Contributors

Meet our super awesome team.

We work with a variety of talented folks from across the Driftless (or related to the Driftless) to bring you positive and inspiring stories and content each quarter. We LOVE our contributors, and couldn’t make this community-minded magazine without them! Three cheers for all their hard work!

Renee Brincks

Writer

Renee Brincks is a freelance writer and editor working in media, content, and communications. She’s tasted her way through Alaska’s breweries, interviewed Sir Richard Branson, crafted ice cream package copy, penned a book chapter about Volkswagen bus enthusiasts, and explored five countries on inline skates. Read more of her work at reneebrincks.com.

Sara Friedl-Putnam

Writer + Photographer

Sara Friedl-Putnam is a writer and community-supporter living in Decorah, Iowa, in the beautiful Driftless. When she’s not writing for Inspire(d), she’s putting together copy and photos for Seed Savers Exchange.

Sara Walters

Writer

Sara is a mom and writer living in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has been an Inspire(d) contributor since 2018. When she’s not writing for Inspire(d), she likes reading, running, collecting vinyl, riding her longboard, and playing with her three daughters. 

Tallitha Reese

Writer

Tallitha Reese is a freelance writer and content manager based in Cashton, Wisconsin. She owns Words By Reese and you can find out more about her and her work at www.wordsbyreese.com.

Steve Harris

Writer

Steve Harris, a freelance writer and former Lanesboro innkeeper, is the author of “Lanesboro, Minnesota,” and has written for the Star-Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, Leadership Journal, and other publications. Contact Steve at sharris1962@msn.com or (952) 836-7904.

Lynsey D. Moritz

Writer

Lynsey is a Decorah native who now lives across the Mississippi River from Lansing on an acreage with her husband. She enjoys exploring the Driftless, learning new skills, creating and supporting local art, traveling as much as possible, and being a part of this incredible community!

Olivia Lynn Schnur

Mental Health Writer

Olivia Lynn Schnur is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Certified Yoga Teacher. She combines her passion for writing with her expertise in mental health, mindfulness, and yoga. The goal of her writing is to educate, uplift, and inspire readers to lead healthier and happier lives. To learn more, or to book a yoga session, visit her website: oliviaschnur.com.

Craig Thompson

Conservation Writer

Craig Thompson is a professional biologist and writer living in the Driftless blufflands north of La Crosse with two mischievous dogs and a yard full of cool birds (and his wife, Mary, at right). He started working in the conservation field when gas was 86 cents a gallon.

Mary Thompson

Artist + Illustrator

Mary Thompson has degrees in Fine Arts and Education. She has delighted in the creative arts since her first box of crayons. A dyed in the wool people person, she teaches art lessons to adventurous adults using a variety of media. 

Kelli Boylen

Writer

Kelli Boylen is a freelance writer and a licensed massage therapist who is lucky to live next to Yellow River State Forest. She dislikes writing about herself in third person.

Scott Boylen

Photograher

 
Scott Boylen is a freelance nature photographer and a sixth grade science teacher in Decorah. He enjoys fat tire biking and hanging out with his beagle. 

Peter Heryla

Writer

Peter Heryla interned with Inspire(d) in Fall 2023, as a senior Communication Studies major and Journalism minor at Luther College. He had a variety of fun adventures with Larry Reis during an Environmental Science course at Luther in Spring 2023. In the winter, he likes to spend time with family and friends — and of course, his corgi.

Lauren Bonney

Illustrator

Lauren Bonney is an artist living in rural Decorah. She loves working with other people to help illustrate their stories, articles, books, or to do commissioned portraits. See her work at laurenbonney.com.

Claire Sanderman

Illustrator

Claire Sanderman interned with Inspire(d) during Summer 2021. She illustrated the awesome Fall 2021 Inspire(d) cover. She is currently enrolled at Iowa State majoring in graphic design. 

Sammy Ferguson

Writer + Editor

Sammy Ferguson interned with Inspire(d) during summer 2022. She graduated from Luther College with an English degree in May of 2023. She is currently a freelance writer in Des Moines, Iowa, gaining life experiences and sharing stories. She is excited to see where this next step in her journey will take her!

Jennifer Opheim

Designer + Photographer

Jennifer Opheim is a graphic designer and photographer. Originally from Chicago she now lives in Decorah with her family, two silly dogs, crazy cat and carnival hermit crab. Her work can be found at www.opheimphotography.com.

Erin Dorbin

Writer + Photographer

Erin is a Driftless adventurer and historian living and working in Houston County, Minnesota. She has turned down every rural backroad and small town Main Street she possibly can since receiving her driver’s permit. She also coordinates the Crystal Creek Citizen-Artist Residency: www.CrystalCreekCitizenArtist.com

Christy Ebert Vrtis

Writer

Christy Ebert Vrtis is a teacher, writer, mom, and crime drama enthusiast who loves to curate book lists for family and friends, run (slowly) on the Trout Run Trail, and adventure around the world and throughout the Driftless with her husband and kids.

Navia Erbst

Photographer + Designer

Navia Erbst interned with Inspire(d) in the Fall of 2022. She took photos for the Tlou House story and helped design “Defining Enough.” She is currently a senior at Luther College majoring in Visual Communication. She has been working as a Graphic Designer and Photographer for college and personal projects and can often be found designing for the Luther Ballroom and Swing Team. 

Kristine Kopperud

Writer + Photographer

Kristine Kopperud is a writer/editor, business counselor, and end-of-life doula. When not cleaning her floors to avoid looming deadlines, she’s usually at the riding barn, watching her daughter’s horse lessons.

Clara Wodny

Writer

Clara Wodny interned with Inspire(d) in the Summer of 2023. She is a junior at Luther College, studying English and Visual Communications. When not writing or studying, she is likely teaching swim lessons, baking, or making pottery at ArtHaus in Decorah.

Allison Thomley

Illustrator


Spring 2024 Inspire(d) design intern Allison Thomley just finished her junior year at Luther College studying Visual Communications and Art. Originally from Madison, WI, she loves listening to music and playing Mario Kart in her free time.

Margaret Mullin

Writer


Margaret Mullin, Spring 2024 Inspire(d) editorial intern, is from Minneapolis, Minnesota and just graduated from Luther College with an Environmental Studies degree. From canoeing the Upper Iowa River to biking the Trout Run Trail, this place has affirmed that wherever she ends up, the Driftless area will always be a place she calls home.

Greg Kirscher

Writer

Greg Kirscher is a La Crosse based writer focusing mostly on faith issues and church events. He is also a photographer focusing mostly on his 14 grandchildren. 

Laura Barlament

Writer

Laura Barlament, the executive director of strategic marketing and communications at Luther College, knew she would ride RAGBRAI when she moved to Iowa in 2020. This summer, she’s exploring her home state on the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). She spent many years as an activist for pedestrians and cyclists in New York City through Transportation Alternatives, and she rides her bike to work most days throughout the year.