New Pathways Board of Directors

Elected in 2020

Robin is a born city girl but found her passion living small-town life for over 20 years. She and her husband Shawn live just north of Cambridge. They have 4 wonderful adult children. Robin is like “Where’s Waldo,” where we find her working today is a little game. You can find her at the CIHS schools, showing a property in her real estate career, some community engagement, or maybe a local venue since moving here. She has been a part of volunteer/ event coordination and organized many fundraising adventures. She is passionate about partnering with others to succeed and will network anything to get something done. She is excited to be a part of the board and to be involved with decisions and collaborations to make impacts on the families that are supported.

Elected in 2021

Jeremiah graduated from Cambridge Isanti High School and is currently the Youth Pastor for New Hope Community Church.  Jeremiah has a heart for volunteering and has done so since he was a youth.  In addition to New Pathways, he has volunteered at Family Pathways Food Shelf, helping those who are in need. He is excited to be a part of the Board of Directors for New Pathways and excited to work alongside the other board members towards exceeding their mission.

Elected in 2023

Melanie is a dedicated and passionate advocate for positive change and social impact, serving as a valuable member of the esteemed New Pathways board. With a strong commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, Melanie brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a deep-rooted desire to create lasting change within the community. Throughout Melanie’s professional career, she has consistently demonstrated her exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and commitment to social responsibility. Having worked in finance, technology and education, Melanie possesses a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector. She has successfully implemented innovative solutions, spearheaded collaborative initiatives, and mobilized resources to address critical issues, thereby driving sustainable and meaningful impact.

Elected in 2024

Shawn moved to Cambridge 32 years ago, beginning his career as a 5th-grade teacher at Cambridge Middle School. Over the years, his dedication and expertise led him to his current role as the Director of Human Resources for the school district. Shawn lives just south of Cambridge with his wife, Shannon, where they have raised their three children.  His enduring passion for helping people initially inspired him to become a teacher. This same drive now motivates him to contribute to the community in new ways, such as his decision to apply for a position on the New Pathways board. Shawn wholeheartedly believes in the mission of New Pathways and is eager to support the organization in any way he can.

Elected in 2020                                                                        

Ron Duke grew up the eldest son of Salvation Army Officers and has done various volunteer assignments for the Salvation Army over the years.  He retired from GEECO as an inside sales representative 15 years ago.  He has been on the board for Lakes and Pines since 2012, served on their Executive Committee and participated in their Poverty Simulations.  He is on the board for the Cambridge Salvation Army.  He has been a volunteer at the Cambridge Food Shelf and Ruby’s Pantry for several years.  Ron has ‘a heart’ for people in need.

Elected in 2020

Jane is a retired nurse and nurse practitioner with a healthcare background in hospital settings, primary care in a clinic setting and community through school-based clinics, school nursing and public health nursing.  She has lived in the community for over 30 years with a wide variety of service in non-profit boards.  She has volunteered to assist with fundraising, strategic planning, and completion of the 20-acre Cambridge-Isanti Soccer Complex.  She served on the Isanti County Public Health Commission and was a coordinator for her faith community for New Pathways, Inc.  Jane is passionate about serving the needs of our families in transition in East Central Minnesota. She is serving her second two-year term on the New Pathways board.

Elected in 2023

Kizzy has lived in the Kanabec County area for 25 years. She hopes to use her experiences from serving with Americorps and working in alternative school settings in rural areas. She sees the need for youth support when it comes to homelessness. Being an advocate for children is why she does what she does. Kizzy loves to garden with a particular interest in native plants, she also enjoys preparing and eating good food. She gets great joy hanging with her cat George, and her two adult children.