Mission
To be expert navigators, transforming ideas into accomplishments.
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
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.
KARL SCHUETTLER
VICE PRESIDENT
kschuettler@northspan.org
Karl Schuettler helps to guide Northspan strategic planning processes and conducts research and analysis on economic and demographic trends. His work includes using data to tell stories for communities and organizations, community development project management, and support for 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.
MIRIAM KERO
SENIOR CONSULTANT & NORTHLAND CONNECTION PROGRAM MANAGER
mkero@northspan.org
Miriam Kero joined Northspan in 2022 and provides community and organizational development services. Miriam manages the Northland Connection program and provides support to Northspan’s partners through demographic data, economic analysis, and information on commercial real estate. Miriam brings over 25 years of experience in industry, government, non-profit, and education. With a specialty in communication, Miriam is practiced in engaging people, communities, and organizations in strategic development work.
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.
ALI BILDEN CAMPS
CONSULTANT & NORTHFORCE PROGRAM MANAGER
acamps@northspan.org
Ali Bilden Camps joined Northspan in 2022 as a consultant and provides community, business, 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.
BAILEY OLSON
CONSULTANT
bolson@northspan.org
Bailey Olson joined Northspan in 2023 as a consultant and provides community, business, and organizational development services.
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Amber Lewis
WELCOMING COMMUNITY PROGRAM COORDINATOR | LEAD FOR MINNESOTA FELLOW SERVING NORTHSPAN
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.
CAITLIN VANDER WAL
OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
cvanderwal@northspan.org
Caitlin Vander Wal joined Northspan in 2023 as our Operations Specialist.
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JESSICA POLENCHECK
DISCOVER HEALTHCARE INTERN
Work
As Northspan’s operations specialist, Caitlin Vander Wal provides administrative support for day-to-day operations, including maintenance for the Northland Connection, NORTHFORCE, and Welcoming Community programs. Prior to joining Northspan, Caitlin was a communications and data specialist with Community Action Duluth. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she majored in anthropology,…
“How can we make our communities more welcoming?” By Kathleen McQuillan This article was published in the Timberjay on May 24, 2023: View Story What do you think of when you hear the words, “Welcoming Community”? Maybe you recall the time you were new to town and a stranger knocked on your door with an…
For many individuals from underrepresented groups, disparities in health outcomes continue to persist across various dimensions. Inequitable healthcare access and practices, exposure to environmental contaminants, mental health challenges, and limited access to healthy food and resources, are just a few of the factors that contribute to disparities. As May is Mental Health Awareness month, we…
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