Meet Our Staff + Board
Our Core Team
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Kaycee Stanley
Founder & CEO
With a love for Jesus, kids, and stories, Kaycee and her husband Pete had always planned to adopt. In 2016, while Kaycee was working as a youth pastor, they began dreaming about how to change the narrative around foster care adoption, particularly within faith communities. Five months later, The Reel Hope Project launched in Minnesota and they began telling the stories of waiting kids. In 2019, the Stanleys adopted their teenage son, whom Kaycee met through a Reel Hope Project video shoot. Kaycee and Pete have since welcomed three daughters into their family, and today - Kaycee leads the organization and her team as they expand The Reel Hope Project’s mission across the country.
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Abby Marino
Director of National Operations
Abby joined The Reel Hope Project in 2019 and brings a combined 14 years of nonprofit experience with foci in operations, community work, project management and communications. She is the sister of an adoptee and has 5+ years’ experience supporting C-Suite Executives in nonprofit, adoption, and philanthropic sectors. Abby is passionate about supporting vulnerable populations, specifically youth in foster care and underserved single, pregnant or parenting moms. Starting as Kaycee’s Executive Assistant and later Director of Headquarters Operations, Abby now directs National Operations, existing state partnerships, and expansion efforts across the country.
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Jeremy Bardwell
Director of Advancement
With more than two decades of experience in storytelling and movement-building, Jeremy has helped purpose-driven organizations communicate with clarity, mobilize communities, and inspire action. As Director of Advancement at The Reel Hope Project, he brings his background in strategy and advocacy—shaped by his work with nonprofits, churches, and humanitarian efforts, and by raising five children—to champion waiting kids and expand Reel Hope’s mission across Minnesota and beyond.
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Erica Lotzer
Development + Events Manager
Erica joined The Reel Hope Project in 2023 with over 15 years of nonprofit development experience. As a mom of three, she is passionate about the welfare of kids and instilling a lifelong hope for the future through the power and stability of family. In her role as Development and Events Manager, Erica oversees The Reel Hope Project’s fundraising efforts. Erica strives to build and deepen a community of support to expand the life-changing impact of The Reel Hope Project.
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MacKenzie Juliane
Shoots Manager
From a young age, MacKenzie had a passion to see waiting kids find family. After several overseas experiences and the adoption of her son in 2017, she shifted her life professionally from being a nurse to walking with prospective adoptive families. MacKenzie was introduced to The Reel Hope Project at an event in 2016, just after its founding. She joined the team in 2023 and brings 10 combined years of experience as a nurse and adoption consultant. Her warmth, genuine care for others, and ability to multitask in high-energy environments serve her well as she now coordinates all kid videos. MacKenzie finds joy in working to plan special video shoot days for kids, showcasing their unique personalities and ensuring that they feel valued and seen.
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Lexi Houle
Operations Manager + Executive Assistant
Lexi joined the Reel Hope Project in 2026 and brings 10+ years of experience in nonprofit operations alongside a career in engineering and project management. With relatives experiencing foster care at a young age, Lexi has always planned to adopt. So far Lexi and her husband have welcomed one daughter into the family and they look forward to seeing how God will shape and grow the family's story in the future! As the Operations Manager + Executive Assistant, she finds joy in shaping the systems that champion waiting kids, uplifts the staff, and amplifies Kaycee's vision for The Reel Hope Project to serve waiting kids in every corner our the county. -

Morgan Reeves
Shoots Coordinator
It was after viewing The Reel Hope Project's presentation at her church in 2017 that Morgan developed a heart for children seeking forever families. She grew up alongside devoted families who welcomed children into their homes through foster care and adoption. Having seen the life changing impact for these children, Morgan desires to help more kids find loving homes. With a background in communication and skills in photography, videography, and creative design, she brings a creative lens to her role. Morgan has also worked extensively with children, through coaching youth sailing, working in ministry, and volunteering at her church. Having joined the team in 2026, Morgan is thrilled to be working in her "dream job," and is excited to see firsthand how God is moving through the dedicated ministry of The Reel Hope Project.
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Andra Musser
Marketing Manager + Development Coordinator
With over nine years of experience working with children—as a swim instructor, personal care assistant, nanny, and second-grade teacher—Andra brings a deep, lifelong commitment to supporting children and advocating for their well-being. Joining The Reel Hope Project in 2026 as the Marketing Manager and Development Coordinator, she combines her passion for kids with a strong professional background in marketing and communications. Previously serving as a Marketing Director for a real estate development and property management company, Andra developed expertise in advertising strategy, social media, branding, design, and photography, which she can now employ to elevate the voices of kids hoping to find their forever family.
Our Shoot Team
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Shelby Maupin
Shoot Lead
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Katie Wilkens
Shoot Lead
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CarrieAnn Standfest
Shoot Lead
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Christina Willsher
Shoot Lead
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Brandi Ramirez
Shoot Lead
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Abby Akers
Shoot Lead
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Angelica Young
Shoot Lead
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Scottie Deming
Shoot Lead
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Daniel Luedtke
Contract Videographer
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Jake Hixon
Contract Videographer
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Hayden Wilkens
Contract Videographer
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Nate Geving
Contract Videographer
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John Knipp
Contract Videographer
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Joshua Coan
Contract Videographer
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Davis Narey
Contract Videographer
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Joel Flora
Contract Videographer
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Tim Dumais
Contract Videographer
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Ben Harris
Contract Videographer
Our Board
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John Lundberg
Chair
Account Executive Officer at Travelers Insurance
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Desirée Libengood
Vice Chair
Provost at North Central University
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Michael Crotteau
Treasurer
VP of Finance at Convergent Capital Partners
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Jen Niska
Secretary
Director for a Congressional Campaign
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John Walt
Pastor & Operations Associate at Woodridge Church
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Jeff Markowitz
Shareholder at Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A.
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Austin Schmitt
Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Tailwinds Wealth
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Emily Chance
Founder at Flamingo Events
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Chris Tiedeman
Partner at Weber Johnson Public Affiars
