Thomlin Swan (they/he) is the Creative Community Collaborator at Zeitgeist and has been the facilitator of the Healthy Hillside Leadership Team since fall 2024. He loves working with people from diverse backgrounds who care so deeply about their community and who are dedicating their lives to changing conditions on the ground for the wellbeing of all people. Thomlin has a background in using community change theatre and documentary filmmaking to bring to light issues of environmental racism and subliminal genocide around the Great Lakes. They help run a creative community space in downtown Duluth called Waterstop Infoshop and they are co-convening a community of artists, educators, and activists around the Great Lakes called Emergent Seas that is helping shift the cultural tides towards relationship, responsibility, and repair. Thomlin has two kids that are clowns-in-training and a partner who is an independent filmmaker. They have lived in Cloquet/Fond du Lac since 2021 and are excited to support the shoring up of Hillside’s rich historical records, cultural expression, and connective tissues for neighborhood wellbeing.

My name is Cullen Cusick and for (nearly) five years I have worked a clerical position within Saint Louis County and am a proud AFSCME member. Prior to this, I held management roles across industries for many years while attending the University of Minnesota–Duluth. There I majored in philosophy and political science. I am also a product of local public schools: both Myers-Wilkins and Duluth Central. The Hillside neighborhood is where I have lived nearly my entire life, and I currently reside near Chester Creek in the East Hillside with my lovely wife Andrea, an artist and graphic designer. My family also goes back a long time in this neighborhood–you can find my great-great grandfather in the 1900 census living on East 4th Street–and I consider myself blessed to have roots here. The upcoming work led by Zeitgeist to develop a Hillside oriented response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be a vital aid to our community. I am enthusiastic in my own efforts to help and feel honored to be given the opportunity.

My name is Marah (like Sarah but with an “M”) and I have lived in the Duluth hillside for 4 years! I have my Masters in Social Work and am currently working as a School Social Worker. I am a strong relationship builder and advocate. My favorite part of being a social worker is seeing the resilient nature of humans and assisting them through difficult times. I love spending time getting to know new people, playing outside, working with my hands and hanging out with my cat! I am excited to be able to work on behalf of the Duluth Hillside! 

Cyndy Klinksiek works for Duluth Aging Support (DAS) as program manager to reduce isolation among older adults. She’s glad to be representing DAS and older adults on the Healthy Hillside team.

Cyndy lives in Duluth’s Central Hillside where she enjoys watching lighting storms over Wisconsin, eagles riding thermals, and lakers “threading the needle.” She has volunteered at Damiano, CHUM, and Sacred Heart Music Center.

Moss Kupper is a member of the Healthy Hillside Leadership Team focusing on environments and transportation. They have lived, loved, and labored all over the east and central hillside neighborhoods, and are deeply grateful to be able to hold a role of service for the Duluth communities that have supported them for so many years. Moss holds a Masters of Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth and was trained as a North Shore Naturalist at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning center. She is passionate about connecting people to their local place, eating good food, and jumping in the big lake all year long.

Benjamin Turner is a member of the Healthy Hillside Leadership Team focusing on community voice, power, and storytelling. Benjamin was born in Chicago where he lived for two thirds of his life. He spent four years in the military where he learned about different kinds of leadership and about his true passions: being in nature, navigating environments, and effective teamwork. He moved to Duluth in 2017 and has since done youth work, community engagement, and direct service with multiple organizations in the Hillside. He has experience traveling the world. His motto is: Think for yourself and don’t be afraid of truth.

My name is Britteny Gustafson (she/her) and I am a passionate supporter of the Duluth community. I work as a Youth Career counselor for the City of Duluth full-time and I also work part-time at AICHO where I supervise gym time for some wonderful kids. I enjoy silly/purposeless crafting, being outside, and listening to live music. Duluth taught me what a community really can be and I feel grateful to have the opportunity to effect positive change in any way I can.

Hello, my name is Sophia! I am currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in studio art and communications. I am from St. Paul, Minnesota and am a resident of the Hillside neighborhood. I believe art plays a crucial role in connecting people with their built environments and community to create positive change. I am passionate about the ways in which art can bring agency to individuals to advocate for their needs and beliefs. In my free time, I enjoy being outside, reading, and spending time with animals. I am excited to use my experience as an artist to bring agency to my community at Zeitgeist!

I am a Minnesota based artist, focusing on storytelling through video and design. I hope to utilize my collaboration, production, videography, storytelling, design, and communication skills to help bring our communities together. As an artist, my artistic vision is to create colorful, vibrant work that serves as a “heart opener” for those that it reaches. Through vehicles of high quality video/design and heart forward storytelling, I hope to bring some light into the world.

Rachael Kilgour was born and raised here in Duluth and currently makes her home in the Central Hillside. When it’s not the middle of a global pandemic, she makes a living as a touring musician. With performance opportunities out the window for the foreseeable future, Rachael is happy for the opportunity to stay put and plug into her neighborhood and community. She has worked with Loaves and Fishes, CHUM, and Meyers-Wilkins in the past and is helping out at the Warming Center (emergency shelter) this winter.

I was born in the Duluth Hillside a couple of decades ago and after 15 years in a small town in Nebraska I am back and a proud resident of the East Hillside neighborhood. Despite growing up in Nebraska my family has deep roots in northern Minnesota and it holds a special place in my heart. I am currently a Junior at UMD, studying urban and regional studies. With minors in GIS and Sociology. Over the past few years in Duluth I have been a student leader with MPIRG (now known as SEE-Change), spearheading projects that range from Line 3 resistance fundraisers to a walk identifying anti-homeless infrastructure in the Central Hillside. This past summer I worked at the UMD Land Lab- campus’s organic research farm- both as a general farm worker and as a food access intern. Through the Land Lab, I helped with Community Action Duluth’s Lincoln Park Farmers Market and led our harvests for their mobile food market. My most rewarding experience was helping lead our Morgan Park Free Produce Giveaway, where I got to get to know community members and help make a small impact in the fight for food justice. I am super excited to be joining the Healthy Hillside team as it combines my passions for urban design, social/economic justice, and my community.

Miranda Pacheco works at Life House as a Youth Outreach worker and Peer Support Specialist specializing in mental health and addiction. She also attends Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College where she is currently working towards an AAS in Human Services and a LADC counseling certificate. She hopes to go on to get her bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is also involved in the community doing work to help build wealth within the BIPOC community, where her passion lies. Miranda likes to run/hike, go to powwows and attend traditional ceremonies. She is excited for the challenge of working with Zeitgeist!

I was born and raised in the Central Hillside neighborhood of Duluth, Minnesota. After obtaining a B.S. in Child Psychology and Human Development at the University of Minnesota Minneapolis, I began working as a program coordinator in the Department of Ob/Gyn and Women’s Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School. In 2008, I returned to Duluth with my husband Benjamin to raise our children; Sterling, Vince, Cian, and Nina. I’ve stayed quite busy as a homemaker, an independent contractor for ISD 709 and Superior School District, and a volunteer for many different organizations including MN Environmental Partnership, City of Duluth, Area Youth Soccer Association, Superior Hiking Trail Association, Hermantown Youth Soccer Association, Area Youth Soccer Association, Hermantown Area Futbol Club, Hermantown Elementary School, NAACP, One Roof Community Housing (Formerly NHS), and the American Red Cross. I am excited to be joining the Healthy Hillside Steering Committee and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my community.

Born in old New England, Justin came to know Duluth and its sweetwater sea on a transcontinental journey in 2010 and has lived here ever since. As an adherent to the ideals of a ‘Rucksack Revolution,’ he has traveled across continents searching for mountains, good stories and the kindness of strangers. An intrepid in his own time, he believes in global awareness and local action and has worked with such esteemed organizations as Amnesty International, Men as Peacemakers and most recently the Duluth Folk School. Justin’s passion for wellbeing and community building extend to issues of food security, urban agriculture and the utilitarian fundamentals & pleasures of cycling. Aside from his work with the Healthy Hillside Leadership Team, Justin helms the operations at Almanac Coffee in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. He resides in the Central Hillside with his lovely wife Kiah and is the proud father of two sons.