Kennedy DeLap
Miss North Dakota 2025
Kennedy DeLap was crowned Miss North Dakota 2025 last June. Since then, she has been travelling the state as an ambassador for North Dakota and speaking to groups about nurturing communities and helping them thrive. She shares her message of the impact of character and acts of service.
She was born in the Jamestown, ND area but has lived in Bismarck for many years. She is a graduate of Bismarck Century High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and a Master of Arts Degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana.
Kennedy was appointed by Governor Armstrong as an Ambassador for Character Education. She currently works as a photographer and writer for North Dakota Living Magazine.
Fun Facts: Kennedy is a five-time ND Girl’s Hockey Champion and actively rescues and fosters animals, including those in “fospice” care.
Nathan Eklund
Vital Network
Nathan Eklund, M.Ed, is a champion for educator well-being and retention, and he brings a national voice to the vital conversation on burnout and creating thriving environments for adults in schools. As founder and CEO of Vital Network, Nathan collaborates closely with state leaders to develop systemic interventions that make schools not just functional but truly inspiring places to teach and lead.
A former high school English teacher, Nathan’s commitment to elevating the teaching profession began with his 12 years in the classroom. His journey has since led him to author How Was Your Day at School? Improving Dialogue about Teacher Job Satisfaction, and to serve as Head of Education at the Search Institute, where he advanced research on what makes school workplaces thrive. His insights are widely respected and shared, including his EdTalk, Beyond Test Scores: Schools as Vibrant Workplaces, and his article, Sustainable Workplaces, Retainable Teachers, which has become a key reference for education practitioners and researchers nationwide.
Frannie Tunseth
2026 ND Teacher of the Year
Frannie Tunseth, the 2026 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, is a middle school math and language arts teacher and interventionist, supporting students in grades 6-8 at May-Port CG Public Schools in Mayville, North Dakota. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with a minor in special education and a Master of Education from the University of North Dakota, as well as an educational leadership certificate from the University of Mary in Bismarck. Tunseth is currently pursuing a doctorate in teaching and leading at the University of North Dakota, and her dissertation, Acting Within Context: A Case Study on Teacher Agency in a Rural School, examines how teachers make purposeful decisions in complex educational settings.
Tunseth’s teaching is deeply grounded in relationships and community. She mentors pre-service teachers at the University of North Dakota, leads inquiry-based professional development in rural schools and partners with families to design meaningful, equitable learning experiences. In her classroom, she combines interactive, experiential learning with individualized support, guiding students to engage deeply with challenging content, develop critical thinking skills and take ownership of their learning, all while recognizing and celebrating each student’s unique strengths and perspectives.
Tunseth has been recognized as a North Dakota County Teacher of the Year twice. Through her teaching, research and leadership, Tunseth strives to create spaces where teachers are empowered, students are inspired to learn and communities thrive — often by turning small classroom successes, such as a student discovering a love for writing or finally mastering a tricky math concept, into lasting growth.
Rebecca Fricke
ND Public Employees Retirement System
Rebecca Fricke serves as the Executive Director of the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System, bringing more than 30 years of experience in member services, policy, and benefit administration. She shares her expertise nationally as a member of the State & Local Government Benefits Association Board and was honored as the organization’s 2022 Benefits Manager of the Year.
In addition to her work with NDPERS, Rebecca contributes to the Bismarck Cancer Center Advisory Board and is an active member of North Dakota United, with strong ties to the public education community through her family. Her husband, Matt, has been an educator with Bismarck Public Schools for 34 years. Their daughter, Emma, is in her second year as a special education teacher with BPS, and their sons, Eli and Sam, are celebrating milestone graduations this spring—Eli from the University of North Dakota and Sam from Legacy High School. Rebecca takes great pride in her family and enjoys spending time with them, especially during summer months on the Missouri River.
Lisa Johnson
ND University System
Lisa Johnson is the Deputy Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs for the North Dakota University System.
Her work is concentrated on program approval, policy and procedures, articulation, and academic matters that directly affect student success, health, and well-being. She serves as the University System’s liaison to councils, task forces, internal and external advisory groups, legislators, and several collaborative interagency partnerships.
Lisa began her undergraduate studies at Minot State University while serving in the United States Air Force. She completed associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees from the College of Business at Minot State University.
Jessica Edland
Together for School Meals
Jessica Edland serves as Campaign Manager for the Together for School Meals ballot measure campaign, leading strategy, coalition outreach, and partnerships with organizations across North Dakota working to ensure every student has access to breakfast and lunch at school for no cost.
She brings more than 17 years of experience helping nonprofits and issue campaigns build strong community support and sustainable funding. Jessica previously served in the North Dakota House of Representatives and worked as Membership Director for the North Dakota Farmers Union, connecting thousands of members to advocacy and community initiatives.
Jessica lives in Jamestown with her husband, their twin children, and their family dog.
Erin Oban
North Dakotans for Public Schools
Erin Oban is a lifelong North Dakotan, daughter of farm family, and proud class B kid from Ray, ND. Her professional career has included experience as a middle school math teacher, in non-profit management and educational leadership, and in politics, advocacy, and public service at the legislative and federal levels.
In 2014 and again in 2018, Erin was elected by her neighbors in central Bismarck to represent District 35 in the state senate. Throughout her legislative service, Erin was a champion for public education, an advocate for working families, and a voice for those underrepresented in positions of power and influence. In 2022, she accepted an appointment from President Joe Biden to serve as state director of USDA Rural Development, a federal agency providing financial resources and technical assistance to strengthen rural and Tribal communities, a position she held through January 2025.
Erin makes her home in Bismarck with her husband, Chad, and their son, Evin, and remains dedicated to trying to make the world a slightly better place, working as a consultant on important issues to our state and volunteering in her church and community.
Jason Brunner-Burns
National Education Association
Jason Brunner-Burns is a devoted advocate for educators and families who has spent over a decade at the National Education Association strengthening public education across the Midwest.
As Midwest Regional Director, he’s served as a steady partner to 13 state affiliates, guiding executive director searches, and designing campaigns that won over 2 billion dollars in new revenue for public education. Known for leading empathy, Jason mentors state affiliate managers and staff, builds resilient coalitions, and treats every challenge as an opportunity to safeguard and advance both the labor movement and public education.
He brings that same warmth and honesty to 2 Gay Dads, a podcast he hosts and produces with his husband that centers candid conversations about modern fatherhood, LGBTQ+ family life, and the power of shared stories to heal and inspire.
