Welcome to the Team, Gaby!

We’re thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Sustainable Stillwater MN team—Gaby Gerken, our new Project Manager!

Gaby Gerken

Gaby steps into this role ready to keep our projects moving forward with purpose, clarity, and a whole lot of heart. She’ll be working alongside our program & project leaders to help plan, execute, and document the impactful work happening across our initiatives—making sure great ideas don’t just stay ideas, but turn into meaningful action in our community.

What makes Gaby especially exciting to welcome is her incredible range of experience. From food systems to urban forestry, small business support to sustainable transportation, she’s built a career around connecting people, ideas, and solutions. She’s someone who thrives in dynamic environments, where collaboration matters just as much as timelines—and where every project has the potential to make a difference.

At her core, Gaby is driven by sustainability. Whether she’s building a rain garden, tending to bees as an urban beekeeper, or contributing to stronger local systems, she brings a hands-on, thoughtful approach to creating resilient communities. After spending the past decade working across the Midwest, she’s returned home to Minnesota—and we’re lucky she chose to bring that passion and experience to our team.

Outside of work, Gaby keeps life just as vibrant. She’s a self-proclaimed serial hobbyist, currently diving into mushroom foraging and perfecting homemade ice cream. When she’s not dreaming about hiking the Appalachian Trail or backpacking through Vietnam, you can find her enjoying movies and markets, or spending time in Saint Paul with her partner, two dogs, and one very lucky bunny.

We’re so excited for what’s ahead with Gaby on board. Be sure to say hello when you see her out in the community—and join us in giving her a warm welcome!