NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE. PERIOD.
Our story begins with a group of friends who started a tradition of a reoccurring get together at a local watering hole to share food, drinks, laughs, and reassurances that we can all make it through the rest of our work weeks. This group has always loved its local community and has been looking for ways to make a positive impact. We didn’t know where to start, with so many possible avenues, and found ourselves stuck in a dreaming phase. Fast forward two years and opportunity struck. Through some close family ties, we learned of a Denver based nonprofit initiative known as Period Kits, and we became inspired to address the social inequity of access to feminine hygiene products. Period Kits has inspired us and provided the blueprint to extend this movement into our own community here in MN with a goal of putting an end to period poverty.
DARRIAN FISHER
Darrian was born and raised in Dayton, OH. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati and now works as a Family Nurse Practitioner here in the Twin Cities specializing in wellness and prevention. She moved to Minnesota in 2016 after meeting her husband while he was stationed in Ohio.
Darrian is happiest in summertime on the lake, wake-surfing with friends and spending time with her 2 slobbery bulldogs at home. Darrian is passionate about racial equality and is motivated to improve social justice and human dignity for all.
CORY POLTA
Cory earned bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Finance from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. After that, he served 6 years active duty with the United States Air Force as an Acquisitions Manager. Today, Cory works in the healthcare industry as an IT Project Manager for Optum implementing software automation while also continuing his service as a part time Air Force reservist.
In his free time, Cory enjoys working out, traveling, the outdoors (namely fishing), going anywhere that serves a good burger and brew, and spending time with family and friends. Pick any remotely nice day during the summer months and you’ll find him out on a boat cruising one of Minnesota’s beautiful lakes
AMANDA THILQUIST
Amanda is from a small town nestled in central MN and graduated from University of Minnesota – Duluth with a Bachelor’s in Community Health Education. Afterwards, she received her Master’s in Nursing from Metropolitan State University in St Paul. She’s been working in a surgical oncology clinic in Minneapolis for the past 5 years and has spent her last 10 years working within Allina Healthcare.
In her free time Amanda loves CrossFitting, being on a boat and staying active, watching her Vikings, being an Auntie, and spending time with friends and family. She loves reading a good book with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. She’s incredibly motivated about women’s rights and equality and shares that passion in building Period Kits MN.
VANESSA BIERNAT
Vanessa is born and raised in Fridley, MN. She attended, and played soccer, at Scottsdale Community College while living in Arizona and later transferred to the University of Wisconsin – River Falls where she graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Communication Studies and Spanish. Vanessa owns CrossFit Osiris, a fitness facility located in Coon Rapids, MN where she shares her love for fitness and healthy living.
When Vanessa is not managing or working out at her gym she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing with a round of golf or an afternoon at a local brewery.
BRANDON BIERNAT
Brandon graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls with bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Spanish. He currently splits his work life as a Mortgage Underwriter with Wells Fargo and helps his wife Vanessa at her CrossFit gym.
Brandon is a huge (almost to a fault) Vikings football fan and loves being outside soaking up the short but beautiful Minnesota summers. He is an avid golfer, aspiring drummer, MN craft brew aficionado and has a huge heart for his 2 rescue pups Quinny and Bane.
GEOFF DAVIS
Geoff Davis founded Period Kits in February of 2019 in Denver. While having coffee with a friend, the topic of period poverty came up, the friend remarked “I’ve been there, I’ve had food and tampons in my hands and had to put the food back.” Geoff thought to himself that no one should have to make that choice and decided to do something about it.
“Period poverty is a complex issue, but Period Kits is simple. Any person that has a period should have consistent and dependable access to the products they need, period.”
Geoff is the Training Coordinator at Daybreak in Dayton, OH. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging with his seven adult children, attending Front Range Community College, and cheering on his beloved Manchester United.