It’s been a busy late summer and early fall at MNAPG. We’re pleased to announce the
following additions to our staff.
Sonja Mertz, Community Educator
Sonja joined MNAPG in August as our new community educator. She will provide an MNAPG presence at conferences and in various other outreach efforts.
Sonja worked as a prevention research specialist for the Minnesota Prevention Resource Center for four years and previously worked at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. She brings a passion for sharing information with people so they’re educated and are aware of resources that can help them.
Sonja’s first impressions are that awareness about gambling addiction is an obstacle. “I think there is a big barrier of information and facts,” says Sonja. “Most people don’t even know what types of gambling are legal in Minnesota and I don’t think there’s a good understanding of what gambling disorder is. Ultimately, I think most people don’t know what they don’t know.”
Sonja received her Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology and Theater Arts at North Dakota State University and her Master’s of Library and Information Science at St. Catherine University. She previously worked in professional theatre as a stage manager.
Eboun Wibourn, Office Manager
Eboun joined MNAPG in September as our new office manager. She will perform a variety of duties and help ensure that MNAPG runs smoothly.
Eboun has experience in operations, communications, podcasting and video production, and worked for more than ten years at the Minneapolis Television Network. She most recently worked at BCT Corporation.
Eboun is pleased to come back to the nonprofit world where she hopes she can make a difference in helping people. Eboun was raised in the Lao community, which has struggled an inordinate amount with gambling addiction, and is familiar with gambling addiction.