Creative Individuals

Susan Gainen: Gainen is a whimsical wildlife documentarian, author, and abstract painter. She has written five books: The Small Friends' Chronicles; Meet the LLLamas (their spelling); The Backyard Roosters of Saint Paul; Max-the-Cat and His Friend; and The Parliament of Owls. In a twisting career path, she has worked in the food business and the car business, practiced law, been a headhunter for lawyers, served the University of Minnesota Law School as a career services director, and currently owns an art business. ; Amber Raden: Raden is a multidisciplinary storyteller (artist, writer, designer) and a communications professional with a focus on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) practices. She currently serves as a board member and cochair of Minnesota nonprofit CONsole Room Events, a local science fiction convention. Raden graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in English and art.; Catherine Rajtar: Rajtar is a former member of the Dolina Polish Folk Dancers of the Twin Cities. Rajtar performed authentic songs and dances from various regions of Poland with the group in authentic Polish costumes and helped raise money for the group over the years that she was a member. The Dolina Dancers are currently celebrating their 75th anniversary. Rajtar also sang in the Just for Fun Singers community choir for over eleven years. Rajtar has worked for the State of Minnesota for more than 25 years, most recently as an administrative assistant for the DNR Fisheries Division. Rajtar has a master's degree in public and nonprofit administration from Metropolitan State University.; Samantha Whipple: Whipple is the associate director of community relations and development for the Sheldon Theatre, where she is responsible for fundraising and community outreach programming for the multidisciplinary performing arts organization. Whipple previously served in development roles for the American Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House. She is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in geography.