12 minute read
RACHEL BRECKENRIDGE,39
College Mathematics And Statistics Instructor Universityofminnesota Duluth
m theUniversityof nnesotaDuluth.
mily: Husband, dy; anddaughters, naand Mariska. mmunity involve- nt: Girl Scouts of erica troopleader teacheratGidamanaaniwigamig nce campsthrough dduLac Tribal and mmunity Collegein quet.. ive of the area? No. at drew youhere? movedheresomy bandcould work h TomJohnson at MDfor adoctorate eology. We lovedit e,mostlybecause of e Superior andthe ortunities foroutrrecreation. After husband finished his ree,wemoved away his work,but were h able to findjobs e andmoveback. elslikewe’re back me. orite placeinthe rthland: Duluthcity ks, in particular, ngdon Park,Hartley, esterPark, Enger wer,LesterParkand k Point. w do youspend rfreetime? Ilike un, hike,canoe, ss-countryski and y hockey.Ialsolike to spendtimewithmy family,especiallyon campingtrips. Howcan theNorthland retain youngerpeople? Continue supporting outdoorrecreation opportunities andincrease supportof children and youthinour community, especially education. Influential person in your life: It’s hard for me to just mention oneperson, so I’ll mentiona bunch. My husband and kids inspireand support me daily; they’re themost influential people in my life. My momhas been aconstantmodel of strength and persistence. My parents showedmethe importance of serving others throughtheir work.Students moti- vate me to improvemy teaching. I’mgrateful to colleagues who’ve mentored andworked with me,including Chad Pierson, HowardMooers,Susana Pelayo-Woodward,Penny Morton,Diana Dalbotten, HollyPellerin, Lowana Greensky, Rick Smith andTadd
Johnson. What is your biggest accomplishment?
Creating, running andsustaining theMath
Prep for STEM Careers bridge program for incoming freshmen from underrepresented groups since 2013. Three people– dead or alive– you’dlike to have dinnerwith: Apotluck dinner with threepeoplefrom prehisto be inter
Five-ye goinggo MathPr Careers program UMD. is to see uralRes ship pro with en What’s t you’ve r My husb read the of graph Kazu Ki daughte there’s girl as th andtha nuanced standab orictimes would resting ar goals: An onoal is to keep the rep forSTEM s (orsimilar mming) goingat A five-yeargoal e theTribal NatsourceStewardogramsinplace rolled students. the best book readrecently? bandand Ihave e “Amulet”series hic novels by ibuishitoour ers.I love that a strong, willful heprotagonist atthe plot line is d but stillunderble forkids.
Whatdoyouactually do? Ihelpstudents and families make important decisions abouttheir educationand future.
Yearsinyourjob:Four yearsatMarshall,but I starteddoing this type of work at theCollegeofSt. Scholasticain2007.
Education: Master’sdegreesinbusinessadministrationand management from CSS, whereI also earned abachelor’s degreeincommunication/journalism.
Family: My partner; Kate Horvath, andmy 450 or so Marshall kids, nottomention two incredible parents, Gitzy andDave, awesome in-laws, andawonderful assortment of brothers, nieces andnephews. Communityinvolvement:Iserve on the boardofdirectors for Grandma’sMarathon andJohnBaggs Foundation,and I’mabaseball coachfor American Legion Post 71-WestDuluth, at Marshall School andfor VFW Post 173-Marshall School.
Nativeofthearea? Yes. IgrewupinSolon Springs.
Whatkeepsyouhere? The opportunity to make adifference in acommunity whichtruly matters to me.Inthe Twin Ports andsurroundingareas, youcan begintomake an impact rightaway; youdon’t have to wait your turn or wait for someoneelsetostep aside.Mix in wonderful, caring people andthe most incredible lake in theworld andit’seasyto stay put.
Favoriteplaceinthe Northland: Wade Stadium; IfeellikeI grew up thereplaying legion baseball,playing forthe St.Scholastica Saints andnow as acoach with Marshall andWest Duluth. That’salways been aspecial placeto me,and nowwiththe investmentsand TLC it’s even better than when Iplayedthere as a 17-year-old.
Howdoyouspend yourfreetime? Itend to dive into volunteering with Grandma’sMarathon events or coaching baseball,somyfreetime probably looksa bit like work to otherpeople. Beyond that,I’m also a runner,soI’m usually poundingout afew miles in theremainder of my free time.
HowcantheNorthland retainyoungerpeople? Continuedgrowthand promotionofsomeof thegreat things going on in Duluthright now, such as ourworld-class mountain bike trails and top-notch theatreand arts. There’s no other place whereyou cansail, ski, snowboardand surf. We need to continue to highlight thoseparts of ourcommunity paired with professional opportunities
We need to be quickto say“yes” to newopportunities to drawinvestment anddevelopment, rather than have barriers or resistance in place to slow thosechances down.Other communities in theUpper Midwest have hadsome successingrowing their populationsand attractingnew businesses withoutthe advantages of ournaturalbeautyand community balance, so theplaybookfor removingany real or perceived barrierstoadvancement andchange is thereand doesn’t need to be entirely builtfrom scratch.
Influentialpersonin yourlife:When Iwas in highschoolIwas lucky enough to be recruited by John Baggstoplay baseball at St.Scholastica,and he became the most importantmentor of my lifeoutside of my parents. Hislessons in leadership,team buildingand character continue to shapemy lifetoday,longaftermy baseball-playing days ended. CoachBaggs recruitedmebackto Duluthasecondtime (2007) to join theadmissions team at CSS as well as helpcoach baseball. Thismovehelpedme findacareerItruly love,interms of helping others with important educationaldecisions, butalsoallowingme to mentor many young baseball players, includinghis son, Maddux. John passed away suddenly in 2009, but he’s still with me everyday in howI live my lifeand supportothersaround me
Whatisyourbiggest accomplishment?With agroup of my closest friends,Iwas part of a coachingstaffnamed UpperMidwest Athletic Conference Baseball Coachesofthe Year in 2009, as we all worked together to navigate the season in whichCoach Baggspassedaway. Whilethe awardwas certainly an honor, the accomplishment Ihold most dear washelping ourplayers,coaches, alumni andgreater CSS baseball family navigate hisunexpectedpassing. Iknowhe’dhavebeen proudofboththe season we puttogetheronthe field that year,aswellas howcloselyweworked to make sure others were supportedinthat challenging time
Five-yeargoals: In my boardmemberroles,I’d like to continue to help Grandma’sMarathon provide amazingcommunity-wide events that showcaseagreat deal of what’s specialabout our community andwhich stretchfar beyondthe thirdweekend in June.
I’dalsoliketocontinue to connectpeopletothe John BaggsFoundation, whereverysmall philanthropiceffortscan have averysubstantialimpact on thelives of families dealingwithcancer and thelives of studentsatSt. Scholasticathrough our scholarshipprogram. At Marshall,I’d love to visitwithmorefamilies aboutthe opportunities that trulymight be availabletothematour unique school. Toooften Ihearpeoplesayingthey wish they couldafford it,whenthey’ve never metwithmetofind out if that’s actuallytrueor not. Nothingcan be a bigger game-changer foryoung people than apositive,transformational experience at their school.
Finally, I’dliketocrack that sub-two-hour-mark more consistently during my half-marathons.
Wheredoyouseethe TwinPortsinthenext fiveto10years?Continuetoinvestinwhat makesDuluthunique —our trails,our waterfront, ourbalance of arts,culture,volunteerism— then we cangrow in away that reallyfits theareawe’ve already startedtoevolve toward. What’sthebestbook you’vereadrecently? Kate recently gotmea 25thanniversarycopy of PauloCoelho’s“The Alchemist” anditstruck aperfect note with me this summer.I thinkit’s such an uplifting story aboutthe choices we make versus ourdestiny, andhow onecan look at thosetwo sides so similarlyordifferently.
Socialmedia:Beyond thehighlyinformational andoccasionally wittyposts on Marshall School’s Facebookpage andTwitter account, I’m foundatfacebook.com/ wicklundjoe
What do youactually do? Imanagethe Lake County Highway Department,which includes engineeringdesign,roadconstruction andhighway maintenanceservices.
Yearsinyourjob: Almost four.
Education: Engineeringprogram at Itasca Community Collegein
GrandRapids, bachelor's degreeincivil engineeringfrom University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Minneapolis, anda master'sdegreein businessadministration degreefrom theCollege of St.Scholastica
Family: Asupportive husband, ourtwo rescue dogs andatight-knit extendedfamily
Community involvement: UMD'sCivil EngineeringAdvisory Board, FIRSTRobotics regional competitions, Silver Bay's BayDays committee,TeamDangervolunteer andNorth ShoreRotary.
Native of the area? My parentsand grandpar- ents live on theIron Range.
What drew youhere? Lake Superior andmy career.
Favoriteplace in the Northland: NorthShore StateParks; Superior Hiking Trailvistas during leaf season; my kayakona sunny Saturday;agood game at Amsoil Arena; Moose Mountain at Lutsen on a winter Sunday;and On theRocks ArtStudio.
Howcan the Northland retain youngerpeople?
Ithinkthisquestion should be broader becausethe region's future plansshouldaddress retainingand attractingresidents, property owners,visitorsand a workforceofall ages.
Influential person in your life: Someoneonce told me that everyone sets an example,and my list of mentorsorrole models is toolongto singleout oneperson.
Some people seta good exampleinone wayor another, andI'm grateful formanypositive influences since childhood
Othersshowuswhatwe shouldn't do,whichis equallyimportant.
Three people –dead or alive– you’dlike to have dinnerwith: Chad Greenway;non- fiction author Edgar Schein; andThomas H. MacDonald, whose contributionstowards theInterstatesystem preceded itsimplementation by almost twodecades, becausethe best planssometimes take time andalwaysrequire vision, leadership and teamwork.
Five-yeargoals: At the very least, maybeI'll learntohit agolfball on my first swingbythe time I'm 40.
Wheredoyou seethe Twin Portsinthe next fiveto10years? If I thinkabout thevalue that Generation Ygenerallyplaces on work/ lifebalance,Ithinkthe Twin Portsand North Shorewill grow in popularity.I'm excited aboutthe coming opportunities ahead forthisregion, such as continuedexpansionof outdoorrecreationand newbusinessesthatare responsibly developed. What’s the best book you’ve read recently? “LeadYourselfFirst”by Kethledgeand Erwin, becauseIneededareminder to unplug every nowand then.
Social media: LinkedIn
What do youactually do? Ihelpcommunities, coalitions,organizations, schoolsand individuals whowanttoprevent youthsubstance abuse andmisuse. Iprovide support, facilitate, and consultonwhere to begin, gettingthe right people to thetable,creatingaplan, puttingthe plan into action andfiguringout what's working andwhat's not. The goal of my work is to help create saferand healthier communities.
Yearsinyourjob: 10 Education: Bachelor’s degreeinhealthsciences from theCollegeofSt. ScholasticainDuluth. Family: Husband, Steve; daughter,Abigail,2-½; dog,Maddie; andparents,David andBonnie Nikko. Ihavefour siblings andmanynieces andnephews.
Community involvement: My work with coalitions in northeast Minnesotaoverlapspersonallyand professionally.I’m member of the TriCampusand Com- munity Coalition, the Driving4Safe Communities Coalitionand the Opioid AbuseResponse Strategies Workgroup, whichall servethe Duluthcommunity. I’minvolvedinraising awarenessofcysticfibrosisand helping to raise fundingfor researchto findacureand add more tomorrowsfor my nephew andotherslikehim.
Native of the area? No What drew youhere? I came to Duluthtoattend CSSand metmyhusband.Duluthiswhere we wanted to callhome. Favorite placeinthe Northland: Everywhere. Itravelalot formyjob andthisregionisincredibly beautiful —fullof treesand water, andit’s funtoexplore.I especially love living in Duluth, whereIcan easily be on theWestern Waterfront Trailand theMunger Trail; in CanalParkand Park Point; on aboaton theSt. LouisRiver, Lake Superior,ormanyofthe smaller lakes;and many otherfantastic places. Howdoyou spendyour free time?Withfamily andfriends exploring newplaces or just hangingout together.Ialso love photography, gardeningbringsmepeace andI enjoydiscovering newplaces to visit. Howcan the Northland retain youngerpeople? Continue to promote opportunities forall ages as Duluthand the Northland region is somewheretostayand notjustvisit —thatthis is aplace youcan spend your wholelife.
What is your biggest accomplishment? Being amom.Ihavegrown more in thepastfew years as aparentthan Ieverexpected. It’s the hardestand most wonderful role in my life.
Three people– dead or alive– you’dliketo have dinner with: My greatauntToini,because Imissher andwehad alot in common;and my GrandmaEllen and GrandpaJack, because we don’tget to spenda lotoftimetogether.
Five-yeargoals: Personally Iwanttopursuemy hobbies more andspend more time with family andfriends.Professionally Iwanttogrowmy skillstoofferbetterhelp in thenortheast Minnesota region to create more opportunities for substance abuseprevention efforts to be successful.
Social media: www. linkedin.com/in/laurajeanbennett/
What do youactually do? Criminal prosecution.
Yearsinyourjob: Oneplus.
Education: Bachelor's degreeinpolitical science andsocialwork from Bemidji State University, andmyjuris doctor from Hamline School of LawinSt. Paul
Family: Sons,Leonard, 3, andTheodor, 1.
Community involvement: I’macurrent member of Hibbing Community College Foundation Boardof Directors, andformer member of theMinnesota HouseofRepresentatives, whereI representedthe central Mesabi Iron Range,the IRRRB andMinnesota DiscoveryCenter.
Native of the area? Yes; Hibbingbornand raised
What keepsyou here?
Family,friends andthe community.
Favoriteplace in the ove walkTrailin dfall. It thetrees, emine ghsmall wns and s. It's a e theIron pend ? With havelittle , but I eand .I often e Mesabi kidsin ehind ter I ski locally kiat also love r small, storesin twotoddlersI h to no free time, like beingactive beingoutdoors ride bike on the Trailwiththe k abiketrailer be me.Inthe wint cross-country s anddownhillsk Giant's Ridge. I shopping at our locallyowned s Hibbing.
Northland: Ilo ingthe Mesabi thesummer an winds through past picturesqu pitsand throug Iron Range tow mininglocation greatway to see Range.
Howdoyou sp your free time?
Howcan the N land retain you people? Educat opportunities fo children areim foryoung famil reationaloppor areimportant f people andyou lies. People wan in aplace they c andplay.
Influential per your life: My m probably hasth influence on me givesmelotsof andsometimes
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What is your biggest accomplishment? Authoring andpassing theWomen's Economic Security ActwhenI wasinthe Minnesota House. It expanded workplace protections for working families and working pregnant mothers. My biggest personal accomplishment happens every weekday andinvolves gettingtwo toddlersout thedoorand still gettingto work as afunctioningadult at 8a.m.
Three people –deadoralive–you’dliketohave dinnerwith: Eleanor Roosevelt; she used herroleasFirst Lady to effectuatepolicychange andmakea difference in thecountry and world. Ilikethatshe took theinitiative to do thosethings even though she didn't have to Robert Zimmerman,aka BobDylan;I want to hear from him directlywhat it waslike growingup in Hibbing. Iamraising my sons in a housenot far from hischildhood home. My grandma, Elva Melin, whopassedaway in 2010 at 97, becauseI miss her andshe wasone of thestrongest, smartest women I'veeverknown.She also didn't like cookingsoshe'd probably make me herusual creamedred potatoes andpeasand that would be just finewithme.
Five-yeargoals: Continuetogrowinmy legalprofessionand be involved in politics in some manner even though I'm outofelected office (for now).I've always seen po tool to effectua tive progress in Wheredoyou the Twin Port next fiveto10 Probably still 7 to my southeas aplace Ilove t What’s the bes you’ve read re I'mjustfinishi “OptionB”by Sandberg. Ien herfirstbook “ In,” whichwas empowerment sionally. “Opti aboutfacinga unexpectedad andhow to de Ifound it to b beneficialadvi Social media: andTwitter olitics as a ate posin society. u see tsinthe 0 years? 70miles stbut still ovisit. stbook ecently? ing up Sheryl njoyed “Lean s about t profeson B” is personal, dversity al with it. e full of ice. Facebook
What do youactually do? Isupervise ateam of people whohelp CongressmanNolan’s constituents navigate federalagencies. I’ve helpedveteranswith disability claims or schedulingmedical appointments,seniors with MedicareorSocial Security benefits, immigrantspetitioning to live or work in the U.S., folkswaiting on a delayedtax return,and many otherexamples. We correcterrorsand area partnerwhenpeopleneedhelpnavigating or understandinga government structure. The goal is to make government work and provide resources for people whomight not be able to navigate these systems by themselves.
Yearsinyourjob: 4½ Education: Bachelor’s degreefrom theUniversityofMinnesota Duluth.
Family: My partner, Zach,and ourdog and twocats.
BRYNNSIAS, 28
Community involvement: Ifill much of my free time with volunteer work.I enjoyvolunteeringfor candidates runningfor office,the localDFL partyand TakeAction Minnesota. I’ve also coachedyouth soccer,softball and trackand field.
Native of the area? Yes, IgrewupinPiedmont Heights, graduatedfrom DenfeldHighSchool andcurrently reside in Denfeld. If yes, what keepsyou here? Much of my family livesinDuluth andIenjoy beingclose to them.I also love that through my work and volunteering Iget to give backtothe community that raised me Influential person in your life: The most influential person in my lifeismygrandmother, Mary Kirsling. Sheis thoughtfuland kind, whilealsobeingincredibly fierce when she commits to something. Shecared forpeople through hercareeras anurse andnow gives care to hercommunity through unionactivism andadvocacyfor universal health care.Her commitmenttomaking hercommunity more bright comesinbig and small ways, w lobbying at th itol or baking forpeopleas of gratitude. inspiration a shouldask h hersingle-pa care book clu What is your accomplishm proudofeve comesthroug gressman No but thereare acouplethat to me.
Iworkedon in particular than ayear. A whodiedin W II wasnever Hisyounger still living an his90s, so th greatdeal of when remain recoveredtha similarities to soldier.Alon cessfollowed theremains s disinterred fo testing. Ultim pushedthe P to sign off on DNAresults wasinfactth member they trying to find home formo years. Hisrem broughthom family invite join them on whether it’s heCapg treats s agesture She’san and you er about ayerhealth ub. r biggest ment? I’m ry case that gh Conolan’soffice certainly t standout onecase formore soldier World War identified. brotheris ndwas in herewas a urgency nswere athad o thefallen ngprod toprove should be orDNA mately, we Pentagon n this and proved this hefamily y’d been d andreturn ore than 70 mains were meand the dmeto n thetarmac when hisflight came in. It wasanincredibly moving moment to witness. He was buried with full military honors andhis family finally found closure. I’m so grateful that Iwas able to provide support forthis family through the processand that they invited Congressman Nolan andIto the memorial service. Where do yousee the Twin Portsinthe next fiveto10 years? Ihope to see Duluthimplement earned safe and sicktime and ahigher minimum wage in a much shortertimeframe than fiveto10years.I also hope that because of thosepolicies we see a more equitableDuluth, wherefolks who work hard canliveoff their wagesand never have to choose between apaycheckand the health andwellbeingof themselvesoraloved one.
What do youactually do? Idirectmostofour shows, performinthem when Ican,and do all themarketing.It’smy job to make sure the shows arewonderful, that we have thebest artistsand findmoney to payfor it all. I’mvery good at twoout of three ofthose things.
Yearsinyourjob: I startedWiseFoolseven years ago.
Education: Istudied music andtheater at the UniversityofWisconsin-Superior.
Family:I live with afat, blackcat namedKaiju My parentsliveinthe Milwaukeearea.
Community involvement: I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Renegade Theater Co., DuluthPlayhouse, LyricOpera of theNorth,Colder by theLakeand Rubber ChickenTheater. Ialso volunteeredasa dog walker with Animal Allies foraveryshort amount of time,because
Iwantedtotakeevery dog home with me and Ihaveridiculouslypoor impulsecontrol.
Native of the area? No. IgrewupinWauwatosa,Wis., asuburb of Milwaukee.
What drew youhere? I looked atamap ofthe UW systemschools, andSuperiorwas the farthest away from my home.Beenheresince 1998 andI can’timagine living anywhere else.
Favoriteplace in the Northland: Lake Superior.Evenjustseeingit from adistance—not a singleday goes by that I don’tget excitedabout that lake.
Howdoyou spend your free time? I watch an embarrassing amount of Netflix, but I’musually workingon otherthings at thesame time
Howcan the Northland retain youngerpeople?
Cultivatea thriving arts scene. Youngpeople want greatjobs, but they also crave cultural enrichment—music, theater, greatrestaurants. To me,that’swhat makesa place worth stayingin.
Influential person in your life: Ruth Jacobson,myold voice teacheratUWS.She passed away about seven years agoand Imissher constantly. Shewas awildlytalented sopranoand gifted teacher, but she was also thekindofhuman this worldneedsmore of.Kindand warm,but notadoormat.Fearless, but notreckless. One of themostlaidback people I’ve ever met. I’mprettysureRuth hung themoon. She told me during oneof my lessons that she was goingtostart an opera company, anditshould have soundedinsane to me,but it didn’t. Of course Ruth could do that.Ruthcould do anything. And she did.Lyric Opera of the Northisstill running todayunder theleadership ofCal Mettsand SarahLawrence. Ruth’s braverywas abig reason IfeltlikeIcould take theplunge andstart Wise Fool Theater. What is your biggest accomplishment? I’m proudofthe inclusivityI’veachievedwith Wise Fool. We’rethe only theatercompany in theTwinPorts that offerspay-what-you-can performances forevery production.Theater shouldbefor everyone, notjustpeoplewho can afford theeverincreasingcostoftickets. It’s thrillingtobeable to at leasttakeaway thefinancialbarrier.I also thinkwe’re doing consistently high-qualitywork. SometimesI can’tbelieve something this real couldexist just becauseIdecidedit should.
Three people –dead or alive– you’dlike to have dinnerwith: JamesCorden from the Late Late Show.When Ifirstsaw avideoofhis Carpool Karaoke (with Stevie Wonder), the pure joyradiatingfrom that manwas inspirational.Working in the arts canbesoulcrushing— youwanttocreategreat things to share with otherpeople, but youhavetospend most of your time begging for moneyand doingother administrative things that have nothingtodo with that beautiful thing youwanttoput on stage. SeeingCorden’s absolutelychildlike glee in what he wasdoing remindedmetoalways remember whyIdo what Ido—because it really is worthit. Lin-ManuelMiranda, creatorofHamilton. I’m awed by thesincerity of this wildlysuccessful man. Gettingaticket to seeHamiltonon Broadway —oreven on tour —isnext to impossible.He’satthe topofhisgame,but still this humble,dorky guy whoissoclearly excited aboutevery aspect of his work.Hegets compared to Shakespeare, the greatest playwright who ever lived, all thetime. AndIthinkthat’stotally fair.He’sanincredible storyteller. NowthatI’vebeen thinking about heras the“influential person in my life,”Iwould give just aboutanything to have onelastdinnerwithmyold voice teacher, Ruth.Iwould love theopportunity to saythank youfor everythingshe did for me.I’veprettymuch forgottenhow to sing (sorry,Ruth), but her example of howtobea good humanwill never leaveme.
Five-yeargoals: Right now, Wise Fool Theater performs wherever we can. We’renomads. I wouldlovefor us to findapermanent home. There’s so much more we coulddo. Annual Shakespeareinthe Park is on thelist, too.
Wheredoyou seethe Twin Portsinthe next fiveto10years? Small businessesare on the rise,and Ithinkthat’s reallygoing to shape theculture of theTwin Portsinthe future. The people of Duluth and Superior arefiercely proud of this area, andthatmakes foran incredible environment forgrowing newventures. We like to support ourown.Right now we have energeticand innovative mayors on both sides of thebridge. It’s an exciting time to be in theTwinPorts. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
I’mreadingawonderful bookonactingcalled “Mastering Shakespeare”byScott Kaiser Instead of just giving the reader theinformation andleaving us to apply it on ourown,which canbereallytough, Kaiser presents hisbook as afictionalactingclass with aprofessorand his students. Each lesson comesinthe form of theprofessorcoaching astudentthrough a monologue,and applyingthatinformation.It’s fantastic. I’masocially awkwardintrovert,so books areprettymuch my favorite.
Social media: Facebook on theWiseFoolTheater page and Instagram at wisefooltheater. We’re on Twitter, too, but I’m notverygood at that one.
