Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Department Chair

Mary Ann Harris

Professor of Business and Department Chair | m-harris@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Creativity and cognitive processing of marketing messages. Dissertation focus was the impact of storytelling advertisements on memory and emotion.

Bethany Opsata

Associate Professor of Business and Department Chair | b-opsata@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001

Organization development and human resource management.

Faculty

Mauvalyn Bowen

Professor of Business | mm-bowen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Dr. Bowen has done extensive work in Jamaica and the Caribbean, as an administrator, consultant, and faculty. Her research interests lie in the areas of entrepreneurial marketing, social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial training for micro and small entrepreneurs in developing countries. She served as a member on the local board of HOPE International which helped to develop her passion for entrepreneurship with a purpose. Mauvalyn co-authored the textbook " Entrepreneurship for Caribbe. . . read more.

David Danforth

Associate Professor of Business Emeritus | dandav@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Associate Professor of Business Emeritus

Tim Essenburg

Professor of Economics Emeritus | esstim@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1989

Teaching and scholarly interests in macroeconomics, urban community revitalization, socioeconomic inequality, and reconciliation in a racialized society.

Tawnya Fiedler

Adjunct Instructor of Business | taf79388@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Adjunct Instructor for Business department

Paul Floyd

Adjunct Associate Professor of Business | paul-floyd@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Capstone/Business plan development, strategic planning, senior healthcare legal-compliance and leadership ethics

Leo Gabriel

Professor of Business | gableo@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1991

Tax policy, asset accumulation, and financial education for low and moderate-income families. Dissertation research examined savings by Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) recipients in Minnesota. Other research includes studies of minority and women owned businesses, individual development accounts for low-income families, and homeownership programs for low and moderate-income families.

Chuck Hannema

Associate Professor of Business Emeritus | charles-hannema@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Commercial and investment banking and capital markets, with 20 years in corporate roles. An area of great interest to him is behavioral finance and the role that impact investing plays in promoting social good.

Julie Hedlund

Associate Professor of Business | julie-hedlund@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Julie has 30+ years of business and marketing management experience, including work with Fortune 100 companies, ConAgra and 3M, and as a partner in Minneapolis marketing consulting firm, Market Street Partners. Most of Julie's career has been focused in the areas of business/market development, brand management, and advertising. She has worked in over 30 different industries, and with hundreds of businesses, both large and small.

Brian Holland

Associate Professor of Business | holbri@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1985

Healthcare finance, working capital issues, and consulting with small businesses.

Jeff Jacob

Professor of Economics | j-jacob@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007

Teaching and research interests in applied econometrics, economic development and business analytics.

Logan Kix

Adjunct Instructor of Business | lok42932@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Adjunct Instructor of Business

Joyce LeMay

Associate Professor of Business | jlemay@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006

Member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Twin Cities Human Resource Association (TCHRA). Professional activities include consulting top-level management on improvements to work environments based on effective human resource and business strategies with a focus on ethics and organizational culture.

Gregg Lindberg

Adjunct Instructor of Business | lingrem@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006

Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Leadership, Technology, and Public Administration.

Jay Milbrandt

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business | miljay@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Intellectual property law and global justice. Authored "Go and Do: Daring to Change the World One Story at a Time" and "The Daring Heart of David Livingstone"

Bruce Olsen

Associate Professor of Business | bruce-olsen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998

Bruce received his MBA, specializing in accounting, from the University of Minnesota. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Minnesota. His interests include auditing practices and procedures, financial accounting, and personal financial planning. He holds memberships in the American Institute of CPAs and the Minnesota Society of CPAs.

Richard Olson

Adjunct Instructor of Business and Economics | rwo62666@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Adjunct Instructor of Business and Economics MBA Adjunct Instructor The majority of Ric Olson's working life continues to be dedicated to serving elders within the senior living arena. The focus on serving elders has resulted in work in numerous settings including but not limited to: health care, management, leadership development and training, accounting and finance, budget and planning, cash management, project development, strategic planning, operational assessments, Medicare, Medicai. . . read more.

Stephen Whiting

Associate Professor of Business | whiste@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006

More than 30 years of management, consulting, and information technology experience. Interested in a biblical framework for technology/engineering and business.

Drew Whitson

Associate Professor of Business | drew.whitson@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2018

Associate Professor of Business