Staff and Board

Board of Directors

The HNA Board is elected annually by Harrison residents, property and business owners. Each Board member represents one of the six areas of Harrison and/or a particular business, institution or property in the neighborhood. Open Board seats can be appointed at anytime by the current Board

2024-2025 Board of Directors

Ben Ptacek - Area 1

Andy Braun - Area 1

Mattie Beard - Area 2

Ryan Davis - Area 2

Anthony Varriano - Area 3

Forrest Seltz - Area 3

Robert Coleman- Area 4

Open Seat - Area 4

Dustin Ruff - Area 5 / President

McKenzie Ericksen - Area 5

Lawrence Graves - Area 6 / Treasurer

Thia Kimmons - Area 6

Cordelle Richardson - At-Large

Dan Justesen - At-Large

Russell Pointer - At-Large

HNA is seeking applicants for several open Board seats

HNA is a growing place-based nonprofit organization committed to creating a prosperous and peaceful community that equitably benefits all of Harrison neighborhood’s diverse racial, cultural, and economic groups. We look for Board Members who are energetic and willing to help their community thrive.

If you live, or own/manage a business within the Harrison boundaries, you can nominate yourself (most common); or any HNA member can nominate an eligible applicant for the Board.

If you would like to join the Board, or simply want more information, call Nichole Buehler at 612-374-4849, or email her at Nichole@hnampls.org.

Staff

Nichole Buehler

Executive Director - Nichole@hnampls.org

Since 2017, Nichole has been working to advance HNA’s mission to create a prosperous and peaceful community that equitably benefits all of Harrison neighborhood’s diverse racial, cultural, and economic groups. She has nearly 20 years of experience in advocacy, policy, and community organizing work. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish Studies from the University of Minnesota, she worked with the Resource Center of the America’s El Centro de Derechos Laborales, advocating for workers without documentation as they faced discrimination and abuse in the workplace. She received her Law Degree from Hamline University School of Law with a focus on Employment and Labor Law,  and has been a practicing attorney since 2010, working with clients on a sliding-scale fee or in a pro-bono capacity on cases involving employment discrimination, unemployment claims, tenants’ rights, and criminal defense. From 2014 to 2017, Nichole served on the boards of the West Bank Community Coalition and the Cedar-Riverside Neighborhood Revitalization Program where she found her passion for place-based community organizing.

Mitchel Hansen

Community Outreach Director - mitchel@hnampls.org

612-361-6433

Mitchel Hansen has spent the majority of his professional career working in the Harrison Neighborhood. Mitchel was a paraprofessional at River Bend Education Center for five years and Washburn Center for Children as a Children’s Mental Health Case Manager. Mitchel also worked at St. Stephen’s Human Services as a Family Supportive Housing Case Manager. He received his Bachelors Degree in Communications and Media Production, as well as a Certificate in Legal Studies, as well as a Technical Editing Certificate from the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering. Mitchel also earned his Masters of Social Work (LGSW) degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Mitchel has a deep passion for North Minneapolis and the Harrison community.