President

Terri Cheney started Connect Instructional Design after 10 years as a Workplace Learning and Performance professional. Her work applies current brain research to workplace learning experiences, focusing on the pragmatic impact of training on learners performance back on the job. No one succeeds just by knowing things, she says, Success comes from doing the right things at the right time.

An engaging and energetic facilitator, Terri acquired a taste for applying cutting-edge teaching methods as a program leader for the internationally known Concordia Language Villages, which often serves as a laboratory for developing such techniques. She went on to teach business English at both the School of Business at the University of Rennes, France, and at ESMOD, Frances oldest fashion school.

An active member of ASTD-TCC since 1996, Terri has developed and managed training for classroom, e-learning and blended-learning environments.

Terri can be reached at 651-208-0926 or by e-mail at terric@astd-tcc.org.

General responsibilities: Provides vision and direction to the Board of Directors and the Membership.

Past President

Tim helps teams improve their ability to perform tasks and processes.

He facilitates team interactions that help teams prioritize needs, identify requirements, determine root causes, gain consensus, articulate plans, and determine pitfalls.

Benefits of Tim’s work include appropriate expression of team concerns, determined solutions, plans that align with strategic business goals, and team building integrated with urgent work goals.

Tim has been successful with sales, customer service, management, and development teams.

 Tim can be reached at 952-693-1190, timg@astd-tcc.org, and on the web at linkedin.com/in/timgustafson1 or timgustafson.us.

Kristin Ford is Owner and President of PC Training Source, an independent consulting company specializing in top quality products and services in the learning industry. The business model is based upon a passion of finding the best possible products and services available in the training and development marketplace to meet each customer’s unique criteria. Kristin has worked with corporations, associations, unions and government agencies to meet and exceed customer expectations.

Kristin is recognized first and foremost as a strategic relationship builder, and believes in leveraging those relationships with integrity in both business and community. In addition to her involvement with ASTD on the board, she has served as a co-chair of the eLearning SIG, and contributor to Spectrum. Kristin serves as Sponsor Chair for the Uptown Art Fair, is a past board member of the Professional Association of Computer Trainers, and a founding board member of Rebuilding Together Twin Cities. Kristin was a recipient of the National Association of Women Business Owner’s “Woman on The Way” award in 2005.

Kristin Ford may be reached at 952-697-3677 or kristinf@astd-tcc.org.

General responsibilities: Maintains chapter relationship with Ewald Consulting and ASTD National.

Kathie Pugaczewski is the Vice President of Operations for Ewald Consulting and is ASTD-TCC's Executive Director. Kathie has been working in the association management profession for over 17 years. She worked for the Builders Association of Minnesota (BAM) for 12 years and became the Executive Vice President in 1996.

In 2001, Kathie joined the Midwest Society of Association Executives (MSAE) as their Marketing and Education Director. She has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and completed the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame. In December 2003, she earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.

Kathie can be reached at 651-265-7859 or kathiep@astd-tcc.org.

Lisa Leet is a seasoned training and organizational development leader with a M.S. degree in HRD / Training and a Green Belt certification in Six Sigma. Her career and passion has been focused on helping organizations successfully link training to business results.

Lisa has a knack for defining and implementing new initiatives...the more ambiguity, the better. She brings an arsenal of experience that includes working in a variety of industries: manufacturing, health care, retail, chemical and medical device. Most of Lisa's career has been spent working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is glad to be back in her home state where she can wear her Viking colors without fear.

Lisa can be reached at lisal@astd-tcc.org.

General responsibilities: Oversees financial matters for the chapter.

Gabriella is a strategic learning leader with 14 years of professional experience developing others through facilitation, coaching, project management, elearning, and instructional design. Her strengths are in taking a "giraffe's eye view" to create a holistic learning solution for the organization's need. From there, she is ready to lead the execution of the solution(s) by providing skills to take the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) from start to finish.

Gabriella's work has included experience in the following settings on a national and international scale: University , Corporate , Non-profit , Privately held. For individuals, Gabriella provides resume and interview coaching strategies. Additionally, Gabriella has been an active volunteer with ASTD-TCC since 2004, prior to becoming a board member. On a personal note, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons and dog, reading, watching kids play sports, playing volleyball, walking the dog, and travelling.

Gabriella can be reached at gabriellab@astd-tcc.org.

General responsibilities: Promotes membership through various marketing initiatives and supports member awareness of ASTD-TCC benefits.

Sharon Leah has been an editor at a Twin Cities publishing company since 1999, and she is in a graduate program at Capella University’s School of Education. Sharon is specializing in training and performance improvement with an emphasis on instructional design. She has a BA in writing from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.

Sharon Leah can be reached at 651-295-6430 or sharonl@astd-tcc.org.

General Responsibilities: Assist 2009 Regional Conference director and oversee Regional Conference in 2010.

Esther Sykora

General Responsibilities: As Chair of the 2010 Regional Conference, Esther directs and coordinates the teams that create and manage all aspects of an exciting learning event.

Dr. David Farrar is a psychologist with an international practice as a consultant and professional speaker. David is the founder and President of FGRAssociates, LLC, a network of professionals helping businesses
and individuals successfully manage change and improve performance.

David works with his clients to implement purposeful change and high performance strategies that improve what matters most in their business: customer satisfaction, employee well being, productivity and profitability.

David can be reached at davidf@astd-tcc.org.

Director of Professional Development

Director of Professional Development

Diane Autey joined ASTD-TCC in 2007 and has served as chair of the Entrepreneur Special Interest Group and a member on the Communications Committee. Diane loves to write and has honed her craft through 25 years in public relations, corporate communications and marketing communications. Diane launched her business writing firm, Projects Done Write, in 2003, and has completed such projects as success stories, articles and white papers for more than 10 clients in the training and development industry. Diane also serves on the board of directors for the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce and is a trustee for the District 279 Foundation.

Diane earned a B.S. degree in public relations and advertising from St. Cloud State University. She served on the board of directors for the American Marketing Association in 2000 and the Public Relations Society of America in 1994. She earned the Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation in 2001 and the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation in 1991. She was named Small Business of the Year in 2008 and won the Service to the Chamber Award in 2006.

Diane Autey may be reached at 612-716-7642 or dianea@astd-tcc.org.