Meet our Team
Lara Lau-Schommer
Executive Director
A seasoned advocate for community-driven sustainability, Lara Lau-Schommer has dedicated her career to fostering green initiatives and enhancing public spaces across Minnesota. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Lara’s deep connection to the region’s landscapes and vibrant communities fuels her passion for gardening and sustainable urban development. Holding degrees in Political Science and Plant Biology, Lara’s academic background provides a solid foundation for her work in environmental stewardship. Her expertise is further enriched by her certification in urban farming from the Permaculture Research Institute for Cold Climates, demonstrating her commitment to resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. Lara’s practical experience is extensive and varied. Her hands-on knowledge is evident from her time at Elsie’s Farm, a CSA farm in Ridgeland, WI, and actively working her own plots in local community gardens. Additionally, Lara thoughtfully cultivates her home garden, which serves as a sanctuary for wildlife habitat, a source of food production, and a testament to the aesthetic value of well-planned garden spaces. Her efforts in creating a harmonious balance between functionality and beauty in her garden exemplify her holistic approach to sustainable living. As the Executive Director, Lara leverages her expertise and passion to lead initiatives that unite gardeners, environmental organizations, and the community. Her leadership is characterized by a collaborative approach, aiming to cultivate a sustainable environment where green spaces thrive and contribute to the health and happiness of local residents. Lara, alongside her husband, is raising their son in her beloved Minneapolis, instilling in him the values of community and environmental responsibility.
Rebecca Swee
Communications + Marketing Director
Becky earned a B.A. in communications and journalism, wrote cutlines for National Geographic magazine and then managed membership communications and marketing at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo before joining MSHS in 2017. She is the editor of Northern Gardener® magazine.
Carrie Lyons
Education + Outreach Director
Carrie grew up in Minneapolis and moved across the river to St. Paul as an adult. She currently lives in West St. Paul with her husband, dog and three cats. She served as a librarian and manager in public libraries before coming to the hort to unite her combined passions for horticulture, information and education. She’s captivated by anything related to gardening, from flowers and pollinators to native plants and sustainable food systems.
Erik Bergstrom
Membership + Marketing Manager
Erik hails from Richfield, Minnesota, where he lives with his wife, dog, two cats and a variety of outdoor critters. For the last decade, Erik has worked in digital marketing on both the client and agency side. His interest in gardening arose when he became aware of the food deserts found around our urban areas. The first native plants he ever put in his yard came from two Pollinator Paks™.
Anna Marhefke
Programs + Marketing Coordinator
Anna moved to the Twin Cities from Ashland, WI, where she studied Sustainable Community Development and Sociology at Northland College. In the north woods, she gained an appreciation and understanding of the need for more sustainable food systems and public spaces in urban environments. She is passionate about cooking, eating, reading and being an intentional member of her community.
Mary Ohm
Office Manager + Volunteer Coordinator
Until November 2022, Mary and her partner Joe Riehle ran Rolling Hills Ranch, a garden center and 60-member CSA, from their 9-acre farm in Corcoran. Though they have sold their farm and business, Mary retains a strong interest in all things hort. An active soprano soloist and cantor with several Twin Cities churches and choral organizations, she often walks her rescue dog, Milo, on the streets and trails around Lake Johanna.
Key Collaborators
Rose Daniels
Northern Gardener®
Creative Director
Rose heads a creative studio that focuses on design and art direction for clients like Bon Appetit magazine and Lakewinds Food Co-op. She loves tending to her houseplant jungle.
Debbie Lonnee
Northern Gardener®
Horticultural Editor
After earning a B.S. in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota, Debbie spent first 13 years managing a large Twin Cities garden center. For the last 30 years, she’s worked at Bailey Nurseries, first as a production coordinator working primarily with the perennial and bedding plant crops, as well as roses and woody plants. In January 2015 she became their Product Development Manager, responsible for Bailey’s new breeding farm in Georgia as well as working with breeders around the world, bringing new plants to Bailey brands.
Susan Barbieri
Northern Gardener®
Copy Editor
Susan has been a features editor, copy editor and writer for a variety of publications, including the Star Tribune, Minnesota Monthly and Pioneer Press. A native of Zone 6 (Detroit), her newspaper career took her to Zone 10 (San Francisco) and Zone 9b (Orlando). She inherited a green thumb from her grandmother, who had the most glorious garden in Black River Falls, Wis., when Susan was growing up. When she’s not chasing off rabbits, researching rabbit-resistant plants, and applying rabbit repellents, Susan works on filling her large St. Paul yard a few plants at a time.
Betsy Pierre
Ad Sales Manager
Betsy is a pro when it comes to all things advertising. If you own a greenhouse, landscape nursery, floral design, landscape design or green service business, Betsy can help you find the most effective channels to market your services to our growing northern gardener community.
