These Are Your Neighbors

Mary Soucie began the duties of State Librarian on January 6, 2014. Mary moved here from Illinois, where she was born and raised. She received her undergraduate degree from Illinois State with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Minor in Reading. Later, Mary went on to receive her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Dominican University in Illinois.Mary’s passion for libraries started young. She began volunteering at the library at the age of 12, and by 18 was leading story time. She also spent school breaks volunteering at her local library. Mary’s passion for libraries is in her blood; her mother was a reference librarian for 19 years.Prior to joining the North Dakota State Library Team, Mary has worked in public and school libraries; as the Youth Services Consultant for a Regional Library System; and was also an adjunct professor at a community college teaching Reader’s Advisory and Adult Programs. She has served as a trustee for both a public library and an Illinois Regional Library System. Mary has served on the boards of several library associations at the state, regional and national levels. She has served in many volunteer capacities, both within the library community and her own community. Mary believes that libraries serve as community centers,connecting all the parts of the community that they serve.

Sarah Kolberg grew up in McKenzie, North Dakota. She is a news anchor and lifestyle host on KFYR-TV. She anchors Country Morning Today, co-hosts ND Today, and anchors First News at Noon. She loves sharing stories that highlight the people, places, and moments that make North Dakota home. This new adventure in news has been so much fun — and she doesn't even mind the early mornings!Outside of broadcasting, she’s been a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant for 20 years.She is passionate about skincare and helping women feel confident and connected — and playing with skincare and makeup never gets old!She is a wife, mom to two boys, and dog mom to Daisy and Ducky. When she’s not working, you can usually find her biking, running, or spending time outdoors with her dogs, family, and friends. She also love all things vintage and thrifting — or as she likes to call it, “treasure hunting.”

Sandy is an innovative leader and communication strategist who is passionate about building engaging culture to get results. She currently serves as Deputy Secretary of the Office of the Secretary of State and has held leadership roles in multiple state agencies. She has been involved with Designer Genes of North Dakota, a Down syndrome support network, for the over 20 years helping individuals with Down Syndrome to earn, learn, and belong in our community. She currently serves as their board president.During her free-time, Sandy is back-up barista for her husband Matt. Together they own The Gifted Bean Coffee House, in the Bismarck Veteran’s Memorial Public Library. The Gifted Bean seeks to hire and inspire individuals with unique talents and abilities, like their son and future owner, Cristian, who has Down syndrome.

Jason Grueneich is fighting for HIV advocacy and recovery support in North Dakota. Drawing on his experience as an HIV-positive man who has experienced homelessness and addiction, he has helped launch and lead transformative initiatives: North Dakota’s HIV Peer Navigation Program, Bismarck’s first LGBTQ+ recovery group and the state’s first nonprofit dedicated to people living with HIV—Shine Bright & Live.Jason leads with vulnerability, wisdom and a strong belief in people’s capacity to heal. He is known for his magnetic presence, charismatic communication and ability to bring people together, even in tense situations. He chairs the North Dakota HIV Advisory Board, has shaped public policy around LGBTQ+ inclusion and HIV awareness and built coalitions that include doctors, police departments, libraries and faith leaders. He knows what it’s like to feel hopeless—and what it takes to walk through fire and emerge as a force for others.With his Bush Fellowship grant, Jason will focus on personal healing as a foundation for his growth as a leader, deepen his nonprofit leadership skills and develop a long-term vision for destigmatizing HIV in rural America.

Sherrice Roness is the Students in Transition Coordinator or Homeless Liaison forBismarck Public Schools. She has been in this position for 9 years. She has been aLBSW (Licensed Social worker) in ND for 25 years. All 25 years of her career havebeen dedicated to working with at risk youth and their families. She has worked inmultiple positions including a School Social Worker on the Standing Rock Reservation, Coordinator of the South Central Juvenile Drug Court, In- Home Case Worker forBurleigh County Social Services, and a Guardian ad Litem for youth.

For nearly 12 years, Amanda has served as the Sales & Marketing Manager at the Bismarck Event Center, where she gets to do what she loves most: connect with people, support our community, work in the entertainment business and help bring unforgettable events to life. Before this role, she got her start at Agency MABU as a college intern, then joined the team full-time. From there, she took on a management role at AAA Travel and Insurance and later worked with Rasmussen College as a Professional Development Coordinator — each experience helping her to learn how to lead, collaborate, and grow.Amanda earned her bachelor’s degrees in Business Communications and Business Administration from the University of Mary, and went on to complete her Master’s in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University in Chicago. Along the way, she also became a proud graduate of the Bismarck-Mandan Leadership Academy and was honored to be named the Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Foundation “Woman of the Year” in 2016. Amanda was also the Sakakawea Award winner for the Young Professionals Network and most recently was recognized by the Dakotas-Manitoba Minnesota Optimist District in 2018 as the Optimist of the Year and then the Bismarck Optimist Club 2022 Outstanding Optimist of the Year.Outside of work, she loves giving back. Amanda has served on many different boards and volunteered in different capacities in the community, but some of her most favorite include coaching Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer for Bismarck Special Olympics, volunteering her time with the Bismarck Optimist Club on many different projects including the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Bowling Tournament and her previous involvement with the Young Professionals Network. In her free time, she enjoys camping, traveling and spending time with her husband, two kids and mini-labradoodle.

Janel Schmitz has called Bismarck home since she was six years old. She is married to Mayor Mike Schmitz, and they celebrated their 40 th anniversary in July 2024. Together they have two sons, Jason and David who is married to Kate and they have two children, Hazel and Harrison.Janel’s career has followed many paths. Graduating with a degree in dietetics in 1984, she washired by MedCenter One as a clinical dietitian. She accepted many opportunities at the hospitalin program development and eventually left dietetics to start a variety of programs including theDakota Children’s Advocacy Center, the first comprehensive program in the state to assessabused children.After 15 years at MedCenter One, she joined the nonprofit management world, working indifferent positions with Charles Hall Youth Services, Girl Scouts, the American Lung Associationand the American Red Cross. While at the American Lung Association, she played a significantrole in passing smoke free workplace legislation in North Dakota. During the 2011 floods, shemanaged national and international communications for the Red Cross. During this time sheachieved a master’s in business administration from the University of Mary.Working in the nonprofit sector concluded in 2011 when she accepted the Communications & Marketing Manager position at Bank of North Dakota where she is working today.She enjoys walking, working with her church, reading, wine tasting and hosting dinner parties.Mike and Janel love their new role as grandparents and are frequent visitors to their grands andchildren who all live in Minnesota.https://www.makeyourmarkbisman.com/