Six community leaders from rural Minnesota have been selected as the 2025 cohort for Project REACH (Rural Experts Advancing Community Health), a statewide initiative led by the Rural Health Program through the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs and CTSI.
Project REACH is a year-long program that equips rural community leaders with training in health policy and leadership. Participants identify pressing local challenges, develop leadership and advocacy skills, and craft policy proposals they present to legislators and other decision-makers. Throughout the year, they are supported by University of Minnesota faculty and staff mentors. Travel expenses, materials, and participation costs are covered, and each participant receives a $1,200 stipend and a certificate of completion.
Meet the 2025 Project REACH Cohort:
Luke Ewald – Jackson County
Luke Ewald is a public health specialist serving Cottonwood and Jackson Counties through Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services. A graduate of St. Cloud State University with a degree in Community Health, Luke has worked in public health since 2014. His focus includes healthy food access, tobacco prevention, physical activity promotion, and chronic disease prevention.
Having moved from suburban Wright County to rural southwest Minnesota, Luke brings a broad perspective to his work and has developed strong connections with local communities. He is particularly passionate about building healthier environments through policies that support local food systems and access to nutritious food.
Through Project REACH, Luke will focus on improving food access policy in Jackson County.
Deisy Cañón Lovera – Southern Minnesota
Deisy Cañón Lovera manages regional initiatives for HACER, a nonprofit that conducts research and outreach in support of Hispanic communities. She holds three master’s degrees from Minnesota State University, Mankato in Spanish, Gender and Women’s Studies, and Education. Originally from Colombia, she moved to Minnesota in 2014 and has led various projects focused on health education, cancer awareness, and access to care.
A breast cancer survivor herself, Deisy brings personal insight to her work. Her leadership is driven by a practical goal: to help more women in rural communities receive timely and effective screening and treatment services.
Through Project REACH, Deisy will work to improve access to cancer screenings and related care in rural Southern Minnesota.
Juleigh Prosser – Clearwater County
Juleigh Prosser is a retired entrepreneur with a background in business and healthcare. Now based in Clearbrook, she has developed and managed several local programs aimed at supporting seniors and strengthening community services. She co-founded Living Local Women, an initiative that encourages women to share practical life skills and learn from each other.
Juleigh has a strong interest in aging issues and community-based solutions for senior support. She sees Project REACH as an opportunity to apply her leadership experience toward a growing concern: dementia care in rural Minnesota.
Her focus during Project REACH will be to create a model for Dementia Friendly Communities in Clearwater County, with the potential to expand it statewide.
Siham Amedy – Becker and Otter Tail Counties
Siham Amedy is a community project leader based in Moorhead, Minnesota. With a background in education, health, and local government, she has worked on projects supporting families, schools, and community centers. She currently leads initiatives such as the Clay County Family Resource Center and is actively involved in youth development, early childhood programming, and local civic groups.
Siham’s work is grounded in finding practical solutions to long-standing barriers in service delivery and support systems, especially for families and young people.
Through Project REACH, Siham will focus on developing strategies to improve youth mental health services in Becker and Otter Tail Counties.
Marjia Storrs – St. Louis County
Marjia Storrs is a public health advocate from Eveleth, Minnesota, with experience in health education, outreach, and policy development. Her work in the Public Health Corps allowed her to support local programs addressing mental health, chronic disease, and injury prevention.
Motivated by personal experiences with friends and family affected by traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), Marjia is committed to improving services and support for those facing similar challenges. She believes that local policies can better address these complex health issues in a coordinated way.
Her Project REACH focus is on policies related to TBIs and mental health care in Eveleth and surrounding areas.
Andrew Kotz – Cass County
Andrew Kotz is an electrical engineer who serves on the Board of Directors for Bi-County Community Action Programs. He helps guide local initiatives related to housing, energy assistance, and early education. With a degree in electrical engineering from Saint Louis University, Andrew brings technical expertise and a practical mindset to his public service work.
His focus is on ensuring that more residents can benefit from home energy programs—such as weatherization and heating assistance, which not only reduce utility costs but also improve indoor health and safety.
Through Project REACH, Andrew will advocate for improved access to energy assistance and home weatherization programs in Cass County.
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