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About us

We’re the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, working to improve lives and communities in northeast Minnesota, northwest Wisconsin, and the seven sovereign nations in this region. We provide grants that finance good work in our region, scholarships to further education of people of all ages and leadership on important community issues.

Our Staff

We’re happy to connect with you. Contact us at 218-726-0232 or by email. Email addesses for all staff members are in their bios.

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Paige Bramstedt
Finance Director

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Amber Burns
Community Impact Specialist

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Anika Eide
Operations & Culture Manager

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Shaun Floerke
President and CEO

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Kursula Harris
Senior Community Impact Associate

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Holly Herstad
Finance Assistant

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Mary Calantoc
Development Specialist

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Carly Viegut

Communications Manager

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Michelle Morris
Community Impact Director

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Jessica Peterson
Development Director

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Abby Olson
Operations Specialist

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Board of Trustees

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation is guided by the efforts and commitment of our capable Board of Trustees.

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Kerstyn Hendricks
Chair

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Katelyn Baumann
Vice Chair

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David Montgomery
Treasurer

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Patrick Heffernan
Secretary

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Fred Friedman
Board Member

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Heidi Sigfrids
Board Member

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Lee Jensen Bujold
Board Member

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Sakib Mahmud
Board Member

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Matthew Vaillant
Board Member

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Jeff Corey 
Board Member

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Joscelyn Skandel
Past Chair

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Aileen Beard
Board Member

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Peter Pfankuch
Board Member

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Angela Gilbertson
Board Member

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Sandra Wright
Board Member

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Julian Zebot
Board Member

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Paige Bramstedt joined the foundation in May 2022 as the organization’s accounting associate. She later was named interim finance director and, in January 2023, became finance director.
Paige earned her bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting and management from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. While at UWS, she spent time studying and living in Scotland.
She loves spending time with her family and friends in the area and traveling whenever she can. She also enjoys reading, hiking and crafting.
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Amber Burns joined the foundation in 2022. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2011 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in arts education.
She has taught visual art, dance and theater at Marshall School, the Duluth Playhouse and many organizations around Duluth. In 2018, she finished her master’s degree in arts development and program management from the University of Denver.
She is passionate about advocating for the arts and youth as well as helping the local community.
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Anika Eide joined the foundation in 2021. She has passion for social justice and for art as a means of healing.
After earning her bachelor of arts and master of fine arts degrees in creative writing from Hamline University, she served as mentor coordinator and creative writing mentor with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop from 2013 to 2015.
Anika spent five years working in the veterinary field in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She became a certified veterinary technician and remains committed to the care of domestic and wild animals.
She loves spending time with her family, her partner and her old cat, Simon. She enjoys hiking, writing, reading, camping, traveling and cooking.
Email Anika
The Board of Trustees named Shaun Floerke as the foundation’s leader in 2021 after he had served 16 years as a Duluth-based judge in Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District.
As a judge, Shaun was a national leader in trauma-informed practice and strove to model and hold space for respect and dignity. He worked with other stakeholders to develop more thoughtful resources that considered equity as well as sustainable solutions for people and communities.
Shaun founded and presided over the South St. Louis County DWI Court, a national academy court with the National Association of Drug Court Professionals; the South St. Louis County Safe Babies Court; and the Duluth Domestic Violence Restorative Circles Process.
He has been a national leader and trainer in how courts handle cases involving substance abuse disorder, mental health and domestic violence. He has trained across the nation and internationally on recovery and resilience for individuals, systems and communities.
Shaun holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a law degree from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Sara, have five children and live in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
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Kursula Harris brings to the foundation a background and expertise in operations management and administrative support.
As an adult student, she earned her bachelor of science degree in kinesiology, with a minor in psychology, from Pennsylvania State University.
Kursula has six siblings, and one of her favorite things to do is spend time with her nieces and nephews. She also enjoys volunteering in the community, working on DIY projects, hiking and traveling the world.
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Holly Herstad is a lifelong Duluthian and a Duluth Central High School graduate.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Holly has three wonderful children, two grandchildren and many family members who reside in the Duluth area. She spends her time trail riding, gardening, raising chickens, goats, pigs and turkeys. She enjoys giving farm-fresh food to family and friends.
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Mary Calantoc recently moved back to Duluth after spending the last 10 years in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was born in Hawaii but grew up here in the Northland. She is a 1999 graduate of Duluth East High School.

After a brief stint as a high school music teacher in San Diego, CA, Mary has worked in non-profit arts management for over 18 years and is thrilled to be part of the team at DSACF.

In her spare time, you can find Mary singing with the choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal or spending time with her family and new puppy Saimin.

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Carly joined the Community Foundation in 2024, bringing over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her professional journey began with volunteer management at the American Red Cross in Madison, Wisconsin, and continued as Program Director at the Park County Community Foundation in Livingston, Montana. She then focused on community engagement with UW-Superior and led communications and marketing at the Entrepreneur Fund in Duluth, Minnesota.

Carly holds a Bachelor of Science in Community and Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Inspired by seeing many nonprofits doing great work that goes unnoticed, she turned her focus to communications and marketing. She is passionate about amplifying the impact the Community Foundation, local nonprofits, and philanthropists are making across the region.

Carly is a native Duluthian and loves raising her family on the shores of Lake Superior. She can usually be found on the lake walk, sipping a chai tea latte at a local coffee shop, or exploring the community she loves.

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Michelle Morris advances the foundation’s mission of private giving for the public good by partnering with nonprofit organizations and community leaders to create positive outcomes through grants and scholarships.
She coordinates grantmaking for three initiatives:
  • Opportunity Rising, which builds a community that embraces diversity and inclusivity, where all children have abundant opportunities and feel respected, safe and secure
  • Ready North, which increases communities’ abilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters, while focusing on community members who are most vulnerable
  • Young Leaders Fund, which attracts and retains young adults in the region through civic engagement, entrepreneurship and high quality of life.
Michelle earned her master’s degree in public health from Columbia University, focusing on social determinants of health and health equity within health promotion. She brings experience in program design and management, evaluation through qualitative and quantitative research methods, community-based participatory research and grant-proposal writing and review.
In her free time, Michelle loves sailing (especially in the Apostle Islands), snowboarding, traveling, cross-country skiing, climbing and reading.
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Jessica Peterson joined the Community Foundation in 2023.

Jessica has worn many hats in the nonprofit sector over the past fifteen years. She previously worked as Development Director at the Depot Foundation in Duluth, where she helped expand fundraising, grow community impact and support arts and culture nonprofits. 

She also founded Yellow Tree Theatre in 2008, where she served as Development and Communications Director and Associate Artistic Director for twelve years and was key in distinguishing the organization as a top professional Twin Cities theater. Throughout her career, she also has worked as a professional playwright, essayist, actor and creative writing instructor.

Jessica holds a  degree in English Literature and Theater  from UMD and an MFA  in Creative Writing from Hamline University in St. Paul. Mom to two teenagers and a proud graduate of Denfeld High School, Jessica is also an adjunct professor at UMD where she teaches playwriting. She loves working at the Community Foundation and helping to connect generous individuals and nonprofits with opportunities to leave a meaningful legacy in the communities they love.

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Abby holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. After relocating to the Twin Cities post-graduation, she found herself missing the community and lifestyle of Duluth. In June 2024, Abby made the trip north to move back to Duluth. She enjoys supporting the Foundation’s operations because it enables her to give back to the community that means so much to her. Outside of work she loves spending time with her dog, Archie. She spends her time golfing, learning pickleball or enjoying a coffee on her porch.

 

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Kerstyn Hendricks is the AVP-Lead Signature Banker at National Bank of Commerce. In 2011, she graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in Communication. Kerstyn has worked at NBC since 2008, where she began as a teller, and has held various positions, including personal banker and signature banking specialist. Kerstyn is a proud Superior resident.
Katelyn Baumann is Outreach Program Manager in The Link Center, a resource for students as well as student programs and initiatives at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She received her bachelor’s degree in international peace studies and mass communication from UWS in 2012. She is devoted to developing strategies to meet community priorities through partnerships and bridge-building.
David Montgomery retired from the City of Duluth as its chief administrative officer, where he oversaw operations of city departments and served as the administration’s liaison with the City Council. Montomery served as interim president and CEO of the Community Foundation in 2020 while the foundation searched for a permanent leader.
Pat Heffernan has been with Duluth financial services firm Wheeler Associates since 2003 and is a certified employee benefits specialist as well as certified in long-term care. Pat is passionate about his community, city, and state and has been involved in programs at all levels. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, where he received the Donald R. Zander leadership award.
Fred Friedman served as the Chief Public Defender for northeast Minnesota before retiring in 2014. He was the longest-serving chief public defender in state history. He has worked as an attorney since 1972 and has taught college classes since 1975, including at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is a Chicago native with a bachelor’s degree from UMD and a law degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Heidi Sigfrids has worked as an educator for the School District of Superior since 2013.  She previously served as a high school marketing education teacher as well as a guidance counselor before transitioning into her current position as an assistant principal at Superior High School. 

Heidi attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in education as well as a masters degree in school counseling.  In 2020, she obtained her master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  Heidi is committed to the continued development of community partnerships that bridge gaps and meet the needs of students, their families and the larger community.

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Lee Jensen Bujold of Knife River is a retired business development director. She grew up on Lake Superior’s South Shore in Ashland. She and her husband, Jim, have lived in Knife River for more than 30 years. Bujold’s professional background is in Chamber of Commerce work and regional economic development.

Dr. Sakib Mahmud is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Management and Economics at University of Wisconsin-Superior. Dr. Mahmud received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wyoming, and M.A. in Economics from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Mahmud’s research focuses on applied economics with applications on issues related to environmental and resource economics, climate change adaptation and community resiliency, and small business economics. Dr. Mahmud loves to get involved with Twin Ports community in various capacities. Currently, he is serving as the Member of the Redevelopment Authority of City of Superior (RACS); Board Member of the Duluth Superior Eco Rotary Club; Vice President of the Islamic Center of Twin Ports, ICTP, Duluth and, the Faculty Advisor of the Student-led UW-Superior Sustainability Club. In the past, he served as a Member of the
Diversity Group of the Northern lights Elementary School in Superior and the Steering Committee for the National Bank of Commerce sponsored Regional Economic Indicators Forum
(REIF) project. Dr. Mahmud was also involved as a Voluntary Soccer Coach for kids at the Young Men’s Christian Association, YMCA, Superior.

Matthew Vaillant is a Senior Vice President at North Shore Bank of Commerce, with oversight of their Consumer Banking, Private Banking, and Insurance Departments. He is a lifelong Duluthian who joined North Shore Bank in 2007 and has worked in various production and management roles throughout the organization, including investment management and financial planning. Matt graduated from the College of St. Scholastica with a degree in business management and accounting. He has also attended Boston University’s Certified Financial Planning Program and the Graduate School of Banking – Wisconsin Madison. Matt is actively engaged with the American Bankers Association and the Minnesota Bankers Association through his participation in several councils and committees. He looks forward to leveraging his passion for innovative thinking and collaborative change management to support the Foundation in its efforts to build a stronger and more vibrant community.

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Jeff Corey has been Executive Director for One Roof Community Housing (formerly Northern Communities Land Trust) since 1998. During this time, One Roof has assisted over 500 households purchase Community Land Trust (CLT) homes by developing over 320 CLT homes and facilitating the resale of over 200 CLT homes.  In 2011, Jeff helped lead the merging of Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth and Northern Communities Land Trust into what
became One Roof Community Housing in January of 2012.  Since the merger, Jeff’s programmatic work has focused on multifamily development in Duluth, including the development of Steve O’Neil Apartments (50 units of permanent supportive and shelter housing
for homeless families with dependent children), the redevelopment  of Gateway Towers (150 units of very affordable housing inhabited primarily by disabled and elderly residents), the
development of Decker Dwellings (42 units of affordable rental housing),  and the forthcoming Brewery Creek Apartments (52 units with 32 units for clients of Life House).

Joscelyn Skandel (Joscy) is manager of regulatory compliance, policy and rates Superior Water Light & Power, a subsidiary of ALLETE Inc. that serves customers in Superior and nearby areas. She joined the company in 2014 as supervisor of rates, financial reporting and budgeting. She earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and her MBA from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Aileen Beard serves as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Chemistry at The College of St. Scholastica, where she previously served as Dean of the School of Sciences. She earned a B.S degree in Chemistry from Marquette University and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Utah. She has been very active in chemistry research with a wide variety of projects in environmental organic, sustainability, and food chemistry. Her most recent research involves the chemistry of beer. She has a deep commitment to serving the community and helping individuals achieve their potential. A native of Southern Wisconsin, she has lived in Duluth since 2012.

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Peter Pfankuch is a senior manager at Foundant Technologies, a philanthropic software company that helps maximize the impact of the philanthropic sector. He has been there since 2018 working directly with community foundations of all sizes throughout the US and Canada to help solve the unique challenges they face. After growing up in Minneapolis and graduating from Montana State University with degrees in Economics and Business, he is now grateful to call Duluth, and its engaged and beautiful community, home.

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Angela Gilbertson attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and received a degree in Psychology prior to deciding to make the Twin Ports area her home.  Her degree was first used while working for Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center to aid survivors of domestic violence. Through her work with survivors, she began to notice the prevalence and need for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) resources in the Duluth community. Angela returned to school at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and completed the Chemical Dependency Certificate program.  She became a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in 2013 through the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. Over the last decade, Angela has worked within the SUD field in many roles from clinician, supervising existing programs, to opening new programs within the Twin Ports area. Angela is currently the Treatment Director of Reflections in Duluth and is a Treatment Expert on the 6th Judicial DWI Court Team. During her free time Angela loves spending time with her two children, husband, and dog doing anything outdoors, watching the Minnesota Vikings or the Duluth Harbor Monster's! Fear the Deep!

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Sandra Wright was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She received her bachelor’s degree from Chicago Teachers College (now Chicago State) and a master’s degree in education from Ball State University. She has served as an educator, including 36 years in elementary teaching and 10 years at the University of Wisconsin-Superior where she taught the Multicultural Nonsexist Education class.

Julian Zebot is a board member, partner in the Litigation Group, and chair of the Trust & Estate Litigation practice at the Minneapolis law firm of Maslon LLP. He focuses his legal practice on probate, fiduciary, and trust litigation as well as business and commercial litigation. He has counseled and represented individual and business clients in both federal and state courts as well as arbitration proceedings, and he has handled matters for clients at all stages of the litigation process. Among his many other leadership roles, Julian is a fellow and member of several committees of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and he frequently writes and speaks on topics relating to probate, fiduciary, and trust litigation, fiduciary risk management, and professional ethics.

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