Contributors

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 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 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. 

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.