Board of Directors
Allison Aufderheide
Science Teacher
Creative Problem Solver
Melissa Bakker Roach
Farmer at Cook Area Farmers Market and Virginia Market Square
Minnesota Farmer’s Union State Secretary
Community organizer and advocate
Carson Becicka
Humphrey Institute, Master of Science Technology and Environmental Policy
Graduating May, 2026
Raquel Berget
Recycling, repurposing, conservation champion
Community organizer
Sharon Chadwick
Retired Assistant St. Louis County Attorney
Organizer, Mesabi Fit
Kristin Foster
EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest, Planning Team Chairperson
Founding chairperson, Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability
Retired minister of the ELCA
Janna Goerdt
Fat Chicken Farm
Tower Farmers Market
Community Sustainability Initiative – Organizer
Heather Hohenstein
Data analyst for the Office of Institutional Research, NE Higher Ed. District
Futurist
Gardener of flowers, produce, and people
Dennis Peterson
Retired mechanical/project engineer
Marlise Riffel
Retired Sociology Instructor, Minnesota State Colleges
Grantwriter and community catalyst
Jodie Steblay
Retired educator and Nurse
Melissa Roach, Communications Director
melissa.roach@irpsmn.org
Cheryl Carlson, Financial Manager
cheryl.carlson@irpsmn.org
Lori Schiebe, Growing Together - Virginia Community Gardens Coordinator
growingtogethervirginia@gmail.com
Nina Ribar, Virginia Market Square - Market Manager
virginiamarketsquare@gmail.com
Interested in serving on the Board of Directors?
The Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability is looking for people who are passionate about sustainability to share their talents. If this sounds like you, fill out the IRPS Candidate Form and email it to us. We look forward to working with you!