Meet Our Board Of Directors

The Board

EmpowerSurvivors board is made up of individuals that have personal experience with childhood sexual abuse, have family or friends that were sexually abused or work in a field that works with survivors and trauma. Together we work together as one team and family to ensure all who come to EmpowerSurvivors will be supported on their healing journeys, learn, grow and be supported.

Aimee Van Ostrand

Aimee Van Ostrand, L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist and owner at Healing Within Acupuncture in Stillwater and White Bear Lake. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Ames, IA and her Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) in Roseville, MN. She is an NCCAOM Board Certified Practitioner, licensed by both the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Aimee practices acupuncture in a group setting called community acupuncture. This model increases access to care by making treatments affordable.

Zach Carlsen

Founder of Strengths Life Consulting, Zach has been building teams, coaching individuals, and teaching for more than a decade. To all his work, he brings his belief that we each have a unique value to add to the world and that our differences make us strong. By focusing on cultivating Strengths and personal development, mutually beneficial relationships are formed, which affect us all and improve the quality of our shared human experience. This creates stronger teams, confident and happy individuals, and purpose-driven organizations that make an impact.

Developing businesses, teaching in higher education, and committed to lifelong learning, Zach holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts degree in English and Pedagogy from the University of Montana as well as advanced certifications from Gallup Corporation. He is passionate, present, and solution-minded in his work, always innovating, collaborating, and designing strategies where groups are empowered and an individual’s best self is constantly revealed. His goal-centric and action-oriented approach to team and personal development are trademarks to his approach to effective team-building and professional development consulting.
Zach lives in Minnesota where he writes, coaches, and teaches.

Anita S White

Independent Contractor, Speaker, Facilitator and Coach.Dynamic consultant in learning, healing and applying tools for personal growth and professional development in order to achieve powerful confidence and amazing results. Guided by vast experience, specialized education, proven positive results.

Todd Hildebrandt

Regulatory affairs specialist with extensive product knowledge in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, with specialties in diabetes, neurology, pulmonology, cardiology, and urology. My passion is to improve the quality of life for people who are not reaching their potential due to a health challenge.

Charlene Niemi

Charlene Niemi, RN, PHN, MSN, PhD is an Assistant Professor at California State University Channel Islands. She has extensive experience in mental health and community health both academically and in community settings. Her research interests are on the effects child sexual abuse.

Shanna Maria

Empowered Survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Co-Author of Best Seller We Choose To Thrive Book Series, Voice for the voiceless, entreprenuer, Intuitive, Guide & Mentor, Collaboration, facilitator, Supporter of childhood sexual abuse, I am here as a survivor my life experiences taught me a lot, I am here to help in educate from a survivors stand point I do not sugar coat I am blunt and honest with compassion and I will tell you what it's like to live life after surviving childhood sexual abuse. I am here to help with the much needed changes and I am dedicated to spreading the word and help stop the epidemic that abuse is...

I have broken my silence came out of the shadows of surviving childhood sexual abuse and how I was able to break the chains which once bounded me. I was able to achieve true healing on my incredible life changing healing journey.
After a near death experience in 2010 my life changed forever, I was awakened. I know I am here today to serve my purpose which is being a light and hope for the ones out there who are still in the darkness. There is light at the end of the tunnel.