Team

We bring a team of professionals to most client engagements in order to ensure quality, responsiveness, and relevant experience. 

MICHELLE BAUERLY KOPEL, MBA, EdM, PhD 
shelly@ventureallies.com

Shelly serves as the Managing Partner in Venture Allies and has worked extensively with clients on organizational and strategic human resource issues. She has helped organizations build strong cultures, effective structures and people-oriented systems. In addition, Shelly has strong research, surveying, and analytical skills which translate to clients as quantitative decision support, strategic planning, and consensus building within organizations and teams.

Prior to joining Venture Allies, Shelly was the Program Director for a leadership development program at the University of Minnesota. In this position, she gained experience in research and analysis, program development, quality management, training and education, and organization development and consulting.

Ms. Kopel graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with degrees in Math and Computer Science. She earned a Masters in Business Administration from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota, a Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota.

RICK BAUERLY, MBA, MPA
rick@ventureallies.com

Rick founded Venture Allies in 2000, and is an on-going board member and advisor to the firm. Rick began organizing Granite Equity Partners in 2001, which he continues to lead today as its Managing Partner. He has considerable experience with business strategy and development, organization design and management team development, operations and technology management, and financial planning and controls.  In prior roles, Rick managed the corporate administrative functions for a rapidly growing, middle-market construction company, served as an independent consultant to a national transportation business, and worked in the management consulting group of a "Big 5" professional services firm.  

Mr. Bauerly graduated from Saint John's University, majoring in Economics and Management. He went on to earn a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

ROBYN BAKER
robyn@ventureallies.com

Robyn brings guest services and customer relations skills to Venture Allies. As an Office Coordinator, Robyn receives inquiries, manages schedules, and assists with internal operations. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a Customer Service Representative at a technology company, a Front Office Manager at a hotel, and a Travel Incentive Agent at a marketing services company. Ms. Baker holds a diploma from McConnell School, Inc.

CHRISTINE FREDRICK, MS
chris@ventureallies.com

Chris provides expertise on the design and development of the firm's client and marketing communications. She has a background in communications, project management, web design, and training. Prior to joining the firm, Chris held several communications and marketing positions. She was Product Manager for a start-up electronic book provider, Project Manager for a web-based training provider, and she wrote technical and marketing content for a leading global technology company. Ms. Fredrick graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, with a degree in English and earned a Masters degree in Scientific and Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota.

PREETH JOHN, MBA
preeth@ventureallies.com

Preeth provides consulting services to clients in the areas of market research, financial analysis, business planning, and operations improvement.  He brings a range of business consulting experience to Venture Allies.  Most recently, Preeth worked with a telecommunications company in Demand Management, focusing on materials forecasting and planning. Additionally, he has worked in customer support and project management with several international companies.  Mr. John earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communications from the University of Madras in India and a Masters in Business Administration from St. Cloud State University.

JOANNE KUDRNA, MBA
joanne@ventureallies.com

Joanne works with clients in strategy development and implementation, organizational design, industry and competitive analysis, and effective leadership. Prior to her consulting work, Joanne spent eight years working in the manufacturing industry, six of them with a global technology and manufacturing leader.  She has experience as a project manager, business analyst, and market development manager.  She has also worked extensively as a leader and fundraiser in non-profit organizations, and currently serves on the board of the Great River Regional Library. Ms. Kudrna graduated from Carthage College with a major in Business, and earned a Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.

JEN RIEDEMAN, BA
jen@ventureallies.com

Jen is an Associate Consultant at Venture Allies. She manages the business and information needs of the organization, bringing an ability to conceptualize and think creatively, along with good interpersonal and communication skills. Jen works with clients to facilitate conferences, assist with board administration, build and deliver on-line surveys, develop marketing campaigns, and deploy effective uses of portal and office technologies. Prior to joining the firm, Jen worked as an Administrative Assistant at a local college and as a Client Service Representative at a personnel services provider. Ms. Riedeman holds a BA in Business Management from the College of St. Scholastica.

JUNE ROOS, MS
june@ventureallies.com

June provides expertise in leadership and organizational development, facilitation, management training, team development, planning, and coaching. Prior to joining Venture Allies, she was Leadership Development Manager for a large corporation serving a family of companies. As part of her role, she designed and developed a learning services and organizational development strategy. She holds many certifications focusing on leadership and coaching including Franklin Covey, The Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, and is an Achieve Global master trainer. Ms. Roos graduated from University of Minnesota-Duluth with a degree in English and earned a Masters degree in Education from St. Cloud State University.

TRACY SCHULTE, MBA
tracy@ventureallies.com

Tracy works with clients on business system improvement and implementation, with a focus on sales force automation, marketing, and channel management. She has a range of experience working on system frameworks, shared components, and integration systems. With a technology and project management background, she brings strong analytical skills and technical knowledge to client engagements. Prior to joining Venture Allies, she worked as a business analyst and project manager for a large technology company. Ms. Schulte graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Business Computer Information Systems, and she holds a Masters in Business Administration from St. Cloud State University.

RYAN SCHWARTZ, BA
ryan@ventureallies.com

Ryan is the Financial Accountant at Venture Allies. He manages Venture Allies' accounting and assists in the accounting and financial reporting for clients. With a strong interest in accounting software, he provides a systems-based perspective to accounting procedures. Prior to joining the team, he worked as a senior accountant at a public accounting firm and as a software support specialist at a technology company. Mr. Schwartz holds a degree in Accounting with an Information Systems emphasis from St. Cloud State University.