Meet Our Team
Laura Galbraith, President
In 2003, Laura began her career at the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. Laura was responsible for the key operations of the enterprise: financial, accounting, strategic planning, and human resources. In 2012, Laura was asked to lead the organization’s economic development division, Venture North Funding & Development.
Through Laura’s leadership, Venture North has grown its capital fund to more than $7 million and received its Community Development Financial Institution CDFI certification in 2017. In 2020, Laura administered a new initiative, the Regional Resiliency Program, that made "lifeline" grants to 302 small businesses in all ten counties that proved crucial to the sustainability of businesses during COVID-19. Local organizations prioritized applications and made funding recommendations that were followed by Venture North in making grant awards. The project was funded by over 30 foundations, organizations and individuals through charitable giving and grant awards totaling over $1 million.
Laura leads a team of economic development professionals that support the region’s economic growth and community development efforts by providing funding options, free business consulting, and building connections for viable businesses within a 10-county rural area. The Venture North team also consults on the various incentive and grant programs administered by federal and state partners.
Laura has a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s in business administration from Lawrence Technological University. She serves on the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation Board of Directors, TART Finance Committee, Traverse Tourism Board of Directors, and is an advisory member of a statewide CDFI Coalition.
Laura and her husband, John, have three children and live in Traverse City.
Sara Christensen, Portfolio Manager
Sara Christensen joined the Venture North team in 2017 as Portfolio Administrator, where she is responsible for managing the flow of information between Venture North clients and loan applicants, underwriting and loan committees, and she provides administrative support to the organization.
She is an experienced professional in community and economic development in the region; having served as the Community Development Director for Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, a four-county region in Northwest Lower Michigan, where she worked for nine years.
Sara is also a certified and experienced CDBG Grant Administrator through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s from Spring Arbor University, both in education. Sara and her family live in Boyne City.
Annie Olds, Business Development Manager & Coach
Before joining Venture North in October of 2021, Olds served as Regional Director of the Northwest Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a program of Networks Northwest. Among her personal accomplishments consulting are: securing nearly $17 million in capital for businesses; helping start over 50 small businesses; helping to create over 250 new jobs while retaining nearly 165 jobs; and providing counsel and assistance to over 570 small businesses, in general.
Annie has a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management and Bachelor’s Degree in Management, with specialties in small business management and HR, both from Davenport University. She is a longtime resident of Kalkaska County and formerly served as President of the Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce. Annie currently serves on the following boards and committees: Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) Board of Directors, GTRLC Land Committee, and Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development grant team’s Joint Evaluation Committee.
Annie and her husband, Justin, and their two young children live in Kalkaska where they operate a 126-acre farm specializing in custom grown beef and pork. When she's not working, she and her family enjoy camping (in a 1961 Overlander Airstream) on their family’s river property in Wexford County, fishing, and staying active outside playing sports, gardening, or going for walks.
Steve Brower, Business Development & Coach
A resident of Manistee, Steve Brower is an experienced business banker and financial analyst who has also been an important community volunteer, having served on numerous boards and committees including his current tenure on three boards: Manistee County Community Foundation, Industrial Development Corporation of Manistee and the Historic Vogue Theatre of Manistee.
Steve assists Venture North in customer relations, including reviewing the plans and forecasts of businesses in need of business capital, origination loans and helping our customers take proactive steps to address both opportunities or concerns. Steve graduated from Ferris State University with a major in Business Administration and minor in Accounting as well as additional banking programs at both the University of Oklahoma and University of Wisconsin.
Steve and his wife, Beverly, live in Manistee and have two children and three grandchildren; they also enjoy spending much of their winters in The Villages, Florida. In his spare time, Steve enjoys spending time with his family and golfing.
Betsy Evans, Business Development & Coach
Betsy Evans is a native of northwest Michigan committed to developing thriving and healthy communities. She owns a security business with her husband and also provides business consulting services.
Betsy serves as the Chair of the Grow Benzie Board, the Benzie County Economic Development Business Retention Committee and the Joyfield Township Planning Commission. She is also a member of the Benzie County Local College Access Network Leadership Team and formerly served on the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center as well as Paul Oliver Hospital Boards.
Betsy holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Engineering and Biology from Michigan Technological University, lives in Benzie County with her husband, Jim, and has three adult sons. In her spare time, Betsy enjoys cooking, golf, and spending time with her friends and family.
Tim Ervin, Resource Development and Communications Specialist
Tim Ervin. A checkered past, including eleven years in government with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Department of Labor, and four years as a gubernatorial appointee; then twelve years in business as CEO, President and Board chair of distribution and systems integration business with retail branches and multi-state distribution; then many years involved with philanthropy, fund development and economic and community development. Continue to serve on Boards for private businesses and nonprofits with previous or current Board slots with ITW, Crystal Mountain Resort, Manistee County Community Foundation, Wild Oceans and many more. His focus centers on connecting important, unifying strategies with resources and storytelling to make things happen, ranging from Venture North to small businesses and communities to protecting large predator ocean fish species from overfishing.
Johanna Gross, Contract Graphics & Social Media Specialist
Johanna Madden Gross has worked as a freelance graphic designer/artist for over 25 years designing logos, creating promotional materials and assisting businesses with branding and media presence. She brought these skills - and her interest in the Venture North mission - to her work with Laura and company in early 2021.
Educated at The University of Michigan and Kendall College of Art & Design, Johanna enjoys photography, movies, cooking (and eating), walking in the woods with her dog, Sam, and spending time with her teenage daughter in Kalamazoo, Michigan.