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 III 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 III 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
|
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 Ryan Bresnahan |
Area 2 Coordinators
Kelsey Peterson Annie Reierson 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
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
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 cliffs…. 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 is also a public servant at Ramsey County. She works in Aging and Disability Services. She leads social services administration and operations with the lens of deconstructing systems barriers to achieve better outcomes for adults, children, and elders who have disabilities. Maria has a background in shifting organizational culture by using participatory governance methods and examining the intersectionality of racial justice and accessibility.
Prior to moving to Minnesota and entering government systems, Maria worked in grass roots community development for over a decade in Chicago. Her family values cultural traditions and history, as ways to vision forward about possibilities for the future. Maria strives to create beautiful things rooted in goodness, from community work to dabbling with the arts. She continues to work on leaning into the power of pause to build bridges and stay balanced through unprecedented times of change and opportunity.
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 cliffs…. 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 is also a public servant at Ramsey County. She works in Aging and Disability Services. She leads social services administration and operations with the lens of deconstructing systems barriers to achieve better outcomes for adults, children, and elders who have disabilities. Maria has a background in shifting organizational culture by using participatory governance methods and examining the intersectionality of racial justice and accessibility.
Prior to moving to Minnesota and entering government systems, Maria worked in grass roots community development for over a decade in Chicago. Her family values cultural traditions and history, as ways to vision forward about possibilities for the future. Maria strives to create beautiful things rooted in goodness, from community work to dabbling with the arts. 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
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
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
Paul Hardt
(renter)
Bio coming soon!
(renter)
Bio coming soon!
Ryan Bresnahan
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
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.
Annie Reierson
Annie has lived in the West 7 th neighborhood for seven years and appreciates the “small town” feel of
the community, where she won’t hesitate to borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbor or invite one of the
neighbor’s children to pet-sit, and she knows most of the neighbors on the block by name. She works at
the State of Minnesota for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and values the importance of housing
that is affordable, safe, and accessible to all members of a community. In her free time, she enjoys
playing musical instruments, baking decorative cakes, or camping with her partner and their three boys.
Annie has lived in the West 7 th neighborhood for seven years and appreciates the “small town” feel of
the community, where she won’t hesitate to borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbor or invite one of the
neighbor’s children to pet-sit, and she knows most of the neighbors on the block by name. She works at
the State of Minnesota for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and values the importance of housing
that is affordable, safe, and accessible to all members of a community. In her free time, she enjoys
playing musical instruments, baking decorative cakes, or camping with her partner and their three boys.
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.