Duluth resident Jon Nelson has been visiting the Boundary Waters regularly since 1980. For many years he led trips for Wilderness Inquiry, taking people of all abilities on canoe and dogsled journeys in the Wilderness. He has served on the boards of the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness for many of the past 25 years. He frequently travels with his family and friends to the Boundary Waters, in all seasons, to enjoy the area’s pristine beauty. His experiences of being in the area, and sharing those times with people who appreciated the opportunity to visit there, led him to become passionate about protecting the Wilderness.  The threat of sulfide-ore copper mining and its long history of polluting water inspired him to become a board member of NMW.

A lifelong conservationist, Jeff Soderstrom has been paddling the Boundary Waters and Quetico since 1982. His first trip as a high schooler in the Chicago area led directly to his decision to study and ultimately settle in Minnesota. Jeff is a Senior Vice President of Risk Mitigation for Ameriprise Financial in Minneapolis. Upon learning more about the sulfide-ore copper mining threats in 2013, Jeff helped start a Twin Cities Boundary Waters Business Group to raise awareness in the corporate community. At home, Jeff and his wife began taking their three children to the BWCA when they were very young, and in 2005 they purchased a cabin near Ely in Eagle's Nest Township. The kids went on to become experienced YMCA Widjiwagan campers and are now adventurers and wilderness advocates in their own right. They represent an example of just how important the access to wild areas continues to be in shaping values and self-sufficiency in young people. The importance of wilderness experiences like those offered in the Boundary Waters is a passion for Jeff and his family. He remains dedicated to support sustainable economic development around our most precious lands and preserving the Boundary Waters for generations to come.

Becky Rom, a retired attorney, is a third generation resident of Ely. She is the daughter of Bill Rom, who owned and operated Ely-based Canoe Country Outfitters for 30 years. Becky worked in the family business and learned at an early age the importance of wild country. She first worked on wilderness preservation when she was a seventh-grader, engaging in public debates on the merits of the bill that became the Wilderness Act. For the past 40 years Becky has worked as a citizen activist on wilderness preservation throughout the United States but she continues to be drawn back home to the Boundary Waters. The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is her fourth national campaign to protect the area.

David Miller began visiting the Boundary Waters with his father and brothers in 1965, developing an early and lifelong connection to the area. It was those experiences that led him and his wife, Kathleen, to relocate to Minnesota following graduate school, where he has had the privilege of introducing Kathleen, their three children, and now their grandchildren, to the BWCA and Quetico.  David recently retired after practicing corporate law for almost 40 years. This allows David to spend much of his time at his family’s cabin on White Iron Lake, southeast of Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters, and to share his passion for and knowledge of the BWCAW by working with guests of an Ely-based canoe country outfitter. David’s belief that America’s most visited wilderness deserves the respect and defense of all who use it inspired him to join the board of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness in its efforts to protect the Boundary Waters from the risks of sulfide-ore copper mining.

Born and raised in Ely, Minnesota, Amy grew up on the edge of the Bound Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Her earliest memories are those of canoe trips with family and friends, and winter nordic ski excursions deep into the BWCA's most remote lakes. Amy is a public health and health policy strategist with special focus on community based care and populations with complex health, social and medical needs. With close to a decade of state government experience, she has expertise in public policy, legislative affairs and coalition building. While she currently lives in Maine, Amy will always call Ely home. It is her deep love and appreciation of the Ely community and its people that inspired her to join the NWM board to advocate for long term economic solutions that will support local individuals and families, while also preserving and protecting the BWCA and surrounding wilderness for generations to come. 

Meghan’s love for the Boundary Waters began on family trips to Lake Three during her childhood and
grew during many formative years at summer camp. After college, Meghan worked as a professional
guide and educator in Maine. Ultimately, the draw of the Northwoods drew Meghan back to Minnesota
where she has spent the majority of the last 18 years supporting camping programs at Y of the North.
Currently, Meghan is the executive director of Camp Menogyn. The camp is uniquely situated on the
edge of the Wilderness outside of Grand Marais. One of the great joys of the work is seeing the
transformation a participant experiences after spending time in the Boundary Waters--whether they are
returning from a 3-hour day-trip to Rose Falls or a 20-day expedition. Providing access and opportunity
to the Boundary Waters is of great importance to Meghan and she works each day to inspire the next
generation of stewards to protect these incredible waterways.

Amy fell in love with the BWCAW at an early age while canoeing with her family. Her heart is very close to the Boundary Waters, and she is passionate about sharing this place with as many people as possible in addition to protecting the BWCAW for future generations. Her involvement with NMW began in 2014 when she and her husband, Dave, volunteered to become the first adventure advocates for the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters by paddling Sig the canoe (filled with the signatures of people wishing to protect the BWCAW from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining within the watershed) from Ely to Washington DC, and then spending an entire year in the BWCAW in 2015/16. The book they wrote about their journey and advocacy is A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters.

2014 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year, Amy and Dave, have traveled tens of thousands of miles by kayak, canoe, dogsled, and sailboat through some of the world’s wildest places. They run the Wilderness Classroom (Amy as Development Director and Dave as Executive Director) an educational nonprofit organization that engages thousands of elementary and middle school students in their expeditions through online educational resources and virtual school assemblies. Since 2002 Amy has worked as a guide and outfitter in northeastern Minnesota, beginning with Hungry Jack Outfitters, then Superior Coastal Sports, and more recently Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge and Ely Outfitting Company. When Amy isn’t in the Boundary Waters she can be found with Dave on their 35-foot expedition sailboat, Iron Bark, which they have sailed from the Caribbean to Newfoundland/Labrador and back over the past couple years.

As a budding ecologist, Lawson came of age during the environmental movement of the 1970s. In her early 20s, a sense of adventure and wanderlust compelled her to take extended treks; hiking iconic parks and wilderness areas throughout the US and Canada.  It was during this period, while working as a naturalist at the Isabella Environmental Learning Center, that Lawson developed a deep personal connection with the wild landscapes of northern Minnesota, especially the Boundary Waters Wilderness. And so it was natural that in 1978, she embarked on another pivotal adventure, joining wilderness advocates in Washington DC to fight for the passage of the BWCA Wilderness Act. 

Since then, Lawson has accumulated more than 40 years of experience as a field ecologist and conservation practitioner; including wildlife biologist on the Superior National Forest, landscape ecologist on the Hiawatha National Forest, and field ecologist and northern coordinator for the Minnesota Biological Survey. Over the years, she has provided technical data and scientific analysis to address the conservation of biodiversity across the upper Great Lakes region. While working with the Minnesota Biological Survey, Lawson travelled extensively throughout the Boundary Waters Wilderness; collecting vegetation data, documenting rare plants, and assessing native plant community and landscape conditions.  

Lawson regards the Border Lakes Ecosystem; the Boundary Waters Wilderness, Voyageurs National Park and Quetico Provincial Park in Canada, as one of the most ecologically intact and significant natural landscapes on earth. She sums up the experience of the Boundary Waters this way, “While immersed in the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, we are able to experience first-hand, the complex species interactions and intact natural processes that expand our understanding and appreciation of the immense ecological and social value of the natural world. There is no more suitable place than the Boundary Waters, to reflect on our relationship with wilderness and wild lands and renew our commitment to protect these places for the sake of generations to come.”

Ken Gilbertson, is an emeritus professor of environmental & outdoor education in the department
of Applied Human Sciences, at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where he was also
director of the Center for Environmental Education. He has 48 years of experience teaching
outdoor and environmental education at the college level and has taught at nature centers,
conducted wilderness education, taught at Outward Bound Schools, and educated a wide range of
audiences through the UMD Outdoor Program. Ken’s specialty is in understanding how people
learn and applying the methods that will best help them learn about the outdoors. Ken has worked
and taught in and about the BWCAW as a wilderness canoe guide, an Outward Bound Instructor,
Portage and Fire Crews for the USFS, and as a wilderness educator with the UMD Outdoor
Program.

Bill went on his first wilderness canoe trips in the Quetico-Superior as a 10-year old camper at Camp Owakonze in Ontario.  That was the beginning of his life-long love of the Rainy River watershed straddling both sides of the international border, which to him is the most beautiful and iconic wilderness anywhere.  In 2011, forty years after those first childhood canoe trips, Bill realized his long-held dream of moving full-time to the Boundary Waters area and now lives with his family outside of Ely, just a short paddle from the Wilderness boundary.  Before moving to Ely, Bill practiced law in Washington, D.C., with a focus on Supreme Court and Appellate litigation, including pro bono cases defending our nation’s wilderness lands.  After completing law school, Bill also served as a law clerk to Justice David H. Souter of the United States Supreme Court, and to Chief Judge Jon O. Newman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Frank served 12 years on the St. Louis County Board representing the 1st District. During his time on the Board he was appointed by Governor Dayton as the rural County representative on the Clean Water Council where he also served 12 years including 4 as Chair. Much of his work life has revolved around human services and serving those in need. He helped found Center City Housing in Duluth and the violence prevention organization Men as Peacemakers. Frank also served as a Duluth City Councilor in the 1980’s. Frank is a birder, biker, outdoors lover and lover of paddling lakes and rivers.

Heather Meier grew up camping with her family in the Superior National Forest, spending every long weekend and vacation there. She feels her love for the wilderness is the greatest gift she was given by her parents.They purchased land and ultimately built a log cabin on Eagles Nest Lake #3 near Ely. Though they owned the land, they didn’t own the mineral leases. Heather’s parents worked hard to create a beautiful log cabin home that they would one day leave to her and her nephew. In 2011 her parents were notified by the State of Minnesota that state-owned mineral under their property had been leased to a mining company. Heather and her parents work to save their beloved land, home, and legacy.

Michael began exploring the Boundary Waters with his father, Jim Millenacker, as a teenager.
Forming bonds with nature and stories for a lifetime. Those gritty days and the conversations
had while in the front of dad’s boat, lead to a life of adventure travel and a love for wild places.
He came to appreciate natural wonders such as the Boundary Waters as crucial elements to our
well-being and has been a lifetime supporter. His passion for the outdoors brought him a
career in the outdoor industry leading brands including Royal Robbins, The North Face and
Eagle Creek, aligning growth strategies with brand values deeply rooted in conservation. He is
inspired by the mission-led organizations in the outdoor industry and what impact they can
have to do more to protect our wild places.

Poppy's journey with the beauty of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) began during her college years at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, where she participated in a community education program. Her connection with the wilderness deepened when she returned as an instructor for the Voyageur Outward Bound School, teaching canoeing and dogsledding courses. Throughout her life, Poppy has been a dedicated educator, working with nonprofit agencies and schools in St. Paul, MN.

As a lifelong advocate for experiential learning in nature, particularly within the BWCA, Poppy has witnessed its transformative impact on individuals. Her passion lies in helping people discover profound aspects of themselves through their interactions with the natural world. Poppy is a professional and life coach specializing in youth development and education. Her commitment to giving back led her to join the board of Northeast MN for Wilderness.

Poppy attributes the launch of her professional journey to the invaluable experiences and lessons gained from the BWCA. Eager to contribute to preserving this unique environment, she is enthusiastic about ensuring that others can share in the same transformative experiences that shaped her path.

Jen began doing Boundary Waters trips with her family as a young child. With a family cabin on Lake Vermillion, and an early love of the nearby BWCA that quickly developed, later years were spent canoe guiding, honeymooning, and eventually taking her own husband, children and family members on trips as well as taking annual “mother-daughter” trips with friends/daughters. As a family practice physician and medical school faculty living in Duluth, she’s become a vocal advocate of the need to incorporate human health effects into the regulatory process for industry with potential significant adverse effects to both ecological and human health. With the current threat of sulfide-ore-copper-nickel mining, this voice of advocacy has been coordinated with other health professionals and amplified in effort to protect the iconic and beloved BWCAW and its utilizers. She welcomes the opportunity to work with the NMW Board to help preserve and protect this wild, beloved, soul-feeding place that beckons many to choose to call northern Minnesota “home”.

Bio to come

Dr. Kemia Sarraf brings decades of experience - in public-health, patient care, medical education, and business - to her speaking engagements, professional development programming, and organizational alignment services. Her keynote speeches are deeply interpersonal, engaging and focused on narrative healing as she weaves complex neuroscience into storytelling, making materials both accessible and actionable.

Dr. Sarraf (“Dr. K” to friends and clients alike) completed her Medical Degree and Master of Public Health at the University of Utah School of Medicine, and her residency in Internal Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine. The arc of her career has included patient care, public health program development, nonprofit leadership, business ownership, numerous board positions in both the public and private sector, and farming.

Dr. K founded Lodestar in 2016, specializing in trauma-responsive engagement, coaching, and professional development for physicians & leaders across sectors who were experiencing high levels of toxic stress, burnout, vicarious trauma, and moral injury. Her extensive professional background led to the creation of unique coaching, leadership, culture-alignment and professional development programs that are currently deployed in numerous industries.

Dr. K serves in an adjunct faculty position at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and is engaged in multiple leadership initiatives for state and national organizations and associations.

A captivating and powerful keynote speaker renowned for her boundless compassion, wisdom, and humor, Dr. K’s process guides audiences through the pain of collective experiences into aspirational hope about what can be built. And she does so with both gentle humor and searing honesty. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her leadership and vision and was an AMA Women Physicians Inspiration Award Honoree in 2021.

Kemia and her physician-husband have been married for twenty-five years. The couple reside on a working farm in Central Illinois with their four sons and "too many critters to count.”

Steve Snyder has traveled the BWCAW/Quetico every year for 60 years, now often with his two grandsons. He and his wife spend as much time as they can at their island cabin off the Echo Trail. His roots run deep in Northeastern Minnesota. Steve’s grandfather was a mine laborer, and those grandparents and a great-grandmother are buried in the Ely cemetery. Steve paid for his college education working summers as a fishing guide for Sawbill Lodge, north of Tofte. Later, he walked the halls of Congress in support of the 1978 BW Wilderness Act and assembled the legal team that defended the Act all the way to the Supreme Court. Steve has served as a Board member for various Minnesota-based environmental organizations. He is an attorney.

Steve first visited the Boundary Waters as a 13 year-old, and then since the age of 16 has been visiting annually.  He is proud to have, along with his wife Peg, brought each of their kids in annually since their infant/toddler years, one of the kids being a part of a Kids for the Boundary Waters advocacy trip to Washington DC. As a physician working with youth with mental health and developmental obstacles, Steve is proud to be part of a team of healthcare professionals who have written about, and been vocal about human health effects of sulfide-ore copper nickel mining in the Rainy River watershed.  As a Duluth resident working with people of all ages in the Arrowhead region, Steve is also invested in the well-being of all people calling the Northland home.  Steve is honored and excited to be a part of the board, and part of the ongoing process of protecting this pristine area.

Mikaela’s love of the unique wilderness of the Boundary Waters began as a child on a trip organized by Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. She grew up attending YMCA Camp du Nord on the edge of the BWCA, she eventually became staff, and now brings her family there to experience the joy of the Northwoods. Professionally Mikaela has guided trips to the BWCA through Wilderness Inquiry, spent 16 years supporting community engagement for REI Co-op - including advocating for people to visit and protect the BWCA, a previous board member of the MN Children and Nature Connection, and now works for REI Co-op’s national Community Advocacy and Impact team supporting the co-op’s philanthropy and government affairs. She is passionate about inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, especially those who experience less access, comfort, or sense of belonging than others in outdoor spaces. You’ll find her in the Twin Cities area playing outside in all 4 glorious seasons with her family and friends.

Lloyd Vogel is the co-founder and CEO of Garage Grown Gear. Based in Minneapolis, Lloyd can frequently be found paddling around the chain of lakes in his recently restored 1950's Oldtown Canoe. The Boundary Waters and the Quetico are some of Lloyd's favorite places on earth, and they continuously offer him solitude and reflection not often found in the hectic day-to-day of small business ownership. These are special places that need to be protected. 

Bethany is a conservation biologist with a deep love of the woods and waters of the BWCA. She fell in love with the area during her 2-week honeymoon in September 1990, and she and her family have been returning regularly to the BWCA ever since.  It is still the place where she feels most happy and at peace. 

Bethany is a Teaching Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of New England, where she directs the Climate Change Studies program and teaches courses in conservation biology and environmental pollution. Her academic background is in environmental health (BS) and ecology (PhD), and she has authored over 65 journal articles and technical reports on wildlife conservation from Puerto Rico to Africa.  Bethany served on the Board of Governors for the Society for Conservation Biology and the Board of Directors for the South Portland (Maine) Land Trust for many years, and was an active member of the USGS Hawaii Forest Birds Recovery team for 14 years. She has worked in academia, a federal agency, and private non-profit organizations, and believes in the power of mutual understanding to forge creative solutions. 

In Maine she focuses on fostering a more diverse and sustainable university, and works on climate change and land protection in her home community. While physically separated from the BWCA by too much distance, she consoles herself by hiking in the mountains of western Maine. 

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Angela grew up as a camper at YMCA Camp du Nord on Burntside Lake in Ely, MN, near the Boundary Waters, where she fell in love with the area, and the many adventures  waiting to be had. Her passion for these nature-based experiences in the Boundary Waters led her to a full-time role with YMCA of the North as Director of Community Development and Inclusion, where she helped connect Minnesota and Western Wisconsin communities, especially youth and families, with opportunities to be outside. Through her work, Angela witnessed the transformative impact of Boundary Waters canoe trips on young people, which inspired her to join the board of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness to support the permanent protection of this Wilderness area for generations to come.