AscendRural Symposium
August 25 - 26

Assistant Chief, Garrison Fire and Rescue

Jen Elleraas began her fire service career in 2019. Rising quickly from firefighter to Training Captain and now Assistant Chief, she is also a certified EMT. Recognized as the 2024 MSFCA Officer of the Year, Jen is known for strong leadership, dedication to training, and commitment to operational excellence. She helped organize the Region 5 Women’s Expo and is now organizing the statewide Women Explore Fire Day in Minnesota on May  2,  2026.

Central MN EMS Region Coordinator

Marion Larson has served as an EMS Coordinator for 13 years, dedicated to enhancing emergency services across 11 counties through collaboration with pre-hospital and public safety departments. In this role, she supports vital training initiatives, fosters cross-disciplinary communication, and provides crucial assistance to the Critical Incident Stress Management Team. With 25 years of experience as an EMT and prior service as a Police Reserve Officer, Marion brings a comprehensive understanding of integrated emergency response.

Resource Development Administrator, Sourcewell

Amy Piekarski is a Resource Development Administrator at Sourcewell. She has a background in government relations, including new program development, partnerships, and operations. Currently, Amy's focus is on partnering with public safety, including law enforcement, fire departments, first response teams, and municipal and tribal ambulance services in central Minnesota. She works closely with these groups to understand their equipment and training needs. She also facilitates Networks for Law Enforcement, Dispatchers, School Resource Officers (SROs), and Emergency Managers to invest in relationships and provide just-in-time technical assistance.

Principal, CLA

Ryan joined CLA in October 2022 as Director of Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, and Digital Integration. He brings extensive executive experience from large and mid-size health systems, where he led operations across hospitals, clinics, and corporate development. His background includes executing mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Ryan is passionate about helping healthcare organizations and life sciences align digital solutions with operational efficiency and strategic growth.

Supervisor, St. Cloud Hospital Clara’s House - CentraCare

Katie Boecker, MS, LSW, LMFT is a dedicated child and family therapist serving as a supervisor in the Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health team at Clara’s House, CentraCare. With advanced credentials and extensive experience, Katie plays a pivotal role in mentoring emerging clinicians and ensuring that high standards of care are upheld.

Indigenous Education Coordinator, Brainerd Public Schools

Shayla Budrow is a descendant of White Earth and Fond du Lac and a committed advocate for Native students and families. Her research on Indigenous student retention began at Central Lakes College and continued at SMSU and revealed the critical role of belonging and representation in education. With a background in healthcare and community psychology, Shayla leads trauma-informed, culturally grounded programming that uplifts identity, fosters healing, and drives systemic change.

Chief Strategy Officer

Joe Buttweiler is Chief Strategy Officer of CTC and has been with the organization for over 10 years. He is known for his collaboration and engaging teams to exceed goals together. He has a strong business background with significant experience managing multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects. He has an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Bemidji State University.

Partner Relationship Manager, Mayo Clinic Platform

Adam is the Partner Relationship Manager at Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate, Partner at Tundra Ventures, and a business consultant. He has formerly worked at gener8tor, St. Jude Medical, Lunar Startups, and University of St. Thomas. Adam has worked with hundreds of startups while working at Tundra Ventures, Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate, gener8tor, and Lunar Startups.

CEO, Sourcewell

Chad, a rural Minnesota native and first-generation college graduate, has dedicated over 25 years to roles that create meaningful impact in the communities he serves. He has been CEO of Sourcewell since 2013, leading nearly 450 team members across 27 states while developing programs that support regional, state, and national needs. Chad holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and enjoys outdoor activities, family time, and life in West Central Minnesota.

Community member

Bekah Ehlebracht is a builder of programs and people. She has worked in Minnesota and internationally in the nonprofit, grants, and higher education fields. She has a law degree and Master of Science degree in Health Services Research, Policy, and Administration from the University of Minnesota. She lives and works in rural Minnesota.

Director of Community Health Services, Sourcewell

Nancy Euteneuer has more than 20 years of experience in mental health, with a deep knowledge of services across the full mental health continuum of care for both children and adults. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from The College of Saint Benedict and an associate degree in nursing from Northwest Technical College. Nancy's career is marked by a strong commitment to enhancing mental health services in rural Minnesota.

AscendRural

Eryn Johnston leads Innovation and Design at AscendRural. She is passionate about using innovation to solve complex challenges and helping communities bring new ideas to life. With a background in qualitative research, design thinking, and innovation consulting, Eryn has worked across industries to uncover insights, spark creativity, and design strategies that make a real difference. She thrives on connecting people, ideas, and opportunities—and believes the best solutions start with listening deeply and designing with care.

CEO and Board Director, Fractional Source

TJ is a public safety and technology leader with a career that began as a firefighter, paramedic, and state trooper. He played a key role in the 2002 Winter Olympics and later led international tech programs for emergency services. TJ has held executive roles at SAIC, Raytheon, and FirstNet, and served as CEO and board member for several tech companies. He holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins and enjoys skiing, sailing, and outdoor adventures.

VP of Client Solutions, Supportiv

Steve Lafferty is the Vice President of Client Solutions at Supportiv. He is a seasoned Health and Wellbeing leader who has led multiple transformations at both Target and UnitedHealth Group in the areas of Merchandising, Human Resources, Retail Healthcare, Owned Brands, and Managed Care Product Development. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Florida.

Impact and Evaluation Strategy Lead, AscendRural

Dr. Jess Lake leads AscendRural’s research, program evaluation and data strategy. She has 7+ years of leadership experience at mission-driven early and growth stage startups with a focus on building, implementing and evaluating the impact of digital health products to support mental health and wellbeing for underserved populations. She is a cognitive and behavioral scientist by training and received her PhD in Psychology & Neuroscience from Duke University.

Youth Resilience Pilot findings report >

Director of Operations, CentraCare Long Prairie

Lehner has been with CentraCare since 2018 and stepped into this role in August 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Information and Informatics Management from the College of St. Scholastica. A wife, mom of two, and active City Council member in her hometown, she is passionate about strengthening rural communities—both professionally and personally—by helping make rural life healthier.

Special Advisor, Cooperative Services

James Mitchell is recognized as a public sector technology thought leader, and has a proven track record of delivering large-scale, high-impact projects. With deep experience in government affairs, SaaS, and public sector technology implementation, James has successfully driven innovation, delivered billions in federal programs at the Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce, and managed high visibility engagements at all levels of government.

Executive Director, The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center

Monroe is honored to support youth and strengthen the community. Born and raised in central Minnesota, his roots deeply influenced his values and leadership. Monroe is a proud husband and father of two, and enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and fishing in the lakes he grew up around. He is dedicated to creating positive impact both professionally and personally in the place he loves.

Director of Behavioral Health, Vivie

Teresia serves as the Director of Behavioral Health for Vivie and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Her academic foundation includes degrees in psychology and social work, with a specialized focus on gerontology. She is skilled in diagnosing and treating a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment disorders, and grief and loss. Teresia's passion lies in supporting individuals navigating the early stages of dementia as well as supporting their care partners. She is a certified dementia specialist and REACH program coach and facilitates a monthly Memory Café in Baxter.

CEO/Co-Founder, Psyche Care

Mallika is Psyche Care's Chief Executive Officer. Her background is at the intersection of healthcare and business development, with previous experience at chemical engineering labs at Stanford & MIT, biotech startups, biotech non-profits, and healthcare private equity. Her interest in patient advocacy and patient-centered design stems from a chronic illness diagnosis in 2022, after which she co-founded Psyche Care with Hanxiao Lu. She is a Davis Projects for Peace Fellow, a Pressman Fellow at MIT for her previous advocacy and non-profit work, and a Thrive Fellow at the Innovation Hub of the Thrive Center at Georgetown University.

Product Lead, AscendRural

Steph Peters, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and entrepreneur who focuses on building companies and designing innovative products to improve health and well-being. As Product Lead at AscendRural, she helps organizations implement technology solutions that drive health-related impact. She is also an expert consultant with Understood.org and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford's Clinical Excellence Research Center, where she teaches clinicians about entrepreneurship. Previously, she was the founder of WellRoo and held leadership roles at Clarity Pediatrics and Carium.

Sr. Project Manager, Region Five Development Commission

Jeff joined the team in fall 2023 and leads complex energy and workforce projects focused on sustainability and local economic growth. A Minnesota native with deep regional knowledge, he brings over 20 years of diverse public service experience, including roles as an Air Force Survival Instructor, Judge Advocate Attorney, and law enforcement officer. Jeff has also served local and federal agencies across the U.S. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice, a J.D., and an LL.M. in Military and International Law.

Director of Government Affairs, Cartwheel

Seth Rau is a passionate education leader, who always strives to ensure that every child, especially those from overlooked and underserved populations, have the opportunity to thrive in their lives. He currently is the Director of Government Affairs at Cartwheel, a K-12 telehealth mental health provider to students and staff across the country.

CEO, Brainerd Family YMCA

Shane Riffle is the CEO of the Brainerd Lakes Family YMCA, leading efforts in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. He works with the Board of Directors to implement strategic plans, ensure financial stability, oversee operations, and advance philanthropic initiatives to meet critical community needs. Previously, Shane served as Chief Operations Officer at the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, driving membership growth and program development through community partnerships. With 25 years of YMCA experience, including leadership roles in Idaho and Ohio, Shane brings deep knowledge of the organization’s mission. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati.

VP, Population Health

Lindsey Sand is Vice President of Population Health at Vivie, where she leads efforts to transform care for older adults by closing service gaps and fostering collaboration across the healthcare continuum. A licensed health services executive, she brings extensive experience in skilled nursing, senior housing, and community-based services. Lindsey holds degrees from the University of Minnesota and serves on several boards, including LeadingAge Minnesota. Rooted in rural Central Minnesota, she values community, connection, and driving meaningful change in aging services.

Executive Director, Smiles for Jake

Sarah Smith is the Executive Director of Smiles for Jake. Smiles for Jake’s mission is to be a suicide prevention movement that spreads positivity through life-affirming actions, listening ears, and the message that everyone should have hope. Born in and spreading from a community that experienced the suicide of a beloved son, our short-term goal is to reduce the suicide rate and our long-term vision is to stomp out suicide worldwide.

VP Policy and Industry Innovation, NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association

Joshua Seidemann focuses on federal regulatory issues as well as technology and market trends affecting the rural telecom industry. He leads research initiatives for Smart Rural CommunitySM, an initiative that promotes inter-industry collaboration to deploy broadband-enabled applications to improve agriculture, education, health care and other sectors. Josh is the staff liaison for the NTCA Innovation and Business Opportunity Committee and has served on industry bodies administered by the FCC, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, state governments and university systems.

Director of Risk Services, Sourcewell

Casey Schultz serves as the Director of Risk Services at Sourcewell, where they lead and oversee the organization’s risk-related initiatives, including managing the Better Health Collective—a self‑funded group health insurance solution serving public employers in Minnesota. In this role, Casey plays a key part in facilitating comprehensive, cost-effective insurance offerings and promoting wellness programs that enhance employee wellbeing and organizational resilience.

Executive Director, Selander Coaching and Consulting

Selander is the founder of Selander Coaching and Consulting. She brings a background in social work and a deep commitment to supporting mental health and well-being. Selander Coaching and Consulting is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education on a range of topics, including mental health, suicide prevention and postvention, substance use, and other societal concerns. Arlene also serves as the executive director of Petals of Peace Community Resource Center and President of the Military Mental Health Coalition, further highlighting her dedication to mental health advocacy and support.

Primary Care Programs Administrator at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Bekah is an inventive business leader with over 20 years of experience in new program development and implementation, strategic partnership development, operations, and grant/ project management in diverse industries, including education. Experience working with diverse populations and cultures. Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal 40 Under Forty Award Winner, 2012