Northspan welcomed three new members to its board in early 2022. Together, these individuals bring a wide range of perspectives, while sharing Northspan’s commitment to the Northland. The Northspan board selected its new members through an open application process that attracted many qualified applicants. The new board members are:
Bekkah Anderson helps small business owners make cost-effective marketing investments based on company growth goals as president of Wise Elephant Consulting, which she founded in August 2018. You may also know her as the host of the Business Talk Sister Gawk podcast based out of Virginia, Minnesota, where she demystifies business so entrepreneurs can try it for themselves. She currently is serving on the Northeast Minnesota Workforce Development Board. She also previously served as director of social responsibility for the Bethel Business and Economic Association, where she earned her degree. In her spare time, she works with parents and youth that have had adverse childhood experiences and/or disabilities in order to help them prepare for the workforce.
Mark Jeffers has been the economic development coordinator for Aitkin 
County since June of 2021, focusing on priorities that support economic development, tourism, and community growth. Mark previously worked for Growth Innovations, another economic development organization in Aitkin County. After arriving in Minnesota in 1991, he joined the Viking Coca-Cola family after 28 years in various areas of business from sales and corporate management to direction, specializing in servicing and growing profitability for small business throughout Viking territories in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He and his wife Lara live in Baxter and have three children.
Meg Thoreson has a passion for the region and supporting the businesses 
that give communities across the Northland their unique character. She is an Entrepreneurial Operating System implementer as well as co-owner of Solon Springs Mercantile, a retailer located in northwest Wisconsin. Originally from the Twin Cities, Meg moved to Duluth, received her bachelor’s degree from The College of St. Scholastica, and has stayed in the area ever since. She has been active in the community through the Superior-Douglas County Development Association and Harbortown Rotary and sits on the board of United Hardware Distributing. She resides with her husband Ken in rural Douglas County, where they enjoy the many activities the area offers, including hiking, biking, and curling.
We look forward to accomplishing work together in 2022! If you are interested in serving on the Northspan board in the future, contact us here.