Executive Board 2023-2024

Co-Chair: Ainsley Langerud (she/her) 

Ainsley is a senior History major with Political Science and Film & Media Studies minors from Huntington Beach, California. She is a Digital Arts tutor in for the Art & Art History department, and works as the Patricia Lindell Library Scholar in the Folke Bernadotte Library here at Gustavus. Ainsley is thrilled and honored to lead this fantastic committee, and looks forward to educating her local communities on youth poverty issues. 

Co-Chair: Alex Dillon (they/them)

Alex is a junior geology major with minors in music and chemistry from Eagan, MN. They also participate in the Gustavus Wind Orchestra and Geology Club. As one of the co-chairs for this years conference Alex is very excited to share everything they have learned this year with the conference attendees. 

Secretary: Olivia Falk (she/her)

Olivia is a senior Biology and Biology Teaching major with a minor in Coaching from Foley Minnesota. This is her fourth year in Building Bridges and third year as a co-captain. Outside of Building Bridges, Olivia is involved in Students for Reproductive Freedoms, Club Tennis, and is a Biology Tutor. Olivia is super excited for all of the events and especially excited for Building Bridges Week. 

Higher Education Liaison: Elle Bergquist (she/her)

Elle is a senior biology and music major from Woodbury, Minnesota. As the higher education liaison, she reaches out to other organizations at Gustavus and makes connections with Building Bridges. Outside of Building Bridges, Elle is part of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, and the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority.

Community Outreach: Allison Schmidt (she/her)

Allison is a junior Chemistry and Chemistry Education double major and Music minor from Tomahawk, Wisconsin. This is Allison's third year in Building Bridges and her first year on the executive board. Outside of Building Bridges, Allison is also involved with Student Educators Association and the Chemistry Club. Allison is excited to organize and set up for the conference. 

On Campus Media and Correspondance PR Chair: Amy Quinn (any/all)

Amy is a senior with a double major in Sociology/Anthropology and Public Health from Wausau, WI. This is her first year being a part of Building Bridges, and as the On-Campus Media and Correspondence chair they are in charge of running Building Bridge's social media. They are super excited for all of the action pieces planned for this year's conference!

Logistics Chair and Risks Manager: Colin Ward (he/they)

Colin is a sophomore history and theatre double major. As the logistics chair and risk manager, he ensures that there are reservations in buildings for weekly committee meetings as well as locations for the day of the conference. Outside of Building Bridges Colin is involved in the Theatre department.

 
Finance Chair: Zach Tlusty (he/him)

Zach is a senior Management major from Eden Prarie, MN. In addition to Building Bridges, Zach works with the Fine Arts office as the Social Media Assistant, and as a Sports Writer for the Gustavian Weekly.

 Student Advisor and Diversity Leadership Council Representative: Tessa Yeager (she/her)

Tessa Yeager is a double major in Political Science and Environmental Studies and has a minor in Geography. Tessa was one of last year's Co-Chairs and now serves as the Student Advisor! Other than Building Bridges, Tessa is also the Sustainability Chair for Student Senate, the President of the Views Hall Council, and a Sustainability Intern for the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation.