Chair
Terri Foley
Terri Foley is a program officer at Leading Age Minnesota Foundation, a professional association for senior living communities. Her job involves making grants in rural Minnesota related to the workforce and aging services. She’s been involved in various nonprofit work organizations for 10 years. Her background includes communications, marketing, grant writing, program management, and publishing. She holds a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University and a Bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University, Minnesota. She grew up in Le Sueur, a small rural town about an hour south of Minneapolis, and now lives in Edina. Her hobbies include reading, book groups, traveling, and playing with her great nieces and nephew.
Secretary
Erica Bjelland
Erica Bjelland grew up in rural Northeast Iowa, lived in Brainerd, MN and is now residing in Boulder, CO. She has degrees in Environmental Policy and Global Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. After Concordia, she worked at a nonprofit in Backus, MN focused on solar energy accessibility and at the Region Five Development Commission as a Regional Development Planner and is currently an environmental and energy specialist for Boulder County. In her free time, Erica enjoys spending time running, cooking, and playing bass in the local symphony and a local band. Along with Rachel Juritsch–her good friend and fellow board member–Erica created the first 100 Rural Women Leadership Exchange program with women in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Read or watch Erica’s Spotlight Profile
More From Erica
Name and Occupation/Organization
Erica recently started a new position at the Region Five Development Commission as an Environment & Energy Planner.
Her Connection to Rural America
Erica spent almost all her life in rural America. She grew up in Decorah, Iowa, a beautiful river town in rural Northeast Iowa. After she graduated college, she moved to Pine River in Central Minnesota, and she now lives in Brainerd, MN.
As a rural woman, what has been a significant barrier in your profession? How did you overcome this?
“In addition to being a woman, I am also young, and the renewable energy sector I work in consists of predominantly white men. I think all of these factors together have made my biggest barrier constantly proving that I have valuable knowledge and experience to share. I am forever grateful for the mentors I had early on in my career that advocated for me and taught me how to advocate for myself.”
What advice would you offer to the rising generation of rural women?
“I think I’m part of the rising generation of rural women, so I’m learning too! I think I would just remind people that relationships matter a lot. This is true anywhere, but especially in rural areas. We all depend on each other a lot and degrees of separation are a lot smaller in a small town. This can sometimes be a barrier, but more often than not it is a strength!”
Is there a habit or practice you subscribe to that keeps you motivated?
“Having meaningful conversations with my close friends is what keeps me motivated more than anything. I will also give some appreciation to the eggs, toast, and couple cups of coffee that nourish me each morning as well.”
What fills your cup these days?
“I have been doing a lot of walking and talking on the phone. My current walking route takes me to a beautiful cow pasture, and those cows and especially the calves definitely fill my cup. Also, one of my favorite weekly calls is to my pal and fellow board member, Rachel. She always fills my cup!”
Member
Benya Kraus Beacom
Hailing from a fusion of Waseca, MN and Bangkok, Thailand, Benya graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Tufts University with a B.A. in International Relations and minors in Urban Studies and Colonialism Studies. While at Tufts, she served as President of the Tufts Community Union Senate. Additionally, she worked as a Minneapolis Urban Scholar with the city’s Community Planning & Economic Development department. Searching for a pathway back to serve in Waseca after graduation, she realized that little infrastructure and cultural narrative existed to bring young talent back to small towns, rural, and economically distressed urban communities–particularly to engage in public service. She went on to co-found Lead For America, a national nonprofit that supports young talent in returning to their hometowns through two-year paid fellowships. It’s mission is catalyzing community renewal and strengthening our public institutions. Supported by the Bush Foundation, Benya has returned home to Minnesota to launch Lead For Minnesota. The next state affiliate is headquartered in her hometown of Waseca. In addition to Lead For America, Benya has served on the Amnesty USA Board of Directors. Benya is currently an Obama Foundation Scholars a Neubauer Civic Scholar and an MBA Candidate at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She is also involved in her hometown community as a board member of the Mayo Clinic Waseca Outreach Board, the Waseca Area Foundation, and the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership.
Member
Fawn J. Sampson
Fawn J. Sampson is Minnesota born & raised, a citizen of the Leech Lake Nation, and a resident of Grand Rapids, MN. Fawn currently works for Minnesota North College as Aspire North Community Navigator and prior with University of Minnesota Extension in the Center for Community Vitality as an Extension Educator. She is a graduate of Itasca Community College where she received her Associate of Arts, attended Bemidji State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts double majoring in American Indian Studies & Visual Arts, and finally received her Master of Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Fawn also has a Certificate in Organizational Development from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her passions include the arts, networking, developing new relationships, and supporting communities throughout Minnesota but most importantly Indigenous communities and people across Turtle Island. At home, she is a cat mom (Ducky & Mooz), a mother to 2 boys (Hvrvnwvce & Opanv), and a wife to a talented artist & performer (Samsoche).
Read or watch Fawn’s Spotlight Profile
Treasurer
Hara Charlier
Dr. Hara Charlier took her post as president of Central Lakes College in July 2016. During her tenure, the college has experienced growth at a time when nationwide community college enrollment is falling, expanded its commitment to sustainability with solar arrays on each campus, renovated facilities to better serve students, and launched new programs to meet the region’s workforce needs. Dr. Charlier considers relationships to be the foundation of any successful organization. Under her leadership, the employees of CLC have worked to build a strong culture focused on people and voice. The college was recognized as a 2020 Great College to Work For, achieving elite Honor Roll status by the program.
Prior to joining Central Lakes College, Dr. Charlier served as vice president of instruction and student services at Virginia Highlands Community College. Previously, she held leadership and faculty roles at Blue Ridge Community College in Virginia. Dr. Charlier lives in Nisswa with her husband, Russ, and a menagerie of animals. They have two adult daughters, Devon and Lili.
Visit her Spotlight Profile and Ask a Leading Woman session.
Former Board Members
Former Member
Rachel Juritsch
Rachel Juritsch is an energetic twenty-some-year-old who fell in love with rural Minnesota. She grew up in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and she spent her time exploring the outdoors and growing a deep appreciation for the environment. This led to her pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Energy Management from the State University of New York: College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Rachel came to Minnesota to work for the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) in Backus, MN. A nonprofit focused on making solar energy accessible to everyone.
More From Rachel
Name and Occupation/Organization
Rachel Juritsch, Summer AmeriCorps VISTA at Tremont West Development Corporation
Her Connection to Rural America
Rachel’s connection to rural America began as a child. Growing up around Pottsville, Pennsylvania she spent my weekends playing in the woods, having bonfires with friends, and working a laborious job at the local garden center. Her roots run deep in rural so when she moved to Pine River, Minnesota she felt at home. When she closes her eyes and thinks of her rural America she thinks of her time swimming in the lakes, exploring the woods and corn fields, going to the local county fairs, and creating a community.
What fills your cup these days?
“These days, seeing people and staying connected during COVID-19.”
Is there a habit or practice you subscribe to that keeps you motivated?
“Surrounding myself around people who are doing inspiring things is what keeps me motivated and fuels me to complete my tasks. Also, checklists are a great motivator!”
What advice would you offer to the rising generation of rural women?
“Reach out, try new things, ask for help, and ask questions.”
As a rural woman, what has been a significant barrier in your profession? How did you overcome this?
“As a young rural woman, the most significant barrier in my profession is to be taken serious. Men typically hold positions in the energy field so as a young woman that can be a challenging space to fill. I believe connecting, observing, and learning from other women in my field has helped me to generate the strength to believe in myself.”