Melinda is deeply committed to serving her community, especially women and families in need. She enjoys spending time with her family, whether it’s fishing with her husband, attending her son’s baseball games, or enjoying cabin life with her kids in Wisconsin. After earning her Business Management degree and MBA from Bethel University, Melinda realized her passion was working with families and children, particularly in the fight to end homelessness. She has dedicated the past several years to supporting families in Anoka County. Her mission is to guide the moms she works with toward self-sufficiency through Christ, living out the love of God through action. Melinda’s leadership is shaped by her belief in the power of serving others, reflecting the teachings of 1 John 3:16-18.
Shannon has earnestly been a follower of Christ for 20 years now and it has been the best 20 years of her life. She was a believer before that but was not a serious Christ follower until a health crisis shook her little family to its core exactly 20 years ago this June. She heard God clearly tell her everything would be ok and would actually be better on the other side of this crisis. He was right and she has put her trust in Him imperiously ever since. She has been married for 33 years and has two sons who are married and beginning families of their own. She is a fairly new grandmother to one adorable little girl with another one on the way. She is the Executive Pastor at Northgate Church for the past 4 years and prior to that was in upper management for a big box retailer. She has organized women’s events and retreats for her church for 20 years now and loves to see women connect with each other, but more importantly with God. Being a part of Called just takes the whole journey to the next level and partnering with the Triune God for the women in the Twin Cities and beyond is so exciting to her.
Shanna’s coming back to Jesus moment was Mother’s Day 2009 where she felt the Father’s LOVE and couldn’t resist. From that time on Shanna earned her Christian Ministry Diploma in 2017 and new doors of opportunity have opened. Shanna values faith & balanced life in her Real Estate career and at home and as a speaker she is currently out to challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most in life. She has an appetite for helping others maximize their potential of loving life.
Sarah has been blessed to know the Lord since she was a little girl and has always felt a deep calling to serve within the local church. In this season, she is fully devoted to leading worship for Called alongside her husband, Nate, and their incredible worship team. Together, they also lead acoustic worship monthly at the Called Gatherings, creating space for women to encounter God in a powerful and intimate way.
Sarah is a mom to five and treasures the gift of raising her children. She believes wholeheartedly that following Jesus means using whatever God has placed in our hands to encourage and build up others in their faith. She serves a creative God who doesn’t make cookie-cutter women—each of us is uniquely designed with His fingerprint on our lives.
Her prayer is that through Called, women would experience true freedom—freedom to be exactly who God created them to be, fully known, fully loved, and fully alive in Him.
Mari is a dedicated Christian author whose heartfelt messages inspire and uplift women of God. She joined the Called community as a speaker during our launch year and later stepped into a valued leadership role, helping create a seamless and welcoming experience for attendees. From managing registration and responding to questions leading up to the event to greeting each woman with a warm smile on the weekend, Mari serves with excellence, care, and intentionality.
Mari has been married to her husband Craig for over 30 years. They have two grown and married daughters and two adorable granddaughters who call her “Gima.” She treasures her family and friendships, and her passion for nurturing faith shines through both her life and her writing.
An accomplished author, Mari’s books and studies offer wisdom, encouragement, and spiritual growth. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, game nights, meaningful conversations, and making lasting memories with loved ones.
Jamie Wilson has been a meaningful part of the Called community from the beginning, serving as a speaker in our launch year and stepping into leadership for Year 2. We are blessed by her heart, voice, and gift for connecting with others—creating space for women to feel seen, known, and encouraged.
She is married to Lucas, and together they are raising three daughters in a blended family. Jamie draws from her own story as a Korean adoptee—married to a fellow adoptee—navigating divorce, family court challenges, and new beginnings. Her experiences bring wisdom and compassion as she walks alongside others.
As a restorative family mediator and circle keeper, Jamie supports families through conflict, pointing toward healing and restoration. She is also the author of The Tree Began With Me (2022), equipping adoptees to share their stories and stand firm in their identity in Christ.
Jamie’s joy comes from her family, time on and off the water, and connecting with others. Through her faith and vulnerability, she inspires women to explore their own stories and discover the beauty God is writing in their lives.
Tiffany has been an essential part of the Called leadership team since our launch year, serving as Boutique Director. As the owner of The Healthy Boulevard in Coon Rapids, she brings her entrepreneurial spirit, attention to detail, and passion for creating meaningful experiences to her role. Tiffany works tirelessly to ensure that vendors feel supported and attendees enjoy a seamless and welcoming boutique experience.
A proud mom to two adorable children, Tiffany balances family, business, and leadership with grace and energy. Her warmth, dedication, and heart for people make her an invaluable part of the Called community, helping create moments that leave a lasting impression on everyone she serves.
Sydney is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help launch Called Conference and support Elevate Hope House because my faith is at the center of everything she does. It is important to her to work alongside mission-oriented organizations that are committed to making a real impact in people’s lives. Serving in this role allows her to pour into work that directly and positively affects others, which is something she is truly passionate about. She believes that events like the Called Conference have the power to inspire, equip, and bring people closer to God, and I am honored to be part of that mission.