Wedge Annual Neighborhood Celebration & Election
We had a great time at The Wilderness Fitness & Coworking Space! For anyone interested in voting for the new board members, check out our Board Election form to vote by 12:00AM April 30th!
Vote for the new board members here
Vote for the new board members here
Board of Directors candidates
Anna Berglund
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
I'm relatively new to the LHENA community, having moved into the neighborhood last September, but I already have a sense that it's a place where residents care about the community. I'd love to meet more of my neighbors through the association - helping to organize events and participating in outreach. As a member of the board, I'd be interested in knowing more about the concerns of the people who live and work here and whether there are collective actions that can make all our lives better. I have the time and motivation to help out and have always had the most fun when working with other people towards a shared goal.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I currently work at a non-profit legal organization that helps to coordinate volunteer opportunities for students. One major benefit of this role is that I get to work with a large variety of other non-profit organizations in the Twin Cities, getting to know their staffs, their missions, and how they serve their communities. I think that it can be valuable to partner with other established organizations that share your goals when trying to address any issue, big or small. My goal as a member of the board would be to bring this base of knowledge to further any initiative the community is looking to take on.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I want to promote initiatives that make people feel welcome in the community and that support common goals. To do this, I need to better understand the challenges and needs of my neighbors, hopefully through LHENA events and individualized outreach efforts. I'd like to use the resources of the board to empower and support our community members and make the wedge neighborhood a place that is broadly accessible to people of all backgrounds. I'm personally passionate about public transportation, municipal sidewalk plowing, and anti-consumerism initiatives, but care most about whatever is most concerning my neighbors.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
I would like for any person that lives or works in the neighborhood to know about LHENA and what the organization does. I think it would function well as a place where neighbors can bring their ideas and problems to people who are going to care about them. Ultimately, I think the best way to serve the community is to be responsive to its needs, build collective power, and have a little fun.
Michael Byrd
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
I want to join conversations with engaged neighbors on the future of the Wedge, contribute to a shared vision for the Wedge and apply my skills and experience (such as they are) to achieve that vision. In short, to be more plugged into my community and to be useful to it.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I am a lawyer who runs a small practice advising young climate technology startups and small businesses on a range of "business law" matters, from teambuilding to commercial partnerships and raising capital. In this role, in addition to legal experience, I have experience engaging with investors, government bodies and other stakeholders to achieve my clients' objectives, as well as finance and basic accounting experience. I endeavor to be open-minded and a good listener.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
Areas where I'd like to make a difference are the utilization of unutilized or underutilized spaces, such as the Herkimer Brewery redevelopment, neighborhood history and opportunities to promote it, the improvement and expansion of green spaces and the reduction of the neighborhood's and its residents' and businesses' carbon footprints.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
To increase neighborhood awareness of and engagement with its work, ensure it has a persuasive voice in municipal decisions that affect local residents and businesses and make the Wedge an even better place to live, run a business and visit.
Jack Strawn
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
Living in the immediate neighborhood for almost 5 years, and the surrounding area for almost 10, I've come to really care about the community growth and general upkeep of The Wedge. I also would like to be more involved in educating existing residence about the imporance of local elections, while learning more about them myself.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I've worked in the service industry for 15 years, on top of many other roles involving immediate connections with community members and customers. That experience has helped me gain the skills and confidence in "rallying the troops" to get behind a positive vision or idea for the neighborhood, without sounding too "preachy" or "pushy". Since I've lived in the area for so long I have in dept knowldege of what it used to look like, how it's evolved, what businesses used to be where, and what might do well (business wise) in the future that truly serves the local residents. I'm currently a 5th year senior at Dunwoody College in their Bachelor of Architecture program and during that time I served as President of the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) Dunwoody chapter and helped over 15 students attend a national Architecutre Student event, which ended up being the highest attendance of any school in the nation. I also recieved the "Community Service Award" at Dunwoody in 2021.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I would really like to see more public community gathering spaces develop like tiny parks, spaces with some tables and chairs, flower beds with wide edges to sit and talk, anything to really encourge friends, family, strangers, residents, really anyone to sit and chat - furthering the special connection the neighborhood holds. I'd also like to eliminate the stigma Uptown has recieved after the George Floyd protests, while heightening diversity among business owners and residents. I would also like to see more public pet waste recepticals placed throughout the neighborhoods, making it easy and accessable for all to keep the neighborhood clean!
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
To help bring awareness to LHENA and what they do for the neighborhood we call home, which in turn would hopefully help bring more finances to work with when devloping innovative community growth ideas!
Patrick Lynch
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
To bring more amenities and businesses to the area to serve residents
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
Experience in business development, management consulting, non-profit leadership, and fundraising.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I would like to make sure our neighborhood remains safe, walkable, and prosperous.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
Secure new streams of revenue, support local businesses, promote public safety
Pete Boisclair (running for re-election)
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
I am highly passionate about community organizing and volunteer service and want to give back even more to the community I've been fortunate enough to call home (as a renter) since December of 2017. I am especially passionate about environmental sustainability issues and LGBTQ rights but also a number of other issues like increasing the already voter turnout rate in our community and communities around here as well. I am looking forward to organizing and facilitating further community conversations with more elected officials and local organizations around issues such as affordable housing, public safety, transportation and the environment as well. I've served as the Vice President of LHENA/the Wedge Neighborhood in my most recent term and am eager to hopefully continue serving in that role in the new term as well!
Peter Schmitt (running for re-election)
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
I have spent the past 18 months dedicating a lot of time to the Lynlake V2 affordable housing and commercial development and would like to keep that work going in a formal board role. I think this is a great community project and continuity is helpful in its success.
I also provide a good mixture of LHENA background and opinions as a resident, property owner, and business owner (multifamily properties) that I think is valuable to LHENA discussions.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I have done quite a bit of outreach and had many discussions for the Lynlake V2 project, which gives me a good network to pull from for network activities and needs. I am a project developer by trade and am good and moving projects along.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I would like to continue working to add more affordable housing and commercial space in the neighborhood.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
I would like to get LHENA a permanent home and stabilize funding so we can continue to provide a framework for neighborhood projects and work.
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
I'm relatively new to the LHENA community, having moved into the neighborhood last September, but I already have a sense that it's a place where residents care about the community. I'd love to meet more of my neighbors through the association - helping to organize events and participating in outreach. As a member of the board, I'd be interested in knowing more about the concerns of the people who live and work here and whether there are collective actions that can make all our lives better. I have the time and motivation to help out and have always had the most fun when working with other people towards a shared goal.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I currently work at a non-profit legal organization that helps to coordinate volunteer opportunities for students. One major benefit of this role is that I get to work with a large variety of other non-profit organizations in the Twin Cities, getting to know their staffs, their missions, and how they serve their communities. I think that it can be valuable to partner with other established organizations that share your goals when trying to address any issue, big or small. My goal as a member of the board would be to bring this base of knowledge to further any initiative the community is looking to take on.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I want to promote initiatives that make people feel welcome in the community and that support common goals. To do this, I need to better understand the challenges and needs of my neighbors, hopefully through LHENA events and individualized outreach efforts. I'd like to use the resources of the board to empower and support our community members and make the wedge neighborhood a place that is broadly accessible to people of all backgrounds. I'm personally passionate about public transportation, municipal sidewalk plowing, and anti-consumerism initiatives, but care most about whatever is most concerning my neighbors.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
I would like for any person that lives or works in the neighborhood to know about LHENA and what the organization does. I think it would function well as a place where neighbors can bring their ideas and problems to people who are going to care about them. Ultimately, I think the best way to serve the community is to be responsive to its needs, build collective power, and have a little fun.
Michael Byrd
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
I want to join conversations with engaged neighbors on the future of the Wedge, contribute to a shared vision for the Wedge and apply my skills and experience (such as they are) to achieve that vision. In short, to be more plugged into my community and to be useful to it.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I am a lawyer who runs a small practice advising young climate technology startups and small businesses on a range of "business law" matters, from teambuilding to commercial partnerships and raising capital. In this role, in addition to legal experience, I have experience engaging with investors, government bodies and other stakeholders to achieve my clients' objectives, as well as finance and basic accounting experience. I endeavor to be open-minded and a good listener.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
Areas where I'd like to make a difference are the utilization of unutilized or underutilized spaces, such as the Herkimer Brewery redevelopment, neighborhood history and opportunities to promote it, the improvement and expansion of green spaces and the reduction of the neighborhood's and its residents' and businesses' carbon footprints.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
To increase neighborhood awareness of and engagement with its work, ensure it has a persuasive voice in municipal decisions that affect local residents and businesses and make the Wedge an even better place to live, run a business and visit.
Jack Strawn
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
Living in the immediate neighborhood for almost 5 years, and the surrounding area for almost 10, I've come to really care about the community growth and general upkeep of The Wedge. I also would like to be more involved in educating existing residence about the imporance of local elections, while learning more about them myself.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I've worked in the service industry for 15 years, on top of many other roles involving immediate connections with community members and customers. That experience has helped me gain the skills and confidence in "rallying the troops" to get behind a positive vision or idea for the neighborhood, without sounding too "preachy" or "pushy". Since I've lived in the area for so long I have in dept knowldege of what it used to look like, how it's evolved, what businesses used to be where, and what might do well (business wise) in the future that truly serves the local residents. I'm currently a 5th year senior at Dunwoody College in their Bachelor of Architecture program and during that time I served as President of the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) Dunwoody chapter and helped over 15 students attend a national Architecutre Student event, which ended up being the highest attendance of any school in the nation. I also recieved the "Community Service Award" at Dunwoody in 2021.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I would really like to see more public community gathering spaces develop like tiny parks, spaces with some tables and chairs, flower beds with wide edges to sit and talk, anything to really encourge friends, family, strangers, residents, really anyone to sit and chat - furthering the special connection the neighborhood holds. I'd also like to eliminate the stigma Uptown has recieved after the George Floyd protests, while heightening diversity among business owners and residents. I would also like to see more public pet waste recepticals placed throughout the neighborhoods, making it easy and accessable for all to keep the neighborhood clean!
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
To help bring awareness to LHENA and what they do for the neighborhood we call home, which in turn would hopefully help bring more finances to work with when devloping innovative community growth ideas!
Patrick Lynch
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
To bring more amenities and businesses to the area to serve residents
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
Experience in business development, management consulting, non-profit leadership, and fundraising.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I would like to make sure our neighborhood remains safe, walkable, and prosperous.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
Secure new streams of revenue, support local businesses, promote public safety
Pete Boisclair (running for re-election)
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
I am highly passionate about community organizing and volunteer service and want to give back even more to the community I've been fortunate enough to call home (as a renter) since December of 2017. I am especially passionate about environmental sustainability issues and LGBTQ rights but also a number of other issues like increasing the already voter turnout rate in our community and communities around here as well. I am looking forward to organizing and facilitating further community conversations with more elected officials and local organizations around issues such as affordable housing, public safety, transportation and the environment as well. I've served as the Vice President of LHENA/the Wedge Neighborhood in my most recent term and am eager to hopefully continue serving in that role in the new term as well!
Peter Schmitt (running for re-election)
Why do you want to serve on the LHENA board?
I have spent the past 18 months dedicating a lot of time to the Lynlake V2 affordable housing and commercial development and would like to keep that work going in a formal board role. I think this is a great community project and continuity is helpful in its success.
I also provide a good mixture of LHENA background and opinions as a resident, property owner, and business owner (multifamily properties) that I think is valuable to LHENA discussions.
What skills, knowledge, and abilities make you uniquely qualified to serve on the LHENA board?
I have done quite a bit of outreach and had many discussions for the Lynlake V2 project, which gives me a good network to pull from for network activities and needs. I am a project developer by trade and am good and moving projects along.
What difference would you like to make in your community?
I would like to continue working to add more affordable housing and commercial space in the neighborhood.
What aims do you have for LHENA as an organization?
I would like to get LHENA a permanent home and stabilize funding so we can continue to provide a framework for neighborhood projects and work.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Successful board members dedicate appx. 4-10 hours per month to service, actively contributing ideas, fundraising, and are dedicated to working to improve the Lowry Hill East (aka "the Wedge") neighborhood and this organization.
Successful board members dedicate appx. 4-10 hours per month to service, actively contributing ideas, fundraising, and are dedicated to working to improve the Lowry Hill East (aka "the Wedge") neighborhood and this organization.
Get Involved
Reach out to the contacts below to get involved with LHENA initiatives.
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Environmental Committee
Co-chairs: Noah Cameron and Karl Hahn Email: [email protected] Community Development Committee Chair: Rachel Usher [email protected] |
LHENA Volunteer Network
Lead: Jessica Holtkamp [email protected] Food Share Lead: Joan Moser [email protected] |
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