Welcome Three New Board Members to the St. Croix Valley Foundation Board of Directors
Meet the new Board Members: Nicole, Jason, Ann Marie!
We are thrilled to welcome three outstanding leaders to the St. Croix Valley Foundation's Board of Directors! Each brings unique expertise, passion, and a deep commitment to strengthening our communities. As they join fellow board members in guiding the St. Croix Valley's mission, we look forward to the energy, insight, and vision they will contribute to shaping a vibrant and generous future for the region.
Nicole Winter Tietel – Nicole Winter Tietel is President and Chief Compliance Officer of Winter & Associates, Inc., an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm founded in 1908. As the fourth-generation leader from her family—and the first woman to lead the firm—Nicole has spent more than 31 years helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate important financial decisions and build their legacies. After 25 years in a broker-dealer environment, Nicole successfully transitioned Winter & Associates to an independent RIA in 2021, strengthening the firm's ability to provide objective, client-focused advice. Today, the firm manages more than $180 million in client assets. Nicole has been recognized as a trusted voice on financial planning and wealth management, with commentary featured by media outlets including WCCO-AM, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Business Insider, Financial Planning, InvestmentNews, and other regional and national publications. A dedicated community leader, Nicole has served in numerous nonprofit and professional leadership roles, including with Dodge Nature Center, the Junior League of St. Paul, St. Paul Academy Parents' Association, The Ordway, and MN Children's Hospital. She is a former president of the St. Paul Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and served as President on the national board of the Securian Women's Interactive Sales Exchange. Nicole graduated with honors from Babson College with a Bachelor of Science degree. She lives in Afton, Minnesota, with her husband, Michael, and enjoys spending time with her family, including her two adult children, Shelby and Riley, their chocolate lab, Hayden, and golden retriever, Hunter.
Jason Howard – Jason is President and CEO of First State Bank and Trust, an independent community bank that has served the St. Croix Valley for more than 100 years. In this role, Jason focuses on long-term strategic growth by promoting employee engagement, building strong client relationships, and strengthening community connections. Jason transitioned into the CEO role in 2021 after joining the Bank in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer, following an earlier career at Wipfli LLP as a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). Jason currently serves on the board of directors and as chair of the development committee for the Northern Star Scouting Council. Jason is also co-chair of the Lakeview Health Growing for Good Campaign, which is supporting construction of the new hospital campus. Previously, Jason served on the Lakeview Health Board of Directors and as chair of Croixdale Senior Living Community in Bayport. Jason is actively involved in the St. Croix Valley community and supports several local not-for-profit organizations. Outside of work, Jason stays busy shuttling two active teenage boys to various sporting and scouting events most evenings.
Ann Marie Gaus Pueschner – Ann Marie & her husband Paul relocated to North Hudson eight years ago. After a 25 year career at 3M, Ann Marie retired in 2011. She held positions in Sales, Sales Management, and Human Resources. She graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In her early retirement years, she served on multiple boards in Osceola, WI. Those experiences included a successful capital campaign to build the new library, the Hospital Foundation, and the Osceola Medical Center Board. As fate would have it, she was elected Board Chair of the hospital 13 days before Covid hit. Now that her Chair/Hospital Board term is completed, she is eager to get involved in the greater Hudson community.
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