Julie Ekberg
President
After an impressive 30-year career as an Accounting Operations Specialist with Alerus Financial, Julie Ekberg is enjoying retirement while continuing to dedicate her time and talents to giving back to her community.
Julie has been part of the Santa Claus Girls since 2010, serving as one of the organization’s toy buyers. Her role helps bring the magic of Christmas to life for local children by helping select the toys that will fill their holiday gift bags. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and years of professional experience make her a valued part of the team.
Throughout her career, Julie has also demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting others. She served as a co-captain of the Alerus Relay for Life team for two years and volunteered with the Shopping with Sox’s for Kids program in the Manvel School District, helping provide support to local children and families.
Now retired, Julie continues to share her time, experience, and caring spirit with the community. Through her work with the Santa Claus Girls and her past volunteer efforts, she has helped make a difference in the lives of others.
Julie believes in the power of giving back, and her years of service reflect a genuine commitment to helping children and families in our community experience a little more joy, hope, and holiday magic.
Jennifer Ekberg
Vice President & Shopper
Jennifer Ekberg, known to many as Jen the Lender, is a Mortgage Loan Originator at Granite Bank in Grand Forks, North Dakota. While she is passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their dream of homeownership, her commitment to serving others extends far beyond her career.
Jen has been involved with the Santa Claus Girls since 2009, dedicating her time and energy to an organization that has brought holiday joy to local children and families for generations. Her commitment to giving back also includes serving as a volunteer firearm safety and hunter education instructor since 2011, fostering animals through Journey Home Animal Rescue, and delivering Meals on Wheels to community members in need.
Whether she is helping a family purchase their first home, teaching firearm safety, providing a temporary home for an animal in need, or delivering a meal to a neighbor, Jen believes that small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.
For Jen, community involvement isn’t just something to fit into her schedule — it’s a way of life. She is proud to support the Grand Forks community and surrounding areas and is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of the people and animals who call this community home.
Karen Bjornseth
Treasurer
Karen Bjornseth currently works at Bell Bank and has a long-standing passion for community service, leadership, and helping others. Throughout her life, she has dedicated countless hours to supporting charitable organizations, mentoring young people, and bringing communities together through volunteerism.
Karen has served on the Santa Claus Girls Board since 2017, helping carry forward the organization’s mission of bringing holiday joy to local children and families. Her commitment to the organization reflects her belief that every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas.
Before joining the Santa Claus Girls, Karen built an impressive history of volunteer service through her military community. She served as an officer in local chapters of the Air Force Sergeants Association at multiple locations and led numerous fundraising activities for a variety of charitable causes. She also organized an annual free gift-wrapping booth at previous military installations, helping make the holidays a little brighter for those around her.
Karen’s dedication to serving others extends to mentoring the next generation. She has volunteered as both a Boy Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader, helping young people learn, grow, and develop valuable life skills.
More recently, Karen has expanded her volunteer efforts by partnering with the Ronald McDonald House in Fargo, North Dakota, supporting an organization that provides comfort and assistance to families facing challenging circumstances.
For Karen, giving back is more than volunteering — it’s a lifelong commitment to making a difference. Through her service with the Santa Claus Girls, military organizations, youth programs, and charitable causes, she continues to demonstrate the power of generosity, leadership, and community spirit.
We are grateful to have Karen’s experience, dedication, and caring heart as part of the Santa Claus Girls family!
Allison Peterson
Creative, Marketing, Buyer of all things!
Allison Peterson is the Director of the Grand Forks Public Schools’ Summer Performing Arts Company (SPA), where she has been inspiring creativity and supporting young performers since 1997. A proud Grand Forks native, Allison is passionate about her community and the opportunities that help local children grow, learn, and shine.
Allison joined the Santa Claus Girls Board in 2021 and has become a valued and pivotal member of our team. Her dedication to serving others and her love for the Grand Forks community make her a natural fit for an organization committed to bringing joy to local children and families during the holiday season.
Through her work with SPA, Allison has spent decades helping young people discover their talents, build confidence, and experience the magic of the performing arts. She brings that same enthusiasm, compassion, and community spirit to her involvement with the Santa Claus Girls.
For Allison, giving back is about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We are grateful to have her leadership, passion, and commitment on our board as we continue our mission of making the holidays brighter for children and families in our community.
Sandra Iverson
Secretary & Book Order Extraordinar!
Sandra Iverson is a retired computer programmer who continues to dedicate her time and energy to making a difference in the lives of others. With a heart for service and a passion for helping her community, Sandra brings a thoughtful, caring spirit to everything she does.
Sandra first volunteered with the Santa Claus Girls for two years before joining the board in 2021. Since then, she has continued to support the organization’s mission of bringing holiday joy to children and families throughout the community. She loves being part of the Santa Claus Girls and helping ensure that more children experience the magic of Christmas.
Her commitment to giving back extends well beyond the holiday season. Sandra volunteers with many organizations, including helping with Meals on Wheels, giving wheelchair assists as an Altru Ambassador, serving meals at the Northlands Rescue Mission and assisting in their Food Pantry, and mentoring young ladies at the Relate Care Clinic.
Sandra believes in the importance of community involvement and the difference that dedicated volunteers can make. Whether she is helping organize holiday giving or supporting other charitable causes, she finds joy in being part of something bigger than herself.
We are grateful to have Sandra as part of the Santa Claus Girls family. Her compassion, generosity, and continued dedication help us carry forward our mission of making the holidays brighter for children and families in our community.
Theresa Polkinghorne
Board Member at large
Theresa has been part of the Santa Claus Girls since 2019, bringing her enthusiasm for giving back and her love for the community to an organization dedicated to making the holidays brighter for local children and families.
Since 2022, Theresa has worked at American Crystal Sugar as a janitor and sweeper, a role she enjoys. Outside of work, she makes time for something especially close to her heart: helping others and making a positive difference in her community.
Theresa looks forward to the Santa Claus Girls project every year and is proud to be part of a team that helps bring the magic of Christmas to children and families who need a little extra support during the holiday season.
For Theresa, giving back is about being part of something meaningful and helping make Christmas special for children in our community. Her continued dedication and caring spirit are a valued part of the Santa Claus Girls family, and we are grateful to have her on our team!
Chris Peterson
Board Member – Problem Solver
Christine has dedicated 28 years to Alerus Financial, where she serves as a Banking Operations Analyst, focusing on operational controls and process improvements. Her attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and commitment to doing things well are qualities she brings to her work and her volunteer service.
Christine is proud to be part of the Santa Claus Girls, where she enjoys contributing to the organization’s mission of bringing holiday joy to children and families throughout the community. Being part of a team that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of local families is something she truly values.
Outside of work and volunteering, Christine enjoys home design projects and spending the summer months outdoors. She loves creating welcoming, cheerful spaces and finding inspiration in the little details that make a house feel like home.
Christine brings that same thoughtful spirit to the Santa Claus Girls, helping support a mission built on kindness, generosity, and community. We are grateful to have her as part of the team and for her dedication to making the holidays brighter for local children and families!
Sara Bakke
Sara grew up in Center, North Dakota, and later moved to Grand Forks to pursue her college education. What began as a temporary chapter quickly became a lifelong home, as she developed a deep appreciation for the community and chose to build her life and career there.
For more than a decade, Sara worked in the radiology department at Altru, where she discovered a passion for helping others and making a positive impact in people’s lives. The experience reinforced her commitment to service and the importance of supporting those around her.
Following a career transition, Sara found a unique and rewarding path that combines creativity and care. During the summer months, she maintains plants in the garden center, while in the winter she brings seasonal cheer through Christmas decorating. This work allows her to create welcoming and enjoyable environments for others year-round.
She has been married to her husband for 16 years, and together they have raised two children. Their oldest is currently attending college in Bismarck, while their youngest remains at home in Grand Forks. Family remains at the center of everything she does, and continues to inspire her commitment to the community.
Driven by her lifelong desire to help others, Sara became involved with the Santa Claus Girls, an organization whose mission closely aligns with her values. She is inspired by the dedication of the volunteers and team members who work tirelessly to ensure that every child experiences the joy and magic of Christmas. Through her involvement, Sara continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families.
