Heather Hegi
President

I have been on the board of directors since 2012, serving as chair for many years, but this is the first time being nominated for President! I feel the president should, with engagement with members, help set the course of the organization. I will try my best to put time into the organization and help us build our community, educate the public, and promote atheist activism!

While some might think our organization isn’t necessary, that atheism is accepted, and more and more people consider themselves non-religious; religious thinking is still prevalent, revered, and present in public policy! We remain important for those leaving religious livelihoods, those who want an atheist community, and those who want to speak up for atheist values! It is important to have an organization not afraid to call itself atheist, to put a spotlight on atheism and atheist values as stated in our public policies.

I’m looking forward to the American Atheists conference being in Minneapolis this year and understand the opportunity we have to promote our cause. I hope this will kick off a strong year for our organization and I’m looking forward to leading the organization as President!

Alyssa Ehni
Associate President

I have served on the Minnesota Atheists’ board of directors in varying capacities for the past several years. I have enjoyed my time on the board of directors; shaping the organization and helping us move towards our organizational goals. If elected, I intend to revisit our pre-pandemic goal of increasing membership. Building our community is important to the foundation of everything else that we do.

Michelle Morlan
Chair

I am excited to have the opportunity to continue volunteering on the board of Minnesota Atheists for another year. I joined in 2021 as a director at large and spent the last year as associate president. I have really enjoyed working with the organization and have many thoughts for the future! I am a STEM professional, and I’m passionate about how critical science and reason are to society at large.

August Berkshire
Associate Chair

The role of the chair is to set the agenda for the Minnesota Atheists board meetings and business meetings and to lead (chair) those meetings. The role of the associate chair is to fill in when the chair is not available.

For the past two years, as the current associate chair, I believe I have done a good job and I would be happy to continue in this role. As a separate task, I am the person who usually arranges for the speakers for our monthly public meetings. I look forward to helping us prepare for the 2025 American Atheists national convention in Minneapolis.

Chris Matthews
Treasurer

I am a Minnesota native and a life member of Minnesota Atheists. I personally value positive atheism and the separation of state and church. I have served on the board as treasurer since 2011. I am proud to help provide the infrastructure for Minnesota Atheists to pursue goals that we collectively find worthwhile, and I appreciate the opportunity to continue in this role.

Nancy Hertz
Secretary

I have been a member of the Minnesota Atheists for several years. I have organized and been part of organizing many events including the Pad Project, Backyard movie night and serving meals at the Family Place. I would like a chance to be on the board to continue promoting our values as a group.

Catherine Prody
Director at Large

I have been a member of Minnesota Atheists (off and on as I moved out of state twice for employment) since 2000. I am an attorney licensed to practice in Minnesota. I am essentially retired but am able to work on legal issues that may arise. (My specialty has been intellectual property law.) If elected, I look forward to working on the board.

Steve Petersen
Director at Large

Hi, I am Steve Petersen a founding member of Minnesota Atheists and in the past I have served in several positions on the Board of Directors. I am running for an at-large position this time and my interest is twofold:

1. In 1996 we started a building fund. At that time, those on the board and most active members supported the idea to purchase a building and establish Minnesota Atheists as part of the fabric of our community. We came close to the goal a few times but we did not make a purchase. After several years, members left and new members came on and the board changed. An interest in a radio program replaced the goal of a building. Today we have altogether different interests. My main reason to run for the board is to change the Building Fund into a usable fund that serves the interest of today’s and tomorrow’s members.
2. I want to develop a constructive system for board members and dues-paying members to communicate with people interested in joining. If we communicate better, we will grow and become a more productive organization.

Mathew Hertz
Director at Large

A lifetime member since 2013, I am an active organizer (bowling for deities) and want to step up and get involved at a deeper level.