Lucy Pirner
President
Lucy has a master’s degree in counseling and extensive continuing education in trauma, spirituality, mind-body medicine, and somatics. She was a founding board member of the Starry Night Collective, which provides grants and support services for the arts to programs serving students with disabilities.
In her own words: What brought you to yoga, Lucy?
“I entered the world of yoga and meditation in 1999 in search of a cure for my own depression and anxiety. Decades later, I now have firsthand experience in the profound healing effects of yoga.”
Tracey Mortensen
Executive Director
Tracey holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics. She is the owner of Inspiring Actions Yoga & Wellness Center, which she founded in Hudson, WI, in 2008. In 2019, Inspiring Actions added a second location in River Falls, WI.
In her own words: What brought you to yoga, Tracey?
“In my life before Inspiring Actions, I worked as a mortgage broker and, to be honest, I was miserable. I was looking to find any sort of release from the stress and anxiety of my job, and that’s when I found yoga. What happened through my journey with yoga was, in every sense of the word, life-changing.”
Bairet Eiter
Vice President
Bairet (she/her) has a degree in Crop and Soil Science with an emphasis in Sustainable Agriculture and her 235-hour Yoga certification Devanadi School of Yoga and Wellness. Bairet also holds certifications in kids yoga and chair yoga. She now works as a psychosocial rehabilitation provider after over a decade in agriculture and horticulture.
In her own words: What brought you to yoga, Bairet?
“Yoga is a practice I came to in order to support my mental and physical health after struggling for years with severe anxiety. Yoga has increased my ability to let go of expectations, be okay with what is, and feel safer in my body.”
Kristin Forsythe
Secretary
Kristin worked in the healthcare field for 28 years, including roles in administrative assisting, credentialing, payroll, and human resources. She also has a long history in volunteer work, having served many years with Reindeer in the Park (Hudson Chamber of Commerce) and Power of the Purse (Family Means).
“What brought me to yoga was curiosity when it was offered through a health and wellness program at work. I fell in love with how great it made me feel, and now I’m hooked!”
Michelle Kraft
Treasurer
Michelle holds an MBA and is also a (currently inactive) CPA. She worked in healthcare finance for close to 30 years, including for two healthcare foundations, prior to retirement in 2022. She volunteers for Our Neighbor’s Place, a non-profit providing support, shelter, and housing services in Pierce and St. Croix counties.
In her own words: What brought you to yoga, Michelle?
“I discovered yoga through Inspiring Actions in 2014 through a class held at my workplace. I fell in love with yoga as the practice helped me deal with a stressful career and continues to provide me with flexibility, strength, and the mind-body connection. I am grateful my yoga practice eventually led me to become part of the Abundant Yoga Community.”
Erin E.H. Austin
Board Member at Large
Erin is a high school teacher, writer, author of education books, and educational consultant. She has been actively involved in the non-profit world (with Big Brothers Big Sisters), including in leadership, since 2005.
In her own words:
“What brought you to yoga, Erin?
I started doing yoga through St. Paul Community Education with a friend of mine in 2004 or 2005. At that time, yoga wasn’t nearly as prevalent as it is now, and I got into it specifically because I was looking for something different, something no one I knew was doing. I ended up loving it, and found that it met so many of my health needs/goals in one fell swoop.”
Kelly Gillespie
Board Members at Large
Kelly Gillespie is a freelance grant consultant, certified meditation and mindfulness teacher, and volunteer Wisconsin Master Naturalist. She is committed to helping create opportunities that improve individual well-being and cultivate healthier, more connected communities.
In her own words: What brought you to yoga, Kelly?
“Over 25 years ago, while immersed in the world of Taekwondo and kickboxing, I was introduced to yoga. Since then, yoga has become a daily practice for me. It allows me to slow down and reestablish the connection between my mind, body, and soul. Abundant Yoga Community’s core belief is that yoga is for everyone, and I couldn’t agree more!”
Teresa Kruizenga
Board Member at Large
Now retired, Teresa spent 32 years in K-12 and higher education in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She has an extensive résumé of volunteer work, including with the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP), an organization that advocates for racial equity and educational excellence for people of color and Indigenous students.
In her own words: What brought you to yoga, Teresa?
“I discovered yoga through Tracey Mortensen’s Yoga 101 class during a difficult season of grief following the loss of my husband. What began as a way to care for myself soon became something much deeper. I discovered the power of yoga to help us heal from the inside out—to find strength, peace, presence, and a greater connection with ourselves. Just as meaningful was discovering the yoga community. I found a group of supportive, compassionate people who genuinely care about one another and create a space where everyone is welcomed and valued. That experience helped me understand how powerful yoga can be, not only as a physical practice, but as a pathway to connection, mindfulness, and healing.”
Kelly Brenna
Board Members at Large
Now retired, Kelly worked as a senior vice president of human resources and benefits consultant for over 25 years. She has extensive community service involvement, including volunteer work with Our Neighbor’s Place, the River Falls Community Food Shelf, the Power of 100 Women (River Falls), and Thank God for Kids at Children’s Hospital.
In her own words: What brought you to yoga, Kelly?
“I started practicing yoga 30 years ago as a way to maintain/improve both my mental and physical health. It did not take me more than a few classes to get hooked on it. I love all types of yoga, and in 2020, decided to become an instructor and completed my yoga training through NETA.”
