Our 2024 Speakers

Marina Cetkovic-Cvrlje

Marina Cetkovic-Cvrlje is a medical doctor and immunologist who has dedicated her life to researching autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Originally from Croatia, she started her career in a Croatian research institute after practicing medicine for several years. She continued her research journey as a visiting researcher at a Swedish institute, a postdoctoral fellow at The Jackson Laboratory, and a senior staff scientist and head of the autoimmunity and transplantation program at a biotech startup in Minneapolis. Marina eventually landed in the biology department at St. Cloud State University 18 years ago to combine her two passions: teaching and type 1 diabetes. Every June for the past 12 years, she has led a biology study-abroad program in Croatia, where her American and Croatian students study in mixed groups. Marina is a huge dog lover, currently sharing “custody” of a mischievous Rat Terrier Chihuahua with her daughter. She is also an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new countries and landscapes with her husband.

Ma Elena Gutierrez

Ma Elena Gutierrez is a proud Mexican immigrant who grew up in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Mexico. She came to the United States in 1996 with her husband, hoping for a better, safer, dignified life -- something that was not an option in her home country. Her lived experience as a farmworker and young immigrant mother pushed her to view creating community-driven systemic change as a personal challenge. She has devoted her life to community organizing for immigrant rights. Currently, Ma Elena is the executive director of Fe y Justicia (Faith & Justice), an organization that strives to bring justice and compassion to Central Minnesota through leadership development and service. At Fe y Justicia, she is proud to bring cost-free mobile legal and health clinics to the community in addition to public safety partnerships with the St. Cloud Police Department and the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department. 

Ma Elena embodies a highly relational leadership style and sees community partnership as a strong pillar for creating a better Minnesota. Throughout the years, she has fought for driver’s license for all, essential worker rights, health care for all, and turning out Latinx voter engagement. She is also the president of the Hispanic Committee at St.Joseph’s Church in Waite Park. In her free time, Ma Elena enjoys sharing a meal with her family, vacationing in warm places, and going on nature walks.

Riley Johnson

Riley Johnson, co-captain of the US Power Soccer National Team, was recently named 2023 Power Soccer Player of the Year by US Soccer. The sport of power soccer is played in power wheelchairs, and Riley’s passion is in empowering those with disabilities through sport. During his 4-year tenure as Eastern Regional Director for the US Power Soccer Association (USPSA), he introduced countless athletes around the country and their caregivers to Power Soccer. He is also the lead instructor at Power Soccer Camp held every August in Maple Lake, Minnesota, which sees athletes come from all over the world. Through these experiences, he has seen firsthand the perspectives that the sport changes on disability and independence from the point of view of the athlete, caregiver, community and beyond. Outside of soccer, Riley has a Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical engineering and is currently a design engineer at Park Industries in St. Cloud.

Alise Sjostrom

Alise Sjostrom is co-owner of the world’s only “CheeseStillery,” mother of three, wife, and sister in a family of four redheads. With Stearns County as home, milk and moonshine run in her blood. She is using her resources -- human, geographical, and agricultural -- to add as much value as possible to the place she’s always called home, Jer-Lindy Farms, and Redhead Creamery. Owning the business with her husband and parents, they’ve created award-winning cows, cheese, and hopefully soon whey-based spirits. Her family has a vision to continue creating things that are few and far between in the area. They hope as they build, they’ll add value to the agricultural community, having many partnerships along the way.

Jerry Sparby

Jerry Sparby is a dedicated educator and community builder with over 54 years of experience. He has served as a principal, professor, counselor, and friend, working across educational levels from preschool to university. Currently, Jerry is deeply involved with the nonprofit HuddlUp, where he mentors and supports teachers in creating healthy classroom communities through engaging play and diaphragmatic breathing.

Jerry addresses issues such as social awkwardness, isolation, and stress among students, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including veterans, police, and youth in Central Minnesota and California. He recognizes the emotional struggles stemming from daily experiences of isolation and unpredictability and implements proactive programming to give kids a reason to come to school.

As the executive director of several nonprofits, Jerry prioritizes building strong relationships and fostering personal growth among youth. He emphasizes self-understanding, fun, and empathetic interactions, nurturing a generation capable of compassion and resilience.