MEET THE BOARD
Gabriel Rios (Chair)
Gabe joined the board in May 2023, bringing his expertise and passion for mental health to the forefront of the board’s initiatives. He enjoys the collaborative spirit and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the community's mental health. Gabe first learned about MWCAC through Chris Shaw while working on a mental health series, where Chris was the host and Gabe served as the director. Inspired by Chris, Gabe saw the importance of being involved in mental health advocacy and addressing the stigma associated with it.
Gabe's commitment to mental health advocacy and his desire to contribute to meaningful change within his community drew him to the MWCAC Board. His background in media and community engagement provides a unique perspective that he is eager to share with the board.
Gabriel’s passion for mental wellness comes from personal experiences and a deep understanding of the importance of mental health for overall well-being. He believes that mental wellness is crucial for a thriving community and is dedicated to breaking down stigmas, raising awareness, and providing resources to support mental health for everyone.
Lori Blaukat
Lori is a Mental Health Senior Program Planner for Anoka County Public Health, a position that links groups and initiatives that have common goals, increasing collaboration throughout the county and bringing new initiatives to life that address current gaps in resources and services involving mental health and relationship violence prevention efforts. Lori leads two Anoka County Violence Prevention Roundtable Workgroups as well as the Pathway to Care Cohort of Anoka County, a suicide prevention team with a mission of reducing stigma and addressing barriers to care. She also coordinates and facilitates Parenting Inside Out, a parenting class for justice-involved families, is a Make it OK Ambassador and a Changing the Narrative Facilitator. Lori brings an enthusiastic desire to decrease stigma, especially for underserved groups in the community, and has spent more than three and half decades in service-oriented occupations.
Lori’s Favorite Mental Health Resources
Rachel Engstrom
Dr. Rachel Engstrom is a passionate mental health advocate with lived experience navigating severe anxiety, depression, and complex PTSD. She grew up in Anoka County and still has loved ones there, making this work deeply personal. Rachel holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership focused on mental health systems and serves as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. She teaches life skills at the Hennepin County Jail and has served on both the Hennepin County Local Advisory Council and the Minnesota Behavioral Health Planning Council. Through her personal journey and professional work, she is committed to reducing stigma and empowering others toward healing.
Rachel’s Favorite Mental Health Resources
Kimberly Koland (Secretary)
Kimberly is a retired educator after 31 years. She enjoys writing about mental health, community involvement and grief on her Substack. She is a grief educator for Eagle Brook Church through the Grief Share program. She enjoys gardening, canning and family time.
Kimberly’s Favorite Mental Health Resources
Gabriel Rios II (Co-Chair)
Gabriel Rios II is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and shift coordinator at Damascus Way Reentry Center in Golden Valley, MN. A proud father, advocate, and community leader, Gabriel brings lived experience and passion for supporting men in recovery and reentry. He has also served as a panelist and evaluator for Hennepin County’s Conditional Release Services. Gabriel is committed to erasing the stigma around mental health by promoting education, healing, and connection.
Kurt Rooney
Kurt is a mental health practitioner who is passionate about teaching skills and spreading awareness of mental illness. He’s been working in the field for almost twenty years and looks forward to continuing to serve the community.
Angie Wendt
Angie has worked for Anoka County Children’s Mental Health as an Intake worker for the past 25 years. She has worked in the mental health field for over 35 years and has a passion for working with kids and their families. Angie sees first-hand the effects of stigma on individuals and their families. She believes that education and awareness are imperative to reducing the stigma about mental health. She would like to have a more active role in the efforts to reduce stigma and increase awareness about mental illness in the entire community, not just at work. Angie hopes that her experience in the mental health field will act as resource for the Mental Wellness Campaign and the entire Anoka County Community.
Angies’s Favorite Mental Health Resources