Meet Our Amazing Team!

In Sept. 2018, I walked through the “Blue Doors” of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN for the first time starting a new career adventure, and it was the best decision ever. The past two years have been filled with so many rewards and challenges to “Do Whatever It Takes…” I am incredibly fortunate to call Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN my forever home.

I have been a part of this great organization for more than 35 years! I started as a college student and worked my way up to managing Kennedy KIDSTOP for many years to support youth in the St. Joseph community. Today, I ensure quality programs and services for youth across our organization. When I’m not at the Club, I’m working on my family farm or being an aunt to some great kids!

I have worked at the Club for 22 years in resource development. No small feat! I love this team, and I love this mission. When I’m not at the Club, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful husband and two amazing kids, spending time at the cabin and always looking for new hobbies, like crafting, golfing, hiking and fishing.

I worked in the private industry at Leighton Enterprises for 38 years in various roles, including CFO, before joining the Boys & Girls Club. I’m excited for this new chapter in my life, and I look forward being a part of the mission to empower youth to reach their full potential.

I live in St. Cloud with my wife Trude and our dog, Shadow. We have 7 adult children, and we are looking forward to welcoming our first grandchild in February.

I’ve been a part of the Boys & Girls Club family for more than 30 years. Most of my time at the Club was spent as a KIDSTOP Program Manager. But a few years ago, I moved over to HR, and it has been such a rewarding journey to serve youth in this new capacity!

I joined this amazing team more than 20 years ago, and I couldn’t imagine a better job than supporting the mission to do whatever it takes to help our youth! In my spare time, I chauffer my three kids around to their various activities and get on the lake whenever I can!

I started working at the Club more than 20 years ago as a college student volunteer. The Club’s mission became ingrained in me, and I spent 20 years serving the Club as a unit director before entering my current role as Director of Clubs in 2020 to support and mentor Club site managers and ensure quality programs and services for youth.

I started working at the Club more than 20 years ago in the KIDSTOP program. I managed KIDSTOP sites in each of our partnering school districts before moving into my current role as Director of KIDSTOPS to support and mentor KIDSTOP site managers.

I love working at the Clubs, because I am passionate about helping kids and strengthening this awesome community!

Favorite movie: Miracle
Favorite animal: Moose
Favorite sport:Hockey!
Favorite hobby: Golf
Favorite food: Chicken Parmesean

I have been with the Boys & Girls Club for 18 years, and I am part of a great team that is always looking to see what we can do to enrich our members lives. When I’m not at the Club, I’m hanging out with my husband and our two dogs!

Favorite color: Green
Favorite ice cream: Dilly Bars
Favorite movie: Easy A
Favorite animal: Dogs
Favorite hobby: Reading
Favorite food: Chinese
Favorite way to spend a Saturday: car ride

I attended summer KIDSTOP in St. Joe when I was a kid and looked forward to every summer when I could be back in the program and see my summertime friends. When I started with the organization 23 years ago, I worked at Kennedy KIDSTOP and later moved into the office where I now work as the IT & Database Specialist. When I’m on vacation, my family and I enjoy going to a cabin in Detroit Lakes to spend time fishing, tubing and enjoying the beach.

I grew up in the Philippines and lived in Bangkok, Thailand for 12 years before moving to Minnesota. I started as a Youth Development Professional at Oak Ridge KIDSTART program and fell in love with the Boys & Girls Club’s mission.

I am grateful to be part of a team that is passionate about mentoring youth.

Every day, I am inspired by the incredible programs and opportunities that the Club and the staff provide for our youth and the community. 

In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies, gardening, and most of all, exploring different kinds of cuisine with my husband and twin daughters.

I worked in higher education for 8 years before joining the Boys & Girls Club! I’m excited for the Club experience and to support such an amazing mission. In my spare time, I walk my 70 lb black Goldendoodle, Remi, and work at St. Cloud Floral and as an event coordinator for Harvester Square in Downtown East St. Cloud.

Favorite Color: light blue
Favorite Place: Long Beach, CA
Favorite Movie: Barbie (2024), Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Finding Nemo

I’ve been the facilities manager at the Club for 20 years! I love staying active and busy fixing things inside and outside Club buildings. When I’m not at the Club, I’m hanging out with my son or tinkering around the house or the cabin.

I was recently hired by the Boys & Girls Club, and have loved every minute of it! I graduated from North Dakota State University, (GO BISON!) where I studied Sports Management with an emphasis in Youth Athletics. Working with kids gives me the opportunity to see them grow as individuals, work as a team, and have fun. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Makala, friends, and family. We enjoy spending time on the lake, around a campfire, or exploring the outdoors.

Favorite Color: Royal Blue
Favorite Movies: The Dark Knight, Avengers Endgame, Remember the Titans, Rocky
Favorite Superhero: Batman!!
Favorite Sport (to watch): Football
Favorite Hobby: Disc Golfing
Favorite Quote: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have worked in mental health for the better part of 10 years, and I am delighted to transition to the Boys & Girls Club. This new chapter provides me new opportunities to teach kids fun and exciting things, to watch them grow into confident, independent learners, and have a positive and meaningful influence in their day-to-day lives.

Outside of work, you might find me spending time with my family, friends or my dogs, Finn & Remy. I enjoy painting and photography. I love to travel, and I am a bit of a foodie. You could also say that I am a bit of a baseball fanatic! 

Favorite Sports Teams: Minnesota Twins, Timberwolves and Arizona Cardinals.
Favorite Food: Mexican
Favorite Seasons: Summer & Fall 
Favorite Vacation Spot: any tropical beach across the globe!
Travel Wish List: Ireland, Scotland, Greece, Italy, Norway, Finland

I have a long history of Boys & Girls Club involvement. All 4 of my children participated in Boys & Girls Club programs in Central Texas. Inspired by the staff and Boys & Girls Club’s values, I became a volunteer, helping with Keystone, Real Talk, social recreation, and athletics.

Over the last 15 years, I have worked as a Center Director in Early Childhood Education, Teen Mentor for the District of Columbia, and Program Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee. I also host a podcast and serve as a Life Coach for “A Balance Life to a Better You”.

In my free time, I love to hike, read, golf, shoot pool, ride horses and sing karaoke.

My experience at the Boys & Girls Club started when I was a kid, attending the Mississippi Heights KIDSTOP program. After I graduated from high school, I wanted to be a part of the organization that gave me so many fond memories as a child. I started out as a Youth Development Professional. A few years later, I was promoted to Assistant Site Manager. Now I serve as the Site Manager for Madison KIDSTOP.

At St. Cloud State University, I majored in education to become a middle/high school science teacher. I am a huge science nerd, and I love to learn how the world works around me. I also enjoy singing in my free time. I have been a part of school choirs all my life – most recently with St. Cloud State University.

I’ve been with the Boys & Girls Club for 4 years, and I’m just a BGC member at heart, on a mission to pour into our kids everything that was instilled in me as a child growing up in the organization.

Favorite color: Come in my office, lol!
Favorite ice cream: Anything from Coldstone
Favorite Movie: The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
Favorite Animal: Unicorns
Favorite Emoji: 😬
Favorite Hobby: Making Jewelry
Favorite Song: Anything Beyoncé Sings
Favorite Food: Avocado
Favorite Restaurant:
Favorite Quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou.

I’ve been with the Roosevelt Boys & Girls Club since 2017 and served in a variety of positions. I am now the Senior Site Manager of the Roosevelt Club. I look forward to each day at the Club, and I enjoy the challenges and the successes. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family.

Favorite Comedian: Jim Gaffigan
Favorite store: Holiday, Kwik Trip & Kohl’s
Favorite movies: Princess Bride, My Fair Lady, Gone With the Wind, and Tommy Boy
Favorite TV shows: Top Chef, Baking Competitions,  Crime and History Documentaries
Favorite Restaurant: Chinese Buffet
Favorite food: Tacos or Pizza
Favorite place: Home with my family
Favorite vacation place: Camping with the family

I have been with the Boys & Girls Club for 10 years and have enjoyed how each year has differed. Each site and member that I’ve meet has taught me something new along the way!

Favorite color: Purple
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Animal: Elephant
Favorite Emoji: 👍
Favorite Sport: Basketball
Favorite Hobby: Journaling
Favorite Song: Hotel California
Favorite Food: Pasta

I started my career with the Boys & Girls Club about two years ago, and I am thrilled to help launch the new Discovery Boys & Girls Club in Waite Park as the Senior Site Manager.

Working for the Club has brought such great joy and excitement to me. It may made me realize that I love working with children, and this is the place I was meant to be.

Outside of the Club, I enjoy walking my dog Misha on the many trails in the area and spending time with my family. My favorite sport is hockey, and I love watching football!

I started my career with the Boys & Girls Club in 2019 after graduating from the University of Minnesota – Morris with a degree in Biology. I originally wanted to go back to school to become a teacher, but I fell in love with working with kids in the afterschool setting. I have a passion for working with youth and getting to learn and be creative with them. When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my family and my two dogs, Buddy and Honey. 

Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite season: Fall
Favorite Movie: Lilo & Stitch 
Favorite Animal: Cats
Favorite Sport: Football
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Vacation Place: Dominican Republic 

I have been working with children throughout my career as a childcare provider, foster care provider, and now with the Boys & Girls Club. I am thrilled to be a part of this team to provide safety, structure, consistency and inclusivity for each member in our program!

I am well-versed in trauma-informed care through my work advocating for women in domestic violence situations. I have also had the privilege of teaching, educating & fostering relationships with at-risk youth in the 5 county districts near Mora.

When I’m not at work, I am passionate about horses! I live on a farm with my husband, a horse, two donkeys, two dogs and chickens.

I started at the Boys & Girls Club in 2022 as a Youth Development Professional and receivied the amazing opportunity to pursue an HR internship. Currently, I am working as the Recruitment Coordinator.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is extremely important as it emphasizes the overall goal of the organization – empowerment and support! Throughout my time at BGC, I have met so many talented individuals, all working toward improving the lives of our youth, which makes working here extremely rewarding. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and taking care of my many plants.

Favorite color: Green
Favorite season: Summer
Favorite animal: Cat
Favorite ice cream: Strawberry Cheesecake
Favorite store: Target
Favorite movie: Perfect Host
Favorite TV show: YOU
Favorite hobby: Plants
Favorite food: French Fries
Favorite restaurant: Kyoto Sushi
Favorite place: Anywhere my family is

I have been with the Boys & Girls Club for five years because I wish to give back to the community in which I have grown up. My favorite way to spend a Saturday is going Frisbee golfing with friends or family.

Favorite color: purple
Favorite season: winter
Favorite ice cream: cookie dough
Favorite movie: Aladdin
Favorite animal: orangutan
Favorite emoji is 🤣
Favorite hobby: video games
Favorite song: Help by Beatles
Favorite food: pizza
Favorite restaurant: Best Burger Ever
Favorite vacation place: my aunt and uncle’s cabin in Joseph Oregon

I have been with the Boys & Girls Club since 2012. I enjoy working at the Club, because I always get to see the children change in many ways. I have seen the work of the Club helping children out in many ways. 

Favorite color: Maroon
Favorite season: Fall
Favorite ice cream: anything chocolate
Favorite movie: Night at the Museum
Favorite animal: Turtle
Favorite sport: Football
Favorite hobby: Crafting
Favorite song: Tin Man
Favorite restaurant: Texas Roadhouse
Favorite vacation place: Anywhere up north & on a lake

I started with the Boys & Girls Club as a volunteer for a college class in 2016. Since then I have been in various roles ranging from Youth Development Professional to Senior Site Manager at Riverview KIDSTOP to my current position as Accounts Receivable Manager! I love serving the youth of our community in various ways.

Favorite season: fall, but it never lasts long enough!
Favorite ice cream: Coldstone
Favorite movie: Titanic
Favorite animal: my dog, Sunny
Favorite sport: Go Vikes!
Favorite hobby: thrifting, cooking, reading, crafting
Favorite song: Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Favorite vacation spot: bring me to the beach and I’m happy!

Prior to joining the Boys & Girls Club, I was a coach and academy facilitator with Walmart for over 15 years.  My wife, 2 kids, dog, cat, chickens, bees, rabbits, hamster and I live on a small hobby farm in Little Falls.  We love everything outdoors; fishing, hunting, foraging, camping, hiking, and more fishing.

Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Ice Cream: No thanks, bacon instead please
Favorite Movie: Marvel, Star Wars
Favorite Animal: Frogs
Favorite TV Show: Futurama|
Favorite Hobby: Making my own fishing lures.
Favorite Song: “I’m Walking on Sunshine”
Favorite Food: Anything straight out of (or in) the garden
Favorite Restaurant: The closest Chinese Buffet
Favorite Quote: “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.”
Favorite Vacation Place: Alaska

I enjoy teaching the kids new activities and helping nurture them to become better humans in the world.

When I’m not at the Club, I love to travel the world, play with my 2 cats Lorenzo and Mossimo, spend time with friends and family, try new foods, and enjoying water sports on the lake during the summer.

Gavyn Braun
Eastside Boys & Girls Club
Site Manager

The mission of the Club is important to me, because we are teaching the kids skills that they will be able to use in their everyday life.

I enjoy working at the Club because I love building relationships with kids and being able to help them succeed in everything they do.

Favorite color: Blue
Favorite season: Summer
Favorite Hobby: Working on cars
Favorite food: anything I can microwave
Favorite emoji: 😑

Brett Berens
Westwood KIDSTOP
Site Manager

I have been with the Boys & Girls Club for 3 years. I love giving back to the community and helping those around me. I have experiences in coaching and organizing philanthropy events.

Favorite Color: Blue/Pink
Favorite sport: Hockey and Disc Golf
Favorite Restaurant: Green Mill
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite Place: Waupaca, Wisconsin
Favorite Animal: Hippopotamus

A local to the Granite City area, I grew up attending KIDSTOP. I became a youth development staff as a high school student at Tech. I have so many great KIDSTOP memories: time outside, learning to love sports, and incredible field trip opportunities. I also created life-long friendships through KIDSTOP.

I attained my B.A. in Psychology at St. John’s University and then pursued a Doctorate of Chiropractic in the Twin Cities. After 15 years of working in healthcare, I decided to make a career change and follow my passion for working with youth.

I am thrilled to help all of our members reach their full potential while learning how to be part of a community and develop leadership skills. I hope to foster the experiences and opportunities I was given as both a member and employee at the Boys & Girls Club.

I have been a part of the Boys & Girls Club since 2018. I started as a Junior Volunteer and worked my way up to becoming the Site Manager at Riverview KIDSTOP in Sartell! I love working with youth, and I’m so lucky to be able to continue to build relationships with the Sartell community.

Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Hobbies: Cooking, Crafting, Online shopping
Favorite Restaurant: Olive Garden and Leeann Chin
Favorite Animal: Sloths
Favorite Vacation Spot: California