Staff

Betsy Konop, Education Manager (she/they)

Program strategy, vision, execution, and evaluation; policy development; classroom and equipment management; instructor, visiting artist, and program partner development; audience development; digital marketing and communications; grant writing.

Betsy is an avid weaver and new spinner with nearly two decades of arts programming experience. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues, artists, and community partners to build dynamic and creative projects and programs.

Jasmyn Hinton, Retail & Administrative Specialist (she/they)

Guild shop operations; fostering a welcoming environment and experience for visitors, members, and students; equipment rental facilitation; administrative support for programming and operations.

Jasmyn is passionate about crafting! She has experience knitting, spinning, crocheting, sewing, dyeing, and weaving. Before joining the Guild, Jasmyn spent nearly a decade in social work. She also has previous experience in retail and customer relations.

Board of Directors

WGM is a 501c3 nonprofit member organization and is governed by a member-elected board of directors in compliance with charity guidelines set forth by the State of Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

INFO FOR PROSPECTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

WGM aims to have Board members with a variety of professional experience, expertise in the arts of the guild, and with passion and engergy to support its annual goals. Having a broad representation of the interests of members is critical to the Guild’s success.

WGM holds our Board election in conjuction with the Guild’s Annual Meeting. Board terms start at the beginning of the fiscal year on September 1 and the appointment is for two years.

For more info about serving on the board, watch a q & a fr0m June 2024: https://youtu.be/GBksAr4iR6M

Interested parties should reach out to Guild staff or any member of the Executive Committee.

WGM Board of Directors, Fiscal Year 2025

The fiscal year runs September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025.

Officers of the Board 

The officers of the Board make up the Executive Committee. In collaboration with senior staff, they form the leadership team of the guild, and guide efforts to fulfill the Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan.

Cheryl Gunness, Co-chair

Education Administrator with strong background in program, staff, and volunteer management. 1st term, serving through 8/2026.

Rachel Holdgrafer, Co-chair

Digial marketer and content creator; 20+ years of leadership experience. 1st term, serving through 8/2025.

Aimee Gillespie, Treasurer

Masters, Humphry School of Public Affairs  (University of Minnesota). 1st term, serving through 8/2025

Natalie Reece, Secretary

Trained U of M Microbiologist-turned-fiber artist. 1st term, serving through 8/2026

Members at Large

Amanda Anderson

Technologist. MBA, Yale University. 2nd term, serving through 8/2025.

Barbara Daiker

University administrator; experience in strategic direction and operation alignment. 3rd term, serving through 8/2025.

Andrea Jauli

Bi-cultural and bi-lingual MBA Graduate with leadership/development and consulting expertise. 1st term, serving through 8/2026.

Mary M. Mateer

Ramsey County Public Defender (retired), floor loom weaver. 3rd term, serving through 8/2025.

Joe Rubin

Retired medical oncologist, floor loom weaver, passion for global fiber arts. 2nd term, serving through 8/2025.

Beata Rydeen

Corporate Consumer Research; Personal Coaching and Consulting. 1st term, serving through 8/2025.

Beth Varro

Programming & audience relations, membership & data expertise, hand spinner. 3rd term, serving through 8/2025. 

Erin Vrieze-Daniels

Senior Manager (Target) with deep background of community volunteerism. 1st term, serving through 8/2026.

Barb Yarusso

Retired engineer, educator and former MN legislator. Ist term, serving through 8/2026.