Laurie Hartmann

Prior Lake News Compass

Laurie Hartmann spent her entire career working for Southwest News Media, owner of multiple weekly newspapers covering 10 suburban communities south of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

She was fortunate to serve in a variety of senior leadership roles, including publisher and corporate director of operations. Her 40+ years working in the newspaper industry included great technological changes and the introduction of social media into the media landscape.

Despite those significant changes, this remains unchanged: residents still want to know about their schools, city government, public safety, upcoming events, and even highlights from the Friday night football game, all of which can only be found in their local newspaper.

Susan Kent

Woodbury News Net

Susan Kent is an experienced leader, dedicated advocate, former small business owner and concerned community member.

Susan has more than 20 years of professional experience in strategic marketing, ranging from major corporations and government to small businesses and non-profit organizations. Much of her work was as a media director, planner and buyer, working closely with local and national media (TV, radio, digital, magazines and newspapers) to plan and negotiate strategic media buys and promotions for clients.

Susan spent ten years representing Woodbury in the Minnesota Senate, serving on committees for Education, Transportation and Public Safety, State Government, and Commerce. In 2020 she was elected Senate Minority Leader, becoming the first woman to lead the Senate DFL caucus.

Since retiring from the Senate, Susan has applied her public experience to strengthen our democracy and empower citizens. She has helped lead a community group of volunteers to launch Woodbury News Net, a nonprofit, nonpartisan and hyperlocal news outlet to inform and engage the people of Woodbury, the 8th largest city in Minnesota.

Susan resides in Woodbury with her husband Chris and their son Andrew, and she enjoys exploring area parks and trails in her spare time.

Kathy Saltzman

Woodbury News Net

Kathy Saltzman has broad professional experience in government relations, communications, outreach and organizing, nonprofit management, and policy development. As a community volunteer, she has served as a board chair, board member, and annual campaign chair for several local nonprofit organizations. 

As a state Senator, nonprofit executive and legislative advocate, Kathy brought diverse interest groups and stakeholders together to collectively and strategically address problems and drive change. Accomplishments include major initiatives in education, water quality, economic development, and transportation/ infrastructure that required building successful bipartisan coalitions and campaigns with statewide and regional stakeholders. 

Her nonprofit executive experience includes leading state and national-based education organizations. After serving in the Minnesota Senate, Kathy’s interest in early literacy and closing the achievement gap led to her becoming the first Executive Director of the Minnesota Education Corps, leading a nonprofit placing over 900 AmeriCorps members in national service in the Minnesota Math Corps, Opportunity Corps, and nationally recognized Minnesota Reading Corps. For the past seven years, she represented local governments and corporate clients at the Minnesota State Capitol. 

Kathy and her husband are 30-year residents of Woodbury. Now retired, she is an early literacy volunteer in local schools and stays active with her grandchildren. Her recent effort to launch Woodbury News Net reflects an ongoing commitment to support a strong, vibrant, engaged community where all are recognized and welcome.

Steve Schewe

Eden Prairie Local News

Steve Schewe began volunteering at Eden Prairie Local News, a nonprofit online newsroom covering the hyperlocal news of this Minneapolis suburb, in 2020. 

He’s been Publisher/CEO since January 2022. Prior to his retirement, he was an independent consultant helping clients with business planning and change management across organizational boundaries. Steve also enjoys his roles as a husband, father, and grandpa, and helps his sister manage the family farm in central Missouri.

He has been an active member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Minneapolis since 2006.