Minot, ND – Twenty-two North Dakotan change makers from across the state have been selected to join the 2023-2024 North Dakota Change Network, a yearlong learning and support experience for individuals creating more equitable, accessible, and welcoming environments where they live and work.
Participants are selected among a pool of applicants from throughout the state and the Native nations that share its geography based on projects they lead to drive positive change in their organizations and communities. During their time in North Dakota Change Network, these change makers gain proven leadership techniques from a multi-disciplined team, convene during in-person and online events, and explore collaborative opportunities that are critical to the long-term success of their goals.
Projects among the 2023-2024 cohort include teaching computer coding skills in under served populations, document, preserving and presenting the history of the punk music scene in Minot, addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrant newcomers in Watford City and facilitating their successful integration into the community, and more.
“The goals of the change makers selected for our newest North Dakota Change Network cohort reveal ambitious, yet thoughtful plans to drive real change,” said Megan Langley, Executive Director of Strengthen ND. “Over the next year these trailblazers will learn new skills and frameworks from the Change Network team while gaining insight from an exchange of knowledge with each other. The collaborative network they are going to forge will assist them in the conversations and actions required to continue strengthening our state.”
North Dakota Change Network is led via a partnership of 3E Productions, CommonSense Consulting@Work, NAS, Strengthen ND, and filmmaker Charles Kennedye. Funding for the program is made possible through the generous support of the Bush Foundation. Upon graduation, participants will join a network of nearly 100 leaders from North Dakota Change Network and South Dakota Change Network who continue to collaborate in their work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive world.
2023-2024 North Dakota Change Network Cohort:
Cani Adan | Fargo ,ND
Donna Belgarde | Minot, ND
Sandy Bertelsen | Dickinson, ND
Michelle de Leon | Center, ND
Kari Dunn | Dickinson, ND
Fred Edwards | Fargo, ND
Antonio Franklin Jr. | Fargo, ND
Aimee Geurts | Bismarck, ND
Amanda Hegland | New Rockford, ND
Katie Johnke | Bismarck, ND
Kenzie Larson | Minot, ND
Aubrey Malnourie | Grand Forks, ND
Crista McCandless | Mandan, ND
Shaylee Miller | Grand Forks, ND
Geliza Ocheltree | Dickinson, ND
Juanita Prado-Sellers | Watford City, ND
Christine Shepherd | Bismarck, ND
Janessa Storlie | Williston, ND
Patri Thornock | Watford City, ND
Greg Vettel | Minot, ND
Erik Weber | Jamestown, ND
Richard Worae | Fargo, ND
Learn more about North Dakota Change Network, meet the members of both the North Dakota and South Dakota Change Network cohorts, and follow the cohort’s journey online with #NDSDchangenetwork.
