Engage & Elevate

Engage & Elevate

Mission

To be expert navigators, transforming ideas into accomplishments.

Creative Solutions

Team

EHansenCrop

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

EHansenCrop

Elissa Hansen

President & CEO
ehansen@northspan.org

Elissa Hansen invests her time creatively advancing others' capabilities. She pilots Northspan's facilitation of strategic planning processes for public, private, and nonprofit organizations in the Upper Midwest. She also spearheaded the creation of the northeast Minnesota Welcoming Community programming and has worked to expand and enhance Northspan’s programs. She leads Northspan with over 20 years of experience in business and economic development across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

KSchuettlerCrop

KARL SCHUETTLER

VICE PRESIDENT
kschuettler@northspan.org

Karl Schuettler works to integrate Northspan’s vision into its work with clients and community partners. He facilitates strategic planning processes, uses data to tell stories for communities and organizations, manages community development projects, and supports Northspan’s programs. He joined Northspan in 2016 and holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Minnesota.

ZFilipovichCrop

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.

ABildenCampsCrop

ALI BILDEN CAMPS

CONSULTANT
acamps@northspan.org

Ali Bilden Camps joined Northspan in 2022 as a consultant and provides community and organizational development services. She manages 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.

HIRING

CONSULTANT
dbremer@northspan.org

Doug joined Northspan in 2024 as a consultant and provides business development services such as facilitating conversations, conducting business valuations, packaging Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications, and designing load fund services. Doug brings over 25 years of professional experience in a variety of industries, including banking, financial services, and hospitality.  He has familiarity with the regional business climate and experience in diverse financial applications. He moved to Duluth in 2000 and has primarily lived here since but has lived in several other areas of the country during as part of his time in the hospitality industry.

Jared - Headshot

JARED DUNLAP

CONSULTANT & TRIBAL LIAISON
TBD

TBD

Shaun Hainey Northspan

SHAUN HAINEY

CONSULTANT
shainey@northspan.org

Shaun Hainey works to build strong relationships and networks that leads to creative, community-based problem solving. He manages the Northland Connection program and leads its work in regional food access, in addition to work on community development and strategic planning projects. He joined Northspan in 2023 and brings previous experience with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and St. Louis County (MN) Assessor’s Office.

ALewisCrop

Amber Lewis

CONSULTANT
alewis@northspan.org

Amber Lewis coordinates the Welcoming Community program focused on finding ways to bring community solutions to challenges while bringing people together across differences. 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 and has a master's degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University and joined Northspan as a full-time employee in 2023.

SSjelinCrop

STEFANIE SJELIN

Associate Consultant
ssjelin@northspan.org

Stefanie joined Northspan in 2023 as an Associate Consultant, utilizing a varied skillset and strategic mindset to capably assist with community, organizational, and business development and support the NORTHFORCE, Welcoming Community, and Northland Connection programs. Stefanie graduated summa cum laude from The College of St. Scholastica with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and has lived in Duluth for over ten years. She is passionate about maximizing potential, furthering equity, and delivering quality results to stakeholders in communities throughout the region.

JL Herbert

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Work

Evolution of the East Central Development Partnership

November 20, 2024

The East Central Development Partnership (formerly GPS 45:93) has been a driving force for economic development in the east central Minnesota region since 2001. Covering the counties of Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Mille Lacs, and Chisago, ECDP fosters growth and collaboration by uniting stakeholders, empowering workforce efforts, and improving resource accessibility with the aim of business…

RFBC Provides Support for $3.9 Million in Grant Applications

November 19, 2024

The first year of work for the Northeast Minnesota Regional Food Business Center (RFBC) program provided support for $3.9 million in successful grant applications for projects that will help strengthen Northland food ecosystems. Duluth-based economic and community development nonprofit consulting firm Northspan is partnering with RFBC to improve regional food networks over the next five…

Case Study: Child Care Task Force Facilitation

November 10, 2024

Child Care Task Force Facilitation | 2023-2024 The Challenge: The City of Duluth was facing a significant gap between the number of available child care slots and the growing demand from families. To address this issue, a Child Care Task Force was established with members representing child care providers, local government, education, business, and nonprofit…

Newsletter Sign-up