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People and Culture

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People and Culture

Meet Our Team

Michael Freer

Chief Human Resources Officer 
651.635.8657
Responsibility. Relater. Command. Significance. Analytical.
What I do at Bethel: I lead organizational strategy at the university and oversee federal/state legal issues.
I also address complex employee situations.
Favorite Quote: "Don’t be the problem. Solve the problem."
Favorite way to spend the weekend: Anything that has to do with my family and the Minnesota Vikings.
One thing I can't live without: Airplanes!!

Dave Fredrickson

Assistant Vice President
651.638.6245
Belief. Relater. Connectedness. Maximizer. Developer.
What I do at Bethel: I work with the great team in the Office of People and Culture! I lead the team that handles Payroll, Benefits, Talent Acquisition and Manager/Employee Relations. My office is at the Anderson Center but I am frequently on campus.
Favorite Quote: “He has shown you O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8
Favorite way to spend the weekend: Would love to be outdoors somewhere camping, fishing, gardening, biking or hiking. Or at home with my wife and three kids playing sports and hopelessly rooting for a Viking win on Sunday.
One thing I can't live without: Coffee….and Family

Sharyn Mantel

People Business Partner
651.638.6727
Developer. Belief. Positivity. Connectedness. Adaptability.
What I do at Bethel: As your People Business Partner, I am here to support you so you can do your best work at Bethel. I help navigate conflicts, assist with performance concerns, develop managers, and facilitate accommodation requests.
Favorite Quote: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."  Psalm 143:8 NIV
Favorite way to spend the weekend: I love to kayak on a sunny day. On rainy days, I love to play card games with my family.
One thing I can't live without: My family, friends, and morning devotion.

Angie Cyrankowski

Benefits Administrator
651.638.6103
Discipline. Consistency. Futuristic. Relater. Developer.
What I do at Bethel: I am your go-to person for any benefit questions you may have. I manage health, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, Continuation of Benefits Coverage, worker’s compensation, short-term and long-term disability, etc.
Favorite Quote: “What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.” – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Favorite way to spend the weekend: Sleeping in, going out for brunch, taking a walk, and
watching a movie. Having no plans is also a good plan!
One thing I can't live without: My family, coffee, and tacos!

Christine Osgood

Director of Culture and Wellbeing
ANC 306 | osgchr@bethel.edu
651.638.6119

Learner. Connectedness. Intellection. Futuristic. Empathy.

What I Do at Bethel: As Director of Culture and Wellbeing, I pay attention to the things in our Bethel culture that impact employee wellbeing and work to help our system keep what is good while improving what needs to change.

Favorite Quote: “If you want to change a society, then you have to tell an alternative story.” -Ivan Illich & “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Favorite Way to Spend the Weekend: Waking up early to watch the sun rise with a cup of steaming hot coffee. Being outside as much as possible to feel nature all around me. Playing games with family. Listening to friends. Preparing real food that is shared around a table with people I love. Listening for the still small voice of God in the midst of all these lovely moments.

One Thing I Can’t Live Without: Coffee. (and my family)

Esa Hytti

Payroll Administrator
ANC 312 | e-hytti@bethel.edu
651.638.6592

Intellection. Consistency. Learner. Input. Context.

What I Do at Bethel: I make sure that peeps get their monies. More specifically, I maintain staff and faculty records in Banner, I process contracts and stipends, I process staff changes in Banner, I handle time sheets and leave reports as well as their approvals, I deal with leave time, and I also try my best to answer any questions people have about their paychecks.

Favorite Quote:
Laurie: “It was the boogeyman.”
Dr. Loomis: “As a matter of fact… it was.”
-Halloween (1978)

Favorite Way to Spend the Weekend: I honestly love a weekend with no plans, where I get to read my books and simply give rest to both my body and mind.

One Thing I Can’t Live Without: My books… and the gym. Books. Gym. Gonna have to go with two things.

Jake Wynia

Talent Acquisition Specialist
 ANC 303 | jake-wynia@bethel.edu
651.638.6232


Woo. Positivity. Communication. Includer. Connectedness.

What I Do at Bethel: As the talent acquisition specialist, I manage the recruitment process for all non-faculty employees, assisting hiring managers through the process from job posting, resume review, interviews to onboarding!

Favorite Quote: 1 Corinthians 13:13a (MSG version) “Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly”

Favorite Way to Spend the Weekend: In the summer, it has to be going up to the lake. In the winter you can find me INSIDE, watching the newest Disney+ TV show, playing video games or playing board/card games with family or friends.

One Thing I Can’t Live Without: I don’t think I can choose one. IF I had to, it would be my faith in Jesus, his grace freely given to me everyday and the hope of knowing that the best is yet to come! (Honorable mention - my wife, my friends and family, the Vikings and Star Wars.)

Jill Stroud

People & Culture Coordinator
 ANC 300 | j-stroud@bethel.edu
 651.638.6119

Developer. Responsibility. Positivity. Context. Arranger.

What I Do at Bethel: I report to the Chief Human Resources Officer, which keeps me busy! If you call the main phone line, I am the one that directs you to the right person! I manage the department files and background checks. I love serving the Bethel community and those outside our walls!

Favorite Quote: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right Spirit within me.” -Psalm 51:10 & 

Favorite Way to Spend the Weekend: Spending time with family/friends, (eating and baking which absolutely go hand in hand) reading and biking!

One Thing I Can’t Live Without: Jesus- Reading His Word every day and listening for His voice!

Kisa Barthel

People Relations Specialist
ANC 302 | k-barthel@bethel.edu
651.638.6520

Harmony. Responsibility. Arranger. Empathy. Consistency.

What I Do at Bethel: I lead the Student Employment and Onboarding programs at Bethel. I will partner with you to set up your student employees and to bring a new employee onboard. I manage our Bethel Celebrations, New Employee Mentorship Program, and our Student Employee and Student Employment Supervisor of the Year award processes. It is a joy to serve in these areas!

Favorite Quote: “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” -E.E. Cummings & “Be a best friend, tell the truth and overuse "I love you"." - Lee Brice

Favorite Way to Spend the Weekend: Enjoying the mountains or lake with the people I love. Preferably with burgers and no mosquitoes.

One Thing I Can’t Live Without: My family, but bacon is definitely a close second:)