Meet Our Staff

Eagle Bluff is what brought Colleen to Minnesota almost 10 years ago after growing up in Ohio. Being outside with her two dogs and husband, Tony, is just about her favorite thing to do! She enjoys cooking and eating (especially the wild game they hunt), playing yard games, and spending time on the Root and Mississippi Rivers.

Fun Fact: Colleen once spent 26 nights during the winter sleeping outside in a quinzee.

Doc came to Eagle Bluff back in the days when it was called the Forest Resource Center! After growing up in northern IL and spending a few years in WI (UWSP, WI-DNR, and Fort McCoy) he arrived here, working with his future wife Maggie and about 6 other staff. Doc enjoys hunting, fishing, sports of all kinds, and coaches baseball for Fillmore Central. Maggie and Doc have 3 children in high school/college, 3 dogs and a horse…. most of the adventures revolve around them!

Fun Fact: Doc was part of the staff that got to shovel snow out of the dorm when it was being constructed.

After getting her MS in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University, Erinn worked for the Wisconsin DNR before joining the Eagle Bluff staff. She misses the mountains, but the bluffs are a great substitute! Erinn loves to hike with her two dogs, camp with her husband in their pop-up, and is learning to sew clothes for herself and one-year-old.

Fun Fact: For better or worse, Erinn has seen Nickelback in concert three times.

Whether it was visiting Eagle Bluff as a 5th grader, being an E.E. Fellow in 2011, or working in her current role as a permanent education staff member, Jenna has always enjoyed every facet of Eagle Bluff! Outside of work, Jenna can often be found reading, relaxing, snacking, and drinking her beloved Diet Pepsi. She also greatly enjoys Minnesota’s summer lake culture to the fullest and is an avid slalom water skier.

Fun fact: Jenna’s outfits are ALWAYS colorfully coordinated.

Jeremiah went to school in Preston Minnesota and is planning to get trained in wood carving and carpentry. He also plans to learn some blacksmithing it the future.

Fun Fact: He loves to read, cook and play most types of board and video games. 

Joe has worked in nonprofits for over a decade. Prior to Eagle Bluff he worked in sales/marketing/development for housing and animal rescue organizations. Joe and his wife have a dog, five chickens, and two human children. They moved to Lanesboro from St. Paul in the fall of 2018 and love living in beautiful Bluff Country!

Fun fact: Joe’s youngest child was born on the side of the road in rural Fountain, MN with Joe playing the role of delivery doctor.

Marty was born and raised in the area. He started at Eagle Bluff in 2016. In his spare time he likes outside activities. Hiking with his dog, shredding some single track on a mountain bike, fly fishing the Driftless and out West to name a few. He has a case of wanderlust and loves to travel. He also likes to restore, ride, and just look at old/classic motorcycles.

Fun Fact: A personal goal of Marty’s is to visit a new National Park or Wilderness area each year. It’s been over a decade since he has missed a year.

Nate grew up on a farm in SE MN where he spent a lot of his youth bunting and fishing. He has a wife and three kids. He has an AS in Law Enforcement.

After graduating from Winona State University, Sheila started at Eagle Bluff as part of a position through the Americorps program in the Fall of 1995. In her spare time she enjoys biking, hiking, yard work, and spending time with her yellow lab Journey.

Fun fact: One day when Sheila was in kindergarten she got off the school bus and her stocking cap blew from MN into IA.

Sue has lived in Southeastern Minnesota her entire life.  Sue graduated from Winona State University and after 30 years in Human Resources at a local medical facility, retired and found a great home here.  She loves all sorts of nature-y things and feels right at home. When she’s not working, Sue loves hunting morel mushrooms, raising Australian Shepherd puppies, kayaking, working in her flower beds, crafting, cooking/baking and laughing with her kiddos.

Fun fact: Sue completed the ropes course (once) ten years ago….with much needed encouragement along the way:)

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brent went to Wolf Ridge ELC in 2015 as a member of the Naturalist Training Program. After spending the three years in Seattle, WA Brent returned to the Midwest to join Eagle Bluff as a Fellowship & Camp Manager. Originally hailing from Wisconsin, Brent enjoys reading, running, playing board games, yard games, curling, watching sports (including his beloved Packers), and socializing with friends.

Fun Fact: Brent has never broken 200 in bowling.

Alayna was born and raised on Lake Minnetonka Minnesota, attended college on the shores of Lake Superior at Northern Michigan University, and now lives just a couple blocks from the Root River. She loves fresh water! Her passion in life is introducing young children to the outdoors. She has her degree in Early Childhood Development and has taught in various settings for the last 15 years. She loves to spend time with her family, traveling, practicing and teaching yoga, fly fishing, hiking and cooking local, fresh foods! 

Fun Fact: Alayna’s family owns a fly fishing shop, Root River Rod Co, in Lanesboro, MN.

Mary has always had a love for animals and the outdoors, she grew up running through the woods and reading field guides for fun. Mary has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Minnesota and a certificate in Environmental Education from Antioch University. She worked as a member of the Naturalist Training Program at Wolf Ridge ELC in 2019. Mary enjoys being outside and relaxing with her dogs.

Fun fact: Mary accidentally taught her dogs the mushing commands for “left” and “right” backwards.

OW OW! After graduating from Luther College in 2017, Andy immediately began adventuring. He moved to Utah to work for the Conservation Corp, then became an educator living aboard the schooner Roseway in the Virgin Islands and New England, then moved to the Southeast to return to working in environmental conservation, and now has found his way to Eagle Bluff. Hailing from Goodhue, MN, Andy enjoys playing and watching sports, reading, listening to music, hiking, canoeing, and anything else that gets him outside.

Fun Fact: Andy does not eat condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, dressing, etc). Go team.

Joel is from the La Crosse area and loves exploring the outdoors and building relationships with people. Prior to Eagle Bluff he worked in church ministry, sales and marketing and helped raise funds for a new church. Joel and his wife Ashley have 4 children 10 and under. They currently live in Bangor and love the Driftless Region. 

Fun fact: His two youngest children are identical twin girls born at 36 weeks an hour apart and were the same weight…5lbs and 7 oz. 

Growing up all the way in Istanbul, Turkey; Doruk came to the United States for college. After graduating from Vassar College in May 2022 with a double major in Drama and Biology, they decided to move to Minnesota to join the Eagle Bluff family to help inspire kids with the love of nature and outdoors. They have been enjoying getting to connect with the Driftless Area through the unique perspective of someone from a whole different continent and absolutely love the region, Lanesboro in particular as the town’s community theater has been a great way for them to keep busy in the cold winters and putting their love of acting to use.

Fun Fact: Doruk was in 4 commercials and TV sitcom when they were back in Turkey. They even have an IMDB page!

Emma grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in biology. With a background in outdoor education, she is excited to explore the Driftless and further her teaching skills as an Environmental Education Fellow. In her free time, Emma enjoys hiking, trail running, and cross country skiing.

Fun fact: Emma played the role of a napkin in her 5th grade school musical.

Paige is from the great city of St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Coe College in 2022 and joined Eagle Bluff after spending the summer working in the boundary waters. She loves being outside, especially if it includes playing ultimate frisbee. She also loves reading, writing, canoeing, making up random songs, and going on adventures.

Fun fact: Paige is inspired by Kronk from the Emperor’s New Groove and believes that singing your own theme music while doing daily activities is a necessity.

After graduating from St. Olaf College, Becca pursued parallel careers in writing/publishing and education while always leaving room for afterschool program work. Along the way, she taught at almost every level as a classroom teacher, substitute, or paraprofessional. She moved to the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay) in 2007, got married, earned her M.S. in K-12 Education, then returned to Minneapolis (a decade later). She now lives in Spring Grove with her husband, two sons, three dogs, and five sheep. In her free time, Becca volunteers as an EMT, enjoys crochet/crafting, and writes.

Interesting Fact: While in California, Becca often conversed with the members of the band Green Day at the Oakland coffee shop where her husband worked.

After attending Colorado Mountain College, Mike worked for the YMCA as an Outdoor Educator, Summer Adventure Coordinator, and Climbing Lead. A native of Minnesota, Mike enjoys canoeing, hiking, winning fantasy football championships, and snowboarding.

Fun fact: Mike has let multiple BWCA trips and loves to play rugby. 

Luke grew up in North Carolina, graduating from App State (Roll ‘Neers!) with a degree in Sustainable Development. After working as an AmeriCorps in Moab, Utah, he came to Eagle Bluff as his first time in the Midwest. He loves hiking, frisbee golf, reading in his hammock, and playing geeky board games.

Fun fact: Luke met a blind alpaca while trekking in Peru.

After graduating from the University of La Crosse in Spring of 2022, Emilie decided to continue her love for education in an area that has always felt like home; the Driftless. Emilie completed the fellowship program at Eagle Bluff in the Summer of 2023 and is excited to continue her time here as a mentor for the newest fellowship. She enjoys experimenting in the kitchen (most meals turn out good), hiking & exploring new areas, crafting, biking down big hills, playing and listening to music, and reading (especially cuddled up next to her dog Louie).

Fun fact: Emilie eats a bowl of peas everyday #dailydose

Joe is a proud Georgian through and through. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2022 (go dawgs), Joe decided to ditch 35 degree winters to teach in the beautiful state of Minnesota. You can usually find him watching an irreverent comedy show, attempting to finish a book, or running around playing sports with his friends (despite him declaring his disdain for running). He also enjoys live music, playing piano, and fishing!

Fun fact: Joe drinks a reasonable amount of diet coke. There is no evidence of addiction at all.

Clare is originally from Madison, Wisconsin, but has a deep love for Minnesota after living in the state for the past several years! She graduated from Macalester College in 2022 with majors in Educational Studies and American Studies, and a minor in Environmental Studies. In her free time she enjoys biking, reading, playing music with friends, learning the cello, and spending time in any cozy coffee shop she can find!

Fun fact: Clare has been to Cafe Steam (an absolutely delightful coffee shop in Rochester) more times than you can count.

After graduating from Macalester this past May with a degree in English, and minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies, Ella is loving the wonderful community and beautiful environment she’s found as a fellow at Eagle Bluff. Originally from the Hudson Valley of New York, the hilly landscape of the Driftless begrudgingly reminds her of home. Ella loves to run, write, read, and do yoga.

Fun fact: For her capstone, Ella wrote a creative writing anthology called Yellow, inspired by the Joni Mitchell album Blue and the Taylor Swift album Red.

Alder graduated from Beloit College in 2019, and they worked in both environmental education and soil science before coming to Eagle Bluff as an E.E. fellow. They are from Chicago, and they love birding, swimming, reptiles, and art of all kinds!

Fun fact: Alder has seen every native heron species in the contiguous US!

Erika grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in environmental conservation. After spending her whole life in New England she decided she was ready for a change of scenery. She’s so excited to learn more about Minnesota and the Driftless! She enjoys crocheting, reading, hugging trees, and exploring.

Fun fact: Erika has donated her hair eleven times!

Fay is from Madison, Wisconsin and recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Urban Studies. After studying cities for four years, she is loving really getting to know the Driftless area as an E.E. Fellow. She loves learning to identify plants (especially edible ones!), gardening and cooking with friends.

Jacob graduated with a degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Minnesota in 2021. His path has ultimately led him to Eagle Bluff, where he hopes to inspire students through environmental experiences and exploration. Jacob has always lived in Minnesota, and enjoys plant identification, adventure classes, and finding wonderful spots to hammock around the Eagle Bluff campus.

Fun fact: Jacob is an avid gardener and has been working gardening jobs since 2017.