MEET THE BOARD
Jeffery Conner (Chair)
Jeff’s journey into mental health advocacy was deeply personal, spurred by the tragic loss of his son, Waylon, to suicide in 2019. Since then, he has immersed himself in mental health groups throughout Anoka County, actively participating in the Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) and the North Metro Suicide Prevention Workgroup. Jeff’s commitment to mental wellness led him to join the Mental Wellness Campaign for Anoka County in 2021, where he currently serves as Vice Chair. He continually enhances his expertise through participation in NAMI-MN trainings and other educational opportunities, embodying a steadfast dedication to fostering resilience and support within his community.
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
Cynthia Blesi (Treasurer)
Cynthia Blesi (pronounced Blee See) is the current treasurer of the Mental Wellness Campaign, and a proud Disabled American Veteran. She joined the Board in 2007 because of her passion for a greater understanding of mental illness. She also brings a unique perspective to the Board, as she was committed by Anoka County to the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center (AMRTC) for six months in 1998. She sees serving on the Campaign as a great way to give back to society.
Cynthia’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
Dixie Helps
Dixie is an Anoka County Children’s Mental Health case manager. She has spent the last 31 years assisting families of youth diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance navigate the educational, county, state and local mental health systems to access needed services. She brings her passion for Body-Mind-Spirit interventions and a belief in a holistic approach to mental wellness as necessary for recovery. By serving on the board, Dixie hopes her years of service in the mental health system, as well as her excitement about holistic approaches, will provide insights and healing to the community.
Dixie’s Favorite Mental Health Resources
Kimberly Koland
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.
Gabriel Rios
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.
Gabriel Rios II
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.
Jen Tyson
As a Human Resources professional, Jen is passionate about creating positive and supportive work environments for employees, which includes fostering cultures of mental wellness and resilience. In 2023, Jen wanted to do more to help with mental wellness outside of her professional life and joined the MWCAC. She is hopeful that the efforts of the MWCAC will help reduce the stigma around mental health.
Jen’s Favorite Mental Health Resources