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.
Next Adventure: Trip to Greece
Currently Rereading: Report to Greco by Nikos Kazantzakis
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.
Next Adventure: Playing tennis outside in North Dakota
Currently Reading: The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Sue Skalicky
Program Coordinator
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.
Next Adventure: Juggling four balls instead of just three!
Currently Reading: Impossible Odds by Jessica Buchanan
Naomi Vetter
Membership Coordinator
She can sing, dance, and manage our membership database. Naomi is what we in the nonprofit business call a triple threat! She brought her talents to HND in 2021, as the founding (and only) member of our office show choir.
Next Adventure: Getting a new puppy!
Currently Reading: O Beautiful by Jung Yun
Nick Glass
Fiscal Operations Assistant
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.
Next Adventure: Acting classes
Currently Reading: House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
Lacie Van Orman
Marketing Coordinator
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!
Next Adventure: Drumming lessons (Is there a show choir band in her future?)
Currently Reading: The Odyssey by Homer
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.”
Next Adventure: A cruise with her children and grandchildren!
Currently Reading: Rising Out of Hatred by Eli Saslow