Our Team

Meet the MQG Staff

Want to reach out to the MQG? Do you have a specific question and are curious about whom to ask? Reach out to our staff or board members.

The staff is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization, and the volunteer board is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization. If you’re not sure who to contact, inquiries will get forwarded to the appropriate staff member. 

Contact Us

Karen Cooper

Executive Director

Karen has been quilting for more than 20 years, ever since her then-6-year-old daughter requested a quilt for her dolls. She currently quilts for the enjoyment of her dog Wrecks and her cat Franklin Dale (and sometimes for her daughter and her husband). She is usually creating some sort of log cabin quilt but when she isn’t, she can be found on the patio with a good historical novel. Before joining the staff of the MQG, Karen served as the associate executive director of Turfgrass Producers International and as the Sr. Manager of Conference Education for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Elizabeth Dackson

Director of Events

Elizabeth has been with the MQG since 2013 after working in continuing medical education, and has been an event planner since 2005. She begun her quilting journey in 2010 and has been collecting fabric ever since! She also loves knitting and reading, preferably at the same time. Elizabeth is mom to two kids and lives in North Carolina with her husband, kids, George Weasley von Pringle the orange cat, Maximus the goldendoodle, and Poppy the lab mix. 

Amanda Bernay

Director of Partnerships

Amanda has been with the MQG since 2016 after needing a change from a career in public education. She started quilting in 2011 and loves making all kinds of quilts, but her real love is handwork (piecing, quilting, EPP, etc.) Besides quilting, she is an avid reader, animal lover, and aspiring gardener. She lives in Austin with her husband, two sons, and two naughty cats.

Jennifer Fisher

Membership Manager

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Darci Read

Creative Director

In addition to keeping the MQG brand on track, Darci does all the behind-the-scenes work with the MQG's digital properties. She came to the MQG after a career in advertising, along with some stops as the Membership Director at a natural foods co-op. Her dedication to member-based organizations brought her back to the non-profit world and she loves to continue to improve the digital footprint of the MQG. Darci lives in St. Paul, MN, with her family, an opinionated chihuahua, and a flock of backyard chickens. 

Jessica Plunkett

Program Specialist

Inspired by a quilt left to her from her great-grandmother, Jessica started quilting in 2014. It provides the needed balance of indoor to outdoor activities she enjoys doing. After a career in technology as a project manager and digital strategist, she brings her love of collaboration, research, strategy, and quilting together to help educate and inspire members. Jessica likes to spend her time trying to make all the quilts and also enjoys the company of her husband, daughter, and cat.

Isabelle Selak

Partnerships Assistant

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Kelsey Bellmore

Events Assistant

Kelsey has been with the MQG since 2022. After working in Information Technology for most of her career, she’s thrilled to have found a role she’s truly passionate about. Based in Michigan, she lives with her husband, daughter, and two fur babies—Lilo the Boxer and Stitch the French Bulldog. Kelsey’s love of quilting began when her mom took up the hobby—she couldn’t resist all the gorgeous fabrics and had to dive in herself. When she’s not quilting, you’ll find her listening to a good book or trying her hand at flower gardening.