We Create Permanent Connections Board Members

Mike Edman

President

Michael Edman is an attorney practicing in the areas of family law and civil litigation. Mike wanted to join a non-profit board because of his work representing parents in child protection cases and was looking to become a board member for a non-profit focused on helping kids when he found Anu Family Services. Mike enjoys early morning golfing, spending the day with his 4 children on the boat at the lake and ending the evening around a campfire.

Russell Berman

Board Member

Laura Houghtaling

Board Member

Laura Houghtaling is a data manager, analyst and epidemiologist at Arundel Metrics, Inc, a small population health research firm located in St. Paul, MN. Prior to joining the team at Arundel Metrics, Laura worked at the Minnesota Department of Health on the infamous "Team D" while obtaining her MPH in Epidemiology at the University of MN. In her life before public health, she coordinated clinical trials and observational studies at the Integrative Health & Medicine Research Center at AllinaHealth, transformed a long-time hobby into a small chocolate making business, worked as a medical scribe, catered nutrition program events at Corepower Yoga, and served as a lab and administrative assistant at a walk-in clinic serving the homeless population in Portland, OR. She also holds a BA in German Language & Literature from Colgate University located in Hamilton, NY. Laura hopes to contribute her expertise in statistics and population health research to Anu's mission. In her free time, she enjoys biking around the Twin Cities, spending time with her family, and supporting the arts.

Gino Mangione

Treasurer

Gino Mangione is the Vice President of Finance at Thiele Technologies. He joined the Anu Family Services Board of Directors in 2015.

Beth McMullen

Board Member

Beth McMullen is a public policy professional in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. She has worked at the intersection of government and business for over 20 years. She shares her policy and business experience with Anu to improve the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness in order to better serve the children and families in our programs. In her private time, she enjoys hiking with her family, particularly on the North Shore of Lake Superior. At home, she spends her summers in a love/hate relationship with her plentiful perennial flower gardens and her winters dreaming of what she will plant next summer.

Ralph Pennie

Vice President

Ralph Pennie is retired IT and management consultant. He enjoys being outside bicycling and skiing as well as gardening with his wife. Ralph was interested in joining the Anu family Services Board of Directors because he and his wife are adoptive parents and have an immediate and personal concern for the well-being of children.

Linda Swenson

Secretary

Linda Swenson, is the mother of five children (4 adopted), and was a homeschool parent for 20 years. Linda loves scrapbooking and spending time with her six grandchildren. Linda says she is proud to be part of the Anu Family Services Board of Directors because of the amazing work the agency does on behalf of children.

Tom Thiegs

Board Member

Tom Thiegs is an Organizational Learning and Development practitioner with experience helping teams and companies navigate change, training, talent management and other strategic initiatives. Tom was interested in joining the Anu Family Services Board of Directors because he is passionate about Anu’s approach to improving the lives of children through a supportive environment. Tom lives in Woodbury, Minnesota and loves spending time outdoors with his wife and two children.

Jerry Weyandt

Board Member