Welcome to the Discovery Center

WHO WE ARE

Target and Arrow

Our Mission

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Our Vision

We envision a region alive with discovery, where Iron Range stories weave generations and people together.

Target and Arrow

Our Mission

Eye Icon

Our Vision

We envision a region alive with discovery, where Iron Range stories weave generations and people together.

Discover how we’re making a difference.

Our Guiding Principles

EXCELLENCE

We encourage innovation, creative solutions, and a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

SERVICE

We provide warm and responsive service based on understanding our communities.

RESPECT

We highly regard our guests, patrons, and team members.

INTEGRITY

We act truthfully and ethically… we do the right thing.

PROFESSIONALISM

We perform our work professionally, promoting careful and responsible management of all entrusted to our care.

TEAMWORK

We value working together to achieve common goals.

Event Space by the Water

Board Of Directors

The Minnesota Discovery Center is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization duly incorporated in Minnesota. We are held in public trust and governed by a nonprofit volunteer board of directors.

Please complete the application linked below if you are interested in serving on the Minnesota Discovery Center Board of Directors.

Chair

Robin Harkonen – ERDAC

Vice-Chair

Betsy Olivanti – City of Hibbing

Treasurer

Open, Interim Betsy Olivanti

Secretary

Paul Pinkoski – Minnesota Power

Members At Large

Stacy Oltmanns – Northland Constructors

Miriam Kero – MN North & Hello Range

Corie Ekholm – Hibbing Taconite

Executive Director

Char Conger

1005 Discovery Drive
Chisholm, MN 55719

Leadership Team

Char Conger
CHAR CONGER

Executive Director

ALYSSE FREEMAN
ALLYSE FREEMAN

Museum & Research Center Director

Ethan Bexell
ETHAN BEXELL

Operations Director

Maria Hileman
MARIA HILEMAN

Marketing & Development Director

BECCA RAHKOLA
BECCA RAHKOLA

Finance Director

KATIE TOUMI
KATIE TOUMI

Catering & Events Director

SUE GODFREY
SUE GODFREY

Research Center Manager

CARA MOONEY

Collections Manager

GARY KAUNONEN

Education, Program, & Recreation Manager

Erin Lowen
ERIN LOWEN

Visitor Experience Manager

Alyssa Niemi
ALYSSA NIEMI

Sales & Events Manager

ANDREA TAMMARO

Catering Manager

THOMAS HED

Executive Chef

Employment

If you love the Iron Range, join our dynamic team! We always seek enthusiastic, dedicated, and fun individuals to fill roles at the Minnesota Discovery Center.

Workers at the reception desk
Working on a traditional Loom

Volunteering

Volunteers provide an essential resource for the Minnesota Discovery Center in carrying out its charitable, scientific, and educational mission. We offer many opportunities to get involved! What are your interests? We have volunteer opportunities in education, concerts, paleontology, special events, the Research Center, and others! Our Board of Directors is made of volunteers, too!

Demonstrations

We always seek people skilled in various hobbies and crafts who can share their talents with our guests. Consider becoming a demonstrator at the Minnesota Discovery Center if you have a particular skill.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Join us throughout the year for many additional volunteer opportunities. We are always looking for help with the following categories (and others):

  • Family Discovery Days
  • Iron Range Science and Engineering Festival
  • Activity and Special Event Volunteering (Concerts, Educational Programming, Exhibit Openings, Mountain Bike Races)
  • Internships (Paid and Unpaid) (Seasonal Full and Part-Time Internships)
  • Iron Range Research Center
  • Youth Mental Health Night
Traditional Blacksmith

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