Vocational with new members.

 

 

Valbona was born in Albania, and through a wonderful opportunity, her family was able to move to the U.S in about 1997.  They settled in Cleveland, and she stayed there through her high school and college years. She spent 5 years in NYC, and then on to Mpls in 2014, where she met husband Chris, and now they have a daughter, Eliana.  

 

Her interests include techno music and dance, exercise, and skydiving. As an avid runner, she’s completed 2 marathons, 3 long distance relays, and 2 triathlons.

 

Valbona’s career has had a curvy path through accountant, controller, consulting, risk management, and corporate and commercial banking. She has been with several firms, and now with US Bank in risk management and banking. A disappointing lay-off turned out to be a positive thing, and allowed her to be able to spend more time with family.

 

She is an ‘owner’  (1 share?) of the MN Aurora Soccer Team, and part of the Finances Executives group. She continues to run, lift weights, and travel is ahead in her sights, especially to show her family her roots in Albania.

 

Thank you for your adventure story, Valbona, and the twists and turns that brought you to our club.

 

 

As worldwide as is Valbona’s story, Rebecca is a born and raised Minnesotan. She is the middle daughter of 3 girls in her family. Her formative years were at St. Joan of Arc and also at Perkins at age 16. She did every task possible at Perkins even night shifts, right through college. Perkins trained to pursue many choices, and she eventually chose law.

 

She attended William Mitchell law, clerked at Sanford Law (?) and chose Family Law as a specialty. She is now in her own firm, Meier-Schack, keeps a balance between work and home life.

 

She has been involved with Big Brothers-Big Sisters and continues long relationships. She interned at Walker Art Center, a very different view of life while there.

 

In 2016, Rebecca joined the Mtka Planning Commission, and once again, learned about every part of that city government. Terry was the Mtka Mayor at that time. That led to a 2019 position on the City Council, and a re-election in 2023.

 

Her personal life is with her husband Mike, and her close extended family. She enjoys running and pickle ball, and is now traveling more. Trips to Ireland, China, Machu Pichu are behind her, and New Zealand and Africa are ahead.

 

Rebecca’s watch phrase, from a poster she saw, is; “Work Hard and Be Nice to People”

 

We see you’re taking that to heart, Rebecca.  Thank you for your work for the City and your talk today.