Powers Board Relationship Begins (2018)
- Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative Created (2019)
2020s
- Covid-19 Relief Fund Administration Begins (2020)
- Arrowhead Regional Development Commission Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Community Engagement Facilitation (2020)
- Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator Facilitation (2021)
- Welcoming Community Programming Begins (2021)
- Driving Access to Wealth and Networks (DAWN) program begins (2023)
- All Northspan programming merges into DAWN (2024)
- Northspan creates Tribal Liaison position to strengthen relationship with Tribal Nations (2024)
- Sparking Change process facilitation with Itasca Economic Development Corporation (2024-2025)