Laura Nedved, President
Laura has been a PACT member for over a decade and has worked in Learning & Development for over 20 years. In her role as a Learning and Development Consultant with Mind the Performance Gap, LLC, she designs and develops learning and performance improvement solutions for global organizations across a broad range of industries. She is PMP certified through the Project Management Institute, CPLP certified through the Association for Talent Development, and a member of MnISPI and UXPA-MN. She is also a board member emeritus of UXPA-MN.
Laura is passionate about process and performance improvement, always looking for ways to use technology as a force for good. In her leisure time, she explores new technologies, her love of fitness, and a recently-acquired (and sometimes explosive) curiosity around the art of brewing kombucha.
Scott Spethman, Vice President
Scott is a Client Services Leader, Key Accounts with GP Strategies Corporation. His professional role includes expanding relationships with new and existing customers, overseeing account operations, workstream management, and supporting global client initiatives. Scott has a passion for helping organizations achieve key initiatives with innovative, impactful, and insightful approaches. His industry experience includes Professional and Technical Skills Development, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, HR Technology, SaaS, and Professional Services with Global Corporations across Financial Services, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, and Technology industries.
In his spare time, Scott enjoys golfing, motorcycling, cooking, reading, and spoiling his niece and nephews as much as possible.
Angie ElliotT, Past President
Angie’s passion is connecting people with resources. PACT is one of the best resources that local L&D practitioners have at their disposal. Her hope is that PACT will continue to be a thriving community for decades to come.
Angie holds a Bachelor of Science from Metropolitan State University in Human Resource Management. Currently, Angie provides learning consulting services to area organizations.
Katie Caffrey, Communications Chair
Katie is a second-time member of the PACT board, having served previously as the Vice Membership Chair. She currently works as an Instructional Designer for RSM US LLP.
Katie received her BA in Psychology from St. Olaf College and her graduate certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She began her post-college career as a teacher, working in the field of international education in France, Chicago, and most recently Saint Louis Park. Katie is also a member of the Junior League of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Pocket Pet Rescue, where she volunteers on a regular basis.
Rorie Anders, Vice Communications Chair
Rorie is a new-ish member of PACT with a diverse background in psychology, social work, and technical communication. She currently works as a Technical Writer and Illustrator for Legrand AV designing manuals for SANUS and Echogear products. Rorie has worked with PACT as the Social Media Volunteer and is excited to continue her involvement as a board member.
Rorie received her BA in Psychology from St. Olaf College, has a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota, and has a certificate in Instructional Design for eLearning from the University of Minnesota. Always the avid learner, Rorie is now working towards a Master of Science in Scientific and Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota. Outside of school and work, she loves to read and cook Korean food.
Lee Engeswick, Membership Chair
Lee has been a PACT member since 2014, and this is his first time participating on the PACT board. Lee is the Learning & Development Analyst, Learning Experience Designer, and LMS content admin at Radisson Hotel Group. He partners with business stakeholders to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences which lead to behavior change and business impact.
Lee received his BFA from Minnesota State University-Mankato and his MS in Instructional Design from University of North Dakota. In his free time, Lee participates in the Highland Games Heavy Events and spends his summers at competitions all over the Midwest.
Kate Hoelscher, Vice Membership Chair
Kate was invited to join PACT in 2015 by a current member. She very quickly learned how strong connections in the PACT community are, which compelled her to join the board to support growing the PACT membership. As a remote Learning and Development Consultant for Sun Life, Kate focuses on maximizing education, engagement, and effectiveness of top talent teams through the innovation and implementation of learning and development programs.
Kate developed and launched the Blue Cross Beyond the Ribbon program, served as coordinator, and led a cross-functional team to extend community leadership supporting veterans, service members, and their families. She also reignited her city’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program by delivering strategic leadership resulting in a sustainable 501(c)3 organization.
Becky Johnson, Program Chair
Becky is a first-time member of the PACT board, serving this term as the vice program chair. She is the owner of Engine Company 791, a company specializing in custom learning design and development and related services for technology companies. Becky has over 15 years of experience in learning and development in diverse industries, and she has expertise in project management, instructional design, e-learning development, facilitation, and performance management.
Becky is also a firefighter with the City of Mendota Heights and an instructor with the Northern Dakota Training Academy, which trains first-year firefighters. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, working out, motorcycling, and practicing firefighting skills with her husband and their friends.
Karah Piepkorn, Vice Program Chair
Karah is a member of a Learning and Development Agile team at Allianz Life, a Certified Scrum Master, and an MBA student. She joined the L&D world in 2018 and has since been named a member of 30 Under 30 at Learning 2019, as well as a Top Influencer You Need to Know About in 2020 by Growth Engineering UK.
Karah has a passion for shaking up existing learning and finding new and innovative ways to help employees learn. In her free time, Karah enjoys gardening, spending time with her pets, and volunteering.
Stacy Salinas, Career Enhancement Chair
Stacy is a new member to PACT, recently joining this year, and is an instructional designer and eLearning Coordinator at Hormel Foods Corporation. Stacy has a passion to create learning that inspires. Using creative and strategic thinking, she has a knack for developing training that is on brand and connects employees with the overall persona, value, and key messages that keeps them truly engaged and passionate about the work they are doing today and inspires them for the work they will be doing in the future. She holds a bachelor’s in business from Bethel University and specializes in adult-learning theories, content management, talent development strategies, sales enablement, user engagement, and the digital experience.
In her spare time, she is an advocate for many youth organizations in her community, holds positions on the Blooming Prairie Education Foundation Fundraising Committee, is the President of the Board for the Blooming Prairie Youth Club, and has an extreme passion for developing our youth and empowering them for their future.
Christopher Foster, Technology Chair
Christopher has over 12 years of experience in the learning and development industry. He is passionate about designing and developing learner-centric e-learning, video, and performance support solutions. He works as a Principal Instructional Designer for C.H. Robinson, a third-party logistics and supply chain management provider.
Christopher lives in Minneapolis. Outside of work, he is an election judge, tech nerd, sci-fi lover, letterpress printer, and dog owner with ambitions of world travel.
Steve Adrian, Vice Technology Chair
Steve has had a passion for life long learning. He is a Digital Content Manager with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and has worked in various industries in different communications, training and web development roles.
Steve is currently working on completing a special studies master’s degree from Saint Cloud State University in instructional design and communications. He has graduate degrees in Design for eLearning and Instructional Technology from Saint Cloud State University and is a Certified ScrumMaster.
In his free time, he enjoys gardening, hiking and photograph.
Jenny Kafka, Treasury Chair
Jenny is a first-time PACT board member with seven years of experience in corporate Instructional Design & Development roles. She has a passion for synthesizing information into meaningful and digestible learning experiences.
Jenny has a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Trinity University. In her free time, she enjoys photography and hiking.
Amy Winkler, Vice Treasury Chair
Amy has worked as a consultant for over 20 years. She is co-founder of Alva Consulting, Inc., a company that provides consulting services to area organizations. Being a minimalist at heart, she is passionate about designing and developing performance improvement strategies with a special focus on creating job aids and performance support solutions for organizations.
Amy received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota – Mankato and her graduate certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. She is also a member of MNISPI. In her leisure time, she enjoys listening to podcasts and taking walks in the country with her husband and dog.