Board of Trustees

Trustees

Jennifer Alaspa ’00 (MBA ’15)

Jennifer Alaspa is currently the Administrative Director for Laboratory Services at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN, a role that she has held since 2017. Prior to her current role, she served in various capacities in the laboratory at St. Luke’s hospital from laboratory generalist to operations manager. Medical laboratory science combines her passions for life science and helping people. Her main areas of interest include effective utilization of healthcare resources, change management and workforce development. She has recently accepted a position as an adjunct faculty at Lake Superior College to help introduce future healthcare professionals to laboratory techniques.

She received a BA in Clinical Laboratory Science from the College in 2000, and a Masters of Management and an MBA from the College in 2015.

Deborah A. Amberg

Deborah (Deb) A. Amberg is the Chief Legal Officer for SitelogIQ, Inc. SitelogIQ makes buildings better through energy efficiency improvements for K-12 schools, hospitals, multifamily housing, shopping centers, warehouses and other commercial spaces across the country. She is the former Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Regulated Operations ALLETE, Inc., and was the President of Superior Water Light and Power Company, and previously Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. Deb’s legal experience has focused in construction, corporate, environmental, energy, employment, and governance.

She received her BA in economics from the University of Minnesota and is a cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School.Deb has completed the Advanced Management Program at the Booth School at the University of Chicago and the Certificate of Health Care Compliance Program at Mitchell Hamline Law School.

Steve Burgess

Steven (Steve) Burgess is President and CEO of National Bank of Commerce in Superior, WI. NBC also has locations in Duluth, MN, Esko, MN, Hermantown, MN, Hibbing, MN, Poplar, WI, Solon Springs, WI. Steve has over 39 years of banking experience, focusing primarily on commercial and consumer lending in addition to agricultural lending. He spent six years with M&I Central Bank and Trust in Marshfield, WI, followed by 11 years with State Bank Financial in LaCrosse, WI. Steve serves as the chairman of the APEX board, and is the former chair of the Wisconsin Business Development Board, on which he served for 13 years as a voting member or board member.

Steve is a member of the Duluth Rotary Club 25, the Greater Downtown Council, the LSBE Advisory Board, the Kitchi Gammi Club, and the Northland Country Club. Steve received a BS degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He and his wife Kathy have five children.

Gabriella Caldecott ’13

Ms. Gabriella Caldecott is a 2013 graduate of The College of St. Scholastica, where she majored in marketing and management and got a minor in Spanish. She obtained a certificate through the Masters of Organizational Leadership program at Saint Catherine University in 2019. She has worked for Wells Fargo since 2013 and is currently a Family Office Senior Trust Associate working with ultra-high net worth clients. Before joining the College’s Board of Trustees, Gabriella served on St. Scholastica’s Alumni Board of Directors for six years. She also serves on the Highland Groveland Recreation Association’s Board of Directors and coaches soccer for them in Saint Paul. Gabriella lives in White Bear Lake with her husband, Richard.

Ed Crawford ’78, Chair

Ed Crawford is currently an adjunct instructor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He retired in June 2015 as the Assistant Superintendent with the Duluth Public Schools. He was instrumental in establishing Online Learning and Elementary World Language Immersion. He was principal at Duluth’s Denfeld High school for over six years, where he led a dropout prevention, retention, and graduation initiative. He was also a Social Worker, Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal and Co-Principal at East High School.

Ed is a 1978 graduate of the College, earning a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology. He earned a master of science in education from the University of Wisconsin – Superior and a sixth-year certificate in educational administration from St. Cloud State University. He received the College’s Sister Ann Edward Scanlon Award in 2005, and he was named the 2009 Northeast Division Principal of the Year. He was inducted into the Duluth East High School Hall of Fame in 2019. Ed currently serves on the Duluth Area Family YMCA Heritage Foundation Board of Trustees, The Northland Foundation Emeritus Trustee Group, the Duluth Sisters Cities International Board of Directors and the Harbor Point Credit Union Board of Directors.

Sister Jayne Erickson

Sister Jayne’s educational background includes studies at the University of Wisconsin-Superior in Music and Health Education, and Bachelor’s Degrees in Youth Ministry from the College of St. Scholastica, as well as Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa. She enjoyed 14 years of serving as a Youth Minister and Director of Children’s Ministry before becoming a teacher of Elementary School children.

Upon retirement in 2017, Jayne became a live-in volunteer at St. Scholastica Monastery which ultimately led to a decision to enter the Benedictine Community where she is involved in Liturgy, the Oblate program, the Center for Spirituality and Enrichment, and more. Throughout life, Sister Jayne has worked to build strong relationships between people of all ages and recently became certified as a Professional Life Coach. Her deepest interests include writing music for prayer and worship, enjoying the company of family and friends, and spending time by, in, or on the water.

Owen Erickson, ‘27

Owen Erickson is a junior and first-generation college student pursuing a double major in psychology and educational studies, complemented by a minor in organizational leadership. With a strong passion for higher education, he aims to shape the future as either a professor or a professional in student affairs. Growing up in a small town north of Duluth called Cotton, Owen graduated from South Ridge School in 2023. At St. Scholastica, he holds board positions in the Student Government Association, Native American Student Alliance, and Psychology Association.

Beyond his studies, he thrives in volunteer work and values social interactions, believing in the power of community engagement. Owen actively contributes as a tour guide in admissions, sharing his enthusiasm for the institution with prospective students, and as an event coordinator in the student activities department, where he fosters a vibrant campus experience. His commitment to education and community service reflects his ambition to inspire and support others in their academic journeys.

Craig Fellman

Craig Fellman is President and CEO of the Jamar Company and its subsidiaries. He also serves as a Vice President at APi Group working in Segment Leadership providing oversight to several other companies. Craig is a 1995 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a former U.S. Army Aviation Officer. Craig began working with APi Group at LeJeune Steel in 2002, as a structural steel estimator, then transitioned to Jamar at the end of 2003. His work with Jamar started in the service department before he went on to hold positions as a project manager, department manager, general manager, and vice president. He has served as Jamar’s President and CEO since 2014. Craig earned his certificate in Lean Construction from Lake Superior College in 2008 and LEED Accreditation in 2009. Craig is active in many community organizations and enjoys outdoor activities. He serves as President on the Duluth Airport Authority Board of Directors and on the Board of Directors for APEX. He previously served a term on the Duluth Chamber of Commerce Board and is active in Duluth Rotary. Craig and his wife Jen live in Duluth and have three children.

Marc Fredson ‘95

Marc Fredson graduated St. Scholastica with a Bachelor’s degree in Management in 1995 and subsequently earned a Master of Arts in Education in Counseling from Seattle University in 2007. Marc has worked in healthcare marketing for nearly 30 years, beginning his career at Miller-Dwan Medical Center in Duluth. He currently serves as Senior Director of strategic Marketing for UCLA Health in Los Angeles, part of the University of California system. In this role, Marc oversees marketing strategy for UCLA Health’s hospitals and clinics, in addition to the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

Marc lives with his husband, Ryan, and his mother-in-law, Sharon, and their three dogs, Waylon, Roland and Hal. In his free time, Marc regularly attends St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in L.A. and enjoys gardening, hiking, food, international travel and the arts, as well as visits to Palm Springs, where he and his husband own a home and enjoy the desert community.

M. Michele Hogan, PhD ’74

Ms. Hogan is a College of St. Scholastica graduate with a BA in Biology. Michele received her MS from the University of Minnesota Duluth in Cell Biology and Archeology and her PhD from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Minneapolis, MN, Pathobiology.

Michele Hogan is currently a consultant as a science advocate and best practices for professional association management. Previously, Michele has served as the Chief Executive Officer at the American Association of Immunologists (AAI), which is the largest professional association in the world for scientists engaged in research delineating the biology of the immune system and applying that knowledge to clinical modalities.

Michele currently serves as an Advisor to the Board with AAI and previously served on the Program Committee, Finance Committee, Public Affairs Committee and the AAI Council (Board of Directors).

Heidi Johnson

Heidi Johnson, Assistant Professor in the Library, is the faculty trustee. She obtained her BA in Secondary Education, English, German, and Speech Communications and Theatre Arts from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She was a Fulbright Scholar to Germany and then taught English and German at Mora High School.

She has Master’s degrees in Library and Information Science from Dominican University and Information Technology Leadership from The College of St. Scholastica. In 2004, Heidi was hired by the College where she serves as an Instruction and Reference Librarian as well as the College Archivist.

Rhonda Kazik

Dr. Rhonda Kazik is the System Chief Nurse Executive for Essentia Health. Rhonda has been active in nursing and health care for over 38 years working within critical access, community, teaching and academic hospitals, ambulatory, and post-acute care settings, and in health care systems spanning multiple states. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in Nursing, Quality, Operations, Health Systems Engineering, Nursing Informatics, and Research.

Rhonda received her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Rush University in Chicago in 2012 and has since authored multiple publications and given national presentations on systems performance measurement and improvement, quality and patient safety, technology impacts and clinical practice innovations. She taught on these subjects, as well as epidemiology, as an adjunct faculty member of Rush University and University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Schools of Nursing, a contributing faculty position at Walden University’s School of Nursing and an affiliate faculty position at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

Rhonda also holds a Master’s degree in Administrative Medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is Certified in Executive Nursing Practice.

Stephen Kent

As Vice President for Finance and Operations, Stephen Kent is responsible for Metro State’s operational portfolio of over $85M and supervises a team of over 35 employees in the departments of Financial Management, Facilities Management, Building Services, Safety and Security, Parking, Bookstore and Risk Management.

In his previous experience, Kent was Vice President of Finance and Administration at Mitchell Hamline School of Law for one year prior to arriving to Metro State and the Vice President of Finance and Facilities at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park for nearly four years after serving 25 years in the U.S. Army, culminating at the rank of Colonel. He served ten years in military intelligence and 15 years in finance. He has served as the Chief Financial Officer for commands in Kuwait, Korea and three tours at the Pentagon. He has managed budgets as large as $26.3B, and while in the Republic of Korea, managed $103M in government labor costs for 3,400+ employees. Kent has been awarded many military awards and medals, including six meritorious service medals, German-proficiency badge (gold), airborne and air-assault badges.

Kent has mentored kids in elementary schools, coached youth basketball and baseball, and still officiates college and high school basketball. He has participated in mentoring young men with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, where he is a life member, and has served in youth ministry within his church.

Mark Lambert

Mark Lambert, through his company Summit Management, has developed over 1,100 multifamily and student apartments throughout Minnesota and the Duluth area since 1993, many of which are home to students who attend The College of St. Scholastica and other nearby colleges. He is nearing completion of his latest development, BlueStone Commons, a Duluth campus-edge development with approximately 30,000 square feet of new retail development and approximately 435 new modern loft apartments. It is adjacent to the recently constructed St. Scholastica Health Science Center at BlueStone.

Mark lives in Stillwater Township, MN, with his wife Irene and three teenage daughters. He graduated in Business Administration from St. John’s University in 1985, and earned a J.D. from William Mitchell in 1990. He went to work as a real estate attorney for Leonard Street and Deinard (now Stinson Leonard) in Minneapolis. He moved to St. Paul to start his own firm in 1992, focusing on real estate law. In 2005, he relocated the law firm and growing development company to Stillwater, where he offices and practices today. He is a member of Stillwater Rotary, a current Board member and past President of the Minnesota Manufactured Housing Association, past President of the Hill Murray Father’s Club and a Hill Murray Foundation Board member.

Sister Danile Lynch, OSB ’69

Sister Danile Lynch, OSB is a member and serves as the Treasurer of the St. Scholastica Monastery. Prior to moving back to Duluth, she was the Chief Operating Officer of the St. Luke Institute, an independent, international Catholic education and treatment center dedicated to health life and ministry for priests, deacons, and religious located in Silver Spring, MD. Sister Danile has an M.S. degree from the University of St. Francis and she is a 1969 graduate of the College with a B.A. in Medical Records. Her interests include jigsaw puzzles, reading and traveling.

Dr. Barbara McDonald

Dr. Barbara McDonald is president of The College of St. Scholastica. She came to St. Scholastica from North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) in Brooklyn Park, MN, where she had served as president since 2015. Her career in higher education includes extensive experience in teaching, scholarship, administration, and international education.

She earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis in 2002; a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from American University in Cairo, Egypt, in 1983, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1980.

Jean MacDonell, ‘98

Jean MacDonell, MBA is currently the President & CEO of Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital in Grand Rapids and Fairview Range in Hibbing. Jean attended the College of St. Scholastica for her Bachelor of Science in information management and received her Masters of Business Administration from the University of St.Thomas. She has 25 years of experience in health care, serving in various roles such as Director of Health Information Management and Registration, Vice President of Support Services and Compliance Officer, and Vice President of Clinic Services, prior to being named President & CEO. Jean lives in Grand Rapids with her husband Mike and daughters, Allie and Lizzie.

Holly Mirau, ‘23

Holly Mirau, director of media relations and communications, is the staff trustee. She earned her BS from Crossroads College with a double major in Biblical Studies & Theology and Music. She worked for various nonprofit organizations before joining the staff at The College of St. Scholastica, where she earned her Project Management certificate and an MBA in Leadership and Change. An avid lifelong learner, Holly is continually seeking opportunities to engage her organizational development skills and is passionate about helping organizations become their very best. At St. Scholastica, she is committed to supporting her colleagues through the work of the Staff Council and her role in communications.

Sister Beverly Raway, OSB, Prioress ’67

Sister Beverly Raway, O.S.B., is Prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery. She holds a doctoral degree in nursing from The Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Nursing from The College of St. Scholastica. Sister Beverly taught biology at Cathedral High School (now Marshall School) in Duluth for 11 years. She was a nurse educator for 22 years at The College of St. Scholastica before being elected as Prioress in June 2015. During her tenure at the College, Sister Beverly initiated the travel abroad experience trip to Tanzania which includes service with the Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes. Sister Beverly serves on the Board of Trustees of The College of St. Scholastica, Benedictine, Essentia Health, Essentia Health East and St. Mary’s Medical Center-Duluth/St. Mary’s Hospital — Superior, WI.

Concetta Renda ’08

Concetta (Connie) Renda is a 2008 graduate of The College of St. Scholastica with a MA in Health Information and Informatics Management. She earned her MS in Psychology, Statistics from San Diego State University in 1996 and a BS in Psychology from Santa Clara University in 1993. Connie is Founder and CEO of Renown ROI Services, Inc. in San Diego, CA (May 2017 to present) and Associate Professor and Program Director at Mesa College in San Diego (August 2010 to present). She was CEO of Integrity Health Information Services (2005-2013) and COO of BACTES Imaging Solutions (1996-2005).

As an online student at the College, Connie attended the summer HIM cohort in Duluth. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and a Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA). Connie lives in San Diego with her three teenage children.

Tom Renier

Tom Renier retired in 2015 as President of the Northland Foundation, where he had served since its founding in 1986. The Northland Foundation is a regional foundation serving the 7-county area of Northeastern Minnesota, as well as Superior and Douglas County, Wisconsin. The Foundation is a traditional grantmaker, awarding grants to nonprofit organizations addressing poverty, housing, children and youth, elders and other issues affecting disenfranchised individuals and families. The Foundation also engages in business development, providing loans and other financing products to small and medium-sized businesses. It also operates community-based programs, including the nationally acclaimed KIDS PLUS Program.

Prior to his time at Northland, Tom started his career at the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission. He later founded the Northspan Group, a regional business development organization, which continues to provide important services to Northeastern Minnesota. In addition to his work in economic and community development, philanthropy and fund development, Tom has served on a wide array of governing boards, often in leadership roles.

Tom is a lifelong Duluth resident and a graduate of UMD. Tom and his spouse Debbie have lived in the lower Congdon neighborhood for 36 years. They have three adult children (Dana, Emily and William), as well as two grandchildren (Benjamin and Peter).

Kristin Rognerud, ‘03

Kristin Rognerud is a financial advisor, founding partner, and owner of Ascential Wealth Advisors, an independent financial services practice in Duluth, MN. She has worked in the financial services industry since graduating from the College of St Scholastica in 2003 as a Webster Scholar with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Kristin currently holds Series 7, 9, 10 and 66 securities licenses, along with life, health and variable annuities licenses. As a financial advisor, she primarily serves individuals in all aspects of wealth management and financial planning, helping clients make informed financial decisions that support their values and enrich the lives of their families and communities.

In addition to her work as a financial advisor, she has experience in management, regulatory compliance and entrepreneurship. Kristin has served as an adjunct faculty member and student mentor at CSS. She is a champion for women in business and an animal lover, supporting several local organizations focused on these causes. Kristin and her husband Dan live in Duluth and have four children. In her free time she enjoys running, walking her dogs, and reading.

Sister Donna Schroeder

Sister Donna Schroeder graduated from The College of St. Scholastica in 1961 with a BA degree in Biology. In 1981, she received a PhD from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in the Curriculum in Ecology. In 2013, she was granted emerita status after 44 years as a faculty member in the Biology Department. For 20 of those years she was Department Chair.

She is currently the Director of Sisters in First Profession. In 2008 she received a certificate in Monastic Studies from St. John’s School of Theology in Collegeville, MN. Sister Donna has served on the Boards of several healthcare institutions within Essentia and in the Benedictine Health System. She has also served on the Alumni Board of The College of St. Scholastica and does some volunteer work for the Alumni Department. When she is not engaged in various responsibilities for her monastic community, she enjoys reading, especially in the areas of religion, science and history.

Michelle (Mimi) Stender

Mimi Stender is a long-time Duluth resident and a 1992 graduate of Colorado College. Mimi is Founder and President of Duluth Aging Support, a non-profit organization that provides and supports innovative methods that bring joy and enhance the lives of Duluth’s senior community. Recently, Mimi along with a leadership team through Dementia Friendly Duluth, founded the Victory Chorus, a structured formal chorus comprised of people living with dementia singing alongside volunteer singers. Previously, Mimi served as the Director of Dementia Friendly Duluth, a community initiative of the Victory Fund.

Her past work was devoted to health promotion at the policy, systems and community level as Executive Director and Advocacy Director of Fit City Duluth, co-creator of the Healthy Duluth Area Coalition, and a Duluth local Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator. Mimi currently serves the Alzheimer’s Association as a volunteer community educator and a caregiver support group facilitator. Recent community service activities include board chair, vice chair, and treasurer of Community Action Duluth, member of the Duluth Area Family YMCA board of directors, and YMCA Community Services Branch advisory board member. Mimi and her husband, Tom, have three children.

John Strange

John Strange is the retired President and CEO of St Luke’s Hospital. A native of Milwaukee, WI, John attended U.W. Stevens Point, where he earned a bachelor of science in Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting as well as Economics. He then attended Cardinal Stritch College, where he earned a master’s degree in Organizational Management and Design. John started his career in the for-profit business world as an accountant at Cuneo Press, Inc., which is a printing firm.

After four years, he moved to Pepsi Cola Bottling Group as senior accountant and credit manager for the Milwaukee metro area. Four years later, John transitioned into the not-for-profit world of healthcare by joining Burlington Memorial Hospital in Burlington, WI, as an accountant supervisor. Fourteen years later he left Burlington Memorial as Executive Vice President responsible for half of the hospital and clinic operations. John then moved to Duluth and joined St. Luke’s Hospital as CFO in 1992. Four years later he transitioned to the role of President and CEO until his retirement in 2019. During his career, John served on many community boards, and is still active on the boards of the Ordean Foundation and the Animal Allies Humane Society.

Mary Tanner ’70

Mary Tanner is a 1970 nursing graduate of The College of St. Scholastica, who then spent most of her work career as an educator at CSS. Mary has served on the CSS Mission Integration Advisory Board for several years and continues to serve as a volunteer at the Scholastica Benedictine Monastery. Since retirement in 2014, Mary began serving on 3 committee activities for the Benedictine (Health System). Mary has also been involved and active in a variety of professional nursing associations at the local, state and national levels. Mary has been a member of Duluth’s Essentia Health Institute Review Board (IRB) since 2003 and has been serving as Chair since 2014.

Mary’s community involvement is currently serving as President of the Twin Ports Genealogical Society (TPGS) here in Duluth.

Tom Wedige ’85

Thomas (Tom) Wedige is a 1985 graduate of The College of St. Scholastica with a bachelor of arts in Business Administration. He received a Certificate in Retirement Planning from Wharton University of Professionals in 2006. Tom was inducted into the Equitable Hall of Fame in 1996. He has received many company and industry awards as an elite advisor over the years. Tom founded Voyageur Financial Group, LLC, in 1996. Tom and his firm help to meet the planning needs of individuals and businesses, focusing on the protection, accumulation, and distribution of a clients’ assets through a step-by-step financial strategies process.

Tom serves as an active member on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay and has done so since 1990. Tom has received two “national Service to Youth” awards from the National Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Tom enjoys boating, traveling, golfing and spending time with his family. Tom resides in Green Bay with his four daughters.

Presidents Emeriti

Larry Goodwin, PhD

Bruce W. Stender, PhD

Trustees Emeriti

Karen Alworth

William M. Burns

Mark Carlson, MD

Christopher Dolan

Sister Kathleen Hofer

Mary Ives

Sharon Labovitz

Philip Rolle

Robert Ryan

Arend J. Sandbulte

Jacquelyn Sebastian

Greg Scherer

Robert (Bob) Schroeder

David Sparby

Elizabeth Stauber-Johnson

Louise Town, MD

James Zastrow