Kris Eilers, Executive Director
E-mail: Kris@StLouisRiver.org

Kris has been engaged in policy and program delivery in environmental protection, water quality, remediation and habitat restoration, intergovernmental affairs and community engagement/outreach in the Duluth area for a decade.  Her strong business and administrative skills, garnered with her 20+ year career in the private corporate sector, have set her and the St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) up for many successes.

Under her leadership, the SLRA has secured and managed an array of federal, state and local programs, including the continued work of the St. Louis River Area of Concern Clean-up.

In addition, Kris led the effort to get a bonding bill passed from the Minnesota Legislature to fund a state agency to clean up the most contaminated sites in the St. Louis River Area of Concern. 

Kris has been instrumental to attracting thousands of people to the river through boat tours, volunteer opportunities, canoe/kayak trips and winter hikes.  She has also dramatically grown the membership of the organization by over 500 percent over the past 5 years. 

Kris is driven by her life-long passion for water, and a childhood dream of helping to restore the polluted waters of the St. Louis River that runs into Lake Superior.

Alyssa Johnson, Program Manager
E-mail: Outreach@StLouisRiver.org

Alyssa graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a B.S. in Marketing and Finance. Since then her passions have led her down many roads including membership & community development for a start-up food co-op, teaching in the public schools, and working with many artists and small businesses to share their stories through photography, web development and social media marketing.

Alyssa served her first two years as the Alliance’s Marketing and Outreach Coordinator. Since then she has successfully developed her skills in organizational management, membership recruitment, fundraising and public relations, transitioning her into the Program Manager position.

Alyssa’s responsibilities at the Alliance involve grant and project administration, stewardship event planning, community outreach and education, social media marketing, membership communication, and website maintenance.

Alyssa is grateful for her life in Duluth and the daily lessons of Lake Superior and the surrounding waters. In her free time you can find her wandering the Superior Hiking Trail with her pup Addie, swimming on the beach of Park Point, or taking pictures of the flora growing along the St. Louis River.

Nick Sunsdahl, National Water Trail Neighborhood Leader
E-mail: Nick@StLouisRiver.org

Nick grew up near the BWCA, though he never ceases to be amazed at how much more wildlife he see daily on the St. Louis River Estuary. He loves hearing people's stories from the river and learning their personal histories as well as developing a larger understanding of the geological and environmental history of the estuary.

Nick has years of experience in conservation and natural resources working for state agencies; from water testing to invasive plant and insect mitigation, to digging pit toilets on island campsites!

Nick’s goal is to help facilitate access to the St. Louis River for everyone, and share his enthusiasm for the National Water Trail with folks who have not had an opportunity to get out on the water. He is excited to work at the SLRA to help identify and minimize some of the barriers and logistics that could improve people's connection to the St. Louis River.

Karen Sunderman, National Water Trail Neighborhood Leader
Email: Karen@StLouisRiver.org

Karen is the happiest outdoors and in every season. She grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota, moved to Duluth for a job in TV, and fell in love with the water that shapes our northern communities. 

She's inspired by the history, mystery, and resilience of the St. Louis River and curious by nature.  She’s explored the Northland by boat, on skis, and by foot, fishing and camping on the river when the opportunity arises. She also developed an affinity for canoe adventuring, introducing friends and family to this simple and historic mode of transit. She’s clocked over twenty-five trips to the BWCA and countless jaunts along the river.

As a Neighborhood Leader with the National Water Trail, she’s excited to celebrate the river’s recovery, meet new friends, and share the story of Lake Superior’s largest freshwater tributary.

Andrea Crouse, President

Andrea B. Crouse, MS is an aquatic ecologist and engaged and active member of the Twin Ports community. After completing her graduate work at the Natural Resources Research Institute she worked at the City of Superior Environmental Services Division of Public Works for 5 years managing the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Program. She currently works as the Community Development Manager at Zeitgeist Center For Arts and Community where she is involved in projects supporting active transportation, health equity, and engaging stakeholders in community planning and decision-making processes.

Andrea holds certification in Wisconsin as a Soil Erosion Inspector and Wastewater Operator, and in MN as a Construction Site Manager and SWPPP designer. She is co-chair of the Regional Stormwater Protection Team, a collaborative organization of MS4 communities in the region. Andrea served three 3-year terms on the board of the Lake Superior Community Health Center. She is active in local politics, SURJ Northland, and a founding member of the Feminist Action Collective.

Libby Bent, Vice President

Libby has loved Lake Superior for over half a century, but since moving to Duluth 5 years ago, the St. Louis River and estuary is her newfound love. She is inspired by all the work that has gone into its cleanup and would like to do her part to see that this investment is protected.

Libby received a PhD in inorganic chemistry from the University of Colorado and has worked as a research chemist for the DuPont company, written a General Chemistry student study guide for McGraw-Hill, taught at the High School and College levels, and developed and performed outreach programs in schools in the Buffalo, NY area. A constant theme has been conveying water's wondrous properties, and highlighting its position as the world's most precious resource. Libby brings her passion, expertise, and love of the St. Louis River to serve on the board.

Jessie Peterson, Treasurer

Jessie has always been drawn to landscapes and communities that inspire, challenge, and foster connection. This led to many years exploring Montana and Alaska before returning home to Minnesota, where her love of place was first sparked. She majored in Environmental Studies followed by a year of service with AmeriCorps at the Montana Legal Services Association.

These early experiences cemented Jessie’s commitment to building community resiliency by addressing the connections between socioeconomic, environmental, and health equity factors. For over two decades she has worked for equity, access, and sustainability by serving in a variety of non-profit leadership roles with proven outcomes building organizational capacity. She is adept in strategic planning, fund development, policy analysis, community outreach, coalition building, and project management. As the Executive Director of Generations Health Care Initiatives, she is focused on efforts to advance health equity and build diverse community coalitions.

For Jessie, access to clean water, air, and land have always been an integral part of health and well-being. Serving on the Board of the St. Louis River Alliance provides the opportunity to engage, connect, and inspire community members to experience the joy that comes from an afternoon spent along a thriving river system. Jessie earned a BA in Environmental Studies from Carroll College, Helena Montana and a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Breanna Ellison

Breanna (she/her) has lived in Duluth for nearly a decade. She has always been drawn to the outdoors and has a love of nature and a deep respect for water. Breanna grew up in the Twin Cities metro area before coming to Duluth. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with degrees in History and Secondary Education. 

Breanna has worked in a variety of fields, most recently organizing with TakeAction Minnesota before starting her most current role as a job counselor with the City of Duluth. She has served on the City’s African Heritage Commission and has also spent time on its Community Development Committee. In all work she does, Breanna intentionally creates space for other BIPOC people to participate and lead. Breanna is excited to bring a diverse perspective as well her experience in organizing and education to the St. Louis River Alliance board.