Get in
TOUCH
Contact Us
OUR
Staff
cory boushee
Cory joined the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) in 2018 as a Program Officer, working across programs to manage external grand funding and facilitating community collaboration. In 2019 the NMF became directly involved in developing systems change approach to ending homelessness across the northwest region. In 2019, Cory was promoted to the Coordinator of the Northwest Continuum of Care (NWCoC), a regional collaboration of diverse stakeholders working to end homelessness. In 2021, Cory took on additional responsibilities to lead the NMF’s Housing and Homelessness programs. Through the additional responsibilities, Cory was tasked with managing the NMF’s discretionary grant funding to support housing development and homelessness program services, as well as managing external grant funding projects dedicated to ending homelessness. The most recent Continuum of Care award Cory managed resulted in over $1.4 million in funding. Cory holds a bachelor's degree in Geography with an emphasis in Land Use Planning and Geographic Information Systems from Bemidji State University. He previously worked as an Assistant Planner for the City of Bemidji, where he helped develop a Community Comprehensive Plan for the Bemidji area, an effort that included housing research. Other past experiences in construction and engineering in a diverse number of sectors have prepared Cory to manage construction projects, those experiences include energy development. Community development, aviation planning, and project cost feasibility analysis.
emily contreras
Emily began her work with community land trusts in 2010 as the founder and Executive Director of Grand Forks Community Land Trust, the first CLT in North Dakota. She continues in this role today, and has also served as Executive Director of Minot Area CLT in Minot, ND since 2015. Emily’s background includes 16 years with the Grand Forks Housing Authority, where she managed the delivery of all of GFHA’s housing assistance programs. Throughout her career, Emily has worked throughout the spectrum of housing programming, from supporting those experiencing chronic homelessness to preparing those who’ve reached self-sufficiency for market-rate homeownership. In addition to her work, Emily currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region. Emily will utilize her CLT experience as well as community engagement and program development skills to provide advice throughout the creation of North Star Neighbors. As Homeownership Coordinator, she will determine eligibility and coordinate the sales process with buyers and lenders once NSN homes are available for sale.