FEatured FEWs

Member Spotlight

Abbey Graves

Title: Owner/Producer

Company: Abbey Graves Productions

Years as an FEW Member: First year!

Instagram: @AbbeyonAir

From childhood dream to dynamic entrepreneur, Abbey has built a career rooted in creativity, storytelling, and a whole lot of soundboard magic.

“I wanted to be a radio DJ from the time I was 10,” Abbey shares. “They just seemed so cool—talking into a microphone and running a soundboard all day.” That dream came to life as she pursued a degree in Radio Broadcasting and spent seven years as a DJ in St. Cloud before transitioning to new opportunities.

What started as a personal podcast project evolved into a full-fledged production business. Today, Abbey works with clients around the world to create meaningful, community-driven podcasts—while still getting behin

d the mic herself. Mission accomplished.

When asked what she does, Abbey often replies with a laugh: “That's a loaded question!” Then she’ll explain: “I help people create podcasts and the online elements to promote and support their shows to reach their audiences.” For the quick version, she says, “I edit videos for people and DJ weddings on the weekends.”

Why FEW?

Abbey first discovered FEW while supporting a podcast client speaking on a panel. “I loved the energy in the room,” she says. “A room full of women in leadership positions uplifting and encouraging each other felt like the perfect place to be.”

Paying It Forward

As a leader, Abbey is passionate about helping others find their way. “I like to say I’m an open book,” she explains. “If someone comes to me with a question, I want to come back with an answer—or at least point them in the right direction. It’s our job as leaders to be as helpful as we can be to the generation behind us.”

On Abbey’s Bookshelf 

Recently, Die with Zero by Bill Perkins made a lasting impression. “It really shaped my outlook—not just on how I spend money, but how I spend time,” she says. “It’s about living rich now, through experiences, travel, giving, and doing meaningful work.”

Superpower: Being the Go-To Problem Solver 

What’s Abbey’s most unique compliment? “People call me about the most random projects, and I always seem to have a solution,” she laughs. “Makeup tips, memorial videos, Halloween costumes, bingo machines—you name it, I’ve probably helped with it. I never know who’s going to text me for what, but I love being the person people turn to.”

Dream Dinner Guest: Queen Elizabeth 

“I’m obsessed with The Crown, so I’d love to ask Queen Elizabeth how accurate it really is,” Abbey says. But beyond that, she admires the Queen’s ability to lead with grace through decades of personal and national challenges. “There’s a lot we could learn from her.”

Thank you, Abbey, for bringing your energy, ingenuity, and authenticity to the Forum! We’re thrilled to have you as part of the FEW community.

 

 Rev. Kirsten Nelson Roenfeldt                                   Salem Lutheran Church, Senior Pastor                                                         Kirsten is married to Steven. They have two children: Axel (14) and Else (12)

Hometown: Annandale

What do you actually do at work?    I administrate a small non-profit organization, a church. While we have some special rules that are different from other nonprofits, we operate similarly. This includes building a staff of eight (one full time and the rest part time) in addition to myself. We work together to:

• Lead meaningful worship
• Teach about Jesus in hopes of growing faith  
• Create connected community
• Serve our neighborhood and the world.

Salem has been involved most recently in the formation of a Community Outpost on the East End. This effort will result in a free healthcare clinic available in the north end of our building at 90 Riverside Drive SE. The outpost will be staffed by the St. Benedict College nursing students and faculty in partnership with Centracare. Our St. Cloud police department will use this outpost as a place for neighborhood outreach, particularly through their co-responder team where police and mental health professionals respond to calls side-by-side. Like the first COP house in the Southside neighborhood, this effort is led by the St. Cloud Area Public Safety Foundation                 

What is your biggest accomplishment?  Seeing a group of people motivated and moving toward the goal of a beloved community. 

Is your desk/office messy or organized? Messy. My desk is a clutter of deeply compassionate ideas and hopeful projects. I organize it when I can't think anymore and need to clear my head. 

Do you have or are you a mentor? Both. I have relied on mentors to help me find my guiding direction in the midst of a rapidly changing world and the organization for which I work (the church, jot just Salem). I have coached pastors who are new, those approaching retirement and those in transition. Professional coaching is a skills set I am grateful to have been trained in as a way to walk alongside my colleagues and other leaders who are finding their best next step. 

Who is your oldest friend and where did you meet them? Lynda Porter might be my oldest friend. She and I went to church and school together from the time we were small until we graduated from high school. Since I've come back to MN, we have reconnected over the Ride to End Alzheimer's. Her sister and my dad are diagnosed with dementia, and it has been good to have someone who cares as deeply as I do about research to end these diseases. 

Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become? My dad. He taught me to be independent and to charge forward into the unknown. That comes in very handy in a profession full of unknowns for the church these days. 

What do you do for fun? Ride a bike, Nordic ski, read a book by a fire

Who is your hero? Women who lead. Brene Brown. I feel connected to her because I was a social worker in my first profession, and I love that she has helped so many people in the business and personal worlds understand the importance of vulnerability for real connection, as well as redefining that honesty is kind. 

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? I'm very interested in each person I encounter and their unique perspective, and I'm not so interested in convincing people to agree with my perspective.        

Kelly Corbett
Gabriel Media/Director of Sales & Development
Kelly is married to Phil, who is a School Counselor at Sauk Rapids High School. They have 3 children ages 22, 20, 18

Hometown: St. Joseph

What is your job? As a non-profit, I am responsible for the revenue strategy, leading the Development team, and also lead the Sales Team.

What was your first job? Social Work

How do you help others succeed? I lead with love and build trust. Get to know what motivates and is important to them. Helping others grow brings me the greatest joy.

Is your desk/office messy or organized?  Usually messy, though my coworkers would describe me as organized. I absolutely LOVE spreadsheets!

Do you have or are you a mentor? Michelle Primus from Momentum Partners

Last book read? The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Favorite vacation spot? Glacier National Park

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Soup!

Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become? Too many people to count. Attending a TEC (Together Encountering Christ) retreat and then getting involved in working them has had the biggest impact on the person I have become. Coming to know Jesus in my life, because of that program, but also the people I’ve gotten to know working the retreats over the last 30 years.

Biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure? Wine

What do you do for fun? Love having meaningful conversations with others

What is your biggest pet peeve? Lack of authenticity

What are three words that best describe you? Empathetic, passionate, driven

Pam DeMorett, Townsquare Media Senior Account Executive working in media sales

Pam is married and has four adult children

Hometown: LeCenter, MN

Member since: April 2024

What was your first job?  I worked  at our farm picking rocks in the spring, weeding the bean fields, driving the tractor when we bailed hay.

How do you help others succeed? I lead by example.  I try to always be positive and encouraging. 

What is your biggest accomplishment?  Raising a child with special needs.

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-oriented person?  I tend to be task oriented when at work. 

Last book read?   Christy, by Catherine Marshall

What do you do for fun? We moved to the area permanently after purchasing a lake home in 2020.  I like to relax by the water and take the pontoon out on the lake.

What is something you're obsessed with? English romance/fiction from the 1800s

MEET OUR FEATURED FEW:

Nikki Painter

How long have you been an FEW Member? I came as a Guest (Mar-Jun 2022) and joined as a member in July of 2022

Where is your hometown? Born in Albert Lea, MN; Moved to Wayzata/Plymouth area for high school.

Tell us about your family? Husband: Jeff, Daughters: Brecken and Oaklee, Dog: Bam (Jack Russell)

What do you do at work? Gather requirements and deliver customer data for marketing campaigns

What was your first job? Sales associate at The Buckle

Is your desk messy or organized: It's generally neat with 1-2 piles of "things to get done / go through"

What do you do for fun? We live on a lake so we're on the water as often as possible: boating, kayaking or paddle boarding.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? An EMT 

Where is your favorite vacation spot? Mesquite, NV / St. George, UT - we try to visit my husband's family there every year!

What is your biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure? Turtle Mocha from Caribou Coffee (let's meet for coffee)

Amanda Hackett is the Communications Director at Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict. 

Hometown: Stacy, MN

How long have you been a FEW Member? Around 5 years

Introduce your family: Husband of four years, Austin; two beautiful daughters, Arianna and Brynlee; and the sweetest yellow lab, Nova (3).

What is your job? I manage external and internal communications including our magazines, website, social media, promotional materials, and advertising (so, a lot of writing, editing, and graphic design). I’m also privileged to serve on boards and committees for multiple organizations that mean a lot to me.

What was your first job? I helped out at my mom’s dental office one summer when I was a teenager. One of their dental assistants was on maternity leave, so they needed some extra hands. 

What is your biggest accomplishment? This will sound cliché, but my biggest accomplishments are the two beautiful girls I’m raising. They bring so much light and joy into my life and the lives of others. How can I not beam with pride?

Favorite vacation spot? Somewhere tropical on a beach – although, I love adventurous vacations jam-packed with activities, too!

 If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A cheeseburger with everything on it and some variation of French fries.  

What is your biggest pet peeve? When people are rude for no reason.

If you opened a business, what type of business would it be? I love to write and proofread, so it’d be fun to open a proofreading/copyediting business.

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? My parents set a goal to bring my twin sister and I to all 50 states before we graduated high school…and we succeeded!

Amy Hedtke, Agent for State Farm insurance in St. Joe.

Member since: April 2022

Originally from: Sartell, MN

Family: Husband, Kyle Hedtke (also a State Farm Agent in Sartell)

3 kids-attend Sartell schools, Daughter-Kylie (14) 9^th grade, Son-Kellen (12) 6^th grade, and Daughter- McKenna (6) 1^st grade

What do you actually do at work? 

Own a State Farm insurance agency in St. Joseph; providing auto, home, life and health insurance.  My passion is educating customers on coverages and simplifying insurance jargon so it makes sense.  I love being involved in the community and helping people recover financially in their worst moments in life

What is your biggest accomplishment? Starting my own business in 2022 and doing a full remodel on the building I purchased in St. Joe for my office!

Is your desk/office messy or organized?  Organized

Last book read? Happy Place -Emily Henry

Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere in Europe

Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become? My husband, Kyle.  Continually builds me up and encourages me to see the full potential in myself and always makes me laugh.

What do you do for fun? I love going to concerts!

What are three words that best describe you? BUSY, DETERMINED, STRONG

What is your favorite way to waste time? Scroll through Instagram reels   

What is something you're obsessed with? My kids’ activities.  I love seeing them excel in the things they love to do!

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? I played college hockey at St. Bens and was a 2-year captain.

MEET OUR FEATURED FEW: Lisa Rykhus Organization/Title – Image Builders, Sr. Sales Representative How long have you been a member of FEW? 7 years Hometown: St. Cloud, MN – born and raised here Family: Husband Scott, Children Corey and Brandon and 2 step children Kaitlyn and Lucas and 1 grandchild/Hunter and another on the way. What do you actually do at work? I work with companies and schools to promote themselves, product or services, reward their employees, develop tradeshows campaigns and more through the use of promotional products and apparel. What was your first job? I worked as a waitress at Copper Lantern, now Copper Kitchen on the eastside of St. Cloud Is your desk/office messy or organized? I am a very organized person. This helps me work with my clients to take their sometimes messy, chaotic and unorganized situations and make sense of them. What is your biggest accomplishment? Going through my divorce in 2014 and overcoming all the challenges around that event.  It changed me in a lot of ways and as my sister says that she got her sister back from whom I had become. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a background dancer for a performer on stage. I still would like to be the lead singer of a band but I really can’t sing. Who is your oldest friend and where did you meet them? My friend Tammy. We were mom friends as our youngest kids were growing up. We have stayed friend sharing similar life experiences and going through the ups and downs of life. Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become?  My dad. I was always a daddy’s girl and wish I would have told him the impact he had on me while he was still alive. He was a sales person most of his life and I learned a lot about life and sales skills from him. Do you have any silly fears? having a party or gathering or even a lunch appointment and people not showing up.  What is your biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure – I love craft breweries.  My husband and I love to visit different breweries on our vacations.  You can meet the most interesting people.  We love to talk to random people and bartenders.

Name: Charlene Ridlon

Organization/Title: Anna Marie’s Alliance

Length of time as a FEW Member: I have been a member since 2021.

Hometown: My hometown is Shakopee, Minnesota, but I have now lived in Waite Park, longer than when I lived at home.

Family: Husband Scott, Daughter Gabrielle

What I actually do at work:  I write grants and work with the development team in donor relations.

My first job: I worked as a cashier in a Snyder Drug store

What my biggest accomplishment is: I followed my dream and opened Art As You Like it in 2003 and had 16 great years of being an entrepreneur. It was the hardest job I ever had and the most rewarding. I am glad I was able to do it, but I am also glad that I am now able to do other things.

Is my desk messy or organized: I am in a constant state of trying to figure out a work flow (messy!)

My favorite vacation spot: Someplace pretty to hike or walk, a museum or art exhibit to visit, a body of water, good food, and a place to relax must be above 65 degrees, but below 90.

Who my oldest friend is and where I met them: Robyn, we met the summer before Kindergarten. We have not lived in the same state since we were 9 years old, but continue to stay in touch all these years later.

What I do for fun: I am currently exploring my artistic side, so I watch art videos, take art classes, and have been painting outside when the weather is nice—it gets me out and about to search for scenic things and beautiful areas around Minnesota and beyond.

What I wanted to be when I was a kid: A teacher

Something I’m obsessed with: Learning and creating in new art mediums. I love to buy the supplies and play until I am bored, or create cool things.

Name: Katie Knutson

Organization/Title: Northwestern Mutual Director of Operations 

Length of time as a FEW Member: Since 2019

Hometown: St. Cloud

Family: Husband Matt, Kids: Hailey, Jordan and Tyler

What I actually do at work: A majority of my time is spent developing our younger in the business reps in the first few years of their business.

How I help others succeed: Asking lots of questions for them to self realize.

Last book I read: Daisy Jones and the Six

Favorite vacation spot: I loved our road trip through South Dakota.

Biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure: A good Bloody Mary

What do I do for fun: Spend time at the lake

What is my biggest pet peeve: Being late

What are three words that best describe me: Compassionate, Loyal and Fun

If I opened a business, what type of business would it be: Advocate! A business to advocate for those who are not able.