Renew Hope Board of Directors

Board Member Bios

Susan Bowden Gunst

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Susan Bowden Gunst is a dedicated attorney based in Oakdale, Minnesota, with a career spanning over two decades. She specializes in personal injury law, tirelessly advocating for her clients to ensure they receive fair compensation for their injuries due to the wrongdoing of another. She founded Bowden Cyr PLLC in 2007 with her best friend and fellow attorney, Lisa Watson Cyr.

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A Minnesota native, Susan graduated from Moorhead State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1995 and earned her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in 1998, graduating cum laude. She is admitted to practice law in Minnesota and the United States Federal District Court, District of Minnesota. Susan has been recognized as a Super Lawyer multiple times; an honor awarded to no more than 5% of attorneys in each state. Additionally, she was named to the Top 50 Women in Minnesota Super Lawyers List in 2016 and 2017.

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Beyond her legal career, Susan is deeply committed to her community. She serves as the current Chair of the Board for Renew Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about sex trafficking and providing support to adult survivors. Renew Hope focuses on education, awareness, and survivor life recovery services, including mentorship and crisis intervention. Susan's leadership at Renew Hope underscores her passion for justice and her dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those affected by sex trafficking. Bowden Cyr PLLC continues to support Renew Hope and the growing need for services in this area.

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In her personal life, Susan enjoys spending time with her large family, hiking, and actively participating in her church. Her compassionate nature and commitment to upholding her clients' rights have made her a respected figure both in and out of the courtroom.

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Clare Lillis

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Clare Lillis began his professional career as a teacher at White Bear Lake High School 1968-1981. He has a Master’s degree in theatre from the University of MN. He acted and directed on many community theatre stages in the Twin Cities and spent a year in the acting company of Park Square Theater. Clare served as an Army Staff Sergeant in Viet Nam. After teaching, he became a Realtor for 42 years and owned a real estate company with 6 offices. Since retiring, Clare devotes most of his time to volunteer work.

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As a volunteer, Clare also serves on the board of directors of Tapestries of Life Ministries which built and runs an orphanage in Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Mexico to serve 250+ homeless children. Clare has been a member of Rotary International for 29 years, the largest service organization globally with 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries. He has served as club president of the Forest Lake Rotary Club and District Governor for District 5960 in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, as well as serving in more than a dozen other leadership roles. He has spearheaded projects in Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, and Nicaragua. He founded the D5960 Human Trafficking Task Force. 

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Clare began working on the issue of human trafficking in 2017 and is past president and current secretary of the board of Renew Hope, a faith-based non-profit that provides advocacy and recovery services for adult women who have been sexually trafficked. He also speaks to many groups about human trafficking.

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Clare and his wife Kathy have made their marriage about serving God and people and are active members of Crossroads Covenant Church in Forest Lake. They love to travel and have visited 48 states and 20 countries.

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Travis Blake

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Pastor Travis Blake is the Lead Pastor at North Isanti Baptist Church in Cambridge, Minnesota. With a passion for fostering spiritual growth and community impact, Pastor Travis emphasizes a ministry approach rooted in prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. His goal, alongside the church's eldership, is to cultivate an environment where individuals deepen their relationship with God, strengthen their connections with one another, and develop a heart for serving their community and the world.

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Pastor Travis holds a Master’s of Transformational Leadership from Bethel Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Sterling College in Kansas. His educational background equips him with a unique perspective on leadership and spiritual development.

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He is married to Alyson, and together they have three children: Brennan, Audrey, and Malcolm. Outside of his pastoral duties, Pastor Travis enjoys spending time outdoors, engaging in sports, and participating in various activities with his family.

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Pastor Travis believes that life is lived from the inside out, emphasizing that God seeks inward transformation rather than mere behavioral modification. His ministry is dedicated to helping individuals grow spiritually by trusting in God's character and power, and by obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

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In addition to his role at North Isanti Baptist Church, Pastor Travis serves on the board of Renew Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about sex trafficking and providing support to adult survivors. His involvement with Renew Hope reflects his commitment to social justice and his desire to make a positive impact in the broader community.

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Deidre Zelin

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Deidre Zelin is a passionate advocate for social justice and community support, currently serving as a board member for Renew Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about sex trafficking and providing support to adult survivors. In her role at Renew Hope, Deidre contributes to the organization's mission by helping to develop programs that educate the public and offer crucial resources to survivors, including mentorship and crisis intervention.

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Deidre's commitment to social causes extends beyond her work with Renew Hope. She has a background in community outreach and has been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations. Her dedication to making a positive impact in her community is evident in her hands-on approach and her ability to inspire others to take action.

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In addition to her advocacy work, Deidre enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and participating in local events. Her compassionate nature and unwavering dedication to helping others have made her a respected and influential figure in her community.

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Mallorie Thorsen

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With over two decades of experience in the finance industry, G. Mallorie Thorsen has dedicated the last 16 years of her career to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., currently as Senior Business Accountability Specialist. Her extensive knowledge and commitment to excellence have made her a key figure in ensuring operational integrity and business accountability within the organization. She is also an active member of InfraGard in their finance sector, contributing to the collaboration between private industry and the FBI to protect critical infrastructure.

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Beyond her professional achievements, Mallorie is a dedicated advocate for survivors of sex trafficking. As a board member of Renew Hope, she plays a crucial role in supporting the organization's mission to invest in the recovery and empowerment of survivors.

Outside of her professional and advocacy roles, Mallorie is a devoted mother to four teenagers. She finds joy and balance in nature, enjoying activities such as hiking and biking.

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With her blend of professional prowess, advocacy, and personal dedication, Mallorie brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to any board she serves on.

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