Please contact Abbey Holden with any questions at 651-437-4359 ext. 118 or by email at Abbey@CarpenterNatureCenter.org

SPEAKER BIOS

Tricia Christiansen – Brand Strategist, Creative Director, Community Connector, Christiansen Creative

With decades of experience in brand strategy and creative direction, Tricia brings a unique blend of professional expertise and deep community engagement. As the founder and creative lead for Christiansen Creative, she has partnered with national corporations, regional organizations, and nonprofits such as ServeMinnesota, Little Free Library, and Ampact, which manages national AmeriCorps programs like Reading Corps.

Her leadership in local nonprofits has made a meaningful impact—including raising funds, elevating awareness, and connecting the community with critical resources. Tricia’s collaborative approach helps organizations navigate challenges, elevate awareness, and achieve their goals through thoughtful brand strategy and creative solutions. Learn more about her company at Think-CC.com.

Chris Clayton – Editor and Chief, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine

Chris Clayton is a Mahtomedi-based writer and editor who currently runs Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine. In a previous life he wrote for Outside, CNN, Runner’s World, and Men’s Health. He enjoys hiking and paddling with his family, has an unhealthy obsession with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and makes a decent eggplant parmesan. Pitch Chris stories at lettertoeditor.mcv@state.mn.us and learn more about MCV at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine

Jessie Eckroad – Communications Coordinator, Carpenter Nature Center

Jessie Eckroad is the Communications Coordinator and former Outreach Program Coordinator at Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center (CNC). During her time at CNC, Jessie has increased community outreach capacity, streamlined the nature center’s visual branding, facilitated major website restructuring, developed a variety of educational displays and exhibits, and fostered community partnerships with government entities, local businesses, and non-profits. She also played a critical role in messaging during CNC’s recent Wisconsin Campus Expansion Project Capital Campaign and construction of the Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center.

Emily Roberts – Owner, Snake Discovery

Emily and Ed own and operate Snake Discovery, an educational reptile facility in Maplewood, MN. They offer hands-on programs all around Minnesota and Wisconsin, and create videos for their large YouTube channel to inform viewers about proper care, husbandry, and conservation. Snake Discovery contains an indoor reptile zoo with 75 exhibits of different animals and a reptile specialty store and rescue center. Check out Snake Discovery online at www.snakediscovery.com

Greg Seitz –  Founder & Editor, St. Croix 360

Greg Seitz is a writer dedicated to the St. Croix River and its watershed. Since 2011, he has published new stories every week on St. Croix 360, an online publication supported by its readers and with more than 4,500 email subscribers. He also writes about nature, science, history, and environmental issues for many other publications and organizations. Greg grew up in Stillwater and today lives in May Township with his wife, Kate, two children, and a dog. Visit St. Croix 360 at stcroix360.com.

Tanner Stofferahn – Communications & Marketing Coordinator, Wild Rivers Conservancy

Tanner Stofferahn is the Communications and Marketing Coordinator at Wild Rivers Conservancy. Tanner has 16 years of marketing and creative direction experience and has partnered with brands such as adidas, MLB, and Trout Unlimited. He enjoys helping brands and organizations reach their full potential by unifying creativity, data, and strategy. When not in front of a laptop, Tanner can be found floating a river in his drift boat, working as a fly fishing guide. Whether it’s through communications, or hands-on work outdoors, he loves helping others create positive outdoor experiences.     Learn more about Wild Rivers Conservancy: https://wildriversconservancy.org/ .     Connect with Tanner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanner-stofferahn

Chris Smith – Protected Species Program Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Sharon Stiteler – Press Officer, US Forest Service