Katie Danley
Manager of Business Operations, Erik’s Ranch & Retreats
ABA Therapist, Student
Katie Danley currently works as a therapist for Erik (of Erik’s Ranch & Retreats) which is how she got started with the organization. Danley is also a student enrolled in the esteemed and competitive occupational therapy master’s program at St. Catherine University and will graduate with her B.S. in occupational science, her M.A. in occupational therapy and a minor in psychology. Danley facilitates business operations for Erik’s Ranch & Retreats and is instrumental in making Erik’s Ranch & Retreats run smoothly and efficiently.
Danley is also currently an ABA therapist who works with families who have children with autism. This experience, along with her Master’s degree will be beneficial to her future professional career in the health care industry.
When she has spare time, in between her work and school, Danley takes pleasure in cooking, being outdoors, taking her dog for walks and volunteering.
Michele Kridler
Director of Marketing, Erik’s Ranch & Retreats
Michele Kridler is a new addition to the team. As a former Product Marketing Manager, she was responsible for the overall management, budget, and training of her product line. She is strong both analytically and creatively. Expertise in project management, leading cross functional teams, and integrating new brand and communication strategies to the marketplace has enabled Kridler to succeed in her marketing career.
In addition to her vast experience as a marketing professional, Kridler has found time to stay involved in the community by volunteering her time with different organizations. She has been a Girl Scout leader, room parent, PTO chairperson, and VP of Membership and Fundraising for the local chapter of a national women’s organization.
As a parent with a child with life threatening food allergies, she knows all too well the importance of being your child’s own advocate. She brings that passion to Erik’s Ranch & Retreats.
When Michele is not busy raising her family, working, or volunteering, she likes going to the gym and participating in a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Mary Nelson
Director of Communications, Erik’s Ranch & Retreats
Mary Nelson is an accomplished and versatile communications professional, with 19 years experience as a writer, editor and communications specialist. Her background as an English/journalism major has led her into diverse and interesting writing careers and projects: newspaper correspondent, magazine editor, marketing writer, public relations, Web and newsletters.
She has added grant, Web and marketing writing for Erik’s Ranch & Retreats to her writing repertoire.
Beth Olson
Project Coordinator, Erik’s Ranch & Retreats
Jill Riesenberg
Director of Technology, Erik’s Ranch & Retreats
Jill Riesenberg is an IT professional with more than 20 years experience applying technology to business issues with special emphasis on user-interface design and customization. Currently, Riesenberg is a SharePoint Consultant for Project Consulting Group in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her expertise includes web design and web development, facilitating user adoption of corporate intranet sites, and implementing Sharepoint migration for various business scenarios.
Riesenberg developed the Erik’s Ranch & Retreats website and offers her technical proficiency to an array of projects for the organization. She will be instrumental in future key technology capabilities offered at both the ranch in Montana and our upscale urban boutique hotel in Edina, Minnesota (a Minneapolis suburb).
In her spare time, Riesenberg is involved with the Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota (WHAM) and volunteers her time as a website administrator for Heritage of Edina, Minnesota’s largest senior assisted living residence.
