Belonging in
Northeast Minnesota

3rd ANNUAL Equity SUMMIT | October 4, 2023

The 3rd Annual Equity Summit is an opportunity to engage around themes related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and forge a more inclusive future in northeast Minnesota.

2023 Event Speakers

Jonathan Thunder, Visual Artist

Jonathan Thunder infuses his personal lens with real-time world experiences using a wide range of mediums. He is known for his surreal paintings, digitally animated films and installations in which he addresses subject matter of personal experience and social commentary. Jon is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, and makes his home and studio in Duluth, MN.

He has attended the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, NM and studied Visual Effects and Motion Graphics in Minneapolis, MN at the Art Institute International. His work has been featured in many states, regional, and national exhibitions, as well as in local and international publications. Thunder is the recipient of a 2020-21 Pollock – Krasner Foundation Award for his risk taking in painting. Since his first solo exhibit in 2004, he has won several awards for his short films in national and international competitions. His work is in the permanent collections of Museums and Universities.

Session(s): Keynote Presentation and Lyceum

Topic: Thunder will discuss inclusion in relation to his experiences in moving to this area about 10 years ago, and help us consider questions related to the place art and representation make in creating a welcoming community.

Elissa Hansen, Northspan Group, Inc. President & CEO

Elissa Hansen, Northspan President & CEO, leads the organization 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 planning models. She works to create a setting for meaningful communications that respects diverse perspectives, creates joint resolve, and inspires individual and group action. Hansen believes in encouraging collaboration, thought leadership, and the ability to create positive change in our communities.

Session(s): President’s Welcome

Topic: Northspan’s purpose and a welcome to the summit

Practices For Inclusive Hiring and Retention

Topic: Helping participants gain experience in understanding how to use inclusive practices in their business or organization

Keith Turner, Co-founder, The Promise is You

Keith Turner is the Athletic Director for Hibbing High School and a Co-founder of The Promise is You. Has a graduate degree in education and has worked in higher education student support services for over 25 years. He has received his active shooter training and is a Clery Act and Title IX compliance officer. He has been an experienced collegiate-level coach for over 25 years and has a number of conference titles and several All-Conference and All American participants. As a coach, he believes one should only ask from their staff what one is willing to do themselves. A team is a family and will not always agree, but it’s critical to keep the best interest of the team and college first at all times.

Session(s): Lighting Round

Topic: Learn about The Promise is You

The Path Towards Equity for Your Business, Organization and Community group.

Topic: In this session we will discover the importance of equity and why sometimes it is so hard to achieve.

Panel Discussion: Inclusion for Families and Individuals

Topic: Panelist, impacts on Black community member in Northeast Minnesota

Carl Crawford, Co-founder, The Promise is You

Carl Crawford was selected by Mayor Emily Larson as Duluth’s Human Rights Officer in July 2016 after serving as Lake Superior College’s Intercultural Center Coordinator since 2007. As the Human Rights Officer, Crawford is charged with enforcing City and state human rights laws and works to ensure City services are accessible to all people without discrimination.

Session(s): Lighting Round

Topic: Learn about The Promise is You

The Path Towards Equity for Your Business, Organization and Community group.

Topic: In this session we will discover the importance of equity and why sometimes it is so hard to achieve.

Panel Discussion: Inclusion for Families and Individuals

Topic: Panelist, impacts on Black community member in Northeast Minnesota

Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, Cook County Higher Education (CCHE), Program Director-Associate Director

Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, Associate Director and Program Director at Cook County Higher Education (CCHE), places a high value on connections and partnerships in her role. Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) is a small nonprofit organization in Grand Marais, MN dedicated to providing accessible and diverse educational opportunities to the Cook County community. Kelsey actively engages in community events and meetings, attentively listening to community members, and gathering valuable insights to craft thoughtful, responsive, and timely programs that address the needs of those she serves

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: CCHE: Inclusion and Equity through Learning    CCHE is a dedicated organization focused on inspiring, preparing, and empowering individuals to reach their educational, career, and personal goals, with far-reaching benefits for our community, organizations, and businesses. CCHE has taken and continues to take deliberate action, nurturing the growth and development of diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and equity within its organization and the broader community. You can find our DEIA actions at https://mycche.org/deia/

Frances Wittenberg, Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, Northern Minnesota Chapter Leader

Frances Wittenberg is a proud mother, wife, veteran, and community leader. After serving over 21 years in the Air Force, Frances and her family decided to move to Minnesota from Oklahoma in August 2020. One of the reasons for moving is to provide her family the opportunity to receive the quality of education Minnesota is known to offer. She learned that although the school district had made some tough decisions in the past, Frances believes that she can contribute to the school district by offering her leadership experience and her diverse perspective of making those decisions involving our children's future through CARE: Communication, Accountability, Respect, and Equality for all.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: To inform, empower and advocate for the community and bring awareness to adapt and over the divide throughout our country. Their mission: dedicated to advancing civil rights and liberties for all Americans, and promoting a common culture based on fairness, understanding, and humanity.

Kayla Swanson, Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Operations and Outreach Manager

Born and raised in Taconite, enhancing and shining a light on the many assets of Itasca County has always been a passion of Kayla's. In 2013, Kayla graduated from Greenway High School and decided that she wanted to stay in Itasca County for just a while longer. She attended Itasca Community College, where she obtained her Associates of Arts degree in 2015. From ICC, she went on to claim a BBA from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI and competed in collegiate softball. In 2018, she moved back home to be with her husband. They planted their roots in Coleraine and have been incredibly happy with this decision ever since.

In 2019, Kayla accepted the position as IEDC's Marketing Specialist. After two years of employment, Kayla earned a promotion to Operations & Outreach Manager in 2022. Kayla's strengths lie in organizational management, social media/marketing strategy, operational outreach and interpersonal communication. Kayla's favorite part of working at IEDC is the fun and professional "team" environment. She says that our organizational values coincide well with her own. She appreciates the opportunity to grow not only as a professional, but as a person through her time thus far at IEDC.

On her free time, Kayla loves to fish, hunt, and visit Minnesota Breweries. She is an Assistant Softball Coach at Itasca Community College. She loves diving into a great book, binging a new show, or getting "Mama" snuggles. Kayla feels incredibly blessed to be supported by her husband, Jace; her son, Blake; her entire family, and all her friends!

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: Current programs and initiatives from Itasca Economic Development Corporation

Jen Kilps Ph.D., Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN), Network Executive

Jen Kilps currently works as the Network Executive for the Minnesota Multifaith Network and serves on the Collegeville Institute Multi-Religious Fellows Advisory Board. She has spent the entirety of her career organizing faith communities and volunteers around issues of peace and social justice. Jen has worked for the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in WI, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services Program and the national Church World Service Refugee Resettlement Program. Jen holds a doctorate in theology from the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Her research focused on the topic of hospitality. She has taught World Religions and Anthropology of Religion. She is also an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) facilitator. Most recently Jen has trained as an End of Life Doula through the University of Vermont’s Medical School. She considers interfaith work her vocation.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: Learn about Minnesota Multifaith Network and the work they are doing across the State.

Seraphia Gravelle, Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness (VEMA), Co-Executive Director

A Hispanic native of Central Texas, Seraphia moved to Minnesota in 1998 and now resides in Chisholm, MN, where she serves on the Chisholm Police Commission. Along with being active in her community, Seraphia also works towards seeing equity and inclusion on the Iron Range, where she and her family reside.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: Who we are, who we represent, who we serve, what we’ve done, and what we want to see in the future.

Nathaniel Coward, Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness (VEMA), Co-Executive Director

Nathaniel Coward was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl and moved to Ely in ‘94. He lived briefly in St. Cloud and Minneapolis. Coward has lived on the range for 26 years and is a part of several organizations, boards, and others that deal with diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: Who we are, who we represent, who we serve, what we’ve done, and what we want to see in the future.

Zomi Bloom, Wilderness Health, Telehealth Program Manager

Zomi Bloom serves as Telehealth Program Manager and is leading up efforts to improve access to care, starting with behavioral healthcare, through the use of telehealth in the rural areas of the Wilderness health network.  Prior to her role with Wilderness Health, she worked in clinic management in several specialties including oncology, OB/GYN, family practice, occupational health, and urgent care-both in the Carolinas and in NE Minnesota.  She also spent seven years with St. Luke's Hospital of Duluth in financial analysis and accounting management.    Bloom has lived in several states on the east coast and now calls Duluth, MN home.  She enjoys hiking, poetry, laughing at silly animal videos with her kids, and good coffee. She is active with the local poetry scene and enjoys supporting birthing parents as a doula.    Bloom holds a bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration from Mary Baldwin University and a master's degree in Business Administration, Concentration in Healthcare Management from the University of Scranton.  She has also earned certification as a Certified Medical Practice Executive through the Medical Group Management Association.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: Digital Opportunity in Lake and Cook Counties: Findings from listening sessions and surveys

Tonia Villegas, St. Louis County, Financial Work/ Chair of BIPOC Leadership Team

B.A. in Individualized Studies, with a focus on education, communication and social work. I am a survivor of domestic abuse, a mom, advocate, business owner and Chicana. Fortunate to have a path that carried me from Hawaii to Germany and many places in between, culture and community are the doors to the world. I invite you to walk with me.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: BELONGING: The Voice from Within

Miriam Kero, Hello Range, Project Manager

Miriam Kero is an independent consultant, working to add capacity to our community and economic development leaders. With over 25 years experience in non-profit, government, education and fortune 500 companies, Miriam is adept at taking a project from seed to harvest, communicating every step of the way. Listen. Plan. Grow.

Session: Lighting Round, Make the Iron Range Home!

Topic: "Hello Range!" is a Range wide marketing and retention effort designed to attract and keep residents on the Iron Range. We know the Iron Range is a great place to live. Our goal is to share the message and help feed our business and community needs for people.

Cassy Burr, Equity Committee of the Duluth Workforce Development Board, Co-Chair

My name is Cassy Burr. I am the co-chair of the Equity Committee of the Duluth Workforce Development Board. I joined the committee in the spring of 2020 when I was the manager of some workforce programs at Community Action Duluth, and I stayed on as a volunteer after I switched workplaces (to Lutheran Social Services) in the fall of 2021. My background is in Social Work and Sociology.

Session: Lighting Round, Duluth Workforce Development Board Equity Committee Tools and Initiatives

Topic: I will introduce the Equity Committee and what we do, discuss the Employer Action Guide (including a planned refresh of the Guide), and talk about our Employer Champions series of Lunch and Learns.

Memegwesiikwe-Diana Lawrey, Cultural Fluency Associates, LLP

Diana Lawrey is a licensed elementary teacher in Minnesota.  She holds bachelor’s degrees from The College of St. Scholastica in Elementary Education and Ojibwe Language and Culture Education, as well as a Master of Education degree in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy.  Ms. Lawrey has worked in education for 10 years in various capacities such as teaching, advocating for students of color, and program management. Her education experience includes working with students in elementary and secondary education, as well as higher education. Much of Ms. Lawrey’s educational career has focused on culturally responsive teaching and professional development to increase cultural competence, not only in teachers, but addressing systemic equity within the school district.

Session(s): IDI 101, An introduction to the Intercultural Development Model and Inventory 

Topic: Provide both a conceptual and experiential grounding in the Intercultural Development Model

IDI Advanced, Practicing Intercultural Fluency

Topic: Provide experiential activities that allow participants to learn about their own edges and tendencies as relate to engaging across difference and practice more intercultural strategies.

Kevin Skwira Brown, Cultural Fluency Associates, LLP, Trainer/Consultant

Kevin is a founding partner and full-time trainer/consultant at Cultural Fluency Associates LLP.    He has 10 years of direct social service experience, has taught at the collegiate level for over 20 years and continues to do grassroots multicultural community organizing. For the past 15 years he has developed, presented, and facilitated diversity, inclusion and cultural development work with individuals and organizations striving to live in line with their values and missions.      Kevin engages participants with humility, respect, and authenticity in Intercultural Development and racial justice work. Clients include Colleges/Universities, City and County government, foundations, non-profits, schools, and religious organizations. His community work was highlighted by the Media Policy Center in the PBS special, Our Kids: Narrowing the Opportunity Gap which premiered in 2019.

Session(s): IDI 101, An introduction to the Intercultural Development Model and Inventory  

Topic: Provide both a conceptual and experiential grounding in the Intercultural Development Model

IDI Advanced, Practicing Intercultural Fluency

Topic: Provide experiential activities that allow participants to learn about their own edges and tendencies as relate to engaging across difference and practice more intercultural strategies.

Kimberly Scanlon, Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, Eldercare Development Partnership Program Developer

Kimberly Scanlon is a program developer at Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging under an initiative called Eldercare Development Partnership, or EDP. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Superior, majoring in Psychology and minoring in English. Kimberly worked in the mental health field focusing on human behavior, behavioral health, maternal wellness, and rehabilitative services prior to transferring her skills to the aging field. Kimberly is inspired by real stories and fueled by human connection. She is also a proud, self-proclaimed “recovering perfectionist”, a busy mom of two girls, avid crafter, and lover of coffee.

Session: Let’s Make Waves to End Racism Together

Topic: Ageism is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices, yet the impacts of ageism continue to have harmful consequences. Beyond perpetuating damaging stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that divide our community, ageism also undermines our mental health, physical well-being, and fundamental human rights.

This interactive session will include a discussion about the multifaceted nature of ageism. We will invite attendees to reflect on how ageism presents itself and impacts their businesses, communities, and daily lives. Attendees will learn ways to champion an age-friendly Arrowhead Region that respects, honors, and celebrates individuals at every stage of life.

Mimi Stender, Duluth Aging Support, Founder

Mimi is the Founder of Duluth Aging Support, a nonprofit organization that works to enhance the lives of older adults and caregivers in the Northland through resources, outreach, awareness, advocacy, and collaborative partnerships. Mimi is passionate about bringing together organizations and individuals with a common mission to improve community support and the quality of life for community members, especially under-resourced community members. Currently, Mimi co-leads the Duluth Age-Friendly Initiative and the Arrowhead Changemakers – a Regional Age-Friendly Collaborative and serves on the Governor’s Council for an Age-Friendly Minnesota. Mimi is actively engaged professionally and in a volunteer capacity with more than a dozen organizations in the Northland. She is a long-time Duluth, MN resident and graduate of Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO.

Session: Let’s Make Waves to End Racism Together

Topic: Ageism is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices, yet the impacts of ageism continue to have harmful consequences. Beyond perpetuating damaging stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that divide our community, ageism also undermines our mental health, physical well-being, and fundamental human rights.     This interactive session will include a discussion about the multifaceted nature of ageism. We will invite attendees to reflect on how ageism presents itself and impacts their businesses, communities, and daily lives. Attendees will learn ways to champion an age-friendly Arrowhead Region that respects, honors, and celebrates individuals at every stage of life.

Steph Koehne, Alight, Sponsor Program Lead

Steph Koehne is the Sponsor Program Lead at Alight, a local humanitarian non-profit organization. Steph is an experienced human-centered designer and project manager. Her previous roles at Alight include managing their community and staff engagement. Her background and education is in Strategic Communication and Justice and Peace Studies.

Session: Welcome Corps, Refugee Sponsorship Program

Topic: Community Sponsorship: The Power of Welcoming a Newcomer

In a rapidly changing world marked by migration and displacement, community sponsorship has emerged as a compelling solution to enhance the resettlement experience for those who have been displaced. This presentation will provide a comprehensive exploration of what community sponsorship is, why it matters, and its role in creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Ali Bilden Camps, Northspan Group, Inc., Consultant & NORTHFORCE Program Manager

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.

Session: Practices For Inclusive Hiring and Retention

Topic: Helping participants gain experience in understanding how to use inclusive practices in their business or organization

Jenna Udenberg, Above & Beyond With U, President & Founder

Jenna Udenberg is a lifelong resident from the Northshore of Minnesota and is a former music educator of 19 years.  She is now a disability advocate and accessibility educator.  She has used a manual wheelchair since the age of 8 due to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.   Jenna is a 2017 Blandin Foundation Community Leader and a 2020 Bush Fellow.  Writing for the Lake County Press in her column, Local View from 4 foot 2, she inspires vulnerability and the sharing of lived experiences from the seated perspective.  Jenna is the published author of Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom, and the founder and president of Above & Beyond with U, an accessibility focused nonprofit.   In her free time you can find Jenna outdoors on paved trails or fishing with friends, playing board and card games, as well as coaching the Robo Dweebs, a LEGO robotics team.

Session: Panel Discussion: Inclusion for Families and Individuals

Topic: Panelist speaker

Andrea Jang, Duluth Mom, Owner

A lake girl at heart, Andrea is thrilled to be a Duluthian! She lives in the Hillside with her husband, daughter and rescue pup. As a bi-racial and multicultural family, they have hopes and dreams of visiting her husband’s family in South Korea someday soon. Tiny joys that make her heart happy include: doodling, searching for beach glass, Lake Superior, coffee with friends, fiber art, plants, a good vintage thrift find, music and great food & drinks. You will find her building community, connections and friendships in the northland as the owner of Duluth Mom and as a member of the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice committee at her daughter's school.

Session: Panel Discussion: Inclusion for Families and Individuals

Topic: Helping Families in the Northland Feel Welcomed and Included -challenges, efforts and promising changes

Jim Gottschald, St. Louis County, Director of HR & Administration

Experienced Human Resources Director with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Coaching, Deferred Compensation, Personnel Management, Employee Engagement, and Organizational Development. Strong human resources professional graduated from University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Session: Sponsor Welcome

Topic: Why inclusion matters and purpose in supporting the summit

Claire Peterlin, Minnesota North College, AspireNorth Program Director

Claire Peterlin serves as the AspireNorth Program Director for Minnesota North College. Her previous roles included building student-centered workforce systems such as NEXT Career Pathways for Itasca Area Schools and supporting the redesign of the Applied Learning Institute for Minnesota North College; coordinating the merger of the five colleges that now make up Minnesota North College; Regional Development Representative with Minnesota Power; and Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystems Development Manager for The PLUM Catalyst, a future-transportation and mobility strategy and innovation consulting firm. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Minnesota State University, Mankato's Iron Range Engineering program, a Master of Engineering from University of Minnesota, Duluth, and is completing her MBA in Leadership and Change from the College of St. Scholastica.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: AspireNorth: Student-Centered, Equity-Focused Workforce Development

Wes Samuelson, LGBTQIA Community Member

Wes is a member of the LGBTQIA community who has worked to achieve equitable outcomes for those community members in the Northland.

Session: Panel Discussion: Inclusion for Families and Individuals

Topic: Panelist speaker

Mallory Thorne, Carlton County Restorative Justice, Social Worker

Mallory Thorne is a Restorative Justice Social worker with 9 years of experience in Social Work and Restorative Justice. She is an experienced presenter and trainer with a passion for working with communities and educators. She enjoys her time working with youth to walk alongside them as they overcome barriers and work to lead fulfilling lives. Mallory obtained her Master of Social Work in 2019 from The College of St. Scholastica. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, hiking, sitting with Lake Superior, and fostering dogs.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: Learn about the efforts and initiatives of the Carlton County Restorative Justice Program

Sal Lee, Carlton County Restorative Justice, Specialist

With a listening heart, Sal has had the honor of serving youth and families through her work with restorative justice and grief support. Recognizing the importance of meeting the changing needs of families and community; she strives for ever evolving program development, growth and improvement. In her spare time, Sal enjoys tending the garden, walking the fence lines on her farm and hugging her grandson.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: Learn about the efforts and initiatives of the Carlton County Restorative Justice Program

Brittni Abbett, Family Rise Together, Family Mentor and Outreach Coordinator

Family Rise Together is guided to provide safe environments for fathers to develop, contribute, invest and actively participate in the well-being of their children, family, and community. Their mission is to help strengthen family unity by engaging fathers in their children’s lives to establish family values, social roles, and participation in the community. Their vision is to develop and implement proven strategies for whole-family wellness.

Session: Lighting Round

Topic: I will be sharing information about our programs and the goals and dreams of the company.

2023 Resources

 

 

2023 community conversation

2ND ANNUAL Equity SUMMIT | November 10, 2022

The 2nd Annual Equity Summit is an opportunity to engage around themes related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and forge a more inclusive future in northeast Minnesota.

2022 Event Speakers

Suriya Vijayasarathy

MPP

Suriya Vijayasarathy is a changemaker who empowers individuals and organizations to lean into discomfort with curiosity and courage. He provides both peers and senior leaders with concrete skills and strategies for advancing equity by building authentic relationships with diverse communities and developing internal cultures of belonging. With a background in social work and a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Suriya has led organizational change efforts across multiple sectors, including government, education, and nonprofit organizations. Suriya believes that leadership starts with listening, and that the most effective change begins by lifting the voices of underrepresented communities.

In his free time, Suriya is an avid calisthenics and bouldering enthusiast-- he also enjoys cooking, discovering new music, and going on adventures with his dog, Aggie.

Ann Bussey

Thriving in Longevity Advocate

Ann Bussey serves as a Thriving in Longevity Advocate for Minnesota’s rural older adult population.  Ann is currently the Chair of the Governor appointed Minnesota Rural Health Advisory Committee, a member of the Fairview Range Central Mesabi Medical Foundation Board, and a Fellow in the first cohort of Project REACH, a University of Minnesota policy collaborative to improve rural health outcomes.

Ann completed a Master of Arts in Management at the College of St. Scholastic and her undergraduate degree at St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul. She lives in Side Lake MN.

Minnesota Rural Health Advisory Committee
Fairview Range Central Mesabi Medical Foundation Board
University of Minnesota, Project Reach

Beram Compo

Co-Founder, Trans Northland

Beram has been working in human services and non-profit organizations since 2014, providing trauma informed care, mental health services, and educating his community on interpersonal forms of violence. 

In 2021 Beram began his transition and realized during this process that our community needs dedicated resources and programming for transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, and 2-spirit people in our area. This need for community resources has led to the creation of Trans Northland.

Trans Northland

Heart Warrior Chosa

Nett Lake community member, registered member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, artist, pipe holder, mother, and grandmother

Heart Warrior Chosa lives in Nett Lake, MN. Her father was a registered member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, and her mother was from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, where Heart Warrior is also registered. Her family lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe area, with deeds to the land before it became the BWCA when she was 11 years old. Her ancestors were from the area and had deeds to the land, so they could not be pushed out. Hers was the last family to live in the BWCA, where she raised two sons. She is now a grandma, raising three granddaughters.

She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and studied Ancient Tibetan Art for a year. Heart Warrior Chosa was the EarthRight party candidate for governor in 1990. She is a pipe carrier and was a SUNDANCER for 22 years.

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa

Nathaniel Coward

Co-Founder / Co-Executive Director, Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness (VEMA)

Nathaniel is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness (VEMA) in Chisholm, MN. VEMA was founded in the spring of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Seraphia Gravelle (Aguallo), Elizabeth Robinson (Allen), and Nathaniel Coward began the work of educating the community and providing a voice for people of color throughout the region. Nathaniel was born in Ft Lauderdale, FL and resides in Chisholm, MN.

 

Voices for Ethnic and Multi-cultural Awareness (VEMA)

Pamela Hughes (Cancelled due to illness.)

Substance Use Disorder / New Moon Program Director

Pamela grew up in International Falls and graduated from Falls High School.  Her parents are David and Marlene Farmer, with siblings, David Farmer, Jr and Keith Farmer. She has three children, Jessica, Jennifer, and Jori along with six (6) grandchildren, Jude, Ant, Kate, Sadie, Brody, and Daisy. Pamela has worked in Substance Use since 1990 and added Homelessness in 2014. Her time is split between Substance Use / Homelessness, writing grants to continue or add programming and advocating for her people.  What keeps her focused is the learning curve that comes along with Substance Use/Homelessness and using her voice at the State and Federal levels for these services. She is a firm believer that Tribal Representation needs to be at the table when making decisions for our people.

 

Bois Forte, New Moon Supportive Housing

Tonia Villegas

Financial Worker with St. Louis County

Tonia is a Chicana mother, daughter, spouse, community member and UMD alumni. She was raised as a military child which is a culture of its own. This means she has many homes all over the world. She is also a dual citizen to Canada and the United States. She started as an early education teacher, survived abuse, went back to school and added to her degree for Individualized Studies with a focus on Human Services. She is currently a Financial Worker, DEI Co-Chair and BIPOC Leadership Team Chair at St. Louis County. Her most important role is being a mother and believes teaching our children is the path to the future.

St. Louis County, BIPOC Peer Support

Antavius Thomas

Equity Inclusion Officer and Student Senate / Student Life Advisor at Minnesota North College Mesabi Range

 

 

Brad Krasaway

M.S. EL, Director of Operations at the Rainy River Campus of Minnesota North College

As a proud “Ranger,” Brad often brags about certain traits that come with his Iron Range roots, strong work ethic, commitment to family, frugality, and a stubbornness that rivals a veteran politician. However, if someone was to list the career paths you would expect a Ranger to become, I would bet a speaker on diversity wouldn’t be on the list.  However, a near death experience completely changed his attitude not only toward respecting life itself but also changed his worldview.  He is a proud graduate of Virginia High School as well as both Mesabi Range College and Winona State University where he earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

As a registered lobbyist at the Minnesota State Capital he fought for students' rights, was elected President of the Minnesota State College Student Association in 2001 and then in 2004 was elected State Chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association. After his time in St. Paul, he organized 18 diverse communities across southern Minnesota, to rally in support of better Early Childhood Education Policy while working for Ready4K.  Since then, he has become a leader within higher education in the areas of Diversity/Cultural Competency, Student Life, Student Services, Leadership Development, and Academic Preparedness. Currently, he serves as the Director of Operations at the Rainy River Campus of Minnesota North College. He is a graduate of the Chair Leadership Academy and is a certified Poverty Coach and Motivational Interviewer.

 

Minnesota North College, Diversity Services

Becca Bohlman

Office Manager for Kraus-Anderson Construction, Duluth & Vice President NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) Twin Ports/Iron Range Chapter 392

Becca grew up in Duluth MN and was always interested in anything outdoors and construction related. Her family owned a local Plumbing and Heating wholesale company which she spent over eight years working for in multiple roles which only deepened her passion for work in construction. For just shy of six years now, Becca has been the Office Manager for Kraus-Anderson Construction Company's Duluth operations. This role has her wearing many hats with workforce and community outreach being a very large task.

She is an active member on the following committees: Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival's Event Director for the past five years; Courage Kenny's Shoot for Fun Benefit committee member for over 18 years; City of Duluth's Construction Career Pathways committee member for five years; Duluth Construct Tomorrow committee member for four years; NAWIC Twin Ports/Iron Range Chartering member and Vice President for a little over a year and currently participating in the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Duluth program for the 2022-23 season. She is very passionate about helping others, engaging in our communities and finding ways to make a positive impact.

 

Kraus-Anderson, Inclusion & Diversity
National Association of Women in Construction(NAWIC), Chapter 392

Morgan Seopa

Project Engineer with Kraus-Anderson Construction Companies

Morgan is a Bemidji State University graduate where she earned her B.S. in Project Management with an emphasis in construction and facilities. Now, she is a Project Engineer with Kraus-Anderson Construction Companies currently working on the Rock Ridge Projects.

She is a chartering member and the Corresponding Secretary of the NAWIC Twin Ports/Iron Range Chapter 392. Along with her professional endeavors she is involved with local non-profit groups such as The Angel Fund of NE Minnesota. She is proud to be an Iron Range native and looks forward to continuing down the path of improving and supporting the workforce in NE Minnesota.

 

Kraus-Anderson, Inclusion & Diversity
National Association of Women in Construction(NAWIC), Chapter 392

Kayla Jackson 

Youth Community Health Coordinator at AICHO

Mia Menendez

Children's Program Coordinator at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO)

 

 

American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO)-Giinawiind Giginitaawigi'gomin,Together We Grow

Jaci Nagle

Lead for America American Connection Corps, representing Koochiching County (KTI)

Jaci Nagle has been a technology worker since her employment with Koochiching County began in 1994. Initially employed as a clerk in the Auditor’s Office, her role included computer coordinator duties working primarily with mainframe hardware and software.  In 2001, she was promoted to the position of Information Systems Manager for the newly formed technology department and began officially managing the extensive network that had grown and evolved.  Jaci joined the Koochiching Technology Initiative (KTI) Steering Committee in the fall of 2018 after previously serving as a resource for the group.  She retired from her position of IS Director in February of 2022 and soon afterwards filed for the District 2 County Commissioner seat.  In August of 2022, she became a member of the Lead for America American Connection Corps, representing Koochiching County with the KTI serving as the host for the one-year fellowship.

 

Koochiching Technology Initiative
American Connection Corps
American Connection Project
Affordable Connectivity Program

Emily Nygren

Economic Developer, City of Duluth

 

City of Duluth, Minnesota

Andrea Orest

Public Health Educator with Cook County Public Health

Andrea is a Public Health Educator with Cook County Public Health. Her work focuses on pandemic response, substance use disorder prevention, healthy homes, mental health and well-being. Her family lives near Grand Marais, and they enjoy the natural beauty that is Cook County.

 

Cook County, Public Health & Human Services

Ann Sulllivan

Cook County District 4 Commissioner

Ann Sullivan served as an educator for over four decades, working as a teacher and school administrator, prior to her retirement. After a full THREE WEEKS of retirement, she jumped back into the schools working as both a paraprofessional and a tutor. When the pandemic hit, she jumped into county government in order to provide emergency management and other skills sets she had which met the immediate needs of Cook County. She has served as a county commissioner and board chair and joined this group because of her years of effort to improve racial equity.

 

Cook County, Board of Commissioners

Beth Drost

Grand Portage Anishinaabe, Executive Director of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority

Grand Portage Anishinaabe, Executive Director of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority. Mother of two, wife to awesome husband, dog-person, cat-lover, chicken-tender. Subsistence hunter, sometimes musher, hiker, gardener.

 

Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority

Bobby Deschampe

Grand Portage Tribal Chairman

 

 

Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Heidi Doo-Kirk

Former County Commissioner working for a Tribal Reservation

 

Kelsey Rogers Kennedy

Associate Director – Program Director at Cook County Higher Education (CCHE)

Kelsey is the Associate Director – Program Director at Cook County Higher Education (CCHE)

She works with businesses and the community to help assess programming needs and wants, then develops events, workshops, and classes based on those requests. She continually looks for ways CCHE can offer our community the education they want where they live!

Education: B.A. Social Marketing, Northern Michigan University; M.S. Organizational Leadership, St. Mary’s University; and a Blandin Leadership Graduate.

Previous Work: K-12 substitute teacher for 2 years; former administration assistant/registrar, career services advisor, and career development instructor at Rasmussen College for 7 years, Business Owner.

 

Cook County Higher Education

Hannah Smith

JEDI Fellow with the Region Five Development Commission
Hannah Smith, Emerging Leader Recipient: Hannah Smith (Anishinaabe) is an enrolled member of White Earth Nation and moved to Duluth in fall of 2014.

Hannah is the first Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Fellow to join the R5DC team. With a background that mirrors her current interests, Hannah serves on multiple boards and commissions that focus on arts, social justice, environmental justice, and housing equity. As the JEDI fellow she will be working with our team to assist with existing programs; Equitable Economic Ecosystems and working with local partners such as the Community Workforce Inclusive Council.

 

Fadumolucky Jama

Lead for America/Americorps fellow
Fadumolucky is a Lead for America / Americorps fellow serving Hibbing, MN Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA).

2022 Resources

 

2022 community conversation