About Heidi

I’m a lifelong learner who has amassed a wealth of experience working across a wide range of industries, including e-commerce, hospitality, manufacturing, and nonprofits. Using a creative lens, I enjoy working towards innovative solutions and believe that nurturing positive connections is essential for the success of individuals, communities, and organizations.

In 2023, I attended a Restorative Justice Facilitation training with Ted Lewis, trainer at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking. I am also a Restorative Mediator on the MN Rule 114 Qualified Neutral roster. My desire to work in these sectors is the result of personal experiences and wanting to improve the landscape for others.

This work gives me hope that collectively we can work towards quelling the deep divides happening in our social structures and families, repair harm, and work towards a more equal balance of power in polarizing situations.

On a more personal level, I live in Fosston, MN, with my husband Pete, two kids, one dog, a snake, and a gecko. I enjoy the outdoors and the long summer days in Minnesota, not so much the snow. I enjoy creating art, writing, and I’m currently serving as Interim Director for the Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing, which is working to reduce the stigma around mental health care by creatively bringing together mental health services, art therapies, a gallery space where the community can gather, and programming around wellbeing.

“Heidi approaches restorative mediation and her restorative justice work as she approaches life, with an impartial, unbiased manner and a healthy dose of humor and optimism. Her ability to listen and understand a situation’s complexities allows her to work diligently to achieve positive outcomes for everyone involved.

She embodies the Howard Zehr quote, ‘Restorative Justice is respect. Respect for all, even those who are different from us; even those who seem to be our enemies. Respect reminds us of our interconnectedness, but also of our differences. Respect insists we balance concerns for all parties. If we pursue justice as respect, we will do justice restoratively.’”