Minnesota Institute of Public Health

Laurie is responsible for providing broad ranging qualitative and quantitative services for several different initiatives at MIPH. Prior to her arrival at MIPH, she worked as a Planning Analyst and Management, Administrative and Policy Fellow at Hennepin County.

In her spare time, Laurie enjoys spending time with her family, walking, crossword puzzles and listening to music.

Laurie can be reached at (763) 712-7605.

In addition to providing evaluation services for MIPH, Melissa serves as the epidemiologist for both Minnesota's and Red Lake's State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroups. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, square dancing, motorcycle riding, target shooting, and long walks on the beach.

Melissa can be reached at (763) 712-7615

Monica is the assistant to the Director of CSAPs Central CAPT, and she also provides assistance to the Office Manager. She is responsible for handling all CAPT travel expenses and will soon be working with the Design Center. In her spare time she owns a car dealership with her husband and attends college to work toward a degree in Multi-media Technologies (emphasis web design). When she is able to escape work you’ll find her on her motorcycle or with friends and family.

Monica can be reached at (763) 712-7624

Jessie is responsible for providing both qualitative and quantitative evaluation services to a number of evaluation clients. Jessie also provides technical assistance services to the state of Ohio and the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative through Central CAPT. During her free time Jessie enjoys running, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

Jessie can be reached at (763) 746-3372

Mike has a variety of roles at MIPH including assisting in areas of prevention education, school safety, and evaluation services. He also has a lead role working with colleges and universities on prevention issues. During his free time, Mike likes to spend time with his family, fish, hike, camp, and watch the Twins.

Mike can be reached at (763) 746-3377

Sue coordinates everything for the Change Direction program.  In her spare time she enjoys going to one of her family cabins, listening to music, playing with grandchildren and hanging out with family and friends.

Sue can be reached at (763) 712-7613

Kari is responsible for implementing the project's strategic plan, assuring delivery of MPRC contract objectives. Also coordinates the annual Program Sharing Conference, the activities of MPRC's Regional Prevention Consultants and MPRC's clearinghouse of prevention materials. In her free time, Kari enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, traveling, and organic cooking and baking. 

Kari can be reached at (763) 712-7620

Lynne is the assistant to the Director of MPRC (Minnesota Prevention Resource Center), and assistant to the project as well. She is responsible for all coordination and layout aspects of reports along with assisting in coordinating conferences. In her time away from work she spends with family and enjoys reading a good book.

Lynne can be reached at (763) 712-7607

Tom serves as Associate Director of MIPH and oversees program evaluation activities of the Institute. He has held a variety of leadership positions in government and community-based organizations during his 35+ year career. Tom spends much of his time away from MIPH with his wife Gretchen and their four grandchildren.

Tom can be reached at (763) 712-7631

As Associate RET Coordinator, Jan helps manage trainings and delivery of technical assistance needs under the CAPT umbrella. She comes to MIPH with a background in education, counseling and expertise in chemical health and violence prevention programming. In her spare time, Jan enjoys watching movies with her husband and daughter, riding on the back of her husband's Harley, taking in one of her daughter's choir concerts or watching a Twins game. When possible her family retreats to their century-owned farm in south-central MN.

Jan can be reached at (763) 712-7637

Jerry is a lifelong resident of Minnesota and has spent the past 26 years working in education and public health administration. He is a former educator, and is a licensed teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. Jerry has authored numerous parent education, public health and community health promotion publications. In his spare time, you’ll find Jerry on the golf course, fishing, reading, or just with family.

Jerry can be reached at (763) 712-7614

Tracy has worked in the alcohol, tobacco, other drug and violence prevention field for 14 years. He is the Director of the Central CAPT project and ensures the delivery of services to clients in a 10 state region. In addition, Tracy participates as a member of the Management Team for MIPH. He has three children, one granddaughter, and one grandson. He enjoys walking, biking, watching CSPAN and home improvement activities.

Tracy can be reached at (763) 746-3379

Derek coordinates the information management system for MIPH. This print and electronic information resource collection provides responses to information needs such as on-line literature searches and internal library facilitation from MIPH staff, Minnesota residents, and national requests. In his free time, Derek enjoys being with friends and family, being outdoors, and reading.

Derek can be reached at (763) 746-3378

Tou is responsible for assisting the Associate Director of MPRC with delivery of workplan objectives. He communicates with and provides evidence-based technical assistance to state-funded coalitions and agencies and also assists with clearinghouse requests and personally distributes resources at conferences, exhibits and meetings. In his free time, Tou enjoys soccer, tennis, golf, bowling, bass fishing and camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Tou can be reached at (763) 712-7634

Ray researches various public health topics for Program Evaluation Services, crunches data for the Epi Profile of substance abuse in MN and assists with the coordination of the Community Readiness Survey Service. In addition, he participates with CAPT and coordinates the Institutional Review Board at MIPH. Ray has an interdisciplinary perspective and experience ranging from neighborhood planning to statewide information systems development and evaluation. He has also been an election judge for 20 years and supervises/supports the 9 precincts in the 3rd Ward of Minneapolis.

Ray can be reached at (763) 712-3374

Sherri is responsible for day-to-day coordination of administrative support functions, building and grounds needs, and is the liaison for several different departments within our parent organization. Sherri also serves as the executive assistant to MIPH's executive director. She recently celebrated her 25th year of employment at MIPH. Sherri and her husband are the proud parents of a young adult son, and now spend their time doting on their two Cavalier King Charles “children” and two cats.

Sherri can be reached at (763) 712-7608

Irene is the Design Center Coordinator for MIPH. In addition to her role as Graphic Designer, she assists the company’s Communications Coordinator in day-to-day publications production. She has been an employee of MIPH for 27 years. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her seven grandchildren, gardening and attending jazz concerts with her husband.

Irene can be reached at (763) 712-7635

Mike is primarily responsible for providing data analysis for many Evaluation Team projects at MIPH. In addition, he manages a database used by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and Central CAPT staff members. Outside of work he loves to spend time with his family and trying to play the fairways!

Mike can be reached at (763) 712-7638

Cherie provides administrative support to MIPH projects. In this capacity she monitors clearinghouse functions and addresses questions from customers. During her free time Cherie enjoys walking, playing with her children, bringing them to Mall of America and spending time with her family up north.

Cherie can be reached at (763) 712-7604

Chris is the assistant to the Associate Director. She assists Tom with day-to-day activities that support the operations of MIPH. In addition, Chris responds to the needs of Evaluation Team members in the areas of data entry and project implementation. Chris enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling.

Chris can be reached at (763) 712-7627

Works with all phases of information technology including systems set-up, troubleshooting and Web design and development. Provides training on issues related to prevention and electronic technology. Carlos enjoys playing soccer and spending time with friends and family.

Carlos can be reached at (763) 712-7619

Sheila is the project director for the Enforcing Underage Laws project which includes work on the Zero Adult Provider (ZAP) project and compliance checks and alternate enforcement funding in Minnesota. Sheila is also a member of the MIPH Evaluation Team focusing on the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). On her days off (which include most Fridays), you can usually find Sheila building a fort, taking a nature walk, or blowing bubbles with her two children.

Sheila can be reached at (763) 712-7621

Tanya is responsible for coordinating the development, revision and printing of all MIPH publications and products and for overseeing promotional item production; working with media placement and marketing of MIPH and its services. She works closely with the design center manager in completing these tasks. Tanya also enjoys photography, weekends up north at the cabin and spending time with her friends and family.

Tanya can be reached at (763) 712-7609

Jeanne is responsible for coordination and implementation of the Community Readiness Survey. She coordinates various other surveys MIPH provides. She is also the assistant to the Manager of Program Evaluation Services. In her free time Jeanne enjoys reading and RV camping in the summer months.

Jeanne can be reached at (763) 712-7636

Linda assists CSAP’s Central CAPT project by providing oversight of the daily coordination of internal project communications and activities. This includes all Training and Technical Assistance activity requests, follow through with the Primary State Contacts and the CSAP T/TA approval process, coordination of monthly activity reports to CSAP, communication with Associates and Consultants, and initiating contractual agreements. Linda is a member of the CAPT Leadership Team. In her spare time she enjoys listening to all types of music and playing with her grandchildren.

Linda can be reached at (763) 712-7606

Sarah provides quantitative and qualitative evaluation services to MIPH clients, specifically for those participating in the Statewide Health Improvement Program. She also provides assistance in evaluation to the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative and the National Association of School Nurses. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with loved ones, dancing, practicing yoga, and eating all types of cuisine.

Sarah can be reached at (763) 746-3386

Becky has a leadership role in implementing an array of qualitative and quantitative evaluation studies as well as managing the day-to-day operations of MIPH’s Evaluation Team. Becky is also the Project Coordinator for the Institute’s Community Readiness Survey Service and participates on the MIPH Management Team. During her free time Becky enjoys reading and taking walks in the woods with her family.

Becky can be reached at (763) 712-7603

Kevin directs the Minnesota Prevention Resource Center project. He also works with CAPT to provide technical assistance in the areas of mental health, cultural competence as well as recovery related issues. In addition, Kevin also works with the statewide regional prevention coordinators collaborating to implement evidence-based ATOD prevention efforts in the state of Minnesota. He is also a member of the MIPH management team. Originally from Fresno, California, and bilingual in Spanish, he has traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

Kevin can be reached at (763) 712-7618

Barb is responsible for accurate recordkeeping via processing of checks and preparing bank and credit card deposits. In her free time, Barb enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Barb can be reached at (763) 712-7610