Board of Directors
The Board members of Dakota Woodlands are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
Andrew Supina, Chair is a Lean Six Sigma Director at 3M, focused on manufacturing operations in the United States and Canada. He has 27 years with 3M in various engineering & manufacturing roles. Andrew has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Iowa State & a Masters in Manufacturing Systems from the University of Minnesota. He is married with two sons and lives in Lake Elmo.
Laura Weiss, Secretary is Vice President, Human Resources at Smart Care Equipment Solutions. Prior to this role, she was a Director of Human Resources at Ecolab, supporting multiple divisions during her 15-year tenure. Previously Laura worked in HR, Administration and Marketing positions at Lesaffre International Corporation and its subsidiaries. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University – Mankato and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. She resides in Apple Valley and is married to Steve Loosbrock; they have one son, Devin.
Laura Weiss, Secretary is Vice President, Human Resources at Smart Care Equipment Solutions. Prior to this role, she was a Director of Human Resources at Ecolab, supporting multiple divisions during her 15-year tenure. Previously Laura worked in HR, Administration and Marketing positions at Lesaffre International Corporation and its subsidiaries. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University – Mankato and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. She resides in Apple Valley and is married to Steve Loosbrock; they have one son, Devin.
Joseph A. Rusche, CPA, MBT, Treasurer is a Tax Principal at Boyum Barenscheer CPAs and Business Advisors and has lived in Eagan for over 30 years. Besides his professional life he is a Trustee of both St. Thomas Becket Parish and the J.A Wedum Foundation and the Treasurer of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Estate Council. Joe is married with three adult children and 6 Grandchildren.
Joseph A. Rusche, CPA, MBT, Treasurer is a Tax Principal at Boyum Barenscheer CPAs and Business Advisors and has lived in Eagan for over 30 years. Besides his professional life he is a Trustee of both St. Thomas Becket Parish and the J.A Wedum Foundation and the Treasurer of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Estate Council. Joe is married with three adult children and 6 Grandchildren.
Melissa Bauer is a Director in Merchandising at Target Corporation. Her current team develops merchandising assortment strategies for new stores in neighborhoods across the US. She joined Target after completing her Bachelor of Science in Business at the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management. Melissa is married and has two children; her family has been part of the Eagan community for 15 years.
Tonya Foucault is the Sr. Director Marketing Communications of Institutional for Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and vital resources. Tonya has over 18 years of experience in the marketing communications field. She has been with Ecolab since 2016 and has made significant contributions in advancing the effectiveness of internal communications as well as external brand awareness. Tonya holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Psychology, from the University of Minnesota – Duluth.
Jessica Metzger-Nye is an Enterprise Account Manager at Amazon Web Services. She joined AWS in 2020 and supports State and Local Government customers in their journey to deliver mission critical outcomes to citizens through technology. Prior to AWS Jessica has worked at several other technology firms such as Oracle, Minnesota based Proto Labs, International Decision Systems, and is a proud graduate of Bethel University in St. Paul. Jessica is married to an Army Veteran, Brian Nye and has two boys, Owen and Jax. She has recently moved to Lakeville and looks forward to supporting the Dakota County community.
Elizabeth Papcek-Kovach is Assistant General Counsel – Employment/Labor for CHS, Inc. In addition to her extensive experience as an attorney, Beth also has nearly ten years of experience as a human resources manager and a technical recruiter. In addition to her professional work, Beth provides pro bono legal work for indigent clients on employment and family law issues, and is heavily involved in her Eagan community, school and church volunteer activities.
Anne Wiltscheck is an experienced Event Producer with a demonstrated history of working in the philanthropy industry. She currently works with the University of Minnesota Foundation. Anne has prior experience in social services and has been familiar with Dakota Woodlands for many years. She lives in Eagan.
Steve Zweber is Director at Thomson Reuters - Core Publishing Solutions in Eagan, MN. He joined Thomson Reuters in 2001 after completing his BS at UW-Wisconsin Stout in Industrial Management, and more recently earned his MBA from Augsburg University. Steve is proud of the longstanding community partnership that Thomson Reuters has established with Dakota Woodlands and is excited to carry the support forward. Steve is married and has three children; his family is part of the Lakeville community.
Jennifer Harrison, Executive Director joins Dakota Woodlands with over 16 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and communications. Previously, Jennifer served as Development & Communications Director for the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, and also held fundraising and communications positions at Angel Foundation, Animal Humane Society, Emerge Community Development, and Episcopal Community Services. Jennifer has a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of St. Thomas. In addition, she has earned the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) professional credential.
Dakota Woodlands, 3430 Wescott Woodlands, Eagan, MN 55123 | Telephone: 651-456-9110 | www.dakotawoodlands.org