DAMA-MN Leadership Team
DAMA-MN is led by volunteers committed to advancing data management education, professional development, and community throughout Minnesota. Together, our leaders develop programs, cultivate partnerships, support members, and sustain the services that make our chapter possible.
Learn more about DAMA-MN governance, foundational documents, and public filings.
Executive Officers
.jpg)
Terry Baresh | President
president@dama-mn.org|terry.baresh@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Provide leadership and direction for the Chapter.
- Represent DAMA-MN with DAMA International and the broader community.
- Preside at Board and Chapter meetings.
- Coordinate the efforts of officers, directors, and committee chairs.
- Support effective governance and strategic planning.
.jpg)
Erik Erenz | Treasurer
treasurer@dama-mn.org|erik.erenz@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Maintain the Chapter's financial accounts and reports.
- Oversee membership fee collection and financial reconciliation.
- Recommend budgets and manage approved expenses.
- Support annual reporting and nonprofit compliance.
.jpg)
Chris Miller | Secretary
secretary@dama-mn.org|chris.miller@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Record and publish meeting minutes.
- Maintain Chapter governance documents and bylaws.
- Coordinate Board records and internal communications.
- Support elections and Board meeting administration.
Directors and Committee Leaders
Carmen Olsen | Board Member At-Large
Director, Professional Development
professional-development@dama-mn.org|carmen.olsen@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Develop educational programming aligned with member interests.
- Coordinate speakers, facilitators, and learning topics.
- Support study groups, workshops, and professional development events.
- Collaborate with chapter leaders on program planning and delivery.
David Barstad ("Danger") | Board Member At-Large
Director, Member Engagement
membership@dama-mn.org|david.barstad@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and valuable member experience.
- Support member onboarding, participation, renewal, and retention.
- Connect members with programs, volunteer roles, and learning opportunities.
- Represent member needs and interests in chapter planning.
Andy Nash | Board Member At-Large
Director, Community & Academic Partnerships
strategic-relations@dama-mn.org|andy.nash@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Build relationships with academic, public-sector, nonprofit, and professional organizations.
- Expand engagement with students, educators, and emerging professionals.
- Identify collaborative educational and community opportunities.
- Strengthen DAMA-MN's visibility throughout the data community.
Greg Klaus | Board Member At-Large
greg.klaus@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Share responsibility for advancing DAMA-MN's mission, values, and objectives.
- Collaborate across Board roles, committees, and chapter initiatives.
- Support accountable, transparent, and inclusive chapter governance.
- Contribute expertise and assistance across chapter priorities.
Matthias Chan ("Matti") | Board Member At-Large
Chair, Analytics & Reporting
analytics@dama-mn.org|matthias.chan@dama-mn.org|LinkedIn
- Provide trusted operational metrics to chapter leaders and committees.
- Track membership, event participation, engagement, and campaign performance.
- Maintain dashboards and recurring performance summaries.
- Help DAMA-MN make informed, data-driven decisions.
Committee Leaders and Chapter Advisors
Michelle McGovern
CDMP & Study Group Chair
michelle.mcgovern@dama-mn.org
LinkedIn
- Lead CDMP study groups and certification support.
- Coordinate chapter certification activities with DAMA International.
- Expand peer learning and exam-preparation opportunities.
RM
Robin Mertes
Event Coordinator, Professional Development
robin.mertes@dama-mn.org
LinkedIn
- Support planning and execution of monthly chapter meetings.
- Coordinate workshops, collaborative events, and outreach activities.
- Support Carmen Olsen and the Professional Development team.
Stewart Mednick
Senior Advisor & Community Liaison
stewart.mednick@dama-mn.org
LinkedIn
- Advise chapter leaders on governance, leadership, and community engagement.
- Serve as liaison to veteran, business analysis, and professional communities.
- Mentor volunteers and support chapter relationships and continuity.
Mary Saley
BI & Analytics Lead
mary.saley@dama-mn.org
LinkedIn
- Develop dashboards, reporting, and business intelligence resources.
- Translate chapter data into clear, actionable insights.
- Support analytics-informed planning and continuous improvement.
Guy Gaskin
Research & University Liaison
LinkedIn
- Engage DAMA-MN honorary members and university communities.
- Support research, scholarship, and academic collaboration.
- As a former student and mentee, document and publish Professor Gordon Everest's work in advanced data modeling theory and practice.
Dawn Michels
Senior Advisor & Leadership Mentor
dawn.michels@dama-mn.org
LinkedIn · Honorary Members
- Provide guidance, counsel, and mentorship to directors and committee chairs.
- Support workshops, study groups, speakers, and chapter initiatives.
- Bring leadership experience as a former DAMA-MN President and DAMA International Presidents Council Chair.
Board Leadership Opportunities
DAMA-MN is seeking two collaborative leaders to join the Board. Each position carries primary accountability for an important capability while sharing responsibility for the Chapter's broader mission, governance, and success.
Director of Digital Infrastructure & Enablement
Appointed Board Officer · Technology Leadership
- Steward DAMA-MN's website, Microsoft 365, membership, event, and virtual-meeting platforms.
- Establish access, security, documentation, and continuity practices.
- Enable reliable virtual, hybrid, and recorded programs.
- Guide vendor relationships and sustainable platform decisions.
Average commitment: approximately 2–4 hours per week.
Express Interest
Director of Engagement Operations
Appointed Board Officer · Operations Leadership
- Lead reliable execution of newsletters, email, social media, and event promotion.
- Coordinate calendars, checklists, and workflows across committees.
- Support engagement metrics, surveys, and operational reporting.
- Maintain professional templates, standards, and member touchpoints.
Average commitment: approximately 2–3 hours per week.
Express Interest
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer leads work with DAMA-MN directors and fellow members to deliver focused initiatives without serving on the Board.
Communications & Marketing Lead
Help produce newsletters, social media, website updates, and timely communications with members and the broader community.
Express interest
Member Welcome & Volunteer Lead
Welcome new members, help volunteers find meaningful ways to participate, and strengthen connections across the chapter.
Express interest
Content & Media Publishing Lead
Help curate recordings, speaker materials, and educational resources so members can continue learning after live programs.
Express interest
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Relations Lead
Build productive relationships with sponsors and exhibitors whose support expands DAMA-MN programming and member value.
Express interest
