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.
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.
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!
Rachel Betterley was born March 2, 1991, in the river town city of Hastings, Minnesota. At a young age, Rachel was gifted in the arts. “I was always holding a pencil.” She recalls. “I was the daydreaming, artsy kid constantly drawing new worlds, people, and realities.”
Likewise, Rachel has always been a people person, which is why she decided to become an art teacher. At nineteen, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in art education at the University of Minnesota Duluth and later received a master’s of art education at Boston University, graduating magna cum laude. In addition to urban and rural teaching experiences, She served internationally at Danila Kumar School in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Currently, she is serving her 9th year teaching high school art in St. Louis County.
Shortly after graduating, Rachel discovered the Miss America Organization and her life changed when she was crowned the 80th anniversary Miss Minnesota on June 13th, 2015. During this time, she served as the state ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and underwent a one-year anti-bullying awareness campaign that reached over 10,000 youth across the state of Minnesota.
Nationally, Rachel has appeared on Good Morning America and the Miss America Pageant live on ABC. Statewide, she has appeared on Fox 9, WDIO, Channel 12 News, Twin Cities News Talk, AM1280 The Patriot, AM 1460 KDWA, KBFT Bois Forte Tribal Community Radio, Hastings Community TV, and was a brand ambassador for Zandolee Media. Her role as Miss Minnesota inspired many aspects of her teaching philosophies and passion for making the world a kinder place through art. Through her #ArtwithHeart Empty Bowl Fundraiser, thousands of dollars are raised annually for rural food banks.
As a 10 year teaching veteran and artist, her goal in the public eye is to inspire people to live their life as authentically as possible, no matter how weird, outrageous, or creative that may be. She affirms, “the confidence to express yourself at any age is invaluable to your happiness and goal-setting. When you embrace the inner-self that is truly fueling your passions, you can set yourself up for success and help others along the way.”
Knowing the importance of art advocacy and staying true to those words, she decided to pursue pageantry in the MRS. division under the Mrs. America Organization. On June 12th, Rachel won the title of Mrs. Minnesota America 2022! She is honored to represent this great state and organization for established married women.
You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram (@rachelbetterley) and Twitter (@rmbetterley), where she enjoys posting about art, fashion, marriage, her two sons, Ryland and Nash, teaching, volunteering, snowmobiling, and various appearances. For more information visit: www.rachelbetterley.weebly.com
Hi I’m Alli, mother of a one year old son and engaged to marry my amazing fiancé. I am an advertising and branding undergraduate at Savannah College of Art and Design. I hope to spread the message of inclusivity and positivity in my year as Miss Georgia for America Strong.
I am a 12 year competitive track and field veteran and I attended Pittsburg State University on a track scholarship. Where my journey in sports ended, fashion began to blossom. I took an interest in pageantry in 2014 when I was recruited by a prior MAO Coach, while at a dress shop. I competed for Miss Kansas USA a couple of years later placing 3rd Runner Up and Most Photogenic. I am excited my journey has now led me to represent Georgia as the new Miss.
A few things I enjoy are fashion photography, image editing, drawing, design and spending time at the Atlanta Humane Society.
Sarah Chambers is an Attorney focused exclusively on professional liability defense for architects and engineers. Prior to becoming an attorney, Sarah worked as an engineering consultant on construction projects of all sizes throughout the United States.
Sarah received a B.S. in Management and Minor in Marketing, summa cum laude, from Georgia Tech. She received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Georgia State University College of Law, graduating #6 in her class and also serving as Business Editor of the College’s Law Review journal and a member of the Moot Court team.
When she is not practicing law, Sarah and her family, which includes her husband of 18 years Chris Chambers and their two children Malone and Britton, can be found in numerous national and international television commercials and advertisements for major brands including Walmart, Dove, Disney and Edible Arrangements, among many others. Sarah and her family can also be found out and about in their beautiful equestrian-centric hometown Milton, Georgia.
About Mrs. Georgia America 2021
Leader, author and on-air personality, Mrs. Georgia America 2021 Darcy Castro creates content that speaks to the hearts of women from all walks of life. Her Empowerment Academy and #StrongWomenStrongWorld initiative foster a climate of growth for women of all identities and abilities to realize their potential as changemakers, both in their own lives and in their communities. Her diverse life experiences and professional background have made her a force in pageantry and beyond. Darcy and her husband LtCol Juan Castro, a pilot in the United States Air Force, are the parents of four children and have lived in many states across the country. This experience has given Darcy an intimate perspective of the diverse and beautiful people of the United States, and she is proud to call Georgia her forever home.
I am Kelly Litynski, Mrs. Minnesota American. I am the proud wife to Kirk Litynski whom I just adore. We are a blended family with 3 daughters, 1 son, 2 dogs and 2 cats.
I have the best career I could ask for as I am a Registered Nurse. I love caring for people, making them feel safe and comfortable and giving them the most positive experience possible.
In my younger years I spent 3 years of my life cheering for the Minnesota Vikings NFL team. During that time I was lucky enough to travel with the team to Berlin Germany and Tokyo Japan. It was an experience of a lifetime.
I am extremely proud and honored to be the Mrs. Minnesota American Queen. I was born and raised here and can’t think of a better state to represent. Wish me luck at Nationals!
I am Kelly Litynski, Mrs. Minnesota American. I am the proud wife to Kirk Litynski whom I just adore. We are a blended family with 3 daughters, 1 son, 2 dogs and 2 cats.
I have the best career I could ask for as I am a Registered Nurse. I love caring for people, making them feel safe and comfortable and giving them the most positive experience possible.
In my younger years I spent 3 years of my life cheering for the Minnesota Vikings NFL team. During that time I was lucky enough to travel with the team to Berlin Germany and Tokyo Japan. It was an experience of a lifetime.
I am extremely proud and honored to be the Mrs. Minnesota American Queen. I was born and raised here and can’t think of a better state to represent. Wish me luck at Nationals!
Jessica Koehler
From the land of hotdish & hockey, Jessica Koehler, Mrs. Minnesota America, married her husband, Dr. Eric Koehler, 8 years ago & adopted his 2 children with special needs after losing their mother to addiction. Jessica put her own pursuits aside while nurturing her new family which soon added another son, & later, applied her gift of network marketing to become a Global Top Achiever in the health & wellness industry & host of her own show. As a business leader, Mrs. Minnesota recently attended Harvard University Executive Leadership Program to hone her skills & better guide her team to success.
The title of Mrs. Minnesota has opened many doors & opportunities to create a ripple effect in her community – in honor of her son Rowan’s premature birth, Jessica has donated preemie clothes to Children’s Hospital for the last 7 years of his life & has been chosen, this year, as an ambassador for their annual fundraisers!
From her upbringing in rural Mississippi to the present day as an Anesthesia provider, Christen’s compassion and willingness to serve others has always been on full display. Christen balanced her college life as a student athlete; stunting, performing and traveling as a Division I cheerleader at the University of Mississippi. Even with the demands placed upon her both academically and athletically, Christen found time to serve the needs of school children – working with the local Pre-K program in-between classes and practices.
After completing her pre-requisite coursework, Christen transferred to the Medical College of Georgia where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in 2008. After serving two years in critical care at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA, she was accepted into the Hamot School of Anesthesia as the youngest in her class at 24 years old. After two rigorous years of study, including rotations at the famed Cleveland Clinic, she graduated and credentialed as a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist) in 2012.
Since graduating, Christen has served this great country from coast to coast. She has serviced patients in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Oregon and Georgia. The mother of two, Annisten (5) and John Oxford (2) currently resides in metro Atlanta where she provides Anesthesia services for United Digestive.
At the onset of Covid-19, Christen and her husband Michael founded Bambū as a way to unite our country in support of our healthcare heroes. Using her husband’s marketing and web design skills, and her network of healthcare providers; together they have worked to distribute bracelets to healthcare workers as a tangible reminder of appreciation in these trying times.
From utilizing her anesthesia skills to servicing the mental needs of the medical community with a tangible reminder – Christen is truly honored to embrace the role as Mrs. Georgia American 2020.
Elizabeth Walgrave
Elizabeth is originally from the sunny state of California. Moving to Minnesota at age 8, she has created roots in Woodbury, Shakopee and now firmly planted in beautiful Prior Lake. As a graduate of the Carlson School of Management from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing, she offers a passion for working within the marketing and sales arena. Elizabeth also earned her Real Estate License from Kaplan immediately upon graduation from Carlson.
While also working as a Realtor, her first corporate career began in corporate software and technology Sales at Thomson Reuters working with attorneys, judges, law enforcement and compliance departments. Her extensive sales experience, passion, and excitement for technology contributed to her thriving career in this field.
Elizabeth also has a special passion for design, residential renovation, and new construction. She has flipped dozens of homes, designed floorplans, made all specifications for new construction homes from top to bottom and conducted interior designs. She owned a residential flipping company for several years and also served as the VP of Design for Pebble Creek Custom Homes. She is currently finishing her diploma from The Interior Design Institute with advanced courses in Kitchen and Bathroom design, Auto-CAD, and Social Media and Marketing for Interior Design.
Finally, Elizabeth welcomed the opportunity to work on the Walgrave Real Estate Group and is responsible for overseeing strategic planning, information technology, administrative and operations management, events, design, and marketing operatives.
Combining all of her passions and expertise into a role that is along-side her husband, Jason Walgrave, this is the perfect fit!
When Elizabeth isn’t busy in the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 4 children, and golden doodle (Cookie Walgrave), hiking, gardening, cooking, swimming, golfing, dancing, volunteering and community involvement, pageantry, fashion, and of course, interior design!
Crowning Moment Mrs. Minnesota America 2019
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