 | Alexandria BehrendAlexandria Behrend brings over 19 years of progressive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector to her role as Executive Director of the Food + Farm Exploration Center. With a deep passion for advancing agricultural literacy and fostering community engagement, Alexandria began her tenure on January 2, 2025, following a national search. Prior to joining Food + Farm Exploration Center, Alexandria served as Manager of Philanthropy for the Boy Scouts of America and as Chief Operations Officer for the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. In these roles, she excelled in operational initiatives, donor campaigns, event management, membership growth, and program delivery. A graduate of Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Alexandria earned her bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Sociology. Her academic background, combined with her leadership expertise, positions her to drive innovative programming and cultivate strong partnerships to achieve organizational goals. Alexandria is passionate about inspiring collaboration among diverse stakeholders to create vibrant communities centered on food and farming. Reflecting on her vision, she shared, "I am excited about leading initiatives that not only educate but also inspire collaboration, fostering a dynamic community around food and agriculture." |
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 | Ann IlaganAnn infuses her work with curiosity, presence, and a deep fascination with people and their stories. With more than 20 years of experience as a photographer, she is known for capturing the essence of individuals and creating visuals that reflect not only a brand but a way of being. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and an MBA in Applied Leadership and Decision-Making from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, grounding her creative vision with strategic insight. Her signature project, The Weight of Being Seen, explores the intersection of art, leadership, and business, and reflects her lifelong drive to understand and embody the power of presence. In each session, Ann not only photographs but also gently guides her clients, helping them step into visibility with confidence and authenticity. Through this integrative lens, she helps people move beyond performance into presence—clarifying their vision and telling their story in a way that resonates with depth and impact. |
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 | Annie Wetter
Annie
Wetter, PhD, is a health coach and retired Professor of Nutrition with
expertise in chronic disease risk reduction through diet and exercise.
For over 2 decades, she has applied this expertise in the community by
establishing non-profit health promotion organizations; partnering with
private, non-profit, and public entities; and mentoring students in the
field. Annie is eager to share the knowledge and help build the skills
that people need to achieve wellbeing. With this knowledge and skill,
she believes everybody has inner wisdom to make choices that are
consistent with their values, honor their preferences, attend to their needs, and elevate their spirit. In her spare time, she raises goats, sells eggs, and grows mountains of produce. |
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 | Dr. Beth KinslowDr. Beth Kinslow is an Associate Professor of Athletic Training at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and serves as Program Director for the Health Science and Wellness program. She holds a Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Oregon State University and a Doctor of Science in Health Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. With over two decades of clinical experience as an athletic trainer, Dr. Kinslow brings a rich blend of expertise, empathy, and leadership to her teaching and program development. Her work centers on helping others recognize and reach their highest potential—both personally and professionally—through self-awareness, self-confidence, and intentional mentorship. |
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| Catalina Cabello
Catalina Cabello is a seasoned Corporate English and Spanish Instructor at Northcentral Technical College (NTC), as well as an experienced Spanish Translator and Interpreter for different school districts, hospitals, clinics and other business organizations, with over 20 years of experience in both the United States and Ecuador. She has a robust academic and professional background in Business and Education, excelling in Workforce Training and Development. Her expertise includes designing tailored curricula and implementing language training programs that emphasize practical, real-life applications for the workplace. Catalina specializes in empowering professionals across industrial, commercial, and service sectors with essential language skills to enhance communication, and foster cultural awareness in multicultural environments.
Catalina has been supporting adult literacy initiatives in Portage County both as a board member and treasurer since 2018 at the Portage County Literacy Council.
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| Carrie DiamondCarrie Diamond is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in community transportation, with a career dedicated to advancing equitable and accessible mobility solutions. Carrie collaborates with leaders at the local, state, and national levels to shape policies, build partnerships, and drive innovation in transportation systems and other social determinants of health that improve the lives of older adults, people with disabilities and other underserved communities.
Her leadership extends beyond professional realms into grassroots development through the founding of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP) and Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) women’s rugby clubs and the launch of a new flag rugby program in summer 2025. These programs have empowered youth and particularly women and girls through sport, teamwork, and leadership opportunities.
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| Celia Sweet
Celia Sweet is the Engagement Director at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), an educational nonprofit. Her work focuses on improving access to consumer education and solar workforce development through industry partnerships, renewable energy education in rural Midwest communities, and sustaining MREA initiatives. Empathy and compassion drive Celia's work in mission-focused spaces both personally and professionally. Outside of the office, Celia has been a dance instructor since 2012 and will be completing her graduate degree in Community and Organizational Leadership in May of 2026.
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| Deborah BeyerDr. Deborah Beyer serves as an Assistant Professor of Finance in UW‑Stevens Point’s AACSB‑accredited Sentry School of Business and Economics. She brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to her courses—ranging from corporate finance to international business and personal financial leadership. Her research explores political and economic uncertainty, stock market volatility, and firm‑level risk. Beyond her academic responsibilities, Dr. Beyer is the Director of the UWSP Center for Women’s Leadership and is a passionate advocate for community engagement. With her blend of scholarship, leadership, and service, Dr. Beyer embodies the transformative spirit of our campus and our community by encouraging others to lead with confidence, clarity, and collaboration.
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 | Gigi StahlGigi is an experienced facilitator focused on addressing systemic and relational barriers that prevent people from loving more. Currently she is working as a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Sentry Insurance, raising incredible young girls with her partner SJ and wrangling her dog. Her biggest goal is to create communities where love is sustainable. |
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 | KaYing VangKaYing Vang is a systems strategist, evaluator, and founder of Innovation Data + Design Studio (IDDS), where she helps mission-driven organizations lead with learning and drive equitable change. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Hmong, and with a career spanning local organizing to international development, she brings a global lens and a deep cultural fluency to every engagement. Through her consulting and thought leadership, KaYing advises nonprofits, funders, and cross-sector coalitions. She partners with her clients to embed evaluation into strategy as a force for alignment, reflection, and transformation. Her work bridges frontline realities with executive decision-making, drawing on a track record that includes partnerships with rural communities in Bolivia, Hmong organizers in the Midwest, and global systems-change initiatives in Europe.
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| Kristy VangKristy Vang is the Director of Operations and Finance at the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, where she leads strategic initiatives to strengthen operations and financial systems. She has over a decade of nonprofit finance experience with organizations such as City on a Hill, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, and Jewish Family Services. Kristy earned her BBA in Accounting from UW–Milwaukee and is pursuing her MS in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from UW-Milwaukee. She is also a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) and Lean Six Sigma White Belt certified. Beyond her professional role, Kristy serves on several boards and committees supporting community and economic development.
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 | Maggie MarquardtMaggie Marquardt is a former nonprofit executive and fundraiser now pursuing a second career in mental health counseling. After two decades working with mission-driven organizations, she made a bold midlife decision to become a beginner again. Whether hosting sauna sessions or shaping strategic plans, Maggie builds community wherever she goes. She’s been mentored by women decades older and inspired by those decades younger, and she believes the most sustaining networks are built on curiosity and care. She is committed to holding space for others, and especially women, to show up fully and bravely. |
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| Mandy Roberts
Mandy Roberts is a Financial Advisor with Thrivent for six years. She had undergraduate degrees in English and Norwegian from St. Olaf College and a Master’s in Education from Viterbo University. The first twenty years of working were dedicated to non-profits, teaching, and public service. She also became a certified yoga instructor.
Mandy’s diverse background means she brings wellness to every conversation about finance. She is also extremely proud of her three children and considers her dog Howard, a sage of mindfulness. Meeting new people, riding a bike, and travel are her favorite diversions.
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| Mara MullenMara Mullen graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2011. After working as a ceramic studio technician and educator in Chicago, she moved to Brooklyn to focus on design and ceramic fabrication. In 2017, she returned to her hometown of Wausau, where she has been an active member of the local arts scene. In addition to teaching, Mara is the Director of Education at the Center for the Visual Arts and is also the president of the Wausau Public Art Commission. She is passionate about enriching Wausau through cultural programming, community outreach, and arts education.
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 | Michelle GleasonMichelle Gleason is a connector, a changemaker, and a passionate community builder. As a licensed clinical social worker with over two years at the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, Michelle brings a unique blend of clinical insight and strategic vision to her work. She is currently spearheading the development of the Women’s Fund for Marathon County, an initiative close to her heart that empowers women and girls to thrive—socially, economically, and personally. With deep roots in social work and a love for big ideas, Michelle harnesses her leadership skills and commitment to lifelong learning to elevate voices, strengthen networks, and ignite meaningful change. Whether she’s leading a philanthropic effort or mentoring emerging leaders, Michelle’s approach is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and bold collaboration. Outside of work, she’s a proud mom of two boys, a devoted tennis player, and a lifelong lover of music and travel—finding joy in both the rhythm of a great song and the energy of a new destination. |
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| Rikki HarryRikki Harry is a nonprofit strategist, ethical leadership advocate, and doctoral candidate committed to transforming small organizations. As founder & CEO of LEAP Nonprofit Consulting, she helps clients raise millions through authentic, relationship-based fundraising – not transactional tactics. Rikki draws on decades of experience across diverse nonprofit settings to challenge the sector’s scarcity mindset and build values-aligned, equity-driven cultures. Her work empowers leaders with practical strategies, honest conversations, and a bold vision for creating lasting impact through transparency, abundance, and authentic leadership.
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| Sallie Scovill
Sallie Scovill, PhD, CWP, is a professor in the School of Health Sciences and Wellness at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and a nationally recognized wellness leader. Since 2007, she has blended her passion for teaching with her role as Employee Wellness Coordinator, engaging students in hands-on projects that have transformed UWSP into a model wellness campus. Her leadership—recognized with the 2025 University Service Award—has guided initiatives such as the university’s transition to a tobacco-free campus, enhanced lactation facilities, and the “Move for Mental Health Walk.” Beyond campus, Sallie serves on the board of the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, partners with community health coalitions, and trains others as a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and Well Wisconsin ambassador. Known for creating meaningful impact with limited resources, Sallie continues to inspire students, colleagues, and communities to view wellness as a shared mission. |
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