Meet Our Team
Meet the team that makes this project possible.
Ellie GerstCo-Executive EditorEllie Gerst, a University of Minnesota Duluth senior from Woodbury, Minnesota, is studying journalism with minors in English and international studies. She is a Co-Executive Editor for LakeVoice News and its new addition, Livable Duluth. Her writing focuses on environmental sustainability. Ellie believes journalism enables free speech and empowers people to form their own ideas about their community through fact-based writing.
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Mareesa LindstromCo-Executive EditorOriginally from Burnsville, Minnesota, Mareesa is currently in her senior year at UMD. She is completing a writing studies major with an emphasis in journalism and an English minor. As Co-Executive Editor, Mareesa coordinates all things under the Livable Duluth project and reports on the infrastructure beat. What most excites her about the field of journalism is being able to tell stories that aren’t already being told.
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Jory SmithCommunity Engagement ReporterJory Smith, originally from Burnsville, Minnesota, is a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth and is majoring in communication with a minor in journalism. She has a passion for photography and enjoys putting together multimedia stories. With a focus on the outdoors, Jory's focus in on Duluth's park system for Livable Duluth and how these spaces can make cities more livable.
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Scott LongakerInnovation EditorScott grew up in the greater Cleveland area of Ohio. He has lived all over America, but has spent the last 12 years of his life in the Northland. He is a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth studying philosophy and journalism. Scott covers employment issues on the the Livable Duluth project team. What excites Scott about journalism is the ability to tell other people’s stories.
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Maxwell ReaganCommunity Engagement ReporterMaxwell Reagan is a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth majoring in English with minors in journalism and film studies. Originally from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, he has lived in Duluth for four years. As a community engagement reporter for Livable Duluth, Maxwell’s interests have led him to report on food accessibility and Duluth's food deserts. He's is excited about journalism as a way to learn new things and meet new people.
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Emily NessCommunity Engagement EditorOriginally from Stillwater, Minnesota, Emily Ness has a passion for telling stories. A sophomore at UMD, Emily is a major in communication and journalism. Emily believes that stories transcend time, place, and human existence. Her focus is on Duluth's youth culture and underserved populations. As the Community Engagement Editor, Emily hopes to establish connections both inside and outside of the newsroom. Samples of her work can be found on The Statesman Newspaper's website.
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Cheyenne VavrinaIdentity StrategistCheyenne Vavrina, originally from St. Michael, Minnesota, is a sophomore at UMD double majoring in journalism and graphic design. Cheyenne is the Identity Strategist for LakeVoice News and her focus for Livable Duluth is on safety. What excites Cheyenne about journalism is that it pushes her out of her comfort zone.
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Cassidy JohnsonCommunity Engagement ReporterCassidy Johnson, originally from the small town of Waconia, Minnesota, is currently in her junior year at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She is majoring in journalism with a minor in sociology. Her favorite aspect of being a journalist is having the opportunity to increase her knowledge on many different topics and building deep connections with what is going on in the world around her. As a Community Engagement Reporter for Livable Duluth, her focus is reporting on the importance of support and growth of locally owned businesses.
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Erik RosvoldUser Experience & Engagement EditorErik grew up in Blaine, Minnesota. He is currently in his junior year at UMD and is pursuing a degree in journalism and communication. Erik has taken the role of User Experience & Engagement Editor for the Livable Duluth project. He's excited to be working and collaborating with the rest of the team and participating in community-engaged reporting. Erik took an interest in journalism at a young age and has always found the overall impact a story has on an individual very exciting.
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Sebastian NemecLivable Cities ConsultantSebastian Nemec is currently a senior at UMD working on a major in cultural entrepreneurship with a minor in journalism. Born and raised in Duluth, he is advising the Livable Duluth project by sharing expertise in networking and resources. Sebastian sets out to give a voice to those who are less heard through his work with journalism. Follow his blog documenting his journey as an entrepreneur.
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Emilee WolfSocial Media StrategistEmilee Wolf is from the small town of Somerset, Wisconsin, and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She majors in journalism with a minor in communication, and her main focus is sports journalism and reporting. She holds an internship with UMD Sports Information where she is involved in writing for various UMD sports programs, interviewing athletes both on and off camera, and tending to social media websites for UMD Athletics. Setting aside her passion for sports, Emilee is using her knowledge of social media to her advantage and is looking to promote the Duluth Livable Cities Project through different media outlets.
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Ben McDonaldCommunity Engagement EditorBen McDonald is originally from Mahtomedi, Minnesota. He is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is majoring in journalism with a minor in communication. He has always enjoyed writing, especially being able to communicate with others through this medium. His favorite aspect of being a journalist is getting to be able to explore such a wide range of subjects and learn about different areas that he never thought he would learn about in his life. He is most excited to get out in the community and find out what is important to the citizens of Duluth.
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