Jo Baecker - Secretary

Jo’s family emigrated from Germany in the late 1950’s, and after spending some time in the music industry, he now operates a sales and consulting company from his home in Stillwater, MN. Baecker discovered Families Moving Forward in 2000 while on a service project and has been on the Board of Directors ever since.

Juli Baecker - Board Chair

Juli Baecker, has been an active and enthusiastic participant in community service across the Twin City Metro area, at all levels of involvement, for over 20 years. Since January 2005, Juli has served FAMILIES MOVING FORWARD as a member of the Board of Directors. In that time Juli has been an elected official to the Executive Committee serving as Secretary for 2 terms, and currently serves in a leadership role as Board Chair. With a passion for helping families and children in our community, a drive for success, Juli brings twenty-two years of professional experience, in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors, having successful experience growing revenue, building relationships, expanding market reach, and improving profitability. As a strategic thinker she has applied her knowledge and skills in a leadership role in her board involvement. Juli is married with 3 children and resides in Stillwater, MN. She received her B.A. degree from Luther College in Decorah, IA.

Brian Berg - Treasurer

Wilt Berger

President of Miller Hanson Architects and an active member of Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. Wilt has served as coordinator of volunteers at his church when they hosted the FMF guests. Wilt assisted in the development of the Third Ave townhomes for FMF as the architect. He has served on the Board for six years. Wilt has led short term work teams to Haiti and Mexico over the past 20 years. Involved with various professional organizations and committees. Developed several condominium projects and some low income housing while with the Miller Hanson Firm.

Deb Carlson - Former Board Chair

Deb Carlson is the current Board Chair of Families Moving Forward. She is a former Host Coordinator for Families Moving Forward at her church and has served on the FMF board for four years. Deb also serves on the Housing for All in Maple Grove group and was instrumental in bringing the first CLT (land trust) home to her city. She is currently a commercial real estate broker with global provider Cushman & Wakefield, having previously been a corporate officer for Nash Finch and regional VP for SUPERVALU. Deb is married to Robin Gault and they have one daughter, Aly.

Phil Engel

Marcy Frost - Vice Chair

Marcy R. Frost is a shareholder at Moss & Barnett, a Professional Association. Ms. Frost has been practicing law since 1992, and her practice focuses on management side employment law and corporate transactions. Ms. Frost has been on the Board of Families Moving Forward since January 2008. Her interest in the organization began when she was recruited by her congregation, Temple Israel, to serve as a Co-Host Coordinator when the congregation became a hosting congregation for FMF.

LaRae Kazmierkoski

LaRae has been actively involved with Families Moving Forward for over 16 years, first as a host coordinator at her church, working with the guests that this organization serves, and for the past 7 years as a member of the Board. She is active in her community, raising funds for the arts, and in her local school district where she raises funds for children in need.

With a degree in management and communications, she has been employed in the insurance industry for 23 years. LaRae is married, has two children and 4 grandchildren.

Karen Kodzik

Karen Kodzik, Career Management Consultant and Owner of Cultivating Careers. Holds a Masters degree with an emphasis in Career Development and has worked with individuals in transition for over 13 years. Has worked inside of Fortune 500 companies, a global consulting firm, Higher Education, and a non profit organization. Formally trained as a Counselor, practically trained in Business as a Human Resources and Management Consultant. She has coached and consulted various levels of professionals across industries throughout the country.

Kevin Pleasant

Kevin Pleasant is a Senior Vice President at M&I Bank. Mr. Pleasant has been employed by M&I (and the former Richfield Bank & Trust Co.) for the last 20 years. His interest in the organization, in particular the Board, began when he was recruited by an acquaintance that was familiar with his focus in the area of cash management for nonprofit organizations. He has proudly served on the Board since January 2002, and is currently the immediate Past President of the organization.

Lori Riley

Lori Riley is the Vice President of Corporate Systems Development at Target Corporation. Lori has been with Target for 11 ½  years mainly in Human Resources. She was connected with FMF through Target’s Non-Profit Board Services Program. She holds an MBA and her Masters Degree in Education.  Lori is married and has 3 children. She is excited to begin serving her second term on the FMF board.

Pastor Tim Tengblad

Pastor Tengblad has served as a Lutheran (ELCA) parish pastor for 27 years. He served on the original board that began the work of Families Moving Forward in 1992, and recently returned to the FMF Board in 2008. He is astounded by the growth, maturity, and ministry of FMF over the years.