Board of Directors and Staff
The Fort Road Federation is led by a dedicated group of neighbors who volunteer their time and talents in support of the Federation's mission and goals. The Board is responsible for the governance, legal and fiduciary well-being of the district council. Members of the Board are elected each spring at the Federation's Annual Meeting, and by voting online.
The Federation is seeking an Area 1 and Area 3 Coordinator. Interested? Email Julia - Julia@fortroadfederation.org for more information.
Join us for the next Board meeting. Meetings are open to the public.
The Federation is seeking an Area 1 and Area 3 Coordinator. Interested? Email Julia - Julia@fortroadfederation.org for more information.
Join us for the next Board meeting. Meetings are open to the public.
Board of Directors
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Officers
President - Meg Duhr 1st Vice Present - Maria Sarabia 2nd Vice President - Bill McMahon Secretary - Ruthanne Atkinson Treasurer - Andrew Greenlee Area 1 Coordinators Paul Hardt DJ Devan VACANT |
Area 2 Coordinators
Kelsey Peterson Hayden Kilkenny Maggie Rock Area 3 Coordinators Tanya Fabyanske Beck Sara Fleetham VACANT |
Area Coordinators
Area Coordinators are Board members who represent neighbors who live in one of three areas, shown on the map above. Area Coordinators maintain contact with community members in their area and bring the issues (zoning, problem properties, crime, safety, and so on) and concerns of community members to the Federation Board meetings.
Area 1: The north side of St Clair St, Interstate 35E, Irvine Avenue, Kellogg Blvd, Eagle St, and the Mississippi River.
Area 2: The south side of St Clair St, Interstate 35E, to the north side of Armstrong Ave, and the Mississippi River.
Area 3: The south side of Armstrong Ave, Interstate 35E, West 7th St, Homer St, and the Mississippi River.
Area Coordinators are Board members who represent neighbors who live in one of three areas, shown on the map above. Area Coordinators maintain contact with community members in their area and bring the issues (zoning, problem properties, crime, safety, and so on) and concerns of community members to the Federation Board meetings.
Area 1: The north side of St Clair St, Interstate 35E, Irvine Avenue, Kellogg Blvd, Eagle St, and the Mississippi River.
Area 2: The south side of St Clair St, Interstate 35E, to the north side of Armstrong Ave, and the Mississippi River.
Area 3: The south side of Armstrong Ave, Interstate 35E, West 7th St, Homer St, and the Mississippi River.
Staff
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Executive Director/Community Organizer Julia McColley julia@fortroadfederation.org 651.298.5599 Photo by Casey Ek |
President
Meg Duhr
Meg Duhr has been a diehard St. Paulite since moving to the city for college in the late 90’s. She’s lived
in the West 7th neighborhood (off and on) since 2004 and has been a renter, homeowner, and landlady
of a small rental cottage in the neighborhood. She currently lives with her wife and one elderly dog in an old house near West 7th and St. Clair and enjoys tending to multiple garden projects—a pollinator rain garden, multiple raised veggie beds, and native plant boulevard plantings.
Meg’s professional background is in ecological restoration, invasive species management, and science
communications. She has worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive
Species Research Center, and currently serves as the Invasive Species Supervisor for the Three Rivers
Park District.
Meg is both fiercely proud of the West 7th neighborhood and keenly aware of its challenges and areas for
improvement, which motivated her to join the Federation Board in 2022. Meg takes great pride in the
historic character of our neighborhood, its welcoming, quirky, and diverse community, and its
independent businesses. Major concerns and priorities for Meg are maintaining/restoring neighborhood
affordability for existing and future residents, restoring the urban canopy in the wake of the city’s ash
tree eradication program, historic preservation, and improving the pedestrian and cyclist experience on
West 7th and surrounding streets.
Meg Duhr has been a diehard St. Paulite since moving to the city for college in the late 90’s. She’s lived
in the West 7th neighborhood (off and on) since 2004 and has been a renter, homeowner, and landlady
of a small rental cottage in the neighborhood. She currently lives with her wife and one elderly dog in an old house near West 7th and St. Clair and enjoys tending to multiple garden projects—a pollinator rain garden, multiple raised veggie beds, and native plant boulevard plantings.
Meg’s professional background is in ecological restoration, invasive species management, and science
communications. She has worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive
Species Research Center, and currently serves as the Invasive Species Supervisor for the Three Rivers
Park District.
Meg is both fiercely proud of the West 7th neighborhood and keenly aware of its challenges and areas for
improvement, which motivated her to join the Federation Board in 2022. Meg takes great pride in the
historic character of our neighborhood, its welcoming, quirky, and diverse community, and its
independent businesses. Major concerns and priorities for Meg are maintaining/restoring neighborhood
affordability for existing and future residents, restoring the urban canopy in the wake of the city’s ash
tree eradication program, historic preservation, and improving the pedestrian and cyclist experience on
West 7th and surrounding streets.
1st Vice President
Maria Sarabia
Community Leader in Health Equity & Social Justice
*Maria's participation on the Board is in a personal capacity*
Maria Sarabia is a mom, partner, a proud Latina and woman of faith, and community member. She loves the West Seventh neighborhood and the City of Saint Paul. The unique and rich history, local business, walkable paths, parks, the river…. and the Bald Eagles! This vibrant community keeps her family engaged and connected.
Maria decided to serve on the Fort Road Federation to contribute to the betterment of our community. She serves as the First Vice President and hopes to spark more intergenerational connections that leverage our parks and the arts as community assets, and build private and public sector partnerships. Maria has a background in shifting organizational culture by using participatory governance methods and examining the intersectionality of racial justice and accessibility. She continues to work on leaning into the power of pause to build bridges and stay balanced through unprecedented times of change and opportunity.
Community Leader in Health Equity & Social Justice
*Maria's participation on the Board is in a personal capacity*
Maria Sarabia is a mom, partner, a proud Latina and woman of faith, and community member. She loves the West Seventh neighborhood and the City of Saint Paul. The unique and rich history, local business, walkable paths, parks, the river…. and the Bald Eagles! This vibrant community keeps her family engaged and connected.
Maria decided to serve on the Fort Road Federation to contribute to the betterment of our community. She serves as the First Vice President and hopes to spark more intergenerational connections that leverage our parks and the arts as community assets, and build private and public sector partnerships. Maria has a background in shifting organizational culture by using participatory governance methods and examining the intersectionality of racial justice and accessibility. She continues to work on leaning into the power of pause to build bridges and stay balanced through unprecedented times of change and opportunity.
Bill McMahon
Bill moved back to the West Seventh community in 2020 after spending many years away from the neighborhood while raising two sons in South Minneapolis. Bill is a strong proponent of local businesses and is passionate about finding new ways to build community.
Bill has a range of experience in a variety of settings including public service, nonprofit management, higher education, and the private sector. His experience includes working as a Community Planner for the City of Minneapolis and as a manager for the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Workforce Development, as well as a manager and consultant for foundations and non-profit human service providers locally and nationally.
Bill enjoys the vibrant arts community and can often be found at local music shows and neighborhood watering holes.
Bill moved back to the West Seventh community in 2020 after spending many years away from the neighborhood while raising two sons in South Minneapolis. Bill is a strong proponent of local businesses and is passionate about finding new ways to build community.
Bill has a range of experience in a variety of settings including public service, nonprofit management, higher education, and the private sector. His experience includes working as a Community Planner for the City of Minneapolis and as a manager for the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Workforce Development, as well as a manager and consultant for foundations and non-profit human service providers locally and nationally.
Bill enjoys the vibrant arts community and can often be found at local music shows and neighborhood watering holes.
Andrew Greenlee
Andrew has lived in Saint Paul his whole life, except for a five-year sojourn in upstate New York for graduate school. He grew up on the East Side and has lived in both the Midway and West Seventh neighborhoods as an adult, currently residing in Area 1 with his wife and two young kids. His family loves living within walking distance from many of our favorite restaurants and shops, the river, and downtown attractions like the science museum and Palace Theater. Andrew is grateful for the opportunity to support and engage with the West Seventh community through his work with the Fort Road Federation.
Andrew has a PhD in philosophy and spent several years teaching as an adjunct professor. He is passionate about applying his analytical skills in public service - he currently works as a Planning Specialist for Ramsey County’s Social Services Department, and previously worked in the County’s Finance Department. Andrew attempts to keep his interest in philosophy and literature alive, mostly by listening to audiobooks while cleaning up after his kids. He is always up for a lively, meandering discussion about topics including but not limited to film, fiction, cognitive science, moral psychology, hip-hop, and poetry.
Andrew has lived in Saint Paul his whole life, except for a five-year sojourn in upstate New York for graduate school. He grew up on the East Side and has lived in both the Midway and West Seventh neighborhoods as an adult, currently residing in Area 1 with his wife and two young kids. His family loves living within walking distance from many of our favorite restaurants and shops, the river, and downtown attractions like the science museum and Palace Theater. Andrew is grateful for the opportunity to support and engage with the West Seventh community through his work with the Fort Road Federation.
Andrew has a PhD in philosophy and spent several years teaching as an adjunct professor. He is passionate about applying his analytical skills in public service - he currently works as a Planning Specialist for Ramsey County’s Social Services Department, and previously worked in the County’s Finance Department. Andrew attempts to keep his interest in philosophy and literature alive, mostly by listening to audiobooks while cleaning up after his kids. He is always up for a lively, meandering discussion about topics including but not limited to film, fiction, cognitive science, moral psychology, hip-hop, and poetry.
Ruthanne Atkinson
After a whirlwind cross-country move, Ruthanne bought a house in West 7th, knowing almost nothing about the area. Over the years, she has fallen in love with this little corner of the city and the people in it. When she started evangelizing to all of her friends and co-workers reasons why they should move to West 7th, she figured it was time to get more involved and serve on the FRF Board.
As a Board member, Ruthanne works to promote strategic, balanced, and community-focused ideas and solutions that will help West 7th continue to grow into a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming neighborhood while preserving its historic charm, accessibility, and down-to-earth personality. She also loves meeting and working with more of her neighbors, so if you see her, come say hi!
Ruthanne works in business development in the natural foods industry. Previously, she’s done everything from farm worker to restaurant manager, and has a soft spot for small, independently-owned businesses. In her spare time, you can find her walking her dog, Ella; tending the “urban farm” in her backyard or converting her front yard into native gardens; and hiking at one of the many beautiful parks the Twin Cities has to offer.
After a whirlwind cross-country move, Ruthanne bought a house in West 7th, knowing almost nothing about the area. Over the years, she has fallen in love with this little corner of the city and the people in it. When she started evangelizing to all of her friends and co-workers reasons why they should move to West 7th, she figured it was time to get more involved and serve on the FRF Board.
As a Board member, Ruthanne works to promote strategic, balanced, and community-focused ideas and solutions that will help West 7th continue to grow into a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming neighborhood while preserving its historic charm, accessibility, and down-to-earth personality. She also loves meeting and working with more of her neighbors, so if you see her, come say hi!
Ruthanne works in business development in the natural foods industry. Previously, she’s done everything from farm worker to restaurant manager, and has a soft spot for small, independently-owned businesses. In her spare time, you can find her walking her dog, Ella; tending the “urban farm” in her backyard or converting her front yard into native gardens; and hiking at one of the many beautiful parks the Twin Cities has to offer.
Area 1 Coordinators (1 vacant seat)
Paul Hardt
(renter)
Paul is an Area 1 Coordinator, renter. He lives in the Irvine Park Towers, 291 7th Street West. He's a native of the Twin Cities, having lived here for all but four years. From 2014 to the end of 2017, he lived and worked in Quito, Ecuador.
Paul has been involved in community activism since he was a young teen. Starting when he was 13, he volunteered for political campaigns. When he was in high school in Richfield, he was on the Safety Commission and the Youth Commission for the City of Richfield.
He was elected to the City Council of the City of New Brighton in 1975, after serving on the city's Environmental Quality Commission.
When his two sons were eligible, he served as a Boy Scout leader for 13 years. He is divorced.
In 2001, he moved to Farmington, MN, where he was Vice Chair of the Economic Development Authority/HRA for the City of Farmington. In 2008, he moved to Frogtown in St. Paul, and served on the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation as the Vice Chair.
His work experience includes teaching high school English and speech for 7 1/2 years in the Moundsview Schools. In 1980, he transitioned to being a business trainer, delivering courses in a wide variety of areas: sales, leadership, team building, computer skills. He received his Doctor of Education degree in 1994, and started teaching at the college and graduate school level. In 2014, he moved to Quito, Ecuador, where he was the Director of Online Learning for Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and he continued to teach a wide variety of courses in writing skills, psychology, and research skills.
In late 2017, he moved back to the US, and in 2021, he moved to the West 7th neighborhood. He is now co-chair of the Transportation and Land Use Committee for the Fort Road Federation.
(renter)
Paul is an Area 1 Coordinator, renter. He lives in the Irvine Park Towers, 291 7th Street West. He's a native of the Twin Cities, having lived here for all but four years. From 2014 to the end of 2017, he lived and worked in Quito, Ecuador.
Paul has been involved in community activism since he was a young teen. Starting when he was 13, he volunteered for political campaigns. When he was in high school in Richfield, he was on the Safety Commission and the Youth Commission for the City of Richfield.
He was elected to the City Council of the City of New Brighton in 1975, after serving on the city's Environmental Quality Commission.
When his two sons were eligible, he served as a Boy Scout leader for 13 years. He is divorced.
In 2001, he moved to Farmington, MN, where he was Vice Chair of the Economic Development Authority/HRA for the City of Farmington. In 2008, he moved to Frogtown in St. Paul, and served on the Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation as the Vice Chair.
His work experience includes teaching high school English and speech for 7 1/2 years in the Moundsview Schools. In 1980, he transitioned to being a business trainer, delivering courses in a wide variety of areas: sales, leadership, team building, computer skills. He received his Doctor of Education degree in 1994, and started teaching at the college and graduate school level. In 2014, he moved to Quito, Ecuador, where he was the Director of Online Learning for Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and he continued to teach a wide variety of courses in writing skills, psychology, and research skills.
In late 2017, he moved back to the US, and in 2021, he moved to the West 7th neighborhood. He is now co-chair of the Transportation and Land Use Committee for the Fort Road Federation.
Dj Devan
Though Dj was born and raised in Wisconsin and went to school at UW-Madison, he has had ties to the West 7th area since his sister lived on St. Clair Ave in 2005. Whenever he visited her they would go on walks down to the West 7th Community Center or go to Grand Ole Creamery and hang out with a delicious ice cream cone. These experiences and memories were foundational for Dj, and so when he moved back to the area after college for work he knew exactly the area he wanted to call home. Consequently, Dj has proudly lived in the West Seventh neighborhood since March 2020 and is excited to be here for years to come.
Dj works as an engineer, but his passion for problem solving does not end when he leaves for the day. Every morning and afternoon when he walks his two dogs around the neighborhood he is thinking about ways the area could be improved and be made even better, and as a Fort Road Federation Board Member he hopes to bring both his and the community's ideas to fruition. Dj loves all of the local parks the West 7th area has to offer and is dedicated to keeping them beautiful by ensuring shade tree/urban canopy diversity and providing activities for families and the community to attend. Dj is honored to be an Area 1 Coordinator and is looking forward to getting out there to meet his neighbors and represent them for the Federation.
Though Dj was born and raised in Wisconsin and went to school at UW-Madison, he has had ties to the West 7th area since his sister lived on St. Clair Ave in 2005. Whenever he visited her they would go on walks down to the West 7th Community Center or go to Grand Ole Creamery and hang out with a delicious ice cream cone. These experiences and memories were foundational for Dj, and so when he moved back to the area after college for work he knew exactly the area he wanted to call home. Consequently, Dj has proudly lived in the West Seventh neighborhood since March 2020 and is excited to be here for years to come.
Dj works as an engineer, but his passion for problem solving does not end when he leaves for the day. Every morning and afternoon when he walks his two dogs around the neighborhood he is thinking about ways the area could be improved and be made even better, and as a Fort Road Federation Board Member he hopes to bring both his and the community's ideas to fruition. Dj loves all of the local parks the West 7th area has to offer and is dedicated to keeping them beautiful by ensuring shade tree/urban canopy diversity and providing activities for families and the community to attend. Dj is honored to be an Area 1 Coordinator and is looking forward to getting out there to meet his neighbors and represent them for the Federation.
Area 2 Coordinators
Kelsey Peterson
(renter)
Kelsey grew up in the West 7th neighborhood in Irvine Park. The Fort Road Federation has been a part of her life since I was a young girl and her father was a board member. Kelsey has worked in the service industry, the arts, counseling and now early childhood mental health/education. Kelsey is incredibly passionate about the well-being of the West 7th neighborhood and feels honored to be part of the Federation as an Area Two Coordinator.
(renter)
Kelsey grew up in the West 7th neighborhood in Irvine Park. The Fort Road Federation has been a part of her life since I was a young girl and her father was a board member. Kelsey has worked in the service industry, the arts, counseling and now early childhood mental health/education. Kelsey is incredibly passionate about the well-being of the West 7th neighborhood and feels honored to be part of the Federation as an Area Two Coordinator.
Hayden Kilkenny
Hayden Kilkenny is originally from Wisconsin, but has lived in the West 7th neighborhood over 20 years, both as a renter and a homeowner. She resides with her husband and four children and cat. Hayden was a long time board member of the League of Women Voters of St Paul before joining the Fort Road Federation. She is also the president of the St Patrick's Association, which sponsors and organizes the St Patrick's Day Parade in downtown St Paul each year. Hayden enjoys the many hangouts and dives this neighborhood has to offer and can often be found in one of them at any given time.
Hayden Kilkenny is originally from Wisconsin, but has lived in the West 7th neighborhood over 20 years, both as a renter and a homeowner. She resides with her husband and four children and cat. Hayden was a long time board member of the League of Women Voters of St Paul before joining the Fort Road Federation. She is also the president of the St Patrick's Association, which sponsors and organizes the St Patrick's Day Parade in downtown St Paul each year. Hayden enjoys the many hangouts and dives this neighborhood has to offer and can often be found in one of them at any given time.
Maggie Rock
Though from Wisconsin, Maggie has lived in Minnesota since attending the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She has lived in the West 7th neighborhood for over five years as a renter and now as a homeowner with her husband and two cats. All have gotten to know their nearby neighbors and appreciate the helpful and friendly people. She loves meeting folks and making connections, reading, and cooking. She also is constantly trying to recruit people to move here and loves to share all the amazing places to visit.
Due to her family’s constant commitment to their community back home and through time with the Leadership St. Paul program, Maggie was motivated and ready to find a more formal way to engage with the local community. She brings energy and a breadth of professional and educational experiences to her role as an Area 2 Coordinator while focusing on increasing community engagement and helping create the best neighborhood for living and working.
Maggie believes the people, places, and spaces make West 7th a wonderfully unique place to live and looks forward to contributing to a strong future for all in the area.
Though from Wisconsin, Maggie has lived in Minnesota since attending the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She has lived in the West 7th neighborhood for over five years as a renter and now as a homeowner with her husband and two cats. All have gotten to know their nearby neighbors and appreciate the helpful and friendly people. She loves meeting folks and making connections, reading, and cooking. She also is constantly trying to recruit people to move here and loves to share all the amazing places to visit.
Due to her family’s constant commitment to their community back home and through time with the Leadership St. Paul program, Maggie was motivated and ready to find a more formal way to engage with the local community. She brings energy and a breadth of professional and educational experiences to her role as an Area 2 Coordinator while focusing on increasing community engagement and helping create the best neighborhood for living and working.
Maggie believes the people, places, and spaces make West 7th a wonderfully unique place to live and looks forward to contributing to a strong future for all in the area.
Area 3 Coordinators (1 vacant seat)
Tanya Fabyanske Beck
Tanya Fabyanske Beck has lived in the West 7th neighborhood since 2004, when she discovered her house on a flyer in the hands of another patron at the Spot Bar. She has fallen in love with our small businesses, goodwilled neighbors, and incredible urban outdoor space. She loves exploring Victoria Park down to Crosby Farm Park with her husband Jon, their kiddo Kai and dog Q*bert.
She joined the board in 2019 hoping to impact the board’s representation of the diversity of people and interests in our neighborhood; she would love to see you at a committee meeting!
Tanya has worked in non-profit housing for 15 years and is passionate about tenants’ rights. She serves on the board at Joseph’s Coat in addition to being Area III Coordinator and Community Engagement & Outreach Committee Chair for the West 7th / Fort Road Federation.
Tanya Fabyanske Beck has lived in the West 7th neighborhood since 2004, when she discovered her house on a flyer in the hands of another patron at the Spot Bar. She has fallen in love with our small businesses, goodwilled neighbors, and incredible urban outdoor space. She loves exploring Victoria Park down to Crosby Farm Park with her husband Jon, their kiddo Kai and dog Q*bert.
She joined the board in 2019 hoping to impact the board’s representation of the diversity of people and interests in our neighborhood; she would love to see you at a committee meeting!
Tanya has worked in non-profit housing for 15 years and is passionate about tenants’ rights. She serves on the board at Joseph’s Coat in addition to being Area III Coordinator and Community Engagement & Outreach Committee Chair for the West 7th / Fort Road Federation.
Sara Fleetham
(Renter)
Sara was a homeowner in downtown St. Paul when she discovered this had been her city all along. Sara has rented the same apartment in Area 3 of Fort Road/West 7th for 10 years. She loves gathering people together for good work even though she recently had one epic failure of a year in the community garden. Her first civic engagement in the neighborhood was through the Smith Bridge Community Health Forum that helped inform the redesign of High Bridge railings. The people of the W 7th are one of her favorite things. So is bar trivia. Sara has been honored to represent the neighborhood on the River Learning Center Community Advisory Committee. She works in nonprofit development and program management. She is a longtime contributor to the Humphrey International Fellows Host Family Program and enjoys showing Fellows from all over the world how special the west end is.
(Renter)
Sara was a homeowner in downtown St. Paul when she discovered this had been her city all along. Sara has rented the same apartment in Area 3 of Fort Road/West 7th for 10 years. She loves gathering people together for good work even though she recently had one epic failure of a year in the community garden. Her first civic engagement in the neighborhood was through the Smith Bridge Community Health Forum that helped inform the redesign of High Bridge railings. The people of the W 7th are one of her favorite things. So is bar trivia. Sara has been honored to represent the neighborhood on the River Learning Center Community Advisory Committee. She works in nonprofit development and program management. She is a longtime contributor to the Humphrey International Fellows Host Family Program and enjoys showing Fellows from all over the world how special the west end is.