Board Chair

Sarah Noble is an Associate Advisor at AIS Planning, a wealth management firm in Saint Cloud. She is fueled with a passion for helping women and families create financial security.

Sarah has three children, Alexandra, Katelyn and William. She moved to Sartell specifically in search of a school district with excellent standards in educational programming. She values the mission of the district to develop well-rounded citizens in all aspects.  She is excited about the opportunity to impact the district through the work of SSEF.

Sarah also volunteers with the Saint Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, the Forum of Executive Women, and The Waters Church.  She enjoys running, photography and travel.

Board Member

Dan, and his wife Andi, have 2 daughters in the Sartell – St. Stephen School District. They are thankful for the opportunities provided to their children through the school district and are excited to help support the mission of the SSEF. Dan splits his time between being the Pharmacy Manager at Option Care and shuttling his daughters around to various activities

Board Member

Cindy Fitzthum is currently the Director of Social Studies Teaching at St. Cloud State University. Cindy holds a MA degree in Economic Education and doctorate in Higher Education Administration. She also holds a current Minnesota 5-12 Social Studies teaching license and a K-12 Minnesota Principal/Supt. License.
Cindy is married to her husband, Ryan, and they have three energetic daughters. She enjoys getting lost in a great book, running, spending time with family and friends and traveling. She is excited to support the SSEF family and help create a community of active, engaged students that have the desire to grow and develop into leaders of the future.

Board Member

Karna Fronden is currently the Public Relations Manager for CentraCare, helping to elevate the health systems brand and tell important stories through media, social media, marketing and communications.
Karna is looking forward to bringing her skills to further the mission of SSEF. With her father working in education for more than 30 years, Karna is excited for the opportunity to support teachers and advance the district’s ability to help students excel.
She is married to her husband Joe and has two daughters, Liliana and Evelyn, in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District. Karna moved to the area in 2016, seeking a school district for her girls to thrive in. Both girls are involved in a number of activities in Sartell, and love the variety provided to kids of all ages. She loves to golf, wakeboard, snowmobile, boat, travel and is an avid Minnesota sports fan.

Board Member

Jill is a passionate sales and marketing professional with experience in business to business and business to consumer channels. Her background includes over 15 years of sales, marketing, branding, global product development and management, strategic planning and leadership at companies such as Target, Creative Memories and Bernick’s. Currently she is Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Soft Drink division at Bernick’s working with several global brands. Jill and her husband Wade have two daughters, and both will be transitioning to new schools next school year. Ava to the High School and Lana to Riverview as a 3 rd Grader.
A central Minnesota resident all her life, Jill is an active member of the community. In addition to the SSEF board she also serves on the St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau and volunteers at the YMCA.

Board Member

Shantelle Kane has two daughters in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District: Avery is 12, and is at Sartell Middle School, and Natalie is 10 and is at Riverview Intermediate School. Shantelle joins SSEF with a passion for education and community, and is excited to contribute to the efforts of the organization. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, and has been in the recruitment field for the last 17 years. She currently works for Lucas James Talent Partners as a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, and has been an active board member of CMSHRM in the past. In her free time, she likes to read, refurbish furniture, thrift, and work on her 1941 fixer-upper home. 

Board Member

Becca is a is a Certified Financial Planner™ at BerganKDV in St. Cloud. In her role, she helps clients reach their goals by continually assessing their risk, insurance, tax, financial planning, investments and estate planning needs.
Becca resides in Sartell with her husband and two children. As her kids have grown, she has loved working with the different teachers and staff in the Sartell-St. Stephen district.  She is looking forward to collaborating with the SSEF board in advancing innovative education ideas for all Sartell-St. Stephen students.
Becca also volunteers with the Central Minnesota Estate Planning Council. When she is not working, you can find her spending time with family and friends, reading, playing board and lawn games, watching her kids activities, and spending time at the lake (in the summer!).

Board Member

Alison Parker and her husband have lived in Sartell for over 12 years, and currently have three children, Anna, Maya, and Samuel in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.  As a family, they have experienced first hand the amazing opportunities available to students in our schools.
She has an undergraduate degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and a masters from the University of St Thomas.  After several years working as a social worker, Alison transitioned to staying at home with her children.  Excited to join the SSEF Board, Alison looks forward to supporting learners, educators and the wider school community.
When not busy with her family, Alison enjoys reading, running, and being outdoors. 

Board Member

Erich is the owner of Mr. Twisty ice cream stores in Sartell and St. Cloud. He was born in St. Cloud and moved to Sartell with his wife and 3 boys ten years ago for the excellent school system. He is excited to join the SSEF board to continue growing a strong and united educational community.
Erich is also the current Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 11 in Sartell and member of the Sartell Area Youth Football board.

Board Member

Jon currently serves as the Director of Strategy and Business Development for
Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. In his role, he works with the board of directors and
shareholders to set the vision and strategic direction for the law firm. Along with helping
to keep the plan in action, he works to build and grow the firm and its client base. Prior
to joining Quinlivan & Hughes, Jon was the President and CEO of United Way of
Central Minnesota. At UWCM, he led a team of 15 staff members that strived to create
lasting change throughout Central Minnesota. Jon’s personal mission involves
connecting people, ideas, and the passion to get things done.
Jon is a 1996 graduate of Saint John’s University, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
and has 20 plus years of non-profit, fundraising and development experience. Jon lives
in Sartell with his wife, Joy. They have a 9 year old son Oliver, a 6 year old daughter,
Olivia. If you really need to find Jon and his family, try the golf course or a campground.

Board Member

Josh joined Preferred Credit, Inc. in 2002 and works as a Risk Management Analyst.  In that role he provides business analysis and risk-related support/training to minimize credit and operating losses and other risk exposures.  Before tha Josh worked in a variety of other positions including as a supervisor and manager. 
A lifelong Central Minnesota resident, Josh graduated from Elk River High School in 2001 and moved to St. Cloud in 2002 to attend SCSU.  He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Minnesota Crookston with a Bachelor’s in Management and has lived in Sartell since 2016.
Since 2021 Josh has volunteered for the United Way of Central Minnesota Days of Caring and in 2022 became involved with UWCM Partner for Student Success.  When it's not Formula 1 season - he's been an avid fan since 2010 - Josh enjoys traveling, baking, and photography in his spare time.

Board Member

Nikki Sweeter is the Engagement Director for the City of Sartell. She provides marketing, communications, business retention, public relations, and events for the City of Sartell, and is also the Director of the Sartell Chamber and co-manager of the Sartell Community Center. The greatest part about her job is seeing families spend quality time together at the community events she helps organize.
Nikki is a 2006 graduate of Sartell-St. Stephen High School, received her Bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas, and her MBA from Metropolitan State University. After growing up in Sartell and moving away for a bit, she and her husband moved back in 2012 to be closer to family. Nikki and her husband Jake, also a Sartell-St. Stephen graduate, have three daughters: Julia, Ruthie, and Mae. In their free time you can find the Sweeter clan at a baseball field- Jake is the assistant coach of the varsity baseball team, at the cabin, on the golf course, or in the pool. Nikki feels fortunate to be able to immerse herself in the community that she grew up in and for her children to be able to attend the wonderful school district that she and her husband did.

Board Member

Amy is a mother of two daughters and has been involved with the Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation since 2004.  Amy, a former staff member in ISD 748, is currently the Vice President of Education Partnerships with United Way of Central Minnesota and also is a consultant with a focus on education and communications.  Amy is involved in several non-profit and philanthropic opportunities throughout the greater St. Cloud Area and can frequently be seen driving her children to and from a variety of school and community activities.

Board Member

Jesse is married to his wife, Rachel, a teacher at Pine Meadow Primary. Their twins, Hailey and Seth, are attending Sartell High School.  The Westrup family moved to Sartell from Southern California almost 16 years ago, attracted to the area by the high quality schools.  He is excited to help SSEF provide teachers, staff, and students within the district additional resources to support their long term education needs.

Board Member

Shannon is committed to helping the next generation of businesses develop and thrive, collaborating with colleagues, clients, and referral sources across all industries to achieve shared success. She is passionate about facilitating connections that add value, allow clients to capitalize on opportunities, and further grow their businesses.
Shannon joined Moss & Barnett in 2018 after significant previous experience in the legal industry. She also has an extensive history in nonprofit development and governance, and has led several historic real estate redevelopment projects in Central Minnesota.

Interim Superintendent of District 748 Schools

Tom has joined the Sartell-St. Stephen School District as the Interim Superintendent for this school year.  He and his wife of 40 years, Shawn, have three grown children and four grandchildren, with one on the way!  Tom brings years of experience and leadership to the district.  Tom has a BA Elementary Education and Special Education,  MA in Special Education and Counseling, and Ed Specialist in Educational Leadership.  Throughout his career, Tom has served in several leadership positions and most recently was the Superintendent of Waseca Public Schools from 2013-2020.

Staff Representative

Rebecca Monahan works at Pine Meadow Primary School as a First Grade Teacher. She has taught in the district since 2004 in both kindergarten and first grade.  She and her husband moved to Sartell in 2010 and have three children in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District. She has received SSEF grant funds in the past and is excited to work alongside the foundation to provide the best educational opportunities for our students' success.

Executive Consultant

Tonya joined the SSEF team in 2013 and has enjoyed being involved in supporting the staff and student's needs in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.  She works at the United Way of Central Minnesota as the Community Impact Administrator. Tonya and her husband, Jim, moved to Sartell in the fall of 2011 for the awesome educational opportunities for their two children.