helping you thrive

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Staff Mission & Heart

“The FiftyNorth team is mission-driven and heart-led. With nearly 200 years of combined experience in human service organizations, our management team leads the way with dedication and care. Our team is highly skilled in program development and delivery, as well as customer service and operational management. We are a member-first organization, and our primary goal is to promote thriving-through-aging for people in our community. We absolutely specialize in relationship development, and our very favorite part of the job is connecting with members on a daily basis. Everyone who works at FiftyNorth wants to be here and work with you. FiftyNorth is a magical community because people here care more about connecting with one another than anything else. Your wellbeing is our goal, and it is our privilege to learn and grow with you. Here’s to 50 more years of FiftyNorth!”

Marlais Brand, Executive Director

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Meet the Team

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Marlais “Marlis” Brand

she/her
Executive Director

marlais.brand@fiftynorth.org

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Elaine Meyers

she/her
Membership & Operations Manager

elaine.meyers@fiftynorth.org

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Craig Swensen

he/him
Fitness Director & Facilities Manager

craig.swensen@fiftynorth.org

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Patty Ciernia

Marketing & Outreach Manager

patty.ciernia@fiftynorth.org

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Michelle Brant

Community Programs & Events Manager

michelle.brant@fiftynorth.org

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Fermin Notario Ponce

Used-A-Bit Manager

fermin.ponce@fiftynorth.org

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Deb Olien

Used-A-Bit Assistant Manager

deb.olien@fiftynorth.org

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Andrea Turini

Finance Manager

accounting@fiftynorth.org

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Tracy Fossum

Annual Campaign Manager

tracy.fossum@fiftynorth.org

receptionists

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A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length dark hair and light skin, smiling and wearing a black cardigan over a white blouse with a black leaf pattern, standing outdoors with a blurred background of trees and a body of water.
A woman with short blonde hair wearing glasses and a purple patterned shirt, smiling. She has a name tag that reads 'Brenda' and includes 'FiftyNorth' and 'Receptionist'.
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Brenda Bultman

Jane Persons

Bonnie Eliason

Bonnie DuPay

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JoAnne Edwardsen

Kay Marosi

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Pam Toepper

Dan Corcoran

fifty north Board

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President
Executive, Finance, Advancement & Facilities Committees

Vice President
Executive Committee

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Kathie Taranto

George Brophy

Past President
Executive and Facilities Committees

Treasurer 
Executive and Finance Committees

Susan Oftedahl

Carla Johnson

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Vicki Celander

Richard DeBeau

Secretary
Executive Committee

Board

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Jerry Johnson

Naurine Lennox

Board

Board