Mission
To be expert navigators, transforming ideas into accomplishments.
Team
Elissa Hansen
President & CEO
ehansen@northspan.org
Elissa Hansen leads Northspan with more than 20 years of experience in business, community, organizational, and economic development across Minnesota and Wisconsin. She invests her time creatively advancing others’ capabilities. In Elissa’s role at Northspan, she engages with and elevates every client by facilitating tough conversations and moving organizations forward with action-oriented strategic methods. She works to create a setting for meaningful communications that respects diverse perspectives, creates joint resolve, and inspires individual and group action.
A Typical Week
Elissa Hansen
President & CEO
ehansen@northspan.org
Elissa Hansen leads Northspan with over 20 years of experience in business, community, organizational, and economic development across Minnesota and Wisconsin. She dedicates her time to creatively advancing others' capabilities. In her role at Northspan, Elissa engages with and elevates every client by facilitating tough conversations and driving organizations forward with action-oriented strategic methods. She fosters meaningful communication that respects diverse perspectives, creates joint resolve, and inspires individual and group action.
KARL SCHUETTLER
VICE PRESIDENT
kschuettler@northspan.org
Karl Schuettler works to integrate Northspan’s vision into its consulting work with clients of all shapes and sizes. His roles include project management, community research, and facilitation of strategic planning processes. He joined Northspan in 2016 and served as its Research Director until 2022, when he was promoted to Vice President. Karl holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Minnesota.
ZACK FILIPOVICH
CONSULTANT & FINANCE MANAGER
zfilipovich@northspan.org
Zack Filipovich joined Northspan in 2022 and provides community, organizational, and business development services such as facilitating conversations, conducting business valuations, packaging Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications, and designing loan fund services. Zack brings over 9 years of in-depth accounting and financial experience and 8 years of public service experience including reviewing and approving budgets. Zack holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is currently pursuing his master’s of business administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
ALI BILDEN CAMPS
SENIOR CONSULTANT
acamps@northspan.org
Ali joined Northspan in 2022 as a Consultant and provides community and organizational development services. For two years, Ali managed the NORTHFORCE program by connecting career-minded individuals with professional advancement opportunities and supporting our regional employers’ current and future workforce needs. Ali brings over 15 years of nonprofit management and community development experience including working with organizations and individuals across all sectors. She has roots in northern Wisconsin and has called northeast Minnesota home for almost 20 years.
SHAUN HAINEY
CONSULTANT
shainey@northspan.org
Shaun lives on a small hobby farm on the Iron Range with his wife and four children. Raised by a small business owner, he learned early the value of hard work and community resilience. He brings a values-based approach to community development, emphasizing education, small business support, and collaborative problem-solving. His public service experience includes handling over 12,000 constituent calls at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, sharpening his skills in customer service and engagement. Shaun is passionate about building strong, connected communities and looks forward to creating a prosperous future across the region.
JARED DUNLAP
CONSULTANT & TRIBAL LIAISON
jdunlap@northspan.org
Jared Dunlap is an experienced consultant specializing in strategic planning, technical assistance, and data-driven decision-making. As a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a first-generation college graduate, Jared brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to his work with Tribal Nations, non-profits, and public agencies. With over 15 years of experience, Jared excels at facilitating collaboration, designing impactful strategies, and driving sustainable outcomes for communities and organizations.
Amber Lewis
CONSULTANT
alewis@northspan.org
Amber Lewis focuses on using expert facilitation skills and conflict resolution expertise to build connections across differences and bring community centered solutions to challenges. She manages many of the Welcoming Community initiatives under the DAWN program. Her work involves fostering a more welcoming community in northeast MN and supporting talent retention and community engagement in the region through facilitating community conversations, learning opportunities, and community projects centered on belonging and inclusivity. She joined Northspan in 2021 on a two-year fellowship with Lead for America, before joining the staff as a full-time employee in 2023. Amber graduated with a bachelor's degree from Utah Valley University and holds a master's degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.
STEFANIE SJELIN
CONSULTANT
ssjelin@northspan.org
Stefanie joined the Northspan team in 2023 as an Associate Consultant and was promoted to Consultant in early 2025. Her role focuses on several areas, including strategic planning facilitation, community and stakeholder engagement, survey design, data analysis, and research. Along with an adaptable skillset and strategic mindset, Stefanie brings a sense of emotional intelligence and situational awareness to her work. She is dedicated to meeting individuals, groups, and organizations where they’re at, bringing diverse perspectives together, and delivering quality results that maximize client’s potential.
JL Herbert
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT & OPERATIONS MANAGER
jlherbert@northspan.org
JL has 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur and a small business owner and advocate. During the last two decades, JL has been involved in neighborhood and community development and worked to plan and implement ways to better support their community and the small businesses that are there, by working with city officials, small business owners, and community members. She enjoys creating strategic plans and processes for the improvement of businesses, communities, and organizations.
COOPER GRAHEK
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT
cgrahek@northspan.org
Cooper is a graduate from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, earning his Bachelor of Science in Business, with a focus in Finance and a Minor in Marketing, in 2024. Having grown up in Eveleth, Minnesota, he developed a strong work ethic through sports and his commitment to his community. Cooper’s academic and work experiences have equipped him with skills needed for success. Cooper is passionate about applying his analytical skills and finance knowledge to support organizational growth and decision-making. His previous work experience has allowed him to deepen his financial knowledge, while honing his ability to communicate and collaborate across teams and departments to solve complex problems.
Our Work
ITASCA SPARKING CHANGE: DIVERSIFYING OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY | 2024-2025 Challenge: The Boswell Energy Center, a coal-fired power plant in Cohasset, Minnesota, was directed to cease coal operations by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. These impeding changes fueled a larger community conversation about impacts to local tax base, jobs, and planning for diversification of the Itasca…
LIFE HOUSE STRATEGIC PLANNING | 2024 Challenge: Life House, a nonprofit in Duluth, Minnesota dedicated to transforming the lives of unhoused and at-risk youth, sought a new strategic plan following a leadership transition and other changes within the organization. Role: Northspan facilitated a strategic planning process that included considerable engagement, including a survey, interviews with…
LAKE SUPERIOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER STRATEGIC PLANNING | 2024 Challenge: Lake Superior Community Health Center (LSCHC) sought to develop a strategic plan that aligned with its mission and values while incorporating the vision of new leadership. This plan was essential to ensuring organizational continuity, stability, and a clear roadmap for future growth. Role: Northspan guided…
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