Our Team

Nicole Mills

Nicole Mills joined One Heartland in April of 2023, serving as our third executive director. Nicole has worked with youth experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities since 2000.  Nicole is committed to embracing positive youth development, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction practices and truly believes in the strength and ability of young people.  Nicole is also a firm believer in advocacy work and has been working towards strengthening the State’s safety net for youth since 2005, by advocating for the Homeless Youth Act and Safe Harbor legislation. 

Before joining One Heartland, Nicole was the founding Executive Director of Oasis for Youth, 2015-2023, serving unhoused youth in Bloomington, Richfield, and Edina. Prior to Oasis, she served as the Program Director for The Salvation Army, Booth Brown House, overseeing emergency shelter, Transitional Living Program, and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs and she worked as a Program Manager for Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota’s emergency youth shelter and street-based outreach program. She started her career at District 202, a drop-in center for LGBTQ+ youth in downtown Minneapolis. Nicole worked there from 1999-2005, giving her the foundation for her steadfast commitment to social and racial justice and building authentic youth and adult-led programming.

Nicole holds a B.S. in Urban Studies with a Minor in Youth Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Master in Public Policy with a focus on public and non-profit management from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.  

Most importantly she is a mom of twin toddlers, a wife to Hadija, a friend to many, and a true believer in finding joy. Nicole is honored to be part of the One Heartland family.

Patrick

Patrick has been with One Heartland since May of 2006—and has served as the Executive Director since January, 2011. In his tenure as Executive Director, he has strengthened and grown our camps and programs by creating a culture of financial transparency and ensuring that we have the resources necessary to send as many kids to camp as possible. A camp and outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys spending time at his cabin in northern Minnesota.

Katie

Katie has been with One Heartland since December of 2010 and manages the One Heartland head office. She is a master juggler—handling accounts receivable, accounts payable, human resources and the donor database—among other tasks. When not working she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and gardening.

Stefanie

Stefanie has been with One Heartland since November 2007. She started as the registration and travel manager before moving to her new role as development director. Stefanie oversees the development initiatives of the organization including donor relationships, events, mailings, corporate relationships, volunteers and grants. When she’s not at work, Stefanie can be found with her nose in a book. 

Ty

Tyler has been with One Heartland since 2022 and is excited to take on the role of Program Director. They come from a background of working with youth and advocacy. They graduated from MSU Mankato with a degree in Psychology and a double minor in Gender & Women’s Studies and Sexuality Studies. Tyler’s passion lies in making everyone feel welcome and comfortable enough to be themselves.

When not at camp, you can find them perfecting their friendship bracelet skills, attending concerts, or going to local coffee shops and markets with friends.

Lou

Lou has been a part of One Heartland since summer of 2013, attending as a camper and slowly working it’s way up to their current position. Their job is overseeing the success of staff, volunteers, campers, and patrons all year round. Lou’s main goal has always been to continue to bring the magic of camp and keep it’s core values alive.

If you don’t see them running around camp, you can usually find her creating artwork, attending local diy shows and car shows, or playing video games all while cozy in a hammock.

Tanya

Joining us in 2022, Tanya acts as the Facilities Manager, her primary goal is to ensure that our camp facilities are not only maintained at the highest standards but also designed to inspire and engage our campers. She believes that a well-designed and well-maintained physical environment plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall camp experience. With years of experience in facility management and a deep understanding of the unique needs of children, she prioritizes safety above all else. From the moment campers arrive, she is committed to providing them with a secure and welcoming space where they can feel at ease and fully embrace the joy of being a child.

Tanya spends her off time enjoying the wilderness with her dogs, friends, family, and anyone wanting to take in all that life has to offer.

Amy

Coming onto the team in early 2024, Amy comes with a decade of experience serving nonprofits in program and volunteer management, training, development, events, and relationship building. She has also worked with under served youth in Minneapolis focusing on offering resources and support through the public education system.

With a background and experience include several years in human services, ranging from working with vulnerable adults, at-risk youth, housing assistance, substance use and mental health. Amy has a special interest in the intersection of racial justice and holistic service and building strong connections and communities. She looks forward to bringing positive energy to the team and helping to provide resources to all we serve.

In her free time Amy enjoys being with her family, doing yoga, painting, thrifting, and being outdoors.