2026 Board of Directors

 

President

Grete Lavrenz, MA, APR

Grete Lavrenz is an accomplished strategic communications leader and trusted PR counselor to household brands across food, beverage, wellness and retail industries. She brings a blend of creative vision, analytical thinking and operational excellence to every engagement, guiding purpose-driven brand strategies that connect cultural insight with measurable business outcomes. Her agency experience includes Carmichael Lynch Relate, Bozell Kamstra and Karwoski & Courage. She also serves as a volunteer for Take Flight and Art Buddies and a judge for the national PRSA Silver Anvil Awards and PRWeek Awards.

Grete holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Hamline University and a Master of Arts in International Public Relations from Cardiff University in Wales. She is a foodie who enjoys cooking at home and exploring adventurous cuisines in the local restaurant scene and stretches her creative muscles with DIY crafting and home improvement projects.

Emily Tackaberry, APR

 

Emily Tackaberry is a seasoned communications strategist with nearly 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry. As Boston Scientific Director, Global Corporate Communications, she leads overarching global external and internal communications strategies and plans. Her specialties include executive communications, change management and crisis. Emily is known for building award-winning teams and fostering strong cross-functional collaboration to achieve shared business goals. Her career includes roles at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Prime Therapeutics, AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy and Walgreens.

Passionate about service, Emily also serves on the Gold Award Scholarship and Board Development Committees for Girl Scouts River Valleys. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Johnson and Wales University and is a certified Prosci Change Practitioner. As a huge fan of Joanna Gaines, she loves baking and spending time with her family.

Secretary/Treasurer

Laura Hennen, MBA, APR

Laura Hennen is a communications leader with deep experience in healthcare and corporate reputation management. As Communications Director at Medtronic, she leads the communications teams for the Global Technology & Innovation and IT functions and partner with Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer on internal and external executive communications and thought leadership opportunities. Laura’s background includes positions at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, where she focused on brand journalism, content marketing and reputation management.

An active Minnesota PRSA member since 2004, Laura holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Drake University.

Immediate Past President

Betsy Anderson, PhD, APR

 

Dr. Betsy Anderson is an associate professor in the Communication Studies department at Bethel University, where she began her academic journey as a Media Communication major. Prior to academia, she worked in agency public relations with FleishmanHillard and Weber Shandwick. Betsy has also taught at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas.

A PRSA member for more than 25 years, Betsy has served on the Minnesota PRSA Board, co-chaired the Classics and APR Accreditation Committees, and advised PRSSA chapters since 2006. She is an active member of the PRSA Educators Academy. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts from Bethel University, Betsy holds a PhD in Mass Communications and a Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communications from the University of Minnesota. She enjoys downhill skiing and spending time at her cabin with her family.

Ethics Officer

Brant Skogrand, APR, MBC, CPPM

Brant Skogrand is the director of public relations for the University of St. Thomas, the largest private university in Minnesota. In this role, he serves as the university’s primary leader of external communications and is responsible for all media relations strategy, execution and reporting.

Brant’s career in public relations has included working for top marketing firms and corporations, including: Thrivent Financial, Thomson Reuters, Tunheim, Rocket55 and more. He also serves as the chief communications officer of Skogrand PR Solutions, LLC.

He has won national and Minnesota awards for his public relations work. Brant has served as president of Minnesota PRSA and chair of the PRSA Midwest District. He is the author of two books on public relations and is a certified professional project manager.

Brant holds a master’s degree in business communication from St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.

Sarah Bhimani

Sarah Bhimani serves as Director of Communications at Animal Humane Society, where she leads internal communications and public relations for staff and volunteers, creating strategic communications plans to support organization initiatives and projects and helping lead crisis communications. With 15 years of experience across nonprofit, corporate and government sectors, she brings a strong commitment to inclusion and community engagement. Sarah began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA and has been a Minnesota PRSA member since 2019. She co-chaired the DEI Committee in 2024 and volunteers with We Can Ride, a therapeutic horseback riding organization.

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Writing from Northland College and her Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College.

Director

Kenny Devine

 

Kenny Devine is a director at Padilla, where he manages multiple clients across various industries. With a decade of experience, he creates and executes communication strategies across media relations, crisis communications, influencer engagement and internal communications. His previous roles have centered around sports at the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx.

Kenny volunteers with the University of Minnesota Regent Candidate Advisory Council, serves as board member for BestPrep and a career explorer coach with Take Flight. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and Communications from the University of Minnesota. In his free time, Kenny enjoys attending sporting events, reading, writing, golfing and spending time on Minnesota’s lakes.

 

Director

Adrienne Foley, APR

Adrienne Foley is an accomplished communications and marketing professional with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare marketing and public relations. She has served in agency and corporate settings, including her current role at Allina Health as Senior Consultant, Business Partner Marketing & Communications. Adrienne’s expertise spans internal and external communications, reputation management and brand strategy. Her career includes roles at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Prime Therapeutics, AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy and Walgreens.

An accredited member of PRSA since 2018, she serves as the board liaison to the APR Committee. She holds a journalism degree from the University of South Carolina.


Director

Amie Hoffner

Amie Hoffner is Vice President of Corporate Communications at International Dairy Queen Corporation, leading global communications and events for more than 7,500 restaurants in 20 countries. She has extensive experience in corporate and brand communications, previously serving in senior roles at TCF Bank, Target Corporation, Nexstar Broadcasting and Weber Shandwick. A passionate educator, Amie teaches in the Professional MA in Strategic Communication program at the University of Minnesota and serves as a national PRSA Silver Anvil Awards judge. Her work has earned multiple national PRSA and SABRE Awards for excellence in integrated communications.

Amie holds a Master of Science in Communications Management from Syracuse University and Bachelor of Art in Communications and Women’s Studies from Hamline University.


Director

Dan Jasper

Dan Jasper serves as Strategic Advisor at Mall of America. Over the past 30 years, he’s helped organizations large and small find their voice during moments of celebration and crisis. He’s written speeches that comfort, coached leaders through chaos and shaped brand stories that connected deeply with Mall of America guests, customers and internal teams.

He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Marketing as well as his MBA from Cardinal Stritch University.


Director

Jaylen Lyles

 

Jaylen Lyles is a communications professional dedicated to connecting people through stories and shared experiences. He serves as Senior Communications Specialist at Zan Associates, guiding residents through major transportation and infrastructure projects. His career also includes roles with Bloomington Public Schools and Project for Pride in Living.

Jaylen is founder of JAM Communications and The Gathered Table, two ventures centered on storytelling and community. He serves on the executive team of Twin Cities Professionals of Color as Senior Director of Outreach, Engagement and Membership. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication – Public Relations from Metropolitan State University.

Director

Jeff McKito

 

Jeff McKito is a seasoned communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations and strategic communications. In his current role at Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), the nation’s largest ecological restoration company, he leads executive and internal communications efforts that engage and inspire employees through clear, authentic communication. Previously Jeff held leadership communications roles with the North Texas Municipal Water District, the City of Frisco and the City of Lubbock, Texas. These positions enabled him to craft strategic communications plans, produce award-winning content and elevate public engagement through storytelling and data-driven content strategy. While in these positions, he was a member of several other PRSA chapters.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Eastern New Mexico University. Among his hobbies outside of work, you can find him tinkering with his 1967 VW Beetle.

Director

Meredith Moore

Meredith Moore is President of Leverette Weekes, a leadership development and communications agency focused on corporate social responsibility and executive coaching. She helps entrepreneurs and executives drive positive organizational impact through inclusive leadership and authentic storytelling. Previously, Meredith led global CSR initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, including McDonald’s, where her work contributed to the company’s recognition with the Catalyst Award for advancing women in leadership. She is the author of Getting Unstuck: A Guide to Moving Your Career Forward.

Meredith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Howard University and a Master of Science in Managerial Communications from Northwestern University. She was a 2021 Black Venture Institute Fellow.

Director

Rico Paul Vallejos

Rico Paul Vallejos is an award-winning creative director, writer and educator. As Chief Creative Officer of RicoLatino LLC, he develops multicultural marketing and communications strategies for a range of organizations. He has taught Multicultural Communications at the University of St. Thomas and regularly presents on language, culture and DEI topics at conferences and universities.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rico studied cultural anthropology and sociolinguistics in England and Spain, conducting fieldwork across the Caribbean and South America. He is a Trustee Emeritus at Hamline University and a board member of Afton Press. Rico is fluent in English and Spanish and conversant in several other languages. He enjoys travel, language learning and exploring cultures through food and storytelling.