who we are

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Kristi launched Media Minefield in 2010. She loves leveraging skills she honed in newsrooms around the country to assist clients in messaging, storytelling and media.

During her 12 year television career, Kristi worked as a reporter and anchor at 5 television stations. She won numerous awards for her work including two Emmy awards for stories she covered at KSTP in Minneapolis. Kristi has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, Dateline NBC and several national radio shows.

Kristi prides herself on building the most effective media-focused public relations team in the area. In addition to having a team dominated by former TV news professionals and storytellers, Media Minefield also has a graphic designer, videographer and photographer on staff. Kristi believes in this comprehensive approach.

Kristi holds a BA in English from Bethel University. She studied Professional Writing and graduated with honors.

Justin has dedicated his career to helping traditional organizations exist online and considers himself a true digital native.

In more than a decade as a journalist, he worked with newspapers, television stations and online only-news outlets. He won five regional Emmy awards for his work.

Justin truly believes that Apps and social media will transform every part of our lives over the coming years.

He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and has a degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.

Mark has spent the majority of his career crunching numbers and he likes it that way. With a particular focus on process efficiency and predictive data analysis, he has helped lead organizations in a strategic leadership capacity for nearly 10 years.

You wouldn't necessarily expect it from a numbers guy, but Mark also brings a rich musical history to the table for Media Minefield clients. He has released over 10 albums of original compositions and he or his music has appeared on several network and cable television programs.

Mark holds a BA in English from Northwestern College and has spent his career using it to write eloquent emails.

Before Andrea joined Media Minefield, she served as a media relations consultant for the largest medical center and hospital in Nebraska. She worked with local and national news media on stories promoting research, treatment and educational programs within the hospital. She was the hospital spokesperson after a mass shooting at a nearby mall.

During her 10 year television news career, she worked as an anchor, reporter and talk show host at 5 television stations. She believes the best public relations practitioners are those who’ve been journalists themselves.

Andrea has won awards from the Public Relations Society of America, Associated Press, Northwest Broadcast News Association and Omaha Press Club for her work in journalism and PR.

Andrea graduated with honors from Drake University, BA in Broadcast News and Spanish.

During the 22 years Mike worked in television newsrooms, he produced newscasts, stories and news specials. His work at KSTP-TV in Minneapolis earned him a Peabody, a National Headliner Award, two national Emmys and many regional Emmys.

Mike is a master at teaching clients how to build their brands and amplify their message through effective media placements.

Michelle is a self-proclaimed news junkie who has spent her career working in various aspects of the news business.

As a producer at KTVK-TV in Phoenix, Michelle turned her newscast into the highest rated news show in its time slot. After 7 years at the station, Michelle transitioned to an Arizona-based public relations firm where she used her news knowlege to place businesses and experts in the media. Her clients have been featured in all sizes and forms of media including the TODAY Show, The Doctors and Live! with Kelly and Michael.

Michelle is from the Minneapolis area and is excited to be home near her family.

Allison Ortiz's strong news background is an asset to each client project.

After producing television news in Wisconsin and Illinois, Allison returned to Minnesota in 2005 to work at KSTP. For 7 years, she produced a variety of award-winning shows at the ABC station in Minneapolis. She is excited to bring her skills to the world of public relations.

Despite her Minnesota roots, Allison is a proud Badger! She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in Journalism and Communication Arts.

Give Lindsey a camera or a computer and she can tell a story with an image. Photographing an event, creating a brochure or adding polish to a rebranding effort are Lindsey's specialties.

Lindsey has worked for a variety of non-profits and currently serves on the leadership team at a Twin Cities non-profit.

She received her B.A. from The College of St. Scholastica and graduated summa cum laude with an M.A. from the University of St. Thomas.

Carrie is probably the first voice you'll hear when you call Media Minefield and the first face you'll see when you walk in our door. She also helps our media team with research and social media projects.

She has a background in the hospitality industry and most recently moved back home to Minnesota from Colorado. Carrie graduated from Bethel University and worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Registrar's Office.

Thomas has literally lived his life with a video camera in his hands. As a 7th grader in Buffalo, Minn., he was the first student to “letter” in football not as a player, but a videographer (shooting on 16mm film) for the football team.

That desire to shoot video eventually grew into a passion to tell stories and led to a career as a broadcast photojournalist. Thomas worked a majority of his career,16 years, at KARE 11 in Minneapolis. He has won numerous recognitions for his work including four Emmy awards. One of his award winning stories was a feature on organ donation - documenting one family’s loss to another family’s gift of life for their son.

Thomas has also volunteered for a variety of non-profits. With a love for scuba diving, he helps people with disabilities dive through the organization Handicapped SCUBA Association. He also serves with LifeSource Organ and Tissue Donation.

Thomas graduated from Augsburg College with a BA in Theatre with a Design and Engineering emphasis.