MFC Board

The Mayo Families Connections’ executive board is comprised of volunteer members of MFC.  Our group is always looking for new members to volunteer.  If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions for the group, please email mayofamiliesconnection@gmail.com.

Executive Committee

Laura Watkins

President

MFC Member Since 2018
Board Member Since 2019

Laura is the Office Manager at QW Furniture. She teaches fitness classes at the DAHLC and teaches ballet at Bliss Dance Space. Laura is also a founding member of the Rochester Ensemble of Dance.

Melissa Wang, M.A.

Former President

MFC Member Since 2018
Board Member Since 2019

Melissa is a clinical research coordinator at Mayo Clinic. She has a background in intercultural communications and public relations.

Angela Ge

Vice President
Treasurer
Volunteer Group Leader

MFC Member Since 2020
Board Member Since 2022

Angela Ge is the venture partner of Flying Tiger Capital and the co-founder of the social enterprise SEEDInVenture which promotes youth participating in social innovation. Mother of two girls, Angela is also an advocate for Montessori education. 

Erik Noonan

Secretary

Erik moved to Rochester from Minneapolis by way of a four-year stay in San Antonio. Erik is a freelance software engineer who is active in transit equity and climate sustainability advocacy in the greater Rochester area. Erik is absolutely passionate about forming community connections, discussing great design, baking, cooking, biking, and hiking.

Board Members

Kami Mirande

Webmaster

MFC Member Since 2020
Board Member Since 2022

Kami is an associate photographer at Emma Jeanson Photography and a graphic artist for a non-profit organization, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Klamath County, back home in Southern Oregon. 

Brittany Vaillant

Marketing and Social Media
Winter Carnival Co-Chair

MFC Member Since 2020
Board Member Since 2022

Brittany is a communications manager for Stryker, a leading medical technology company. Her formal education is in Finance and Accounting but her passion is communication and design. She loves international travel and volunteering. One of her most impactful trips was to participate in an Operation Smile mission in Morocco. Her husband is an Infectious Diseases fellow and they welcomed their first child together in August 2021.

Bethany Kundert

Winter Carnival Co-Chair

Bethany is a stay-at-home mom, Minnesota Master Naturalist, and nature photographer/artist. In a past life, she completed a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology and worked as a Cytometry Technologist for many years. She is passionate about local nature, and she can be seen frequently birding around Rochester with her toddler and dog in tow (and on occasion - her pathology resident husband). 

Quinn Proffer

Taster’s Table Co-Chair

Quinn is Vice President at Flywheel, a research informatics company, and made Rochester his home in 2016. An avid Douglas Trail cyclist and Chester Woods kayaker, you can find Quinn outside even in the coldest months. His wife is an Alix School of Medicine alumna and current Dermatology resident.

Carlyn Fredrick

Kaleidoscope Editor
Special Interest Group Coordinator

MFC Member Since 2020
Board Member Since 2023

Carlyn is a Marketing Lead at BookBub, a Boston-based startup that helps readers discover new books. Born and raised in California, she spent ten years in Massachusetts before moving to Minnesota. She loves going out to local restaurants and breweries, and she's a member of the Rochester Curling Club. 

Ellen Crowley

Welcome Brunch Co-Chair

Board Member Since 2022

Ellen is from Texas and while she has loved Minnesota she still misses margaritas and tacos. She loves the hiking and waterfalls in Minnesota and spends a lot of time reading (shout out to MFC Book Club!). 

Michelle Haselton

Welcome Brunch Co-Chair

MFC Member Since 2019
Board Member Since 2023

Michelle is a stay-at-home mom to a lively 1 year old, James. In a previous life, she was a virologist at a biotech company in Rochester. She is passionate about all things baking (especially bread), cooking, reading, and in her occasional freetime competes in triathlons.

Above: Some of our board members at 2022 Welcome Brunch

Above: Board members at Taster's Table 2019