Creative Individuals-Round 1

Crystal Boyd: Boyd is the senior manager of pollinator programs for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, where she manages an annual grant cycle that awards up to $2.8 million per year. She is also the founder and president of Crystal Boyd Consulting LLC, which assists nonprofits, local governments, and museums with implementing history projects in Minnesota. Since 2013, she has written or managed eighteen arts and cultural heritage fund grants totaling more than $380,000. Boyd earned her bachelor's degrees in English and Spanish from the University of Minnesota, and her master's degree in museum studies from the University of Colorado.; Sarah Buezis: Buezis is the public programs and education manager at Franconia Sculpture Park and is a previous awardee of the Creative Feed program through Eastside Co-Op in northeast Minneapolis. Her work has been published in Truly Co. magazine and shown throughout the Twin Cities.; Sharon Elmore: Elmore is a retired attorney and nonprofit professional with varied corporate and nonprofit experience. Most recently, she worked for bar associations providing continuing education, fundraising events, communications, social networking, and volunteering. Other work included website development, grant compliance, quantitative and qualitative research; consumer law practice; nutrition extension (Peace Corps volunteer); and more. She has served on nonprofit boards, including an arts nonprofit providing affordable rental space for small theater companies, a private school, and currently a condo homeowners association. She has a BA from Earlham College (Richmond, IN) and a JD from the University of Iowa College of Law (Iowa City, IA).; Ellen Harris: Harris, a current architecture student at Dunwoody College of Technology, possesses a diverse background rooted in the arts. Previously, she attended the High School for the Recording Arts, nurturing her passion for creative expression. Harris?s commitment to community service is evident through her former position as an AmeriCorps intern for Public Allies, where she actively contributed to community development initiatives. Additionally, she dedicated her time to volunteering at My Friend's Place, a homeless center for young adults, sharing her expertise in vocal lessons and audio engineering. Harris?s entrepreneurial prowess shone through as she achieved the grand prize in a youth entrepreneur competition hosted by Asian Media Minneapolis. With a rich educational background and a heart for service, Harris brings a unique blend of artistic talent and community mindedness to her pursuits.; Mary Ann Laxen: Now retired, Laxen was chair and member of the board of the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council. Laxen presently chairs the board of the Friends of the East Grand Forks Campbell Library. As director of the physician assistant program at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, they wrote and received many grants. Laxen has a master?s in health care administration from the University of Wisconsin, is a physician assistant, and family nurse practitioner.; Charles Libra: Libra is a lifelong Minnesotan. Born in Saint Paul and currently living across the river in Minneapolis, Libra took a break from the cities to attend Minnesota State University, Mankato where he graduated with honors in theater arts. As the business manager for Lakeshore Players Theatre, Libra is an active member of the White Bear Lake community artistic experience. Previously with Lakeshore Players Theatre, Libra was the organizational contact for community members and patrons. He was in direct contact with artistically engaged Minnesotans on a daily basis and able to identify what patrons were excited to see.