Angie Miller, Executive Director
218-726-1665, extension 13
angie@communityactionduluth.org

Angie Miller has been with Community Action Duluth since December 2003. She became the Associate Director in March of 2007 and the Executive Director on July 1, 2008.

At Community Action she managed the Asset Development programs including the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota Individual Development Acount program, the HOPE VI Individual Development Account program, the Home Repair Matched Savings Account program and the free tax preparation sites. She also taught financial education classes.

She has a master's degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and previously worked for North Star Community Development Corporation, New Moon Publishing and the Tenants Union/Renter's Hotline at the Damiano Center. Angie is on the board of Little Treasures Child and Family Center and Center City Housing.

Xavier R. L. Bell (a.k.a. Chaplain X) is an ordained minister, public speaker and preacher who came to Community Action Duluth from California with his wife and five children. He has twelve years of experience working with at-risk youth and their families. While in California, Xavier was the chaplain and program coordinator at the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, where he became known as"Chaplain X." In addition to chaplaincy, Xavier was also the youth guidance director and volunteer coordinator for Youth for Christ where he immersed himself in the community by organizing concerts, fundraisers and seminars. Seeing a need to address the recidivism rate of juvenile offenders, Chaplain X, along with a number of volunteers, developed a family-like support system for youth exiting the county's juvenile detention center, which involved 20 churches. This creative community support effort increased awareness of the issues surrounding juvenile offenders and developed resources and assets for these young people. Chaplain X was most recently the senior youth treatment specialist at Woodland Hills in Duluth. He believes that poverty systematically undermines a community's kindred spirit and he encourages the people of Duluth to be the first city in the United States to end poverty one family at a time.

Eric is a 2002 graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. He graduated in April of 2008 from the University of Minnesota- Duluth with his Master of Social Work degree. Eric's diverse experience has lead to his leadership in technology implementation and computer network management along with program evaluation and outcomes reporting utilizing digital information systems.

Eric is a nationally certified Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) trainer and co-trained at three training sessions held in greater Minnesota during the summer of 2008, providing knowledge to over 100 Community Action professionals.

Teresa brings a variety of great skills to Community Action Duluth. She was an administrative assistant for 15 years at KDLH-TV in Duluth. Before that, she was part owner and manager of St. Louis Billiards and Eating Emporium, a family-owned business and home of this area's famous seafood bisque. Teresa is thrilled to be part of Community Action Duluth and is looking forward to expanding her knowledge and outlook on life.

Robert Trudeau, Accountant
218-726-1665, extension 14
robert@communityactionduluth.org

Robert graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota Duluth in May of 1985 with a Bachelor of Accounting degree. He has served as the Controller of various businesses in a variety of industries. Robert is a member of the AICPA and Minnesota Society of CPAs.

Amanda Peterson, Family Employment Advocate
218-726-1665, extension 26
amanda@communityactionduluth.org

Amanda Peterson joined Community Action Duluth in July of 2006, as a Family Employment Advocate for the HOPE program. During that time, she assisted low-income families find and maintain livable wages and work towards self-sufficiency. Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work, at the College of St. Scholastica in December of 2005. While completing her degree Amanda interned as an HIV prevention educator for AIDS Information Duluth. She was hired in September of 2008 as the new Business and Education Counselor for the FAIM program. Amanda is excited about helping Duluth families become financially stable and attain financial assets as a way to abolish the poverty that undermines a community’s ability to achieve social justice and equal opportunity for all.

Sarah Priest, Housing Counselor
218-726-1665
sarah@communityactionduluth.org

Sarah comes to Duluth from the Iron Range, where she’s spent the past two years working with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) as a Program Coordinator for Circles of Support and FAIM.  Schooled in Political Science and Sociology/ Anthropology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, Sarah seriously enjoys studying people and culture (past travels include Guatemala, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Iceland, & she lived with a Hmong immigrant family in West St. Paul). 

She is passionate about helping people reach their potential and advocates for the elimination poverty and inequality.  As a strong believer in asset building for positive change, Sarah looks forward to helping FAIM accountholders and Common Cents participants improve their credit, reduce debt, manage spending and build assets, with special focus on assisting First Time Homeowners!   

Kate Wigren, Circles of Support Program Advocate Coach
218-726-1665
katewigren@communityactionduluth.org

Kate began working as an advocate with the Circles of Support Program in February of 2007 after completing an internship at Community Action Duluth as part of the Masters of Social Work Program at the University of Minnesota- Duluth. Kate has been active professionally and personally in addressing issues of poverty and discrimination in the Duluth community. Before pursuing her Masters in Social Work degree, Kate worked as a housing advocate assisting people experiencing homelessness in Duluth. She has also been active locally as a volunteer board member and is currently serving on the Board of Directors at Women's Community Development Organization. A Native Minnesotan, Kate has lived in Duluth for seven years and currenlty lives in West Duluth with her husband and two young daughters.

Kellye Owens, Finacial Educator/Coach
218-726-1665
kellye@communityactionduluth.org

Kellye Owens serves the agency as an all-around resource on personal financial matters. She teaches financial education classes to adults and youth, works with participants in savings programs, and will happily answer any questions anyone has about building personal wealth. Her many years of experience working in the for-profit financial industry include turns as a banker for Wells Fargo, a personal financial advisor for American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise Financial), a Business Analyst for DST Systems, and as a Representative for Zacks Investment Research and The Chicago Partnership Board. Kellye moved to Minnesota from warmer climes in 2004, came to Community Action Duluth as a volunteer, joined the staff full-time from 2006 to 2007, spent a lovely year in California substitute teaching, and is delighted to once again be in a position to help people achieve their financial goals. Kellye holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas, and reminds everyone that voting matters; only a well-informed and engaged citizenry can ensure good government in a democracy. Kellye would like to add that as her dear friend and colleague X recently said to her, “Don’t just stand there! DO SOMETHING!”