Adam Breininger
COO
(612) 543-8106 | abreininger@hclib.org
Adam has been a devoted fan of libraries since he walked out of the Allen County Library (in Indiana) with his first stack of books about marine life, a particular passion growing up. Now his interests have shifted, and Doris Kearns Goodwin is one of his favorite authors. At FHCL, Adam works closely with staff and board to guide operational strategy and connect with the library’s many Friends.
Adam has been raising funds for amazing nonprofits for nearly 20 years, previously with Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Fort Wayne (IN) Philharmonic. He, along with our Friends, is rooted and compelled by the belief that the Library can impact virtually any human from any background in real and powerful ways. Outside of work, Adam enjoys reading, exploring local parks, and playing with his two-year-old daughter.
Miriama Douglass
Marketing & Communications Director
(612) 543-8109 | mdouglass@hclib.org
Miriama’s love for Olde World literature speaks to her European heritage. She especially treasures our library for its Slovak collection that makes her feel closer to her home country. Miriama is FHCL’s lead story gatherer, crafting meaningful stories that highlight our library’s mission, work, and values, and is responsible for a comprehensive marketing communications strategy to engage communities and audiences across Hennepin County. She brings a healthy dose of organizational planning, project management expertise and a visionary, growth mindset to her role leading FHCL’s marketing and communications.
Prior to joining Friends, Miriama helped grow a start-up advertising agency, leading a creative team in building brands for Children’s Hospital Association, The Forum on Workplace Inclusion, and many other businesses and nonprofit organizations. Outside of work, Miriama enjoys turning lawns into gardens, hanging out and cooking in the kitchen with her husband and, consequently, feeding friends many good things.
Annemarie Eayrs
Communications Specialist
(612) 543-8111 | aeayrs@hclib.org
When she was young, Annemarie found a sense of belonging at the library that made her feel profoundly accepted. At Friends, she brings a passion for storytelling to help engage and inspire the many communities formed around and within the library.
Annemarie earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Carleton College. Her career began in publishing at Coffee House Press, a nonprofit independent press based in northeast Minneapolis. While there, she split her time between editing, fundraising, and managing the artist residency program. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Asian American Organizing Project based in St. Paul. Outside of work, she enjoys running, knitting, and playing guitar.
Phil Edwards
donor relations officer
(612) 543-8114 | pedwards@hclib.org
Phil strongly believes that our libraries are the greatest illustration of what makes Hennepin County such a special place. For him, libraries represent opportunity, inclusion, growth, and a place where curiosity can be both fed and satiated. At Friends, Phil brings those beliefs to his work as he nurtures long-term relationships with donors and Friends.
After graduating, Phil worked as a public defender in Anchorage, Alaska for several years. He parlayed his legal background into account management and business-to-business software sales roles at Thomson Reuters, Oracle, and Digital River. Prior to joining FHCL, Phil was a Major Gift Officer for his alma mater, the University of Minnesota Law School. Outside of work, Phil enjoys long walks, either with his wife or a cigar, and a good audiobook.
Rob Goudy
Events manager
(612) 543-8107 | rgoudy@hclib.org
Rob’s love of libraries began at the Southdale Library. While in elementary school, he’d often bike to the library to make copies of theater reviews from microfiche, leaving with stacks of photocopies and books. As Events Manager, Rob plans memorable experiences for attendees of our Pen Pals and Talk of the Stacks Author Series, as well as other donor engagement events. Rob works hard behind the scenes to make sure FHCL programs and events run smoothly.
Rob earned his bachelor’s degree in theater with an associated study in literature. Prior to joining Friends, he spent much of his life juggling a freelance theater career as a director, dramaturg, and stage manager with work in book sales and events at Barnes & Noble. His theater credits include the Guthrie, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Gremlin Theater, and Artistry. Outside of work, Rob enjoys reading, baking, attending plays and concerts, and enjoying our many incredible local restaurants.
Katie Lawson Ishida
Development & Operations Manager
(612) 543-8108 | klishida@hclib.org
When thinking back to her favorite library memory, Katie says, "I fondly remember my mom taking me to the library every summer for the Summer Reads programs. I would be so pumped to check off all of the books on the reading lists and many more for good measure." As Development and Operations Manager, Katie oversees the organization’s CRM ecosystem, ensuring that FHCL’s growing donor base receives the highest-quality care and service.
Katie earned her bachelor's degree from Augsburg University in English literature and sociology. Previously, Katie was the Operations Specialist for the Augsburg Admissions Office and most recently the Concierge Director at Woofington—a rather posh, but very fun, hotel for petite pooches. Outside of work, Katie enjoys traveling, reading, writing fiction, and painting.
Linda Merritt
Finance director
(612) 543-8103 | lkmerritt@hclib.org
Growing up in a rural location, Linda remembers receiving monthly books in the mail as part of a book club gift membership from her grandparents. At FHCL, Linda serves as the financial “bridge” to Hennepin County Library, administering and stewarding FHCL’s financial giving to the library. Linda is also a “bridge” to our organizational history, holding a decade worth of memories, relationships, and knowledge that span the merger of Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library in 2008.
Prior to joining the organization in 2005, Linda earned her degree from the University of Minnesota and served as Finance Director for MIGIZI Communications. Outside of work, Linda and her husband enjoy frequent film or theater outings and annual travel to explore new destinations.
Kristi Pearson
CEO
(612) 543-8105 | kpearson@hclib.org
Growing up in a small town, Kristi experienced firsthand the power of libraries to ignite a love of learning, fuel curiosity and inspire change. She brings a passion for libraries and two decades of corporate and nonprofit experience to her role leading the organization. In close collaboration with the FHCL Board, Kristi sets strategic direction, provides financial oversight, and leads the execution of the organization’s guiding strategic plan.
Previously at AchieveMpls, Kristi led a transformative, multimillion-dollar fundraising effort. Earlier in her career, she spent several years in international sales and business development at Siemens, Eastman Kodak, and British Petroleum. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Recently appointed board chair of the inaugural Peris Foundation Board, Kristi also serves on the United for Libraries and Ziggy’s Art Bus Boards. Outside of work, Kristi enjoys reading, DIY home projects in her family’s 1908 abode, and hiking the great outdoors with her husband and children.
