My name is Gina Schmidt and I am proud to be joining your organization, and assisting executive director Ling Becker, with a ‘mid-termship’ position.  While I am transitioning my career, I would like to lend my skills and experience to support the mission of VHEDC and look forward to acquiring meaningful community connections.  My role will include:  writing and editing of the Business Guide and Community Profile magazine, planning and facilitating events, and contributing to the Job Fair committee and other workforce partnerships.

Meanwhile, I am in the process of continuing my education with a credential program offered by the National Career Development Association.  In the new year, I will begin a Master’s program in Adult Education at the University of Minnesota with the ultimate goal of becoming an academic and career advisor at the college level.

In my most recent employment, I was contracted as a staff writer and copy editor for Press Publication’s SAVOUR magazine.  Prior to this, I was an adjunct instructor (and A.A.S. program graduate) with the Culinary Arts program at Saint Paul College (SPC).  I continue to enjoy working with students by teaching industry training classes in SPC’s Workforce Training & Continuing Education department since 2011.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Eckerd College, located in beautiful Saint Petersburg, Florida.  I grew up in the Tampa Bay area and moved to Vadnais Heights 15 years ago to join my husband Michael and start a family.  Our daughter Tori is 10 years old, attends a local Montessori school, and plays hockey on White Bear Lake’s U10A team.

I love to volunteer my time and I share my passion with community causes by:  chairing auction fundraising events for schools and food shelves, supporting watershed initiatives and native planting events, and empowering people most at risk to feed their families with wholesome, local foods and confident cooking skills.  I am a novice tennis player, dedicated yogi and an avid gardener.

As a resident, I have been so impressed with the work VHEDC does in driving the vibrancy of our local economy and progressing its business and government partnerships.  I am delighted to join your important work and look forward to meeting each of you at future events.  Please introduce yourself at the Annual Dinner on November 14th and connect with me on LinkedIn to learn more!