Amber Lewis initially joined the Northspan team in July 2021 for a two-year fellowship through Lead for Minnesota/Lead for America. With the conclusion of the fellowship program in August 2023, Amber took on the new role of Northspan consultant and Welcoming Community program manager. In this capacity, Amber will continue local and regional efforts such as the Inclusion Learning Cohort initiative, the Duluth Lyceum movement, and organizing the Annual Equity Summit.
Building on the work of the last two years, how is your role changing now? 
While much of my time will still be dedicated to furthering the work of the Welcoming Community program, I will have the opportunity to engage in some of Northspan’s consulting work with communities, businesses, and organizations. I’m excited to continue to build the relationships across our region that have begun over the past two years, and develop new ones!
Can you share any details with us about key projects?
We hosted the third annual Equity Summit in October! In the year ahead we’ll coordinate two new Inclusion Learning Cohorts, and we’ll start a new partnership with Nonviolent Peaceforce, where we will be working in our two previous ILC communities (Cloquet and Cook County areas) to assist community members in gaining tools to address tensions and interrupt and prevent potential violence in their communities.
What keeps you busy outside of the projects we just covered?
I began serving on the Fuse Leadership Council in 2023. I am enjoying living in Duluth with my husband and five children and being close to family, many of whom still live in my hometown area of the Iron Range. My favorite pastime is getting to know more about the communities in the Northland and spending as much time as I can visiting Lake Superior through its many moods and changes throughout the year.
You can connect with Amber at alewis@northspan.org or (218) 481-7737