FEatured FEWs

Name: Linda Allen

Organization: Executive Director, Quiet Oaks Hospice House & Respite Care

Length of time as a FEW Member: Since 2019

Hometown: Born in Albany, MN and now reside in St. Cloud 

Family: I am a daughter, older sister, aunt, mother, and grandmother- they call me Gigi.  My grandchildren- Brynn (5 ½) and Marco (2 ½) are my greatest joy.

What I actually do at work: Manage interruptions and handle the day-to-day activities of operating a non-profit. Hopefully I guide, lead and inspire my staff along the way. I also have the honor and privilege to journey with family members whose loved ones are living out their final days. This is often wrought with anticipatory grief and I help people as they endure that pain.

My biggest accomplishment: I am proud of the fact that, as a single mom, I managed to raise 2 incredible daughters while juggling and navigating some of the most challenging times in my life. I believe some of the greatest difficulties we face make us who we are.

Is your desk/office messy or organized? Messy- yet I almost always know which pile something is in.

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-oriented person? I am very much a people-oriented person and thrive when I am able to help others.

Last book read: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere warm and sunny- preferably with a beach.

The one meal I'd eat for the rest of my life: Pizza!  I am a fan of Canadian bacon and pineapple.  My all-time favorite was a BBQ chicken pizza with sauerkraut once made by Godfathers.  I don’t think they make it anymore but it was delicious!

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

My favorite way to waste time: Binge on Netflix

What other FEW members be surprised to learn about me: I was once a nun.  Actually, I played the part of Mother Superior in The Sound of Music. I haven’t done much theater since high school but love it and am planning to audition for something this year.

Name: Gail Cruikshank

Organization: Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation – Talent Director

Length of time as a FEW Member: Since 2014 

Hometown: St. James, MN

Family: 

• Husband, Tom
• Son, Tyler married, to Ally with daughter Chloe 
• Daughter, Katie engaged to be married May 27 to Austin

What I actually do at work: I support our local employers, job seekers and community partners to support their needs in the area of all things workforce/talent. I help provide programs to support career exploration to our future workforce, connect current workforce with local employers, provide resources and connections to our employers to enable them to grow their businesses right here promoting our region in any way we can as the best place to live, work and engage.

How I help others succeed: I recognize and highlight their accomplishments providing them the support to connect and confirm their passions.

My biggest accomplishment: Other than being a Mom, my biggest accomplishment has been coordinating key workforce events in Central MN – Talent Summit and Exploring Potential Interests and Careers Community Collaborative.

The person who has had the biggest impact on who I've become: my Mom

My biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure: cookies and Captain Morgan

The three words that best describe me: Compassionate, Dedicated and Persistent – my colleagues refer to me as professionally persistent in successfully engaging folks to engage in our work as a non profit.

My favorite way to waste time: do color by number pictures on my iPad                      

What other FEW members would be surprised to learn about me: I was the rifle carrier in our High School Marching Band.

Name: Pam Bjerke

Organization/Title: Stearn’s Bank CHRO, SPHR

Length of time as a FEW Member: Less than 1 year

Hometown: Rice, MN

Family: Married with six children ages 26, 24, 17, 15, and two 4.5 year old twin girls 

What do you actually do at work?  I work hard to place the right people in the right places to contribute to the organization’s success. I have an outstanding team and strive to support them in achieving their goals, and be a conduit for their success.

What was your first job? I had my own paper delivery route in sixth grade. Growing up in northern MN, I recall some COLD delivery route days in the winter! 

Favorite vacation spot? I love to travel! Norway, China, and Alaska are favorites that I would love to return to some day!

What are three words that best describe you? Competitive, adventurous, and compassionate.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? A professional fishing guide (and I still do!).

What is something you're obsessed with? I sit on the board of Anna Marie’s Alliance and am extremely passionate about advocacy for women and children affected by domestic violence in our community. I’d love to share more about how we as women executives and our companies can partner with Anna Marie’s to provide support with all of you! Reach out to me!

If you opened a business, what type of business would it be? Someday I’d like to have a fishing/outdoors guide service that caters to building skills of confidence and self-worth, particularly with children and women.  

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? I spend almost all of my free time in a boat (or on the ice) fishing and am a member of women anglers of Minnesota (WAM).  If you like to fish, WAM is a great place to learn more and be connected to a great group of women across the state!

Name? Julie Schomer

Organization/Title? A Home for the Day/ Director

Length of time as a FEW Member? March 2022

Hometown? St. Cloud

Family? Husband Daryl and son Camden

What do you actually do at work? Many hats in a small organization - operations, marketing, payroll/bookkeeping, compliance, and of course interact with our members and make sure they have fun.

What was your first job? Mixing paint at Mills Fleet Farm.

What is your biggest accomplishment? It was God given but getting pregnant after a difficult infertility journey.

Last book read? Four thousand Weeks

What do you do for fun? Golf, camping, biking

Who is your hero? My mom. She is a rock.

What is your biggest pet peeve? When people repeatedly interrupt me.

Do you have any silly fears? Mice- dead or alive.

What is your favorite way to waste time? Real housewives shows.

What is something you're obsessed with? Budgeting

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? I had a motorcycle in high school and through college.

Name: Kristin Hannon

Organization & title: Sherburne State Bank, Retail Operations Officer

Length of time as a FEW Member: 6 years

Hometown: Sauk Rapids - now residing in St Cloud

Family: My husband John - we have a 17-year-old son Andrew who is a Senior at Area Learning Center and we have a 13 year old daughter Annabelle “Annie” who goes to North Jr. High. We also have our 10 year old Black Lab Lucy. 

What do you actually do at work: I'm not sure! I'm just starting a new position at Sherburne State Bank in mid-October as part of my 19-year career in banking, and looking forward to learning all about my new job. 

What was your first job? I worked at Coborn's Video in Sauk Rapids- It was the best first job ever! 

Is your desk/office messy or organized?  Very messy but I do know where everything is!

Last book read? Run Rose Run- James Patterson & Dolly Parton

Favorite vacation spot? East Coast- I absolutely loved Rhode Island

Who is your oldest friend and where did you meet them? My friend Missi- we met when she was a freshman and I was a sophomore- we had a crush on the same boy- and we did not get along. Luckily said boy didn’t interfere with our friendship. We were each other’s Maid of Honors and we are godparents to each of our kids as well. 

Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become? I think my high school band Teacher- Mr. C. Believe it or not I used to be incredibly shy and wouldn’t say boo. There was some sort of high school injustice going on in Band and through him, I learned how to process and also how to say what I want to say while trying to stay calm, cool, and collected. 

What do you do for fun?  Read at the lake

What are three words that best describe you? Kind, persuasive, welcoming

What is your favorite way to waste time?  Read - I am always reading.       

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? While I love adventure, I will not ever do anything that includes free falling like bungee jumping, skydiving, roller coasters,

Name: Kayla Ward

What was your first job? Laying sod and cleaning bathrooms for a family business

How do you help others succeed? Challenging their thoughts and encouraging them

What is your biggest accomplishment? My first thought is opening my own business and it being here almost 7 years later but truly I think waking up everyday and being a kind person is a bigger deal. 

Is your desk/office messy or organized? I would say it's an organized mess. I know where things are but someone else might have trouble finding things.

Last book read?  Hannah's Dream

What do you do for fun?  Watch college hockey, sing in a choir, snuggle my furry family members, theatre, and spend time at the farm with my alpacas

Do you have any silly fears? Anything in bodies of water that don't naturally belong there, specifically buoys  

What did you want to be when you were a kid? I wanted to be a veterinarian. I love animals and want to save them all. I think I was in junior high when I realized I would have to put animals down and that was a deal breaker for me. 

If you opened a business, what type of business would it be? I already have a few but if I could open another I would definitely choose a coffee shop. It was one of my all time favorite jobs.

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? I played hockey until I graduated high school.

FEATURED FEW Name: Kayla Girgen, RD, LD Organization & title: Founder & Digital Creator LIFe – Lose It Forever, an app-based group coaching program for women after bariatric & metabolic surgery Length of time as a FEW Member: Two months; I'm a newbie!  Hometown: I grew up in Royalton and currently reside on Kraemer Lake near Saint Joseph. Family: My husband Jeremy & I have been together for over 15 years; happily married for 10. We have two XL cats – Molly & Beaker.  What do you actually do at work: I own & operate an online group coaching program for women after bariatric surgery. My day consists of a mix of everything! Client check-ins, app development, content creation, marketing, etc. I am a one-woman online small business! What was your first job? My parents owned Books 'N Stuff (now the city hall) in Royalton, and I put my organization skills to work by alphabetizing books. How do you help others succeed? I help others succeed by meeting them where they are at & finding solutions that suit their unique lifestyle. We've been overcomplicating nutrition for far too long, and my goal as a dietitian is to simplify nutrition and provide practical ways for my clients to feel their best inside and out.  Last book read? The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy Favorite vacation spot? My husband & I love backpacking the North Shore – especially in the fall. The scenary never gets old! If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Fish tacos!   Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become? My sister Kelly. She has a rare genetic condition called Cohen syndrome. She taught our family patience, persistence, and how Road Runner makes for a good laugh regardless of your mood (MEEP! MEEP!).  Biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure? Bad Habit Brewing; we live way too close  Do you have any silly fears? I hate grasshoppers! What is your favorite way to waste time? I love reading and soaking up the sun on the pontoon.

Name: Greta Stark-Kraker (pronounced Crocker)

Organization & title: Central Minnesota Community Foundation Executive Director

Length of time as a FEW Member: Three months

Hometown: St. Cloud/Central Minnesota

Family: Husband and three grown step kids and three dogs

What do you actually do at work: I’m the Executive Director of CMCF, I collaborate with community leaders and help our donors achieve their philanthropic goals through the community foundation. I do this by engaging people, connecting resources and building community. We truly are better together.  In addition, I get to help CMCF staff, board members and volunteers provide a concierge level of engagement and commitment to our community as a whole.  

What was your first job? I worked at Dairy Queen on Hwy 10

How do you help others succeed?  I believe in building people up and bringing people together to better our community for all. 

Is your desk/office messy or organized? Definitely organized clutter

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-oriented person? People orientated 

Favorite vacation spot? In the winter anywhere with a beach and palm trees and in the spring, summer and fall the North Shore.

Who is your oldest friend and where did you meet them? My best friend Amy, we met in high school homeroom.

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mac-n-cheese?

Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become? Barb Carlson, former CMCF Development Officer.

Biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure? I love fun shoes!

What do you do for fun?  Enjoying a quiet road trip on a backroad, snowshoeing, quilting, long walks with my dogs, and spending time with family and friends.

What are three words that best describe you? Empathetic, Adaptable, Convener

What did you want to be when you were a kid? Teacher 

Name: Ann Thelen  

Organization & title: Falcon National Bank Business Development Coordinator 

Length of time as a FEW Member: < 6 Months

Hometown: St. Cloud, MN

Family: Married to Dave for 32 Years -Allison 27 years old  Josie 24 years old 

What do you actually do at work:  I am a Relationship Banker as part of the Business Development Team – I also direct the Gold Club Members (50 plus) 

Who is your oldest friend and where did you meet them? My oldest friend would be Julie McPhee who I met on the 1^st day of kindergarten. She lives in Dallas Texas and we stay in touch still to this day.

Favorite vacation spot?   Favorite vacation spot is Ixtapa Mexico. 

What do you do for fun? I love to travel , go to concerts, and reading 

What is something your obsessed with? I have an obsession with candles 

Do you have any silly fears? I am afraid of heights

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? My favorite food is PIZZA 

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you? I am defiantly a people- oriented person. 

APRIL FEATURED FEW

Name: Kristyn Nelson      

Organization & title: Premier Real Estate Services, REALTOR

Length of time as a FEW Member: 4 years     

Hometown: Ortonville, MN          

Family: Husband is Darell – 20 years, Sawyer is 16 and Samantha is 18

What do you actually do at work: I help people in buying or selling homes, land, cabins or an apartment complex

What is your biggest accomplishment? I spent 16 years building a successful business that I sold to allow me to be home with my son. 

Is your desk/office messy or organized? Organized – I love watching organization videos on YouTube

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-oriented person?  People – oriented person

Last book read? I’ll be there. (But I’ll be in sweatpants.) by Jess Johnston

Favorite vacation spot? Negril, Jamaica

Who is your oldest friend and where did you meet them? Her name is Amy and we met at my first job out of college. She lives in Two Harbors, MN but we see each other four or five times a year. We have been friends for 25 years.

What do you do for fun?  I love to cook. It relaxes me. It fills a basic need but also allows me to create and do things with my hands. I was in a cooking club for many years and miss it so much!! 

What is something your obsessed with? Travel, but it is so hard right now. I need the sun so going south during winter but also just experiencing new places.