Our Staff
We value communication with our partners and are always here to lend a helping hand or a listening ear.
Erik Torch
Executive Director
Email Erik for information about the direction of the Foundation or our work in the community.
Erica Kirsch
Program Officer
Email Erica for information and questions regarding potential grant inquiries.
Rachel Forsyth
Scholarship Program Officer
Email Rachel for information about our scholarship program.
Jenna Wagoner
Administrative Specialist
Email Jenna for technical assistance regarding the online application process and navigating our website.
ERIK TORCH (he/him)
Erik Torch joined LKJ as Executive Director in 2023. Erik came to the Foundation after directing the grant program at the Northland Foundation for 14 years, prior to joining philanthropy Erik worked for many years in the nonprofit sector including the Damiano Center in Duluth as well as in international peace and human rights work in the Balkans and Southeast Asia. In his free time, you can find Erik cross country skiing in the winter or riding his mountain bike in the summer.
ERICA KIRSCH (she/her)
Erica joined the LKJ team in 2023, bringing over a decade of experience in education, most recently as a special education teacher and coordinator at Great Expectations School in Grand Marais. With a background in education and the arts, she is always excited to connect with organizations that support creative expression, life-long learning, and community building, and values the Foundation’s commitment to providing support for students of all backgrounds. In her free time, Erica enjoys printmaking, pottery, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Pancake.
RACHEL FORSYTH (she/her)
Rachel spent the first two decades of her career working in the areas of research, youth mental health and diversionary programs; grassroots anti-poverty and anti-racism work; nonprofit administration and governance. She is a first-generation college graduate, holds a master’s degree in social work, and has enjoyed supporting students of all ages pursue their higher education in various roles since 2008. Rachel is passionate about service-based leadership, systems change, restorative justice, and reparations. She loves being in nature, playing sports, and spending time with her spouse, two kiddos, and rescue pup.
JENNA WAGONER (she/her)
Jenna joined the LKJ team in 2023 and has enjoyed providing technical assistance for grantees and scholarship students. She has spent the past 15 years providing operational and administrative support for non-profits and both small and corporate businesses. Duluth is Jenna’s adopted city as a perfect outdoor playground for raising her young children. She enjoys running, skiing, ice sports, and partnering with her husband in card games like Euchre and 500.