Sarah Matsumoto – President
Sarah is a digital marketing strategist at Patterson Companies. A 2010 graduate of the University of Minnesota, she earned her bachelor's degree in communication studies, with an emphasis on strategic communications. Sarah has gained invaluable experience working with companies such as CenterPoint Energy, Beehive PR, Weber Shandwick, Ghost Communications and Bluespire Marketing, expanding the breadth of her skill set to include social media, media relations, media planning, public relations, account management and event activation.
Tammy L. Nienaber – President Elect
Tammy is Director of Communications for Great Clips, Inc., a major franchise salon brand with locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. In her current role, she leads internal communications, public relations and cause-branding. She earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications and public relations from Moorhead State University and a master's degree in management from University of Mary-Bismarck, North Dakota.
Susan Otten, ABC, MBA – Past President
Susan is Chief Operating Officer for VITAL WorkLife, Inc., a national behavioral health consulting company, directing marketing, communications and sales operations, finance, service delivery and product development. She holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from Benedictine University in Illinois. She is certified as an Accredited Business Communicator by IABC, and in the GRI Sustainability Reporting Process, a part of the Global Reporting Initiative.
Paul Omodt, ABC, APR – VP Finance
Paul is Owner and Principal of Omodt & Associates Critical Communications, a full-service public relations firm. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas where he teaches integrated communications. He holds professional accreditations from IABC and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Paul earned his undergraduate degree and master's degree in business communications from the University of St. Thomas.
Cathryn Baker – VP Membership
Cathryn is a Communications Supervisor at 3M where she drives internal communications for the corporate marketing-sales organization. She’s cultivated her communications career across several reputable brands including Target, FedEx, Yum! Brands and Southwest Airlines. Cathryn pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of St. Thomas with a concentration in Public Relations and English.
Andy Gardner – VP Digital Strategy
Andy is a Digital Communication Manager at Prime Therapeutics where he focuses on advancing the company’s internal and external digital communication program. His skill set includes web content strategy, employee communication, user experience, web analytics, and digital capability planning. Andy has 11 years of experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Winona State University.
Camie Melton Hanily – Secretary
Camie is the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Fairview Health Services, where she oversees media relations, issues management as well as the corporate Center of Expertise. She started her career as a television news reporter before becoming the communications director for Eden Prairie Schools. She later led global communications for the hydraulics business of Eaton Corporation. Camie is certified in Change Management and has a master’s degree in Communications.
Melissa Gilman – VP Sponsorship
Melissa is Corporate Communications Manager for Land O’Lakes, Inc., where she manages employee and executive communications. Melissa earned a master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Hamline University, a graduate certificate in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University and a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from St. Cloud State University. Prior to her career in communications and PR, Melissa worked as a reporter and editor, including serving as the founding editor-in-chief of Savvy.mn Magazine.
Ellen Vander Linden – VP Internal Comm
Ellen is Owner and Founder of Spark Your Audience. She specializes in communication planning, key message development, feature story writing and online content. Ellen's experience spans a variety of industries: consumer goods, health care, higher education, manufacturing, nonprofit, retail and university athletics. Ellen earned her bachelors of science degree in Marketing from Iowa State University.
Mike Walsh, ABC, APR – VP Ext. Comm
Mike is Senior Manager of Public Relations for U.S. Bank Wealth Management, where he leads the overall public relations strategy. Mike holds a master's degree in business communications, as well as a bachelor's degree in print journalism, from the University of St. Thomas. He has accreditations from IABC and PRSA.
Celia Hubbartt – VP Prof Development
Celia works as an Account Manager with Periscope. She is a graduate of Minnesota State University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in mass communications, public relations emphasis, and German.