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Breakout Speakers
Get to know the speakers that will be presenting this year's breakout sessions!
Alexandra Eberhart
Project Lead
Association for Nonsmokers - Minnesota
Alex Eberhart, Project Lead with Live Smoke Free works closely with property managers and owners ,residents, and community partners to assist multi-unit housing properties adopt, enforce, and evaluate smoke-free multi-unit housing policies. Her role also includes developing resources, offering guidance on policy compliance, and addressing secondhand smoke concerns. Alex has a BS in Public Health Administration from Winona State University and a MPH from Saint Ambrose University.
Briggs Helmers
Martin County West Empower Member
Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
Briggs Helmers is a ninth grader and former junior high vice president of Empower. An active member for two years, she has participated in Day at the Capitol, Training Days, peer education, and other prevention initiatives. Briggs is involved in sports, theatre, band, and serves as 4-H secretary. She stays focused on her goals and maintains honor roll status. Through her involvement and the example she sets, she is a strong advocate for substance misuse prevention and youth leadership.
David Anderson
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Metro State University
David is pursuing a bachelor’s in Prevention with a focus on adolescent substance use disorders at Metropolitan State University’s College of Individualized Studies. His work is driven by lived experience, academic training, and a passion for trauma-informed, culturally grounded prevention that empowers youth, families, and communities to break cycles and build lasting change.
Heidi Glesmann
Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Recovery Unit Supervisor
Minnesota Department of Health
Heidi Glesmann is the supervisor for MDH's Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Recovery (SUPER) Unit. She previously served as Commercial Tobacco Prevention Manager at Washington State DOH, leading the state’s cannabis and commercial tobacco prevention program. Her experience also includes inpatient/clinical support, substance prevention, and mental health promotion at local and state health departments and healthcare systems in North Dakota, Washington, and Minnesota. She completed her MPH at the University of Minnesota, and a B.S. in Biology of Global Health at the University of St. Thomas.
Jacquelyn Freund
Behavioral Health Data and Research
EpiCog
Jacquelyn Freund helps communities analyze and make sense of their data to further their prevention goals. For over a decade, she’s worked with the Department of Human Services, where she maintains the website Substance Use in Minnesota (sumn.org), and helps communities acquire, analyze, and interpret data relevant to their substance use prevention and mental health goals. She loves working with the Minnesota Student Survey, and enjoys helping communities implement data-driven strategies to improve the lives of children in her home state.
Jenna Olson
Public Health Communications Coordinator
Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board
Jenna Olson coordinates public health communication efforts across the Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota (2008), a teaching license from Hamline University (2011), a New 2 Public Health Residency Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024) and is a Certified Nonprofit Communications Director (2025). Jenna lives in Grand Marais, MN. In her free time, find her wandering the woods with her partner and two kids, tending her flock of chickens, pampering house plants, and reading speculative fiction.
Kathleen Stapleton
Research Associate
Public Health Law Center
Katie is a 3rd year law student at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and expects to earn her JD in 2027. She has been a Research Assistant with PHLC for over two years.
Kris Reed
Co-director
Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center
Kris Reed is the co-director of the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. She has worked in the substance misuse prevention field for over 30 years. Kris co-authored the national Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training curriculum, and co-authored the textbook, Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice. Kris has worked with states and communities across the nation to bridge the gap between research and practice, assisting prevention professionals in maximizing their effectiveness.
Lil Pinero
Youth Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Health
Lil Pinero currently serves as the Youth Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health. She has extensive experience in community engagement, coalition building, substance prevention, and implementation of SAMHSA’s Strategic Planning Framework. Her professional experience includes, over 16 years addressing health equity, DFC coalition coordination, prevention efforts at local, and state health departments for Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Minnesota.
Marisa Katz
Senior Staff Attorney
Public Health Law Center
Marisa Katz is a senior staff attorney at the Public Health Law Center where she provides legal technical assistance on commercial tobacco control issues to public health organizations and advocates nationwide. Marisa was previously a litigator for eighteen years, where she specialized in consumer rights class action litigation. Earlier in her career, Marisa was a staff attorney at SE Louisiana Legal Services, where she provided civil legal services to low-income individuals in Louisiana.
Melissa Perreault
Regional Prevention Coordinator
Polk County Public Health
Melissa Perreault is the Northwest MN Region 1 Prevention Center Coordinator. Melissa has served as the RPC for NW MN since Spring of 2007. Melissa graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Melissa is a Certified Prevention Professional. Previous to becoming a RPC, Melissa worked with the Polk County Collaborative, the Northwest Minnesota Council of Collaboratives and Federal Safe Schools grantees.
Morgan McCorkell
Martin County West Empower Member
Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
Morgan McCorkell is a sophomore at Martin County West Jr/Sr High School and serves as the Empower president at her school. A natural leader, she is also president of the Elm Creek 4-H Club and holds leadership roles in student council and FFA, where she has qualified for state twice. Morgan is active in band, choir, drama, varsity golf and volleyball, and club volleyball. A consistent honor roll student, she balances academics and activities with a strong commitment to leadership and prevention.
Rachel Callanan
Lead Senior Staff Attorney
Public Health Law Center
Rachel Callanan, lead senior staff attorney with the Public Health Law Center, is the lead attorney for the Center’s Minnesota commercial tobacco program and provides legal technical assistance on commercial tobacco control issues to public health professionals and organizations, legal professionals, and advocates throughout Minnesota and the United States.
Staci Allmaras
Director of School and Youth Engagement
Lakes Country Service Cooperative
Staci Allmaras is a white woman, mom of 3 bonus and 3 biological children, and Director of School and Youth Engagement at Lakes Country Service Cooperative. A youth advocate and systems thinker, she leads regional initiatives that center youth voice, belonging, and prevention. She serves on the Pelican Rapids school board and as Vice Chair of The Bridge Center. Staci holds a master’s in educational leadership, principal and superintendent licenses, and is an Initiators Fellow.
Andrea Orest
Public Health Educator
Cook County Public Health and Human Services
Andrea Orest is a Public Health Educator with Cook County Public Health and Human Services, specializing in substance misuse prevention, suicide prevention, and mental health. She is also actively involved in emergency preparedness, healthy homes initiatives, and disease prevention efforts. As a Certified Prevention Professional Reciprocal and Harm Reduction Specialist, Andrea is committed to fostering safer, healthier communities. She lives in Grand Marais, MN with her family, where she continues her work in advocacy, education, and support for public health.
Brina Ellison
Suicide Prevention Regional Coordinator
Minnesota Suicide Prevention Regional
With over 8 years of experience in suicide prevention, Brina Ellison, as the Suicide Prevention Regional Coordinator, has helped lead initiatives to promote early intervention and implement upstream approaches to mental health. Brina brings expertise in community outreach, training development, and system-wide collaboration. Her work centers on providing technical assistance to communities and organizations on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
Elyse Less
Executive Director
Tobacco-Free Alliance
Since 2017, Elyse has served as the Executive Director of Tobacco-Free Alliance, focusing on community-based tobacco prevention and policy advocacy, especially regarding e-cigarettes to reduce youth access and harm. She conducts workshops for youth, parents, educators, and policymakers, working closely with her team and community partners. Elyse also trains teens to be peer vaping prevention educators and advocates, dedicating herself to creating a tobacco-free future.
Ilizah Woodward
Director of Medical Cannabis
Office of Cannabis Management
Ilizah Woodward is the Director for the Division of Medical Cannabis at the Office of Cannabis Management, leading the state’s Medical Cannabis Program that transitioned from the Department of Health to OCM in 2024. Their education includes an MPA and B.S. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at University of Wisconsin-Oshkhosh.
Jade Hipp
Communications Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Health
Jade Hipp (she/her) is a Communications Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she leads strategic health communication efforts around substance misuse. With experience in healthcare and public health, she specializes in program planning, evaluation, outreach, and inclusive communication. Jade holds an MPH from the University of Michigan and continues to deepen her expertise in health communication, driving impactful messaging on substance misuse at the state level.
Jenna Z. Schmidt
Regional Director of Prevention Initiatives for Northern Minnesota
FamilyWise Services
Jenna Schmidt is the Regional Director of Prevention Initiatives for Northern Minnesota at FamilyWise Services and is based in Duluth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a research emphasis and a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from Stephens College. Jenna began her work in community initiatives through a service term with AmeriCorps VISTA, serving in the Carlton County Community and Family Initiatives Department, which she completed in August 2019. Later that same year, she joined FamilyWise Services. Since becoming a certified ACE Interface Presenter in 2018, Jenna has been dedicated to promoting trauma-informed practices across Minnesota. She has trained others to present the ACE Interface curriculum and has facilitated multiple community conversations focused on ACEs, resilience, and community resilience. Jenna is deeply committed to creating a future where individuals and families across Minnesota are healthy, supported, and thriving. She brings a collaborative and strengths-based approach to her leadership in prevention initiatives.
Katie Engman
Program Director
Association for Nonsmokers
Katie Engman is a public health leader with 20 years’ experience building healthy, sustainable communities. She’s known for uniting diverse coalitions, driving strategy, and empowering others to share their stories and advocate for change. Katie specializes in community outreach, policy, project management, youth development, and public speaking.
Laura Bennett
Regional Prevention Coordinator
Carlton-Cook-Lake-St Louis Community Health Board
Laura Bennett is the Northeast MN Regional ATOD Prevention Coordinator. She has served as the RPC for NE MN since March 2007. Laura is a Certified Prevention Professional Reciprocal (CPPR) and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health Sciences from The College of St. Scholastica (CSS). She was involved in Students Against Destructive Decisions throughout high school and college. As a student at CSS, Laura was the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Coordinator for three years.
Madeline Bremel
Program Director
Minnesota Prevention Resource Center
Madeline is the Program Director for MPRC, and is responsible for providing programmatic oversight and supporting MPRC’s technical assistance and communication needs. Madeline has worked in Public Health in Minnesota, Oregon, and New Mexico, and has found a niche doing planning, organization, and communication-related work at the systems level. Madeline has an MPH from Oregon State University in Health Promotion and Health Behavior.
Mary Parsatoon
Public Health Planner
Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board
Mary Parsatoon co-leads implementation of the regional community health improvement plan for the Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis region. She has an MPH in Public Health from the University of South Dakota and a BASc in Public Health and BA in International Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Mary lives in Duluth, MN with her husband Nathan. In her free time, she enjoys trying new foods, gardening, and renovating her house.
Merri Guggisberg
Parent Coach and Speaker
MKG Parent Coach
Merri Guggisberg is a certified parent coach and founder of MKG Parent Coach. She supports parents, caregivers, and professionals in building emotionally connected families through practical, strengths-based strategies. Merri brings over 20 years of experience in parenting education and community programming to her work with schools, organizations, and prevention professionals.
Nicki Linsten-Lodge
Regional Prevention Coordinator
Pine River Backus Family Center
Nicki joined the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug team as Regional Prevention Coordinator (RPC) for the West Central Region in June 2020. She graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Psychology. Partnering with families and communities in supporting strength-based change has been a passion throughout her career. Prior to becoming an RPC, Nicki was the Youth and Family Service Worker at the Pine River-Backus Elementary School.
Rosemary Ugboajah
CEO
Neka Creative Inc.
Rosemary Ugboajah is the founder and CEO of Neka Creative Inc., a Minneapolis-based brand agency advancing equity through its proprietary Inclusivity Marketing™ process. For over 15 years, she has led the agency in developing authentic brands and marketing strategies that reach the underreached. With a background in brand development and marketing, Rosemary has led award-winning campaigns across sectors. She studied art and design in London and earned a BA in Advertising from the University of Minnesota. She serves on several boards focused on equity and creative leadership, including as a trustee at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a member of the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board. She also co-founded ArtWest, an organization dedicated to bringing arts education to underserved communities.
Wil Sampson-Bernstrom
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Health
Wil Sampson-Bernstrom is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit. They support youth suicide prevention efforts in Minnesota and manage ten comprehensive community grants. He received his Bachelor of Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2015. Wil has previously worked at NAMI Minnesota and Canvas Health, serving as the Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coordinator. They are currently based in Minneapolis and serve statewide.
Angela Graham
Program Coordinator
Hubbard in Prevention (HIP) Coalition
Angela Graham has worked for CHI St. Joseph’s Health in Park Rapids, MN for 13 years as a Drug Free Communities Grant and Hubbard in Prevention (HIP) Coalition Coordinator. I am a trained Certified Prevention Specialist and an ACE’s Interface Trainer. In my spare time I am an avid cyclist and love spending time with my husband, children, family, friends and traveling.
Clare Striemer
Martin County West Empower Member
Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
Clare Striemer is a sophomore at Martin County West Jr/Sr High School and serves as the Empower Secretary. She is actively involved in prevention efforts and peer education through Empower. Clare’s leadership and public speaking skills shine through her roles in student council, speech and debate, and FFA, where she is chapter secretary. She has competed at the state level four times and nationally twice. Clare also participates in trapshooting, golf, drama, choir, band, and press club.
Gina Schoenfeld
Regional Prevention Coordinator
Project Turnabout
Gina Schoenfeld is the Southwest MN Regional Prevention Coordinator. She is a Certified Prevention Professional (CPP). Prior to becoming a Regional Prevention Coordinator, she worked at a school district as the Positive Community Norms Grant Coordinator. Gina enjoys spending time with her family, camping and being outdoors.
Jaclyn Frank
Community Outreach Coordinator
Association for Nonsmokers - Minnesota
Jaclyn Frank is a Community Outreach Coordinator for the Live Smoke Free program at ANSR-MN. Jaclyn collaborates with property managers, residents, local public health, and state partners to promote, implement, and evaluate smoke-free multi-unit housing policies. She has a background in mixed-methods research, advocacy, and systems improvement in public health. Jaclyn has a BS in Public Health from Purdue University and an MPH from the Univ. of MN in Public Health Administration and Policy.
Jason McCoy
Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
Clay County Public Health
Jason McCoy is the Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for Clay County Public Health in Moorhead, Minnesota. He received his Master of Public Health from North Dakota State University. Jason has been working in substance prevention for ten years, building coalitions, raising awareness, and passing policies reducing tobacco’s & cannabis’ harm. He has led efforts to pass 34 tobacco & cannabis prevention policies. He is building Positive Community Norms – working upstream to address Hopes & Concerns in the DGF school system.
Karen Pifher
Co-Owner and Consultant
Creating Community Consulting
Karen Pifher, MSW, is a dynamic community development leader and Founder and Co-Owner of Creating Community Consulting. Drawing from lived experience and 15+ years of professional expertise, she empowers rural communities through equity-driven strategies, strategic planning, and inclusive engagement. Karen’s work inspires lasting change by making community transformation accessible, collaborative, and impactful.
Ken Winters
Senior Scientist
Oregon Research Institute (MN location) & Research Advisor, MPAF
Ken C. Winters, Ph.D. is a Senior Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute (MN location). Previously he was a Professor, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota, where he founded and directed the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research for 25 years. He co-founded Smart Approaches to Marijuana Minnesota. He has been an active researcher in the area of adolescent behavioral health for over 40 years.
Laura Daak
Program Director and Program Coordinator
MPA Foundation & Minnesota Prevention Alliance (MPA)
Laura Daak is an experienced grant coordinator and a certified substance misuse prevention specialist who has over 23 yrs of experience. She has held a Certified Prevention Professional Advanced (CPPA) Certification since ‘08. She promotes and builds the capacity of coalitions, guides substance misuse prevention specialists and provides technical assistance to communities working in the field of primary prevention. She currently is the MPA Foundation Program Director and the Minnesota Prevention Alliance (MPA) Program Coordinator in the State of MN.
Maggie Myers
Public Health Educator
St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services
Maggie Myers is a public health educator for St. Louis County focused on substance misuse prevention. Her work spans youth prevention, harm reduction, and recovery advocacy, with recent focus on the public health effects of adult-use cannabis legalization. She facilitates the CAPE coalition, promoting substance-free, family-friendly events in northern St. Louis County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the College of Saint Benedict and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
Megan Jenson
Co-Owner and Consultant
Creating Community Consulting
Megan Jenson, MBA, is a strategic collaborative leader and Co-Owner of Creating Community Consulting. With a background in nonprofit analytics and community and coalition development, she transforms complex data into clear, people-centered strategies that drive change. Megan brings authenticity, curiosity, and compassion to her work, helping communities create solutions that are both inclusive and impactful.
Molly Schmidtke
Policy and Technical Assistance Manager
Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota
Molly Schmidtke is a Policy and Technical Assistance Manager with the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota. Molly's career is focused on youth prevention, education, advocacy and engagement, as well as tobacco industry marketing research. She has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in Community Health Education and a Master’s in Public Health degree from the University of Minnesota. Molly is also a Certified Health Education Specialist.
Patti Smith
Public Health Supervisor
Kanabec County Community Health
Patti Smith is the Public Health Supervisor for Kanabec County, where she oversees a broad range of health education programs focused on improving community well-being. With a background in communication, Patti is passionate about strengthening community connections to improve health and wellness. She is especially committed to finding ways to build walkways through the traditional silos of public health, education, and community services—fostering more integrated, sustainable solutions. Her work is grounded in a belief that effective public health is rooted in relationships, inclusion, and compassion.
Shonee Phillips
Substance Use/Misuse Community Specialist
Minnesota Department of Health
My name is Shonee Phillips, and I have over 30 years of experience in the human services field. I have dedicated my career to supporting youth and families across residential, correctional, and non-profit sectors. I hold a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, which helps me bring a deep understanding of systemic approaches to care. I have served as a program manager for a treatment facility, where I oversaw peer recovery specialist. I served as a probation officer, and Multisystemic Therapist ( MST), which is an evidence-based practice to help at-risk populations achieve meaningful outcomes. I currently serve as a Substance Use/Misuse Community Specialist. In this role, I provide grant management and technical assistance to grantees who address prevention for youth with substance misuse and mental health concerns. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to fostering resilience, promoting healing, and empowering individuals to be their best self.
Willow Anderson
Senior Staff Attorney
Public Health Law Center
Willow Anderson is a Senior Staff Attorney with the Public Health Law Center, focusing on advancing public health through law and policy. She is a Minnesota Supreme Court Qualified Neutral and Mediator. Willow holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to innovative legal strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance community health.
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