fbpx

Mrs. Minnesota America 2023- Brandi DeVries

By | Queens | No Comments

Brandi DeVries, formerly Mrs. Edina,  was crowned Mrs. Minnesota America 2023 on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Eagan Community Center in Eagan, MN. Brandi will promote Children’s Cancer Research Fund during her year of service and looks forward to representing Minnesota and this organization established for married women. She is a founding board member for Soar Leadership Council of Children’s Cancer Research Fund, a group that raises awareness and critical funding for childhood cancer research as well as patient and family programs. The group has raised  $70,000 for Emerging Scientist grants and $25,000 to support Camp Norden. Brandi personally raised over $1,500 as a cyclist in the 2022 Great Cycle Challenge.

“To be able to represent Minnesota is an incredible honor. It’s my goal to raise awareness of

children’s cancer and encourage others to take action to support critical funding for childhood

cancer research as well as patient and family programs as Mrs. Minnesota America.” – Brandi DeVries, Mrs. Minnesota America 2023

Originally from Mohall, ND, Brandi graduated from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND, with degrees in Business Communication and Business Administration. No stranger to pageantry, she has held the titles of Miss Norsk Hostfest 2004, Miss North Dakota International 2007, and Miss North Dakota USA where she competed for the title of Miss USA in 2011. She came to Minnesota to pursue a career in 2012 where she worked for companies JLL, Inc. and Land O’Lakes, Inc. She currently works at DeVries Bar Grinding, Inc. in Minneapolis as the VP of Operations and holds her certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP – PMI).

Brandi resides in Edina with her husband, Cole, their son, Bane, and a crazy cocker spaniel, Butters. Cole proposed to Brandi on an African safari in Kenya and they were married a few short months later in April 2016. As a family they enjoy traveling, working out, hosting in their backyard, golfing, and volunteering together. In her freetime you can find Brandi learning to play tennis, listening to podcasts, or planning the next get together with friends.

To book an appearance with Brandi, email mrsmnamerica2023@gmail.com.

Mrs. Georgia American 2022- Jennifer Pettie

By | Past Queens | No Comments

Jennifer Pettie- Legal epidemiologist, public health strategist, and health equity champion, Mrs. Georgia American 2022
Jennifer Pettie works to improve population health outcomes. Her experience spans the federal, state, and
private sectors, and lies at the intersection of healthcare strategy, policy, and law.

Jennifer’s work and personal life unexpectedly collided when she almost lost her life after giving birth to
her daughter last year. Determined to turn this experience into an opportunity to improve maternal health
outcomes, she created the Maternal Health Conversations Web Series – a national campaign that has
helped raise awareness, highlight resources, and inform next steps. Her biggest reward has been hearing
from moms, partners, support people, nurses, OBGYNs, and doulas and learning how they have found
this content helpful.

In alignment with the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, Jennifer has informed her Maternal Health
Conversations Web Series with opioid addiction awareness, resources, and action items. Recognizing that
opioid overdose is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths, she is working to facilitate strategic
initiatives to combat this crisis.

A proud alumna of Brooklyn Law School, Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and
Villanova University, Jennifer has worked to become recognized as a leader in her field. She was recently
recognized with the March of Dimes Woman of Distinction Award for Healthcare Leadership, NMQF
Health Leader Award at the Annual Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, and Atlanta Young
Government Leaders Award. She has been featured in academic journals, broadcast radio, and conference
panel discussions on critical healthcare matters.

For Jennifer, self-care is spending quality time with her wonderful husband Jason, Bankruptcy Trustee
and Attorney, and their amazing daughter, Jayla Ann Rose. They can be found traveling, cheering on the
Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, taking walks in their Kirkwood neighborhood, and working on their tennis
game.

Mrs. Georgia America 2022- Meredith Pope

By | Past Queens | No Comments

Meredith Pope-  BACKGROUND: I found my voice through writing. Writing children’s books, gives me
a special opportunity to use my talents outside the classroom. My blog (www.meredithpope.net)
and I am NOT Trash podcast have proven to be very rewarding in many ways. Nothing makes me
happier than reading all the emails from women across the country thanking me for the real life
inspiration I provide. When I am not writing about eco-friendly superheroes or parenting tips, I enjoy
playing tennis (2x City Champ) making commercials for Hotworx, Pella Earth Products and binging
Netflix!