Bringing established relationships with local and regional partners together with a deep knowledge of both the opportunities and challenges for the area, Northspan Vice President Karl Schuettler provides support services to form connections, build capacity, and access capital for Northspan clients while also serving as a senior member of the Northspan leadership team.
For six years prior to becoming vice president, Karl was Northspan’s research director and senior consultant, helping guide Northspan strategic planning processes and conducting research and analysis on economic and
demographic trends. His work includes capacity-building project management, research projects, and support for Northspan’s DAWN program. In 2024, he was selected as one of the Duluth News Tribune’s “20 Under 40,” which recognizes professionals who are making a positive impact in their communities.
How did you first join Northspan? What drew you to the role?
I have an undergraduate degree in international politics from Georgetown University, and I wouldn’t trade my four years in DC for anything. But as I neared graduation, I realized that, for all my fascination with the wider world, I could be most useful putting my skills to work at a local level while avoiding the rat race of a few select careers in a few select cities that drew in so many of my peers. More specifically, I wanted to do that work in the Northland. This set me on a long path that included some dabbling in local politics, an internship with APEX where I got to know some Northspan staff, and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning. When a role at Northspan opened up shortly after I finished grad school, it was the perfect landing place for someone looking to come back home and put his skills to work.
Do any highlights stand out in your mind from special projects or initiatives?
The list is almost overwhelming! I’ve been fortunate to work with so many interesting clients and dedicated people doing great work. A few that come to mind include:
- Building long-term relationships with groups like the East Central Development Partnership and East Range Joint Powers Board
- A financial feasibility study for the Bell Program, a successful bachelor’s degree engineering program on the Iron Range
- Launching the Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative in response to a new federal tax incentive and providing education statewide (and beyond)
- Completing a feasibility study and securing $3.1 million for Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures’ Tribal Economy Business Incubator (TEBI)
- Working with a wide range of strategic planning clients to help them build clear, achievable strategic plans, including the Arrowhead Library System, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, City of Port Washington (Wisconsin – my dad’s hometown), Life House, the Cook County Economic Development Authority, and many others
- Drafting a white paper on regional economic cooperation, which has led to another exciting project. (More on that soon!)
Can you share a little about what you enjoy the most about working with Northspan?
There’s never a boring day in this office, and the sheer variety of work I get to do always keeps it fresh. I work on a nimble, deeply committed team that regularly impresses me with its skills and deep belief in the work we do. I appreciate the opportunity to help so many great organizations that do good work, and the freedom to do some original research is a real perk.
I also deeply appreciate Northspan’s commitment to its people and the career ladder it has provided to me. I’ve been able to grow with the organization, take part in some great professional development opportunities (shoutout to Irina Fursman and the HueLife team for building my facilitation skills), and work to define my own consulting niche. Our future never feels bounded by strict limits on what we can do.
How has being Northspan’s vice president been different from your previous roles with the organization?
It’s been a smooth transition, as I was set up for success by a three-year succession process. I spend less time on the road these days and am in the office more often, managing projects and working to keep things on track across teams. I now guide proposal-writing, facilitate many team meetings, and am thinking intentionally about how to build a team culture that makes success feel natural.
The role is also evolving as Northspan itself grows. I’ve watched us double in staff size and triple in revenue in my time here. Working with Elissa Hansen and Zack Filipovich on our leadership team has created a space for great discussions about what we want Northspan to be in the future. I plan to keep pushing us to grow and address community and economic development-related challenges head on.
Connect with Karl by phone at (218) 481-7737 or by email at kschuettler@northspan.org.