Valerie Shangreaux                                         Email Valerie

Education: Valerie received a B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in Home Economics. Her M.A. degree is from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in Educational Psychology. Valerie¹s Ph.D. in Educational Psychology was earned from Oklahoma State University.

Work Experience: Valerie most recently worked as the program manager for the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. She worked with this program in various roles for a total of 13 years. Previously, she taught Home Economics in the area of Family Relations for seven years at Oklahoma State and spent 10 years directing Youth in Education programs at the Lincoln Nebraska Indian Center. In addition, Valerie worked as a consultant for the Heartland Center for Leadership Development.

Family: Valerie has been married for 25 years to Jose Sanchez. They have a combined family of seven children and two grandchildren. The couple’s youngest son, Cedre, 14, made the move with his parents to Grand Rapids. The couple’s other children are grown.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Becky Adams                                                      Email Becky

Education – I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Role on the leadership team – I work in recruitment and leadership programs including: Advanced Academy, Partners in Leadership, Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program and Blandin Community Leadership Program.

I was attracted to leadership as a career choice because – I was lucky enough to be hired at the Foundation as a temporary employee in 2004. Little did I know that my time at the Foundation would expand into a full-time job.  I am excited to continue learning more about community leadership and truly see it as a “career choice.”

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? – I love getting to know our alumni and community members throughout rural Minnesota.  They are hard working, dedicated people – each a gift to their community.  I also truly love the team I work with – they make coming to work so rewarding.

Personal information – I live with my family in Grand Rapids.  Most of our “free” time is spent attending activities – I love it. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Malissa Bahr                                                       Email Malissa

Education – I have a B.S. degree in Law Enforcement, a B.S. in Business Law, a B.S. in Political Science and an M.A. degree in Organizational/Industrial Psychology.

Role on the leadership team – My responsibilities in leadership include:
managing all leadership program recruitment efforts; and managing leadership support staff.

I was attracted to leadership as a career choice because – I think the most interesting piece about the community leadership program is working with hard-working individuals across the state that are passionate about the communities they live in. The main goal of every participant and community who takes part in any of our leadership programs is making their community a healthier place for not just themselves, but future generations.

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? – The most gratifying aspect of my job is hearing back from alumni about what they have been doing, and what their community has been doing since the program. It truly is a way in which you can connect with the long-term impact of our work.

Personal information – My husband, Rob and I spend a lot of time with our two children, Griffin who is 4 and Barrie who is 1.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Jackson Huntley                                                 Email Jackson

Education: I earned a B.S. from Wisconsin State University, River Falls, an M.A. from Kent State University and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. I have a strange combination of study areas: biology, English, speech and communication. It gives me an interesting perspective.

Last job prior to joining the leadership team: I left the faculty of the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2000. And actually, I was almost retired before joining the leadership team. However, the invitation to come on board was just too sincere to resist. So here I am.

Role on the leadership team: I was asked to serve as Interim Director of Leadership, June of 2007. With the hire of our new director, I moved to Senior Training and Design Manager, helping evolve the curriculum of our programs and their implementation.

When did you join the leadership team? As a consultant, I have been a member of training and curriculum design teams since 1985. I joined the internal staff in 2007.

I was attracted to leadership as a career choice because: It is only because it is rural and reservation leadership that I was, and am, attracted to this unique field of leadership. Rural and reservation leadership seems more devoted to the concept of selflessly serving others and community. To serve those who serve is a joy.

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? What could be better than serving rural and reservation leaders, and working with a truly exceptional team of trainers, coaches, and internal staff – all devoted to building healthy community? This has been a capstone experience. When I leave, I would hope the woodpile would be just a bit higher than when I arrived.

Personal information: The center of my life is being a husband, father, grandfather and friend. I love the out-of-doors and our natural environment. A couple of my favorite times have been fishing on the Lake of the Woods with the dearest of friends; canoeing the Wisconsin Brule River with my wife, Jeanette; and being the “Grampa” of Stevie and Tyler. Simple things.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Angela Jenkins                                                      Email Angela

Education: I received my Bachelor of Science in Education from Bemidji State University in 2001.

Last job prior to joining the leadership team: Up until my family and I moved back to Grand Rapids, I stayed at home with my two little girls. Prior to that, I worked as an Administrative Assistant for a school in Wayzata, MN.

Role on the leadership team: I am a Training Production Assistant for the following leadership programs:  Partners In Leadership (PIL), Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program (BRCLP), Academy for Advancing Community (AAC), and Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP).

When did you join the leadership team? I joined the leadership team in December of 2007.

What attracted you to leadership as a career?  I was attracted to the leadership team at the Blandin Foundation because of what the programs can do for rural communities throughout Minnesota.

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? “Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life,” Harvey Mackay, author. I truly love what I do and so far my favorite part has been making that personal connection with participants.

Personal information: I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Together, my husband and I have two beautiful girls.  When I am not at the Foundation, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, hiking, softball or doing anything outdoors.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Michele Smith                                                     Email Michele

 Education: I graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1981 and in 1983 I received an Associate of Arts degree from Itasca Community College. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1985 ­ there I studied psychology and communications.

Last job prior to joining the leadership team: Prior to joining the Blandin Foundation, I worked for eight years as a Paraprofessional/Educational Support Professional for the Grand Rapids School District, primarily with an EBD program for teenagers at risk called “Success.”  In this position I worked as an Administrative Assistant and one-to-one with students.  Before that, I worked for 10 years at a large insurance company in Minneapolis, MN (Allianz Life), in accounting and underwriting.

Role on the leadership team: I am the Business Assistant for the Blandin Community Leadership Team.  My primary duties include accounts payable, budgeting, event planning, contract writing, and administrative assistant to the leadership director.

When did you join the leadership team? I joined the leadership team on April 18, 2008.

What attracted you to leadership as a career?  I value being involved in what matters most ­ my community and my family.  The Blandin Foundation Leadership Program is highly respected and has done many wonderful things in rural communities of Minnesota.  I wanted to be a part of facilitating leadership in rural communities.

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? It is very gratifying to work in such a welcoming, encouraging, appreciative, and empowering atmosphere where I am encouraged to learn more about myself and about the skills that will make me great at my job.  I also enjoy working with a Leadership Program that helps so many people. While some aspects of my job are familiar, all the new things I’m learning are very exciting and gratifying.

Personal information:  My husband, Brad, is a carpenter for Kraus Anderson Construction, in Bemidji. We live on my family’s homestead where I grew up, with a small hobby farm and 80 acres.  We feel very blessed to literally be back ‘home’ in Grand Rapids, after living in Blaine, MN for 10 years. We have two children, Nevada, age 14, and Kramer, age 17.

I am currently serving a third term as clerk of Harris Township. Much of my spare time is spent working on those duties out of my home. I also enjoy being with family and friends, scrapbooking, renting movies, cooking/baking, and attending a variety of performance events at the Reif Center.

_________________________________________________________________________________

John Weyer                                                         Email John

Education – I graduated from Hill City High School then went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Itasca Community College. My bachelor’s degree in Marketing came from St. Cloud State University.

Role on the leadership team – I coordinate, maintain and provide advanced technical work related to the leadership database, web site, Blandin Knowledge Network site, video editing, social software and e-blasts.

I was attracted to leadership as a career choice because – Community Leadership works toward a common goal and building healthy communities. To be a part of that is a privilege.

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? My job is constantly changing, challenging and when I lay down at night  I feel good about what I have done.

Personal information – I enjoy hunting and spending time with family.

_________________________________________________________________________________
 Sandra Wicklund                                                   Email Sandra

Education: I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Bemidji State University in 2002. I am a graduate of Grand Rapids High School and received an associate of arts degree from Itasca Community College in 2000.

Last job prior to joining the leadership team: Prior to working at the Foundation, I had the privilege of playing every day with my daughter and son (i.e. at-home mom)Š along with the daily cleaning and other tasks of running a home. I also worked part time as a church secretary here in Grand Rapids for a year and half and enjoyed every minute of it!

Role on the leadership team: My role as a production assistant for the Blandin Community Leadership Programs consists of: preparing materials for retreats and workshops, communication with participants and updating and refining curriculum. I work primarily with the core program, BCLP, and Community Partners-in-Leadership (CPIL).

When did you join the leadership team? I joined the leadership team in January of this year.

What attracted you to leadership as a career? To be honest, I was not aware of the role the Blandin Foundation played in leadership across rural Minnesota until I began work with the Foundation. Since then, I have been impressed with the impact our leadership programs have on communities and individuals. Participants begin to realize that they can have an impact and can be heard by other community leaders and those needing an extra boost. This new reality and excitement of our alumni is what attracts me most to leadership work. It is an honor to be a part of something bigger than myself that truly helps leaders understand their impact and the difference they alone with the right “tools” can make for their community.

What is (are) the most gratifying aspect(s) of your job? Most gratifying is the excitement our participants share with me prior to the retreat and after. Not only does it thrill me to read the stories of what they are doing in their communities, but also to hear of how they personally feel they have grown because of the tools our programs have equipped them with. Their energy and ambition makes the work WELL worth it!

Personal information: I have lived most of my life in Grand Rapids. Although I lived elsewhere during my elementary years, Grand Rapids is my favorite home because of the people, outdoor opportunities, and small town feel. Going on nearly five fun years of marriage and two beautiful children later, I find myself completely content with where I am in life. I love to spend time with my family and friends. I also enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible!