*2025-2026 LITV Cohort

Elizabeth joined the City of Stillwater in June 2025 serving as the Administrative Services Director. In this role, she will focus on the City’s communication strategy and supporting internal services and organizational initiatives.
Originally from Plum City, Wisconsin, Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and Queens University of Charlotte. She brings a decade of experience in local government, having served in various roles with the City of Asheville, North Carolina. 
Elizabeth is passionate about the role local government plays in building informed, engaged communities. She’s excited to be back in the Midwest and looks forward to getting to know all that Stillwater has to offer

I was born in 1984 in Cambridge, MN, graduated from North Branch high School in 2003 where I played tennis, was all-conference in choir, state participant in Speech. I graduated from Brown College in 2004 with an AAS degree in radio broadcasting. I worked on air at WCMP radio in Pine City before transitioning to my current career in banking. Started as a teller and worked my way to my current branch lead role. Married for 12 years to my wife Jaime and we have 4 cats.

Kim leads the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, a place-based foundation focused on strengthening the St. Croix Valley. She brings over two decades of experience in philanthropy, community engagement, and nonprofit leadership. Kim is passionate about supporting organizations that are rooted in community, shaped by lived experience, and working toward lasting change.  

She’s active in civic life, having served in numerous boards and advisory roles and volunteering in the community. Kim also finds joy as a parent to a curious 11-year-old, dabbling with her spouse in backyard “urban farming”, spending time outdoors, and creating with her hands.

My name is Jenny Brelje and I live in Minneapolis with my Spouse and two dogs. I have worked in Stillwater, 2 years in July. I work at St. Paul Lutheran Church has the CYF (Children, Youth, and Family) and Outreach Director. I have enjoyed getting to know the community and excited to learn more about Stillwater.

Born and raised in Minnesota, I am a graduate of Osseo High School and earned my Bachelor of Science in Social Work from St. Cloud State University. My career began in human resources within the financial services sector before transitioning to public education, where I’ve spent the past 20 years. I served for a decade at Anoka-Hennepin Schools and then for seven years at Fridley Public Schools. In December 2023, I joined the leadership team at Stillwater Area Schools. I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of Human Resources and appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to do this work in an industry that supports children and youth. My passion lies in building strong, supportive systems that help staff and students thrive. I bring a deep commitment to equity, collaboration, and continuous improvement in education.

I grew up in Stillwater and went to Stillwater High School. After graduating in 2016 I went to Saint John's University where I majored in Economics.  I started working at First State Bank & Trust in December of 2020 as a Commercial Credit Analyst, in 2025 I moved into a Commercial Lending/Portfolio manager role.  When not working I enjoy golfing, fishing and hunting around the St croix river valley. 

I currently serve as Finance Director for the City of Oak Park Heights. Prior to this role, I served as Finance Director for the City of Hudson, WI, for five years and as Assistant Finance Director for the City of Stillwater for seven years. Throughout my career, I have contributed to several key projects and transitions, including the construction of two new fire stations, the renovation of a police station, the acquisition of two new buildings for police and public works facilities, an EMS transition, and the development of collaborative partnerships with neighboring communities. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus in Accounting from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and have earned the Certified Public Finance Officer designation from the Government Finance Officers Association. Outside of work, my husband and I enjoy cheering on our son and daughter, who attend Stillwater Public Schools, at their hockey and baseball/softball games.

Moved to MN from VA in May of 2004.  Started working at the Washington County Sheriff's Office in June of 2004.  Promoted to supervisor in March of 2007.  Have 3 grown kids who all live in MN.  Have 3 cats & 4 grandcats (no grandkids).  Currently live in North Branch since September of 2018 with my husband of almost 5 years & my mom.  Love to play Bingo, read & cross-stitch.  Have a total of 30 years in the 911 profession.

I was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota and graduated from Duluth East High School. I was a highly recruited pitcher in baseball and quarterback in football. I received a full-ride baseball scholarship from Iowa Western Community College in 2004. I got to play in the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction Colorado and graduated with an Associates Degree. I then signed with Virginia Commonwealth University with a full-ride scholarship. I ended up transferring to Creighton University in Omaha Nebraska where I graduated in 2009 on the Dean's List and as a member of the National Honor's Society with a Bachelors Degree in Organization Communications and a Specialization in Corporate Communications. I moved back to Minnesota to pursue law enforcement where I became a police officer with the White Bear Lake Police Department in 12/16. I have been with the Stillwater Police Department since 11/22 and I have been a Patrol Sergeant since 4/24. 

Angela serves as Leadership Annual Giving Officer at Lakeview Health Foundation, where she plays a pivotal role in cultivating and stewarding donor relationships to support the foundation’s mission of enhancing health and well-being in the St. Croix Valley. With a master’s degree in public administration and a strong philanthropic background, she brings strategic insight and deep commitment to donor centered philanthropy. At Lakeview, Angela focuses on engaging individual donors, managing annual giving campaigns, and aligning philanthropic efforts to support the new HealthPartners Lakeview Hospital. Angela also plays a key role in securing funding for essential community health initiatives, including prescription assistance and teen leadership development programs. She is known for her collaborative spirit, attention to detail, and passion for building lasting connections. Angela lives in Roseville, with her partner Adam and 2 cats Oscar & Agnes.

Cathleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, Writing, and Secondary Education from Hamline University. She offers more than 22 years of fundraising, event planning, communications, and marketing experience. She has dedicated more than a decade of her professional career working in communications and fundraising roles to benefit students attending local urban and suburban public schools. Cathleen has been a member of many statewide communications and public relations associations. She has volunteered locally at Croixdale, Valley Outreach, and in various roles for the ISD 622 Education Foundation.

Currently serving as the Oak Park Heights Building Official, where she began her career in 1990, Julie has a passion for local government enjoys working with the residents and business owners of Oak Park Heights and the St. Croix Valley community. She is an active member of the MN Building Permit Technician’s Association, serving as the organization's Treasurer for 12 years   A proud Stillwater graduate, Julie also holds an MPA in Public Administration from Hamline University. and an AAS in Building Inspection Technology from Inver Hills Community College. Prior to working with the City, she was employed at a small law office in Stillwater and held a short-term position with the Washington County Auditor-Treasurer’s Election Division. She and her husband, Russ share three adult children and live in Somerset, WI with their Great Pyrenees, August.

For nearly five years, Karen Keenan has served as Executive Director of Valley Friendship Club (VFC)  leading the organization through a major expansion and deepening community partnerships across the Stillwater area. She holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a graduate of the Minnesota Partners in Policymaking program, a leadership initiative of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Karen was a 2013 TEDx Mahtomedi speaker with her talk titled “What if We Created a Community of Belonging?” and is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued. Karen and her husband live in Mahtomedi and are proud parents to their 14-year-old daughter who has Down syndrome.

Hi, my name is Lezlie Kelzenberg. I currently am a Clinical Studies Associate at Diasorin Inc. I am responsible for setting up, coordinating, and supervising clinical studies. I enjoy using my skills to contribute to the success of the clinical trials conducted at Diasorin Inc. 
I've resided in the St. Croix River Valley most of my life. I was born and raised in Stillwater, and I currently live in Scandia, MN. In 2015, I graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, camping, and traveling. My greatest source of daily inspiration is my son, who motivates me to be a more thoughtful, driven, and compassionate leader.

I’m Monika Kleinschmidt, co-owner of Game World — a commercial inflatable rental company that serves schools, churches, businesses, and families throughout the region. My husband and I purchased the business during the pandemic, and through a lot of determination and creativity, we’ve grown it beyond its pre-COVID success. I grew up in Woodbury, MN and earned my bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Economics from UW–River Falls, followed by an MBA. I currently juggle entrepreneurship, a full-time job, and family life, so efficiency and adaptability are second nature to me. I’m passionate about creating joy-filled experiences for our customers and helping others grow their own businesses. When time allows, I love to travel and explore new places. I’m excited to be part of Leadership in the Valley to connect with others, grow as a leader, and give back in meaningful ways.

Senior Sales Executive at Metro East Commercial Real Estate Services. Specializing in Landlord, Seller, Tenant and Buyer representation of commercial real estate. Scott has been licensed in commercial real estate since 2011, representing his clients on a national and local level for over a decade.

Scott lives in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, with his wife and three daughters. He loves spending time with his family by taking in their activities, working on home remodeling projects, or simply relaxing at the cabin.

I started my career at Royal in 2017 and served Members in several roles before finding my passion in business banking.

I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and am a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. I am a member of Northeast Metro Young Professionals, Royal Young Professionals, and the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce (to name a few). I frequently volunteer with Family Means, Friends of Interstate Park, Standing Cedars Land Conservatory, and local food shelf organizations. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and camping with his wife, 3 kids, and 2 dogs. I am a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, The Office and pretty much any Sci Fi series.

Heidi moved to Stillwater in 2023 after getting married and decided to stay after that marriage ended in 2025.  She moved from Faribault where she was the Executive Director of a performing arts center and was very active in Faribault's Chamber of Commerce and Tourism commission. Heidi hasn't lived in Stillwater long, but she feels right at home here because her great grandparents met here and she looks forward to learning more about this thriving community.   

Jacalyn Norbury grew up in Cottage Grove as the oldest of four siblings. As a first generation college graduate, she attended Hamline University where she majored in Criminal Justice and minored in Psychology. Afterwards she married her high school sweetheart and they welcomed two amazing boys into their lives. Jacalyn has a passion for helping others in need and began her career working at the Minnesota Judicial Branch located in Stillwater. After that she really honed in on her passions and she took a position working at the Wayzata Police Department as a Records Technician. She was there for several years before landing a job closer to home at the Stillwater Police Department where she has remained to this day. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading books, playing golf, and watching her son's play hockey and baseball.

My name is Joe Raleigh, I am a Lake Elmo native who went to Stillwater Area HS and continued on to Saint John's University to further my academics and hockey career. I graduated from SJU in 2023 and got right into the banking industry. As a strong advocate for community banking I worked at two prior banks prior to joining Lake Elmo Bank as a Commercial Lender in March of 2025. Outside of work, I enjoy anything to do with the outdoors (golfing, hunting, fishing, etc.)

I grew up in southern Wisconsin into a cheese loving family, my great grandfather actually has a trophy from President Calvin Coolidge for cheese making. After I graduated from college I took an internship with the National Park Service and landed in Canyonlands National Park. Over the next decade I moved around out west, living in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. I fell in love with the outdoors. In 2018, my husband had an opportunity to work in Wisconsin and we decided it was time for us to come home and be closer to our aging parents and families. We moved to the Saint Croix Valley and we absolutely love it here.   

Hi, I’m Mark. I was born and raised in Bayport, where I grew up in a family rooted in service—between law enforcement, Andersen Windows, and our local fire department. My dad served as Bayport’s fire chief for 30 years, and I spent much of my childhood in and around those stations, learning the values of dedication, leadership, and community.

  I’m a Project Manager at Market & Johnson, where I bring that same sense of purpose and teamwork to every project I lead. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is building strong relationships—with both new and longtime local business owners—to support their visions and help our community thrive. My wife Alicia and share a crazy life with busy jobs and have three teenage boys. We are on the go at all times chasing sports and races and we love it. 

Matt is a proud Stillwater resident living in the Liberty on the Lake area with his wife and 4 children since 2016. Matt has a diverse and unique experiences in corporate Finance & Accounting along with small business ownership while operating a full-scratch commercial and retail bakery. With his financial and entrepreneurial background, Matt now is helping lead the growth of a local accounting firm in Stillwater, Johnson Boog, LLC. where he is applying his knowledge and drive to expand the firms client portfolio while partnering to local small businesses to help them succeed. Also, if you had a student graduate from Stillwater High School in 2020, you may have met Matt as he made, donated, and hand-delivered graduation cakes to all graduating seniors that Spring.

Jason Stopa is an accomplished community development professional with over a decade of leadership experience in urban planning, redevelopment, and public sector management. He currently serves as the Director of Community Development for the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Previously, he held the same position in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, where he led transformative initiatives to redevelop from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Jason played a critical role in implementing capital projects, significantly improving quality of life and community resilience. His innovative work earned him the 2021 International Economic Development Council Gold Award for Neighborhood and Retail Development. He holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans and a B.A. in History from the University of Georgia. 

Wendy grew up in Stillwater and attended UW-River Falls for her B.S. in Elementary Education. Before joining Wild Rivers Conservancy as the Community Engagement Manager in May 2021, Wendy worked in the environmental education field for over 12 years as a naturalist, teacher, and program coordinator, and has over 10 years of nonprofit management experience. When not at work, you can find Wendy in her backyard native garden, on a hiking trail, or exploring the beauty of the St. Croix Valley with her two sons often by her side. Wendy is looking forward to making more connections with local organizations and leaders through Leadership in the Valley.

Lily Van Allen is the Administrative Assistant & Event Coordinator at the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, having stepped into the role full-time in May of 2025 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in Marketing Communications and Communication Studies.
A lifelong resident of the St. Croix Valley, she holds a great deal of respect and appreciation for the people and small businesses that make this region truly one-of-a-kind. Lily's main goal in life is to give back as much as she can, and she enjoys the positive impact she can make in the Valley through her work with the Chamber!