EPLN’s stories and photos are produced by a small staff of full- and part-time reporters and editors with backgrounds in journalism, as well as contributions from freelance editors, writers, and photographers. Contractors and volunteer efforts also support our hyperlocal news organization.
We welcome new writers, photographers, and those with other skills and talents to contribute to this citizen-run nonprofit. To learn more about EPLN, contact us!
Editors
- Stuart Sudak, editor in chief
- Joanna Werch Takes, managing editor
Staff Reporters
- Rachel Hoppe, general assignment
- Maddie Robinson, schools
Community Calendar
Sales and Advertising
Social Media Manager
- Brianna Collett
Technology
- Ben Hymans
- Vimala Anandaraj
Board of Directors
- Steve Schewe – CEO/Publisher – former business consultant; dedicated volunteer
- Kelly Salwei – CFO – retired CPA and former principal with Olsen Thielen in Eden Prairie
- Mark Weber – Secretary – former publisher of Eden Prairie News, former president of Eden Prairie Community Foundation
- Ben Hymans – CTO – technologist and Eden Prairie resident
- Nancy Tyra-Lukens – Chair – 35-year resident, longtime mayor of Eden Prairie
- Carol Bomben – Vice Chair – former Eden Prairie School Board chair, 33-year resident
- Rod Anderson – former senior pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie
- David Lindahl – economic development director, City of Eden Prairie
- Jeff Strate – Twin Cities and East Coast television producer, writer and journalist
- Frank Farrell – attorney and 28-year Eden Prairie resident
- Anne Byrne – attorney, experienced nonprofit board member
- Charlie Crocker – advertising director, public policy communication, Eden Prairie Schools alum
Active Freelance Contributors
This category includes freelance and volunteer writers and reporters, photographers, editors, grant writers, members of our community outreach team, and more.
- Amber D. Stoner
- Andrea Justus
- Angelo Gentile
- Ben Kopnick
- Brad Canham (founding editor)
- Carrie Brunsberg (Eden Prairie Library liaison)
- Denise Beusen
- Dennis Buster
- Diana van Deusen
- Frank Farrell
- Gillian Holte
- Gretchen Haynes
- Hayden Koughan
- Hunter Friesen
- Jay Stankiewicz
- Jean Sanchez
- Jeff Strate
- Jeremy Peyer
- Jim Bayer (former editor: 2021-2023)
- Jody Carey
- John Jarvis
- Juliana Allen (former schools reporter: 2022-2025)
- Kelley Regan
- Lea Jacobson
- Lynette Kalsnes (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum liaison)
- Maddie Binning
- Mark Weber
- Maxwell Mars
- Mehri McLaughlin
- Michael Koebnick
- Mike Wilkinson
- Mollee Francisco
- Pastor Rod Anderson
- Rachel Engstrom
- Renee Rushdy
- Rick Olson
- Robin Silverman
- Stan Tekiela
- Steve Mulholland
- Steve Schewe
- Steve Silverman
- Susannah Smith
- Zaheer Babar Khan
Special Thanks
- Brad Canham – Founding Editor
- Dean Edstrom – Founding Board Member – attorney, former Eden Prairie City Council Member
- Jenifer Loon – Honorary & Founding Board Member – Former Minnesota State Representative, community leader
- Roy Terwilliger – Founding Board Member – Former Eden Prairie banker, former Minnesota State Senator
- Vijay Dixit – Founding Board Member – retired business executive, founder and chairman of Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation
Past Contributors
- Ace Sauerwein
- Anders Rosdahl
- Andrew Ferri
- Annie Klodd
- Caroline Nave
- Daniel Huss
- Ethan Becker
- Frank Malley
- Fred Baumer
- Grace Ersfield-O’Brien
- Greg Olson
- Harini Senthilkumar
- Isaac Kerry (former schools reporter: 2022)
- Jeff Lawler
- Jennifer Pitterle
- Jenifer Prince
- Karla Wennerstrom
- Lyn Jerde
- Pat LaVone
- Ryan Williamson (former sports/social media editor: 2022)
- Sarah Jackson (former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum liaison: 2023-2024)
- Sydney Lewis
- Tamia Hassan
- Vijay B. Dixit (former board member)