Our Staff
Members

Brenna Gerhardt
Executive Director
Brenna Gerhardt joined in the exercise of ideas at Humanities ND in 2005. She drives English majors crazy with her penchant for typos, but as a Religion major, she is very good at asking for forgiveness. If you visit the HND offices, chances are you will be greeted by the sound of her braying laugh ringing down the hall.
Currently Rereading: The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
Kenneth Glass
Associate Director
Since May 16, 1986, Kenneth Glass has been balancing the books at Humanities ND. He is easily the funniest member of the HND staff if you count puns as funny. Known as Special K in the office, Ken is also capable of a mean polka.
Currently Reading: What We Leave Behind by Barb Solberg
Sue Skalicky
Program Director
Sue’s juggling skills once landed her the best summer job she ever had and helps her day-to-day as she juggles HND programs, creating classes and events that feature today’s brightest thinkers in-person and virtually for all lifelong learners to enjoy. As an avid lifelong learner herself, Sue is writing her third book, raising her last of seven kids, and plotting out all the hiking trails she will hike when she moves to Colorado this summer.
Currently Reading: Civil Rights Queen by Constance Baker Motley
Nick Glass
Financial Operations Director
Nick knows his way around a construction site and a spreadsheet, making him the handiest member of the HND staff. Joining us in late 2021, Nick's many talents continue to surprise us. From cloud accounting to skydiving, he is always up for new adventures.
Currently Reading: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Lacie Van Orman
Marketing Director
Lacie has an eye for style and knows how to get her point across, that's why she's in charge of getting the word out for Humanities ND. An accomplished photographer, graphic artist, and writer, Lacie will make sure you're invited into the Humanities ND story!
Currently Reading: The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce
Crista McCandless
Program Manager
Humanities North Dakota provides hundreds of hours of lifelong learning opportunities. With multiple formats and options for study, Crista McCandless applies her superior organizational skills and creative problem-solving to support our community of lifelong learners. Crista's roaming curiosity, quick wit, and openness to new friendships are essential to our mission and work environment.
Currently Rereading: The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Joleyn Larson
Podcast Producer
Joleyn Larson is a natural communicator and lifelong learner who loves tackling new challenges. Her diverse skillset and natural curiosity make her a great fit for Humanities North Dakota. Joleyn is busy building our newest program, the HNDRead Watt Podcast. Learn while on the go with a fabulous lineup of thinkers and ideas.
Currently Rereading: Begin Again by Eddie Glaude Jr.
Iris Swedlund
Volunteer Spokesperson
A member of Humanities North Dakota for over twenty years, Iris is also our volunteer spokesperson. Known as “Red Iris” for her penchant for all things crimson, you can always pick Iris out of a crowd at a humanities event, and she hopes you say hello when you do! Iris’s love of learning started young and carried her throughher career as the Velva School and Public Library librarian. Her motto is,“LIVE EACH DAY TO ITS ULTIMATE.”
Currently Reading: Less by Andrew Sean Greer