Angela Christman 

Angela is the founder of Lift Bridge Strategy, a boutique consultancy focused on more personal and human-centered approaches to helping companies grow. Angela is known for building innovative teams to focus on people during periods of high growth, talent shortage, internal shifts in culture due to leadership or ownership transition, and M&A integration. The Lift Bridge team helps businesses build and execute strategies to make sure they have the right people in the right places, performing at their best. Angela has nearly 20 years of experience leading teams and guiding leaders through all phases of business evolution and macroeconomic cycles. The common thread is understanding that talent is a customer, the workplace is a product, and this dynamic creates a market.

Prior to founding Lift Bridge, Angela led teams focused on talent and the team member experience at Marvin. Angela also held multiple leadership roles in Human Resources with Walmart, where she helped impact talent and engagement for associates across the business. Angela holds a B.A. in Psychology from Coe College and an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. When not working, Angela enjoys reading, traveling with her husband and spoiling her two springer spaniels, George and Grace.

Christina Spriggle
Vice President, Partnerships Co-Chair

Christina Spriggle joined Curi, a growing medical professional liability (MPL) insurance company, in 2015. Prior to joining Curi, Christina worked in leadership positions at UnitedHealth Group and Express Scripts.

With over 25 years of experience working in human resources, Christina brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as Vice President, People Team. As the leader of people practices for Curi Insurance (division of Curi), Christina champions the company's talent strategy and philosophy. She and her team partner with leaders across the organization to address and provide solutions to talent and resourcing needs. Christina also guides the company's suite of benefits, manages incentive and compensation plans, coordinates leadership coaching and training opportunities, and more. She enjoys working for Curi and is inspired by the organization's purpose and vision.

In her free time, Christina enjoys walking her dog Axl, reading—particularly non-fiction and historical fiction books, and spending time on the North Shore.

Janis Hardie
Treasurer

Janis is the Vice President of Human Resources at MMT Ambulance, Janis leads all HR functions for this Private Equity-backed company focused on strategic expansion. Janis is an execution-focused leader with a proven track record of designing and implementing integrated talent solutions to ensure an organization has the capabilities needed to achieve results and improve engagement.  She is intrigued by people, their potential and what gets in the way.  With over 25 years of HR experiences, she has led teams and impacted leadership development in a number of different industries including healthcare, retail, education and financial services often during times of transformation.  She has expertise in developing HR strategies, leading recruitment, talent management, as well as managing the human capital components of acquisitions.

Janis holds an Executive MBA and a MA in project management from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. She resides in the Minneapolis area with her husband, Ron and three children. In her personal time, Janis enjoys listening to books or podcasts, practicing yoga, watching hockey, traveling, enjoying the outdoors and walking her two dogs. 

Heidi Grange
Secretary, Program Committee Co-Chair


Heidi is currently the SVP/Human Resources Officer for Northmarq, a Pohlad Company, since 2020. In her current role, Heidi is responsible for leading the development and execution of HR strategy, aligned with business priorities. Heidi leads all aspects of the HR function, including talent acquisition and management, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, HR operations, and the overall employee experience.  

Heidi has over 25 years of human resources experience, including various business partner and senior HR leadership roles in large to midsize organizations. Prior to joining Northmarq, she spent most of her career at Thomson Reuters. While at Thomson Reuters, was a senior HR leader involved in M&A activity, change and transformation initiatives, talent development, and partnership with senior/executive leaders. Prior to Northmarq,  Heidi was the SVP of HR of a global medical device engineering and manufacturing firm located in the Minneapolis area. 

Heidi is an active member of the local MSP HR community, serving on the Board of HR Executive Forum (HREF) and involved in various HR professional groups. She has a BA in Psychology and MS in Human Resources Development and Training.

At Large Board Members

Dr. Kevin Anderson
At-Large


Dr. Anderson is a consultant in organizational design and performance, leadership, change management, and cultural initiatives. Kevin has over twenty-five years of experience in designing and delivering high impact, global organizational solutions. He is currently a senior organizational development consultant at Cargill. Organizations he has worked with include Thomson Reuters, City of Minneapolis and Accelare Consulting where he worked in health care, retail and education. Kevin has a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development from the University of Minnesota.

Kevin brings a practical point of view to his work where academic meets action.  In the organizational design sessions he designs and hosts each year, he is always seeking to transfer practical, impactful approaches.  In his books, including The New Workplace: Performance Through Virtual and Hybrid Teams and Organization Design Made Easy he similarly writes about how all leaders and teams can adopt these powerful mind sets and tools.   

 Claire Edmondson

At-Large, Executive Career & Leadership Coach / Learning & Development Consultant

Claire is a highly accomplished senior executive and founder of Key Leader Resources, a boutique career and talent management firm with a proven track record of driving organizational growth and maximizing individual potential.

As a business development executive, Claire has worked with numerous C-suite executives and senior leaders, helping them enhance their leadership capabilities, improve decision-making skills, and navigate complex business challenges. She began her career in HR with the Marriott Corporation, and has held consulting roles with the Seabury Group, Right Management, Linkage, and most recently, Career Partners International, Twin Cities as the Vice President of Talent Solutions. She has a deep understanding of the intricacies of the corporate landscape and a keen ability to inspire confidence and commitment in others to achieve success.

Claire’s coaching methodology is derived from a combination of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and effective communication to help clients envision successful outcomes. She is known for developing coaching and leadership programs tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of each client. She specializes in coaching others in change and transition.

In addition to running a consulting business, Claire is a current board member for the Human Resources Executive Forum–Minnesota (HREF-MN), where she Co-Chairs the Sponsorship Committee and is also an active member of the Programming Committee. She is actively involved in mentoring and volunteering and giving back to the community. She enjoys travelling with her husband Ken, playing the ukelele and doting on her two tuxedo kitties.

Claire holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Boston College. She has an Organizational Development certification from the University of Minnesota. At the University of St. Thomas, she completed two programs: an Executive MBA Program at the Center for Business Excellence along with the FastTrac Business Management Program at the Morrison Center for Entrepreneurship. Other notable certifications include Strategy and Culture Alignment Tool from Work Effects, Competent Communicator from Toastmasters International, and Negotiating to Yes, Certified Instructor, from Wilson Learning.

Carita Hibben
At-Large, Program Committee Co-Chair

Carita is the Vice President, Human Resources at C.H. Robinson leading the areas of Talent Management, Total Rewards, HR Operations, HR Technology, Payroll, and Global Mobility. Additionally, I serve as the Executive Sponsor on our HR Digital transformation journey.  I am considered a highly accomplished, strategic Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience. Formally recognized for leadership, integrity, collaboration and an ability to establish and execute strategies while meeting company business objectives.  Sharp business acumen in managing a broad scope of Human Resources functions, including operations, talent management, talent acquisition, performance management, succession planning, total rewards, implementing information/data systems, leadership, and coaching.  Passion in designing rewards and recognition programs that align with organizational strategies.  Strong ability to partner and collaborate with Executive Team Members, Board Members, and Senior Leaders to reach company goals and targets.  Lastly, I serve as a member of the board of directors for Make-A-Wish Minnesota.

Rachel Meinert

At-Large, Marketing and Membership Co-Chair 

Rachel is a People & Culture Director on the Allianz Life team who believes business results come from building trust and collaboration. She understands where the business strategy is going, and partners to develop the talent and people strategies to meet organizational goals with a focus on culture and employee engagement. With nearly 25 years as a HR professional, Rachel has demonstrated success working in high growth, fast paced organizations including Target, US Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield MN and UnitedHealth Group.

Rachel has been a part of HR Executive Forum since 2019 and looks forward to being more involved as a member of the HREF board of directors.

Marie Carlson

At-Large 

Marie is the founder of UpSwing HR, a boutique consultancy focused on elevating her clients’ people practices. As an HR leader and practitioner with decades of experience, her interest in emotional intelligence has been nurtured over the course of her career and formed her approach to talent acquisition, productive conflict resolution, performance management, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her background includes roles in contract administration, advertising sales, and operations management prior to focusing fully on HR. In addition to 25+ years of HR consulting work, Marie also served in an executive role as the VP of HR for a global communications firm. This breadth of experience shaped her systems thinking approach and has enabled her to forge relationships quickly across a diverse set of stakeholders.

Marie has contributed to the cultural evolution and process transformation of numerous organizations. Her adaptability, curiosity, and roll up your sleeves attitude has inspired many a colleague, improved cross functional collaboration, and improved operational effectiveness.

Gregg Peterson, MAIR
At Large


Gregg has been the Vice President of Human Resources at Horton for just over seven years.  Prior to Horton, he spent 5 years at Heraeus, 11.5 years at Medtronic, 4.5 years at Tool Products, and 1.5 years at Exxon.  His primary roles have been as a HR Business Partner/HR Leader.  He was also in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa.

Gregg has a Masters in Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from St. Olaf College.

Married, with two kids, Gregg lives in Hopkins, is a runner, loves to camp, hike, and is an avid movie watcher!