Engage & Elevate

Engage & Elevate

Mission

To be expert navigators, transforming ideas into accomplishments.

Creative Solutions

Team

Elissa Hansen

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

Elissa Hansen

President & CEO
ehansen@northspan.org

Elissa Hansen invests her time creatively advancing others' capabilities. Recently, she has facilitated strategic planning processes for numerous public, private, and nonprofit organizations in the Upper Midwest. She also spearheaded the creation of the Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative 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. 

Bob Palmquist

Bob Palmquist

Vice President
bpalmquist@northspan.org

Bob Palmquist provides technical and financial assistance to large and small businesses, financial institutions, local units of government, and development organizations. He also provides professional services in the area of succession planning facilitation and valuations to businesses in northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. He spent 17 years in commercial lending prior to joining Northspan in 1991.

Karl Schuettler

Karl Schuettler

Research Director & Senior Consultant
kschuettler@northspan.org

Karl Schuettler manages the Northland Connection program, provides support services to local communities, and researches and analyzes economic trends. In the past year, Karl’s work has included numerous economic analyses, reports on business visit programs, and staffing support for several regional partnerships. He holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Minnesota. 

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Amanda Vuicich

Associate Consultant & Operations Manager
avuicich@northspan.org

Amanda Vuicich provides technical and financial assistance for business development clients, supports strategic planning work, and oversees administrative operations for the Northspan team. Over the past year, she conducted numerous business visits, assisted with Northspan’s programs, and assisted clients who use loan fund programs administered by Northspan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth. 

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Ashley Luna

Operations Specialist
aluna@northspan.org

Ashley Luna assists in administrative operations for the Northspan team and provides logistical support for regional partnerships. She also works on Northspan powered programs such as Northland Connection, NORTHFORCE, and the Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative.

Work

Case Study: Itasca Sparking Change

May 11, 2025

ITASCA SPARKING CHANGE: DIVERSIFYING OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY | 2024-2025 Challenge: The Boswell Energy Center, a coal-fired power plant in Cohasset, Minnesota, was directed to cease coal operations by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. These impeding changes fueled a larger community conversation about impacts to local tax base, jobs, and planning for diversification of the Itasca…

Case Study: Life House Strategic Planning

May 11, 2025

LIFE HOUSE STRATEGIC PLANNING | 2024 Challenge: Life House, a nonprofit in Duluth, Minnesota dedicated to transforming the lives of unhoused and at-risk youth, sought a new strategic plan following a leadership transition and other changes within the organization. Role: Northspan facilitated a strategic planning process that included considerable engagement, including a survey, interviews with…

Case Study: Lake Superior Community Health Center Strategic Planning

May 11, 2025

LAKE SUPERIOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER STRATEGIC PLANNING | 2024 Challenge: Lake Superior Community Health Center (LSCHC) sought to develop a strategic plan that aligned with its mission and values while incorporating the vision of new leadership. This plan was essential to ensuring organizational continuity, stability, and a clear roadmap for future growth. Role: Northspan guided…

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