Our Board

Evan Tsai is a United States Marine veteran, Defense Attorney and litigator with the League of Minnesota Cities.  Previously, Mr. Tsai served as Assistant Public Defender in Ramsey County, Minnesota where he practiced in criminal defense. Mr. Tsai is also an adjunct law professor at William Mitchell College of Law and a legal writing instructor at Metropolitan State University. Mr. Tsai is a recipient of the Ramsey County Bar Association’s Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award in 2020.  Mr. Tsai also received the Veterans Voices Award from the Minnesota Humanities Center in 2016.  Mr. Tsai is a frequent guest speaker at area high schools and colleges, including the University of Minnesota. He volunteers his time to judge collegiate mock trial. Mr. Tsai is a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law where he co-founded the William Mitchell Journal of Law and Practice. He received the CALI Award in Public Health Law and was the recipient of several scholarships, including the Robert E. Oliphant Marine Corps Scholarship. Mr. Tsai received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Mr. Tsai was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1999. Mr. Tsai spends his free time performing with fellow former public defenders in the band “The Family Feedbag.” He plays bass and acoustic guitar; piano; drums and electric organ.  Mr. Tsai also serves as a board member for the Ramsey County Bar Association, the Minnesota State Board on Continuing Legal Education and the Minnesota Freedom Fund.  He is a peer mentor in the Anoka County Veterans Treatment Court.

Hank Shea now serves as the Vice Chair of the Veterans Defense Project Board. He continues to serve as a Senior Distinguished Fellow at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, as he has done for the last 15 years. He also serves as a Fellow at its Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing and at its Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions. He also is a part-time Visiting Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson. He administers a unique ethics program that he founded which has involved hundreds of joint presentations with more than three dozen former offenders, some of whom he prosecuted. They speak at law schools, business schools, colleges, high schools, and other locations. He also teaches courses involving restorative justice, crime and punishment, and investigations, and he speaks frequently both nationally and locally on ethics and how to best address white collar crime.  Hank previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota for 20 years, where he prosecuted a wide range of corporate and other economic crimes. During his tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office collected more than $50 million in restitution, fines, and forfeitures from cases that he prosecuted.  Hank was awarded an Army ROTC scholarship to attend college and he later served four years of active duty and seven years of reserve duty as a lawyer in the Army’s Office of the General Counsel in the Pentagon. His clients included Arlington National Cemetery, the Panama Canal Commission, and the Army’s Civilian Marksmanship Program.  Hank graduated with honors from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in 1978 and Harvard Law School in 1981. He is married to Chris Shea, a former Executive Vice President for General Mills, Inc. They have four children, two of whom are married, and they spend as much time as possible with them and their four grandchildren.

Bruce Richardson was one of the most highly trained soldiers in the US Army as an airborne, ranger, artillery officer. He was also the closest thing West Point had to an English major. He still loves Shakespeare. After graduation, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam, and the 4th Infantry Division in Colorado. He is a Wharton MBA, a recovering Certified Public Accountant, and former Chief Financial Officer. He served for 16 years on the St. Louis Park school board and for 10 years on the Association of Metropolitan School Districts board where he served on the Executive and Legislative committees. He continues to serve on the St. Louis Park Public Schools Foundation board where he is active in fund raising. He facilitated for “Echoes of War” and Veterans Voices discussion groups at the Minnesota Humanities Center. Bruce consults on leadership, finance, and strategy for RSI Consulting. He and his wife Audrey live in St. Louis Park. They have two children, a large extended family, and a new granddaughter.

Lawton R. Nuss served in the Marine Corps from 1975 to 1979, primarily as a combat engineering officer in the Western Pacific. In 2002, after 20 years of practicing law, he was appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court. This advancement made him the first justice in nearly 25 years to move directly from the practice of law to the Supreme Court. He retired in December 2019 after serving the last 10 years as Chief Justice. During his years as the head of the judicial branch of state government, his leadership was commended at both the national and state levels by various organizations and publications. He left the bench 3 years before his term of office ended so he and his wife could devote more time to helping his fellow veterans.

Keith LeBlanc is a retired executive who spent a career in Sales, marketing and General Management. Keith’s a Vietnam Veteran who served on an Advisory Team as an intelligence asset working in the Phoenix program. Keith’s business background was in the consumer package goods industry, wholesale paper distribution and printing and packaging manufacturing Industry. Keith has spent the last 3 years as volunteer mentor in the Ramsey County Veterans diversion court program. Keith serves on several boards but is committed to serving returning veterans to insure they are treated respectfully and supported by the VA system. Keith was King Boreas for the Saint Paul Winter Carnival in 2011 and is on the ICE LLC . Board of Governor’s building an Ice Palace in St Paul for the 2018 Super Bowl year in Minnesota.

Raymond Wilson’s dream since age five was to become a pilot. He started flying at age 20 while still in at Glassboro State College in New Jersey. He graduated with a degree in education and taught social studies in junior high school. When Ray joined the Army, he was trained to fly UH1 and Blackhawk helicopters. Ray is a veteran of three combat tours in Vietnam, Honduras, and Panama. He was one of the Army’s best pilots and employed his teaching skills as a flight instructor to train other Army pilots. He served three tours in Germany during his 22 years in the US Army. After retiring from the Army, he joined Northwest Airlines as a pilot and pilot instructor. Retiring from Northwest Airlines gave Ray the opportunity to fly as a medical evacuation pilot with LifeLink. In addition to his work with as a board member for the Veterans Defense Project, Ray is a mentor who participants in the Ramsey County Veterans Treatment Court. Ray plays trumpet in the St. Anthony Park community band, and he and his wife Kit live in St. Paul.

John Kingrey retired after more than 14 years as the executive director of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association. He previously was a senior vice-president with the Minnesota Hospital Association and served as a staff assistant to Governor Rudy Perpich. Kingrey also served a combined 30 years in the Marine Corps and Army Reserves before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He currently volunteers for several veteran’s organizations and serves on the Boards of the Innocence Project MN, Animal Folks, and the Armed Forces Service Center.  Mr. Kingrey served as the Board Chair of the Veterans Defense Project from 2019-2020.

Lyndsey Olson was appointed as the Saint Paul City Attorney by Mayor Melvin Carter in 2018. Working alongside a talented team of legal professionals, Ms. Olson provides strategic leadership to the second-largest municipal law office in the State of Minnesota which handles every aspect of the legal business for the City of Saint Paul. The Saint Paul City Attorney’s Office operates under a vision of inclusion, access to justice, sustainable legal processes and innovative legal solutions.  Ms. Olson, is a 2003 graduate of the Hamline School of Law and adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School. Previously as the General Counsel of the Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota Department of Military Affairs from 2013 to 2018, she managed and directed all legal matters for the department in 62 communities around the state. She is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Minnesota National Guard Judge Advocate General’s Corps. She is also a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom; she received a Bronze Star for her service there as a criminal prosecutor and international law attorney.  Ms. Olson is a frequent local and national CLE instructor, and is the author of several publications. She has been named to the Minnesota Business Journal’s list of top in-house counsel, Minnesota Lawyer’s Attorneys of the Year, and is one of Minnesota Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. She also serves as the Treasurer for the 34th Infantry Division’s Commander’s Own Chapter, and on the Ramsey County Justice Coordinating Committee, the Ramsey County Equal Justice Committee, board of directors for Central Minnesota Legal Services, and the Minnesota County Attorneys’ Association Board.  linkedin.com/in/lyndseymdolson

David Holewinski has been providing mental health and social work experience to veterans for almost a decade and a half.  He currently serves as a Suicide Prevention Program Manager with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  Prior to his work as a program manger, David was the Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator for Minnesota.  He integrated veterans courts statewide to the services provided by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  David also sits on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Children’s Alliance.  He received his Masters of Social Work from the University of St. Thomas.

Judith M. Tilsen is a senior judge with the Second Judicial District in Minnesota.  She has served as a jurist in the Second Judicial District since being elected to the position in 1998.  As a district court judge, Judge Tilsen helped establish and presided over the first treatment and problem solving courts in Minnesota.  She helped start the Veterans Treatment Court in Ramsey County.  Prior to her election to the Second Judicial District bench, Judge Tilsen served as both a prosecutor in Hennepin County and as an assistant public defender in Ramsey County.  Judge Tilsen received her juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1989.

Samuel Ortiz Verdeja is a Marine Vietnam veteran. His career work in the non-profit sector includes business and community development, government/legislative advocacy work, state-wide leadership development in the Latino community, and organizing private and public special events. He has done investigative work for community based criminal defense law center, investigative personal injury work for Florida and Minnesota, demographic research for a community-based non-profit, and research and planning for veteran’s initiatives. He has also done national conferences planning and coordination for both military and civilian events. Sam has a Master’s degree in Advocacy in Political Leadership from Metropolitan State University and a BA in Public Policy with focus on Veterans Affairs. He also has an MBA Certificate from Saint Thomas University. He is fluent in Spanish and English.

Lindsey Erdmann is a Marine Corps veteran and an advocate for veterans. Lindsey became active in the Twin-Cities veteran community through the Minnesota Humanities Center Veterans’ Voices Program and now advocates for federal policy that addresses gender-based bias, discrimination, and violence in the military. After uniformed service, Lindsey earned a Bachelors in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. She has worked and volunteered with organizations in Minnesota focused on youth mentorship, criminal justice, housing, mental health, and legal services. Lindsey is currently a Master of Public Policy student at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a 2021 Pat Tillman Scholar. Professionally, Lindsey is primarily interested in addressing the inequities within the housing system so people can live with dignity and self-determination. 

W. Anders Folk is a partner with the global law firm Jones Day, working in its Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice. He is a Marine Corps veteran who began his legal career as a Judge Advocate. Anders has served in various positions with the US Department of Justice , including Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, Acting US Attorney and First Assistant for the District of Minnesota, and as an Assistant US Attorney there. While serving with the DOJ, he oversaw and led complex and high-profile matters for the District of Minnesota and advised senior leadership at the DOJ on priority litigation, operations, and policy matters. Anders was deeply involved in guiding the DOJ's response to crises and worked in this capacity with federal and state agencies in the District of Minnesota and across the United States. In private practice, he has extensive experience guiding clients through internal investigations, multifaceted litigation, and government enforcement actions throughout the United States and abroad.

Michael Hurley served 25 years in CIA where he managed CIA personnel in conflict areas around the world.  Following the 9/11 attacks, he led CIA teams in Afghanistan in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.  He was a Team Leader and Senior Counsel on the 9/11 Commission and co-authored its national-bestselling, final report.  He served in conflict areas in the Balkans combating ethnic cleansing and helping bring peace to the region; twice on the National Security Council staff at the White House as an adviser to the President; and was a senior adviser on counterterrorism to the Secretary of State.  He was a key member on a presidentially-commissioned team on the Middle East conflict.  He currently advises and mentors several of the top technology companies in the United States.  Michael is an attorney.

Berlynn Fleury is an Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps. She is a Certified Peer Specialist,  a trained Health & Wellness Coach, and Veterans Treatment Court graduate. She has served as a role model and advocate for recovery for many years facilitating  recovery groups, aiding in suicide prevention and crisis management, and has implemented a new VA Forensic Peer Support program offering individual support to veterans involved in the criminal justice system. Berlynn also facilitates the only virtual  Minneapolis VA Women’s Veterans Support Group, offering support to all women veterans enrolled in VA care. She  has won several awards for going above and beyond the call of duty and is passionate about helping veterans improve their health & wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Berlynn earned a Bachelors degree in Human Services from Metropolitan State University where she served as the Engagement Coordinator on the Student Senate,  President of the Veterans Club, and in the Veterans & Military Student Services office. Berlynn also serves as the Women’s Engagement Coordinator on the Board of Directors with The Silent Warrior Project hosting spiritual retreats that provide veterans with tools to reduce stress through mindful meditation, equine therapy, and silent contemplative reflection seeking to reduce suicide rates related to post traumatic stress and military sexual trauma. 

Travis Kowitz is a criminal defense attorney in both Minnesota and Wisconsin state courts. Travis is also the President and Founder of “Bill’s Wish”, a Minnesota based non-profit organization that serves Military Veterans and their families who have experienced mental and/or chemical health issues as a result of service to our country. The organization is in honor of Travis’s father, William “Bill” Kowitz, a proud United States Marine Corps Veteran who committed suicide on October 11, 2006, after a long battle with depression. Travis earned a BA in Political Science and Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Travis received his juris doctorate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2016. Travis has defended many Veterans facing criminal charges, including those who were able to participate in Veterans Treatment Courts. He lives with his wife and children in Center City, MN.

John Choi was sworn in as the first Korean-American chief prosecutor in the country in 2011. Since taking office, John has become a state and national leader in progressive justice reform, working with public officials and impacted communities to reimagine justice and the role of prosecutors. John’s innovative approach to holding abusers accountable, while working collaboratively with advocacy agencies to help victims, has transformed the way government intervenes in domestic violence and sex trafficking in Minnesota.

John received the 2015 Minnesota County Attorneys Association Award of Excellence for his innovative leadership in better prosecuting sex traffickers and helping trafficked children. Previously, John served as Saint Paul City Attorney (2006-2010) and spent a decade in private practice. John holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Marquette University, a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, and was a Humphrey Fellow at the University of Minnesota.

Chitra Ragavan is the founder and CEO of Goodstory Consulting, a strategic advisory firm based in Falls Church, Virginia. 

Over the past 15 years, Chitra has served as a C-suite advisor, confidante and coach to some of the most innovative technology founders in the world.  Before entering the technology space, Chitra was an award-winning journalist at National Public Radio, U.S. News & World Report magazine and Chicago Public Television. 

Chitra has a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biology. Chitra is the host of two podcasts, When It Mattered, on leadership, and Techtopia, on how technology is transforming our world. 

Bryan Cunningham is a leading international expert on cybersecurity law and policy, emerging technology and surveillance issues. He served as Deputy Legal Adviser to then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice at the White House. He also served six years in the Clinton Administration as a senior CIA officer and federal prosecutor. He drafted significant portions of the Homeland Security Act and related legislation, was a principal contributor to the first National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, worked closely with the 9/11 Commission and provided legal advice to the President, National Security Advisor, the National Security Council, and other senior government officials on intelligence, terrorism, cyber security and other related matters. When Bryan is not advising companies and governments about cybersecurity, you can find him visiting his two daughters or cruising the Puget Sound on his 30 foot boat “What’s Next?”.  

Carie Lemack has more than two decades of experience in entrepreneurial endeavors, organizational management, product development, advocacy, and security policy.  She brings her skills to the aerospace and deep-tech industries as a mentor and advisor to, and investor in startups, focusing on early stage aerospace, defense tech and other tech companies. She co-founded the  Zed Factor Fellowship program, building a more diverse and innovative aerospace industry, as well as DreamUp, sending student research to space to inspire the next generation of innovators and explorers. She co-founded Global Survivors Network, an organization for victims of terror to speak out against terrorism and radicalization, and produced an Academy Award-nominated documentary film, Killing in the Name. In 2001, she co-founded and led Families of September 11.

Carie has extensive messaging, media, and public relations experience. Lemack received a Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government after receiving an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in symbolic systems. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, serves on the Homeland Security Advisory Council, and remains a lifelong member of Red Sox nation.