Nancy Stratman

(6/22 – 12/25)
Nancy is a retired long-term care administrator in Minnesota who has served in several rural communities and facilities supporting older adults. She has worked with the CMCOA on projects and values the important role regional agencies play. Currently, she is enrolled in two of the AAA’s evidence-based online courses designed to promote healthier living for Minnesotans.

Scott Turner

(1/24 – 12/26)

Scott retired after 32 years in law enforcement, including 14 as Aitkin County Sheriff. He helped establish a local Triad group, taught AARP Defensive Driving, and continues to serve as a volunteer firefighter. His professional and volunteer experience give him valuable insight into the challenges older adults face, available resources, and existing service gaps.

Emily Fuerste Swanson

(1/21-12/26)
Emily believes arts and culture are powerful tools for building trust, inspiring empathy, and fostering progress. With more than 40 years in executive leadership roles in health and human services, she brings extensive experience to her community work. She volunteers in rural community development projects that center equity, arts and culture, partnering with organizations such as the Blandin Foundation, Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, UMN Extension, SWCD, and Springboard for the Arts, Emily combines a strong sense of place with the capacity to hold space for both grief and gratitude, serving as a resourceful advocate for community-led change.

PHILIP DUKET

(1/24-12/26)
Phil brings extensive experience serving on advisory committees, including Arrowhead Changemakers, and Duluth Age-Friendly Steering Team. He previously worked as a regional consultant in Wisconsin, providing technical assistance and training for substance abuse prevention coalitions, and has professional experience in counseling across a variety of settings.

Phil is recognized as an excellent listener who seeks to fully understand the issues at hand. He believes topics such as ageism should be reframed in ways that are positive, respectful, and inclusive.

Molly Hicken

(1/25-12/27)
Molly served as Cook County Attorney from 2014–2024, after seven years as Assistant County Attorney. With 17 years in public service, she brings extensive experience in statutory compliance, governance, and legal interpretation. Active in her community, she has led the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association, serves on local boards, and volunteers as a ski coach and organizer of women’s cycling events.

Ronald Oleheiser

(6/19-12/25)
Ron brings extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, with a strong respect for committee work that supports the success of agencies and communities. As Executive Director of Grace House, Itasca County’s homeless shelter, and through his involvement with the NE Region Continuum of Care, he has gained deep insight into grant funding and advocacy. He is especially concerned about the rise in senior homelessness and is committed to raising awareness. Ron has also dedicated many years—serving at times as chair—to coordinating Senior Day at the Itasca County Fair and continues to support Senior activities at the Minnesota State Fair, where he served as Board President in 2020 & 2021.

Kathleen Blake

(1/25-12/27)
Kathleen is a retired social worker and longtime community organizer with experience in health care access, supportive housing, and community engagement. Her career included roles in physician recruitment with the UND Office of Rural Health, school intervention, and coordination of Women’s Support Services at Northland Recovery.

She currently serves as a Commissioner for the Itasca County HRA and is active in outreach and choir at Community Presbyterian Church. Well-connected in the Grand Rapids community, Kathleen brings strong listening skills and a commitment to addressing the needs of older adults.

Jenell Feller

(1/21-12/26)
Jenell is the Executive Director of Friends Against Abuse and brings extensive knowledge of services in International Falls and Koochiching County, including housing, transportation, employment, mental health, and crime victim advocacy. Jenell is an active member of the International Falls Rotary Club and the Borderland Substance Abuse Court Team. She has many years of experience working with adults with cognitive delays and mental illness. Known for her creativity, problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm, Jenell also brings humor and perspective, noting she will soon be eligible for older adult services herself.

Susan Fraik

(1/23 – 12/25)
Sue is a retired career counselor with 20 years of experience at the NE MN Office of Job Training, where she worked in Koochiching County on workforce development, case management, and community collaboration with schools and post-secondary institutions. Her background is in secondary education, with training in mathematics and special education. She served on the Friends Against Abuse board, the Kootasca Board, the Knudson Foundation advisory committee, and was a founding board member and past chair of Koochiching Aging Options. She’s also participated in Northland Foundation initiatives, including the Age-to-Age project. As an experienced board and committee member, Sue is well-prepared, attentive, and committed to listening and contributing.

Dani McCaughlin

(6/24-12/26)
Dani has over 20 years in senior living and is administrator at the Veterans Home in Silver Bay. With a master’s in gerontology, she is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults. She also volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, bringing extensive experience and a strong commitment to veterans and seniors.

Christopher Bonander

(6/24-12/26)
Christopher is a Regional Ombudsman with extensive experience in aging services and long-term care, including roles as an administrator and social worker. A former board member of North Shore Area Partners and volunteer coach, he brings strong knowledge of aging-related laws and valuable expertise to the Advisory Committee on Aging.

Marcia Grahek

(6/19-12/25)
Marcia is a retired RN supervisor who provides in-home care, assists older adults with medical visits, and serves as Power of Attorney. She volunteers widely in Hibbing through senior centers, schools, community events, fundraisers, and local organizations, bringing extensive experience supporting vulnerable older adults.

Pamela Franklin

Steve Lyons

(1/23 – 12/25)
A retired administrator, Steve’s approach and values were formed through his years at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and believes in living out those values in his service to others: Hospitality, Community, Respect, Love of Learning, Stewardship. He believes these are universal and all are incredibly important, but especially for all of us as we age and transition and transform in our life path.

Arshia Khan

(1/23 – 12/25)
Arshia is a professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where her research centers on human-robot interactions, autonomous behavior, and robotic assistive technology integrated with AI, neuroscience, and smart devices. She is leading studies on deploying humanoid robots in nursing homes to support residents and caregivers and to improve the quality of life for older adults. She serves on several committees and organizations, contributing her expertise in robotics and technology to broader community initiatives.