Our Team

Visit Keweenaw's professional staff lead the day-to-day efforts to promote the Keweenaw Peninsula as a destination for tourism and driver of the visitor economy.

Staff

Brad Barnett

Executive Director
bbarnett@visitkeweenaw.com    

Core Areas: Visit Keweenaw Marketing Program; Media Outreach; Industry Engagement

About Brad
Brad is a native of Central Kentucky and moved with his family to the Keweenaw Peninsula in 2013 to complete a PhD at Michigan Technological University in Environmental and Energy Policy. Prior to working for Visit Keweenaw, he was a regional planner with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR) focusing on renewable energy and recreation planning projects.  

As the Executive Director of Visit Keweenaw, Brad has the privilege of sharing the Keweenaw’s unique attractions and amenities with visitors and members of the media.  He oversees the development and implementation of the organization’s annual marketing program and works with the community’s economic development leaders to enhance the region’s visitor economy.  

Jesse Wiederhold 

Public Relations & Events Coordinator
jesse@visitkeweenaw.com

Core Areas: Media Outreach and Special Events

About Jesse
Jesse graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in computer science. He joins Visit Keweenaw from a local television station (WLUC TV6) where he spent two years reporting and anchoring stories. Jesse has an extensive background working in local media outlets and has more than six years of storytelling experience in Upper Michigan.

Jesse is connected to Upper Michigan and loves the Keweenaw the most! He frequently hikes spots like Maasto Hiihto and Hungarian Falls, but prefers sitting on a warm, sandy Keweenaw beach in the summer. He listens mostly to Midwest emo bands and pop music artists. Jesse enjoys going out with friends and is a houseplant expert who grows rare and exotic houseplants. Jesse is the media contact for Visit Keweenaw and is always ready to help you find what you're looking for. 

Donna Holmstrom

Office Manager
donna@visitkeweenaw.com    

Core Areas:  Finance; Procurement; Membership; Organizational and Area History

About Donna
Donna is the office manager and has 30+ years of experience promoting the Keweenaw.   She enjoys hiking and sharing her favorite spots and things to do in the area.  When traveling to other areas, she likes to check out their visitor centers. She is a Michigan Tech graduate.  She is blessed to be married to Rick, have 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Andrea T. McMahon

Visitor's Information Specialist

Andrea was born and raised in the U.P. Her mother instilled a strong love for Nature and animals, she also taught her how Kindness grows a Community. 

She loves spending time with animals at our Copper Country Humane Society, weaving / beading dreamcatchers, painting, or simply volunteering whenever she can. Andrea also attends local Farmer’s Markets and Craft Fairs in the Keweenaw, regularly in Lake Linden.

Amanda Makela

Content Manager
amanda@visitkeweenaw.com    

Core Areas:  Social Media Management, Content Creation, and Community Outreach

About Amanda
Amanda is a graduate of Michigan Technological University, and a born and raised Michigander. She found a passion for creating community-based stories through filmmaking and social media after moving to the Keweenaw with her husband and daughter in 2018. 

She is a member of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, Finnish Theme Committee, and actively involved with From the Ground Farmers Market Collective, Pasty Fest and MTU Parade of Nations. Any time left in the day is dedicated to spending time enjoying the beauty of the Keweenaw (especially Misery Bay!) with her family and basset hounds.

Marielle Raasio

Sustainability Coordinator
marielle@visitkeweenaw.com    

Core Areas:  Love The Keweenaw Campaign, Keweenaw Sustainable Tourism Series, Accessible Keweenaw Initiative, Content Planning, Media and Graphic Design, Partner Resource Distribution, and Organizational Recruitment

About Marielle
Marielle is a 4th year student at Michigan Technological University studying Policy and Community Development with a concentration in health. She is thinking about getting her masters in Environmental Energy and Policy from MTU and continuing her ESL teaching career abroad post graduation.

She grew up in the Keweenaw and in her free time you can find her backpacking around her favorite local haunts like High Rock Bay and Isle Royale, traveling, gardening, and reading non-fiction books and biographies!