Staff

Sona Mehring, Founder and Executive Director

Sona is the founder of CaringBridge, having created the first CaringBridge website in 1997, during a friend’s high–risk pregnancy. With extensive experience in the information technology industry, Sona’s vision was to build upon that formative and deeply personal experience – combining the capabilities of technology with the personal needs of people facing a crisis. In the years since, Sona and CaringBridge have become widely known for the creation and implementation of Compassion Technology™ that facilitates personal and convenient communication for individuals receiving care.

Sona is frequently recognized and honored for her passion and visionary leadership. In 2009, she was named one of 25 Women Industry Leaders in the Twin Cities by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. In 2008, she received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community. In 2006, she was recognized and highlighted by MSN.com as one of the nation’s leading Women Working for Change. She’s a 2006 recipient of the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Alumni Excellence Award. She was a finalist for the Minnesota High Tech Association's TEKNE award in 2004, an honoree at Medica's 2004 Speaking of Women's Health Conference, and a 2004 nominee for the Volvo for Life Award.

An early adopter of Internet technologies, Sona has been actively involved in the development of several widely used software applications.

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Gary Ablan, Technology

Gary oversees all aspects of the design, delivery and quality of technology that drives the CaringBridge service. His team defines the technology roadmap that will ensure the CaringBridge service is available when you need it. He brings his excellent project and people management skills to his role as he leads a highly experienced and motivated IT team.

Gary has more than 16 years of experience in the information technology field working in the private (from large corporations to start-up companies) and public sectors.

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John Bergh, Healthcare Partnerships

John provides healthcare facilities the opportunity to co–brand patient websites and receive the recognition they deserve in caring for their patients. He has more than 25 years of sales management and strategic business development experience in the healthcare industry. He has been nationally recognized for his work with some of the leading healthcare companies and medical device manufacturers.

John has experienced first hand the impact and significance a CaringBridge site has during a healthcare crisis with both family members and friends.

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Carolyn Egeberg, Development

Carolyn plans and manages all aspects of CaringBridge’s fund development activities, sharing our successes and needs with the thousands of generous donors who support the mission. Carolyn joined CaringBridge in the summer of 2002 and recently completed her M.A. in Philanthropy & Development from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minn. Her capstone research project explored the use of emerging web resources to engage donors and volunteers with the mission of a nonprofit organization.

Prior to her role at CaringBridge, she had 15 years experience leading the development of innovative products that tap technology in helpful ways.

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Darla Nemec, Finance & Administration

After working as a volunteer and consultant beginning in 2002, Darla finally joined the CaringBridge staff as a full–time employee in 2008. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the accounting field, working for many growth companies. Darla manages all aspects of the finance, human resources and the administrative activities for CaringBridge.

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Sami Pelton, Partnerships

Sami Pelton has nearly 20 years experience in developing and managing technology solutions that are useful and people–friendly in our increasingly high–tech world. Early in her career, she helped launch one of the first online retirement plan management websites. Sami previously served as a charter CaringBridge board member and now continues to bring her vision and leadership to the CaringBridge service. Her primary role is to ensure the thousands of CaringBridge authors and the millions of visitors have the best, most helpful, experience possible.

Sami became aware of CaringBridge when she and Sona began working together and became friends. A short time later, Sami and her family discovered the profound value of CaringBridge when they used the service to bring relatives and friends together during the extended illness and death of her sister.

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Matt Rosheim, Program Experience

Matt joined CaringBridge in 2008 as the program experience director. He brings well over 20 years of experience providing leadership and direction for the delivery of technology solutions for his business partners. He has worked in multiple industries including defense, transportation, marketing, and the mortgage industry, through companies such as Carlson and GMAC RFC. His leadership roles cover a wide spectrum, from director of architecture to business information officer. In each case, his focus has been on bringing technology and business together to deliver effective solutions that meet customer needs.

Matt’s role at CaringBridge is to serve as the primary owner and champion of the CaringBridge customer experience, and to ensure that the thousands of CaringBridge authors and the millions of visitors have the best, most helpful, experience possible. This includes ensuring that our customers are being provided excellent customer support and the tools and content that will meet their changing needs.

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Mike Stadelman, Marketing and Communications

Mike leads the development and implementation of strategic marketing, communications and brand management programs that support the CaringBridge mission to bring together a global community of care. His team builds awareness and use of CaringBridge through a combination of traditional and new–media marketing and communications programs.

Mike has more than 20 years of experience including leadership roles in product, creative, communications, brand and channel management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Minnesota and several post–graduate certificates.

As an active volunteer and board member in the nonprofit sector, Mike brings a diverse set of skills and experience to his first staff position with a nonprofit.

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Judy Trucano, Nonprofit Partnerships

Judy encourages hospitals and other healthcare institutions to add CaringBridge to their patient and family support services. She has an extensive background in client management with a strong emphasis on developing and maintaining business relationships. She has worked for large corporations as well as a start up software development company. This is her first venture into the nonprofit sector and Judy is pleased to say that she’s found her niche.

Judy learned about CaringBridge when her close friend with ALS authored a CaringBridge site. His site not only connected but bonded family and friends as they witnessed the challenges of living with ALS and the courage and strength exhibited by their friend.

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