Staff and Board

Kerstin (pr. shesh-tin) loves a good story and can’t wait to hear yours. Born in Sweden and raised in St. Paul, her educator parents instilled a passion for learning and appreciation for the local library from a young age. This spirit of curiosity led to living and working in five countries on four continents, gathering six languages along the way. As an authentic and empathic leader, she expands on more than two decades of experience building relationships and raising funds for mission-driven organizations, including Concordia Language Villages and Walker Art Center.

Kerstin earned a B.A. in Sociology from Vassar College and an M.A. in Art History from Uppsala University. She lives in Minneapolis with her tri-lingual, library-loving family who enjoy all things creative, active, and adventure—in real life or print. She also leads a Swedish book club with her reading teacher mother and serves on the board of the Roho Collective.

When Gale moved to Minnesota with her husband and two-year-old in 1991, the library was a place to connect with others, read to their imaginative child, and learn about their new surroundings. Gale found refuge at the Southdale Library with quiet, after-dinner reading. During the summer, the family made an adventure of visiting other Hennepin County Libraries, a favorite the Big Dragon at Brookdale Library.

Later, working as a community mentor in the educational system and the non-profit world, Gale advocated for libraries with the families she served, inviting the library to present at community events. She researched literacy and acquainted immigrant families with the library as a safe and engaging place for the entire family.

Her children attended book clubs into teenage years, became library volunteers, and are now avid readers, which she credits to the wonderful partnership between her family and HCL. Now empty nesters, the family remains connected through a love of books.

Miriama’s love for Olde World literature speaks to her European heritage. She especially treasures our library for its Slovak collection that makes her feel closer to her home country. Miriama is FHCL’s lead story gatherer, crafting meaningful stories that highlight our library’s mission, work, and values, and is responsible for a comprehensive marketing communications strategy to engage communities and audiences across Hennepin County. She brings a healthy dose of organizational planning, project management expertise and a visionary, growth mindset to her role leading FHCL’s marketing and communications.

Prior to joining Friends, Miriama helped grow a start-up advertising agency, leading a creative team in building brands for Children’s Hospital Association, The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, and many other businesses and nonprofit organizations. Outside of work, Miriama enjoys turning lawns into gardens, hanging out and cooking in the kitchen with her husband and, consequently, feeding friends many good things.

The libraries have accompanied Lizzie across many chapters of life. First, fueling the growing fire of bibliophilia with fantastical stories at the Rockford Road Library. Walter Library was an archive of inspiration and research for her creative writing endeavors. She could see North Regional Library from her first apartment window. And now, Central Library has become the happy home of her work with Friends.

Lizzie earned a degree in English from the University of Minnesota in 2019, and began work at North View Middle School's library. There, she experienced life from the other side of the helpdesk- shelving the varied and curious returns and asking the question: how can we more deeply serve and provide? In her role, Lizzie fosters enthusiasm for libraries, shares stories of impact, and supports our annual season of events. Outside of work she loves to read, go on neighborhood walks and spend time with loved ones.  

Rob’s love of libraries began at the Southdale Library. While in elementary school, he’d often bike to the library to make copies of theater reviews from microfiche, leaving with stacks of photocopies and books. As Events Director, Rob plans memorable experiences for attendees of our Pen Pals and Talk of the Stacks Author Series, as well as other donor engagement events. Rob works hard behind the scenes to make sure FHCL programs and events run smoothly.

Rob earned his bachelor’s degree in theater with an associated study in literature. Prior to joining Friends, he spent much of his life juggling a freelance theater career as a director, dramaturg, and stage manager with work in book sales and events at Barnes & Noble. His theater credits include the Guthrie, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Gremlin Theater, and Artistry. Outside of work, Rob enjoys reading, baking, attending plays and concerts, and enjoying our many incredible local restaurants.

When thinking back to her favorite library memory, Katie says, "I fondly remember my mom taking me to the library every summer for the Summer Reads programs. I would be so pumped to check off all of the books on the reading lists and many more for good measure." As Development and Operations Manager, Katie oversees the organization’s CRM ecosystem, ensuring that FHCL’s growing donor base receives the highest-quality care and service.

Katie earned her bachelor's degree from Augsburg University in English literature and sociology. Previously, Katie was the Operations Specialist for the Augsburg Admissions Office and most recently the Concierge Director at Woofington—a rather posh, but very fun, hotel for petite pooches. Outside of work, Katie enjoys traveling, reading, writing fiction, and painting.

Carol grew up in a family where there was always someone to read to her. The first book she read on her own was Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman. Soon after, she found a home away from home at the library of Hawthorne Elementary School. As Development Manager, Carol works to ensure that FHCL’s membership program engages current Friends and warmly welcomes new ones.

Carol earned a PhD in English from Vanderbilt University. She has experience writing for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and RBC Global Asset Management. Most recently, she raised funds for Our Saviour’s Community Services. In her free time, Carol enjoys reading novels, listening to history podcasts, visiting farmers’ markets, and walking around the lakes in Minneapolis with her family, friends, and dog.

Growing up in a rural location, Linda remembers receiving monthly books in the mail as part of a book club gift membership from her grandparents. At FHCL, Linda serves as the financial “bridge” to Hennepin County Library, administering and stewarding FHCL’s financial giving to the library. Linda is also a “bridge” to our organizational history, holding a decade worth of memories, relationships, and knowledge that span the merger of Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library in 2008.

Prior to joining the organization in 2005, Linda earned her degree from the University of Minnesota and served as Finance Director for MIGIZI Communications. Outside of work, Linda and her husband enjoy frequent film or theater outings and annual travel to explore new destinations.

Semira’s relationship with libraries flourished at the Central Library as a child. She grew up checking out graphic novels and writing on the whiteboard walls in the library’s Teen Central section with her best friends. As a Development Associate, Semira supports FHCL’s fundraising efforts through processing gifts and enhancing the donor experience. 

Semira earned her degree at the University of Minnesota in Graphic Design and French. She has previous experience in print and interaction design, as well as working with visitors and donors at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Outside of work, Semira enjoys reading, drawing, a good TV series, and walking along the Mississippi.

Growing up in a small town, Kristi experienced firsthand the role of libraries to ignite a love of learning, fuel imagination and provide a window to the world. She brings two decades of business strategy and development expertise to her role leading the organization. Prior to transitioning from FHCL Board member to executive director in 2014, Kristi spent several years in international sales and business development at Siemens, Eastman Kodak and British Petroleum and more recently led the development team at Achieve Twin Cities through a transformative, multimillion-dollar fundraising effort. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and currently serves on the Peris Foundation Board. Outside of work, Kristi enjoys reading, DIY home projects in her family’s 1908 abode, and exploring the great outdoors.

Annie holds a deep belief in libraries and the transformational power of literacy. She delights in watching her children discover new worlds and fall in love with reading at their neighborhood library.

As Director of Leadership Giving, Annie partners with members of the Library Leadership Circle and Legacy Circle who share Friends’ vision for a library where every person has the opportunity and resources to read, engage, graduate, work, and learn. She brings two decades of development experience to her role, most recently leading annual giving at the Walker Art Center, and previously serving as Development Director for both the Fresno Philharmonic and Fresno Art Museum in California.

A graduate of the University of Puget Sound with degrees in Music and Communication, Annie's commitment to literacy extends beyond her professional work through her service as a volunteer reading tutor. She also enjoys gardening and exploring the great outdoors.