LAURA(SALYARDSFRYBERGER) MULLEN,38

ter, Adella Mullen, 5; Siamesecats, Gus andClover; anddog, Hilde.Weall laugh andsay Colin andIare also "married"toour othertwo Bent Paddle co-founders, Bryonand KarenTonnis.

Community involvement: I'vevolunteered my leadership and eventplanningskillsto severalnon-profit organizationsoverthe years includingbeingone of theoriginalfounders of AdvancingLincoln Park,the LincolnPark businessgroup whereI served as interimboard President; theboard of MinnesotaCraft Brewer's Guild, whereI served as vice president; UnitarianUniversalist Congregation of Duluth;FamilyTreeClinic of St.Paul; Northeast MinneapolisChamber of Commerce Board of Directors,where I actedasBoard co-chair; Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association Board; WomenWho ReallyCookBoard;and others.I’m also alongtime O-reagentblood donorand overseeBent Paddle’s charitable programming, connecting brewerytomorethan

400 localand regional non-profits. Native of the area? Born andraisedinDuluth, but left forabout 15 years.I movedback to startBentPaddle. What keepsyou here? Lake Superior’s"pull," thesmall town feel, the abilitytoaffect change in thecommunity and my parents.

Thursday, September 14, 2017 ng

Favorite placein the Northland: Our taproom. It makesme so happyseeingpeoplelovingaproduct I helpedcraft. Howdoyou spend your free time? Ienjoy reading, traveling, cook ing, drinking craftbeer visiting localrestaurants, dancing, enjoying family,planningevents playingwomen's ice hockey,and canoeing andcabiningonthe BruleRiverinWisconsin, whereColin andI were married in 2008. Howcan the Northland retain younger people? We arepoised to become an Asheville Austin, Athens,ora smaller Portland of the North. Keep an eyeon creating acommunity that has agood,excitin work/lifebalance with outdooractivities, the arts andauthentic crafters,and the youngerfolks will flock seekinganalternative to bigcitylife. Influential person in your life: My parents together somehow instilled in me asense of fearlessness plus atrue zestfor life, but mixed with a deep concern forthe greater good andwhat we candoto affect positive change.

What is your biggestaccomplishment? My daughter seemstobeakind, compassionate loverof all of natures' creatures, so her.

Three people –dead or alive– you’dlike to have dinnerwith: Erwin Kelen, my originalmentorwhose love of thegood lifemixed with adeepphilanthropicspirithas always inspired me.Also, Colin Mullen andEmilyHicks-Nys, my best friends andsoulmates. Ionlychose people I know becausefamous people would intimidate me if I'm eating. Five-yeargoals: My personal goal is to focusonenvironmental causes and localenvironmental change. My business goal is to work with my co-foundersto take Bent Paddle to the next levelvia internal entrepreneur structure to better furtherour mission: “...tobrewcraft beer with aconcentrationonsustainabilityfor our business, employees, theenvironment andthe greater community —all while ‘Bendingthe Traditions’ that we encounter, for amoreunique and interestingcraftbeer experience.”

What’s the best book you’ve read recently? If only Ihad time to read …I miss it terribly!

Socialmedia: bentpaddlebrewing.com, on Facebook, @bentpaddlebeer on Twitter andbentpaddlebeer on Instagram.

What do youactually do? Ieducate,teach and inspireyoung learners.

Yearsinyourjob:Six.

Education: Bachelor’s degreeincommunication from theUniversity of MinnesotaDuluth;graduate teacher licensure certificationin elementary education

K-6 andmaster’sdegree in teaching, both from theCollegeofSt. ScholasticainDuluth.

Family: Husband, Andrew;and twosons, Maxwell, 9, andMateo, 6.

Community involvement: Cofounder of multiculturalblog

“Mommies in blackand white”;founded Ebola BlockAid fundraising initiative forLiberia; wasa member of

FIFTHGRADE TEACHER AT CONGDON ELEMENTARYINDULUTH

Nettleton Site Council Committee;Blandin Community Foundation leadership alum; Duluthpublic schools service learningtrained; MinnesotaReading Corps-Teacher Corps Scholarshiprecipient; andservedonthe

Duluthpublic schools

AfricanAmerican EducationalAdvisory Committee,the ELA AdoptionTeamwith MichaelCarey andthe ProfessionalDevelopment committee

Native of the area? No

What drew youhere?

Iwas born in Liberia andimmigratedtothe U.S. with my parentsin 1982. IattendedUMD, whereI metmyhusband amonth before graduation andstayed.

Favoriteplace in the Northland: Anyplace with greatfood

Howdoyou spend your free time? Ilove to spendtimewithmy family andfriends, andlovegoing on date nightswithmyhusband.Ihavefamilyall over theworld,so Ilove connecting with them throughsocialmedia Ilovetowrite on the multiculturalblog I co-founded with my bestie JenReiersonand Ilovetodance.I'm also ahockeymom,which takes up alot of my time.

Howcan the Northland retain younger people? We need more opportunities for mentorshipswithlocal businessesand universities to encourage youngprofessionals to stay in theNorthland. If Ihadn't hadwonderfulprofessors at both universities Iattended, Idon't thinkI’d have stayed as long as Ihave. Influential person in your life: My mother, she'salsoaneducator. She'sbeenmycultural, spiritualand educational guidemywhole life. Every momentI'm with her, I've learned so much aboutwhat it meanstoshowtrue strength andgrace in this world. What is your biggest accomplishment? Becominga parent has been my biggest blessing. Ilearn adaily doseofhumility and patience in thepresence of my twoboys. Being amotheristhe hardest andbestjob ever Three people –dead or alive– you’dlike to have dinner with: OprahWinfrey, Whoppi Goldberg and Madame Ellen Johnson

Sirleaf.

Iwanttoknowmore abouthow Oprah became oneofthe most influentialpeopleon Earth. Iwanttolearn more abouthow Whoppi influences people with hergreat senseof humor. Madame Ellen JohnsonSirleaf,the PresidentofLiberia, becauseI want to learn abouthow it reallyfeels to be thefirst-ever elected female presidentin thecontinent of Africa. Five-yeargoals: I'm alifelonglearner and would love to further my educationinaway that wouldhelpmein my practice of teaching.

I’dalsoliketotraveland continue my writing.

Wheredoyou see the Twin Portsinthe next fiveto10years? Iwould seeamore vibrantand welcoming community What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

“PurpleHibiscus,”by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.It'sagreat story aboutAfricathat people don't seeorhear in themedia.Itkeeps youonthe edge of your seat.

Social media: mommiesinblackandwhite. com

What

do youactually do?

My work is currentlyfocused in theareas of municipallaw, businessplanning, economic developmentand real estate.

Yearsinyourjob: Irecently graduatedfrom lawschool but have worked in thelegal field,primarily in municipal law, formorethan10 years. Ipreviouslyheldpositions with thecityofDuluthand theLeague of Minnesota Cities.

Education: Bachelor’sdegree in politicalscience from the UniversityofMinnesotaDuluth, andjuris doctor from MitchellHamlineSchoolof LawinSt. Paul.

Family: Husband, SteveHanke;and son, Ryden, 6. Community involvement: CurrentPresidentofthe League of WomenVoters Duluthand actively involved in theorganization forthe past sixyears,serving as secretary, vice presidentand programplanningchair.I’m a newbie PTAmemberand my husbandand Iare enjoying coachingmyson’s soccer team this year

Native of the area? I’m aproudnative of Duluth Township (CloverValley), agraduate of TwoHarbors High School andattendedthe UniversityofMinnesota-Duluthfor my undergraduate degree. My family is originally from West Duluth, Hermantownand Lakeside. What keepsyou here? The region is trulyunique. We are blessedtohaveabundantand accessiblenaturalresources, qualityoflifeand an engaged andactivecitizenry. In my professionalcareer, andin my work with theLeague of WomenVoters, I’minspired by thelevel of activism within thecommunity.People areengaged in their schools, churches andorganizations, andalwayswillingtohelp their neighbors. Iloveliving in acommunity that challengesmetodo more.The factthatIcan walk 10 minutes from my frontdoorand be in thewoodsoronthe edge of thegreatestlakein theworld doesn’t hurt either. Favoriteplace in the Northland: Anyofour parksand trails,onthe edge of the lake,orsimply sittingbythe campfirewithfriends and family

Howdoyou spendyour free time? My husband, son andIenjoy hiking,biking, paddlingand Nordic skiing in thewinter. I’manobsessive gardener andcook, and have grandplans to turn our yard into Pollinator Habitat (I am halfwaythere). We love to travel andI’m lucky to have crossedoffa number of places on my bucket list.I formerly ownedand competed with American Quarter Horses andhopetoreturnto showing in thefuture.

Howcan the Northland retain youngerpeople? Continue to buildonthe strengthsofthe community.Thereare threethings in particular that canhelp theregiongrow: support entrepreneurs, support workingfamilies andutilize thenaturallandscape of the region.Theregionhas seen aburgeoningentrepren ialculture.Ithinkregi cities andorganization canbuild support syste through fundingmech andbrandingthatwill support andattractnew businessowners. We n to provide theunderly support systemfor fam includinggreater acces childcare, accesstoqua educationand abusine culturethatsupports fa lies. Lastly,local comm have alreadydonea go of connecting quality o to ourregionalenviron We’relucky to live in a whereyou have theabi to accessa trailsystem spendseveralhours in woodsorwalking alon lake.Ihavethe ability t to work,to thelake, or area park with a10-mi drive. Iwouldn’t have t living in theTwin Citie Metroarea.

Influential person in y life: Iamextremelyfor to have hadseveralme throughout my profess career andmyfamily h always been agreat sou of strength andsuppor mother is astrong, ind pendentwoman who I always sought to emula neuronal ns ems hanisms help w need ing milies, ssto ality ess amimunities ood job oflife nment. place ility m and the ngthe toget r to an inute that es your rtunate entors sional has urce rt. My dehave ate, andmyfatherinstilled the importance of hard work.

What is your biggestaccomplishment? My family.I couldnot have hada successfulacademic or professional career withouttheir support.

Five-yeargoals: Professionally, Iwanttoprovide thegreatestpossibleservice the greatest possible service to my clients. Iintendto developapractice thathelps drive economic growth in theregionand Iparticularlywanttoworkwith womenentrepreneurs in establishingand managingbusinesses in thearea.

In the community,I hope to continue to buildonthe work that theLeague of Women Voters has done to educateand advocate fordemocracy in our region.I feel it is critically importantinthe current political climate to have a non-partisanorganization providing information andsupport to voters in our community andI intend to continue that work. I’dliketo findadditional ways to provide information to voters anddevelop a programwhere theLeague partners with localschools in providingcivicseducation. Wheredoyou seethe Twin Portsinthe next fiveto10 years? The Twin Portsis

Ports is on trackto buildadiverse andenergizedeconomy. Through thedevelopment andsupport of locally-owned businesses, there is greatopportunity to develop astrongand self-determined regional economy.

What do you actually do? I oversee all things related to running a successful women’s college hockey program — from coaching the players and recruiting future Bulldogs, to managing a budget and staff. Years in your job: 14 overall, three at UMD.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in German from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., and a master’s degree in teaching from Connecticut College in New London. Family: Wife, Shelby. Community involvement: Fundraising events with the women's hockey program such as “Cram the Am,” which brings food donations to Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank; Military Appreciation Day, which raises money through jersey donations; coins and hats for “Operation One Voice;” and “Pink the Rink,” which raises money through jersey donations for Essentia Health Foundation/ Cancer Center.

Native of the area? No What drew you here? The great hockey community and the success of both the men's and women's programs at UMD. Plus, it's beautiful!

Favorite place in the Northland: Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. How do you spend your free time? Run, bike, hike, travel and explore

How can the Northland retain younger people? Continue to grow and maintain the area, whether through new businesses, housing options, or outdoor activities. It's a great place to live!

Influential person in your life: My parents. They’ve always shown me the importance of a strong work ethic, humility and strength in all aspects of life. Biggest accomplishment? Getting hired as head coach at UMD. Three people – dead or alive – you’d like to have dinner with: My grandmother. I wish I’d more time with her. She was born in Sicily, Italy, and I'd love to hear about her childhood and her journey to the U.S.

Herb Brooks. He was an outstanding, yet hard hockey coach. I'd love to hear his retelling of the year leading up to the 1980 gold medal game. Ernest Hemingway. I love his books, especially “The Sun Also Rises,” and think he lived a very adventurous life. It would be really interesting to hear his stories in person.

Five-year goals: I'd like to bring more national championships to UMD. Where do you see the Twin Ports in the next five to 10 years? The area has grown tremendously in my two years here already, so I expect that trend to continue, especially downtown. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

“Grit.” It talks about the importance of resilience, perseverance and toughness in developing leaders in many different fields. It's a hard word to describe, but if someone has grit, you know it. Those are the types of people who tend to find success in life.

Social media: @MauraCrowell on Twitter