Amber Ladany: IMDA President since 2021, board membersince 2017. Amber grew up in Northern Minnesota and has been in love with Ireland since she and her mother began researching their ancestry when she was in the 5th grade. After visiting Ireland several times, Amber decided to get involved in the local Irish community and began volunteering with the MN Irish Fair. Most recently Amber has been working with the Celtic Collaborative on publishing local authors and performing theatrical tributes to Irish heritage. She has been a board member with Out of the Mist Celtic Theatre (formerly the Celtic Collaborative) since 2016.
Since joining the IMDA board in January 2017 Amber has taken on the role of volunteer coordinator for the St. Patrick's Day and Irish Day of Dance events at the Landmark Center.
.
Jan Casey: IMDA Vice President since 2013, IMDA Secretary 2007 to 2013, Board Member since 2005. Jan serves on the Entertainment Committee for our Landmark events, and co-chaired the planning for "IMDA Honors Ann Heymann" (2009) and "IMDA Honors Paddy O'Brien" (2010). Jan helped to define the IMDA Educational Grant Program, begining in 2006, and coordinates the application process. Jan also manages IMDA's Decade of Dance Award program. Jan contributes regularly to the IMDA newsletter and IMDA's Facebook page. Jan is a long-time volunteer with Irish Fair, managing the Trisceil Tea Room at the Fair and serving on the Cultural Committee and also serves on the Board for the Center for Irish Music and is a regular volunteer bartender for functions at the Celtic Junction Arts Center. Jan and her husband Mike are both retired and live in St. Paul. You'll often find them at an Irish music concert, ceili or play. Jan has one grown son, Brian.
IMDA Vice President: Jan Casey
.
Maureen Engelhardt: IMDA Treasurersince 2019, Board Membersince 2017. Maureen has been an active member of the local Irish-American community for nearly 20 years. She is the program administrator for the Irish language group Gaeltacht Minnesota, a set dancer and teacher with Lóma Mór, and member of the singing group Giggin' Síles. She worked on the planning team for "IMDA Honors Will Kenny" (2017). She grew up in southeast Wisconsin soaking up Hiberno-English phrases from her grandparents (Corcaigh abu!) that only made sense many years later. Maureen has a massive collection of volunteer t-shirts from the IMDA, Irish Fair, and Milwaukee's Irish Fest. Other volunteer gigs include committee and board positions with Macalester College, Minneapolis South High, Mayflower Church, and the Minnesota Conference UCC. Maureen lives in Minneapolis with her husband David.
IMDA Treasurer: Maureen Engelhardt
Board Member: Michele Berg
Michele Berg - IMDA Board Member since Aug. 2021. She has volunteered in many capacities. She was PTA Secretary for her daughter's elementary school and chaired the Teacher Appreciation Committee. She has fundraised for Miss Coon Rapids Scholarship Pageant, which is part of the Miss American program for several years. Michele is a Girl Scout Troop Leader and her troop and daughters have always been Top Cookie Sellers in the state. She was always very proud of her Irish Heritage and in 2009 her daughter Jenna became Minneapolis St. Pat's Wee Leprechaun. Jenna and her sister Natalie were exposed to Irish Dance through their appearances and begged to become dancers. She is a mom of 2 Irish Dancers at Mactir Irish Dance. Michele has a background in marketing, management, communications and advertising. She currently is employed as an Information Security Specialist for the banking industry. Michele also volunteers for the Anoka Halloween celebrations in her spare time. She is looking forward to helping fundraise and provide scholarships to those in the Irish Arts community. Michele lives in Coon Rapids with her husband Bob, daughters Natalie & Jenna, English Cream golden retriever Finn (in Gaelic it means "White, Fair), Pug Coco, and Lucy the cat. Michele will serve on the Vendor Committee for our Landmark events.
Bridget Dinter - Board Member since October 2021. Bridget joined the board in October 2021 and looks forward to combining her passion for Irish culture and volunteering.
Bridget grew up understanding the importance of her heritage- her grandmas Farrell and Garvey made sure of that. In 2017, she joined the adult class at Rince Na Chroi and has loved getting more involved with the Twin Cities Irish community.
Bridget also enjoys volunteering and has been a regular volunteer at the MN Zoo and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Bridget is a leader at her PRIDE chapter at work. Through that work, she has launched 5 and counting chapters around the world.
Bridget received her MBA from the Carlson School of Management in 2015. Since then, she received her Black Belt in project management, worked in marketing strategy, and is currently working as a Lead Business Analyst. She lives in St. Paul with her partner Peter and coonhound Ike.
She is excited to use her experience and energy to contribute as a board member for IMDA and to the broader Irish community.
Board Member: Bridget Dinter
The Irish Music and Dance Association is a 501(c)(3) organization.
