Meet the Board Members of The Grace Foundation in Rochester, MN. Our board meets monthly to oversee the organization’s activities. Additionally, they host an annual meeting open to our entire membership.

Christian L. Baum, M.D. – President

Dr. Christian L. Baum practices medicine as a consultant at Mayo Clinic. A native of Iowa, he met his wife at Iowa State University and moved to Rochester in 2010. They have three children, all of whom attend Rochester Central Lutheran School.

Chris has been involved with The Grace Foundation since the early planning days. He welcomed this opportunity because he believes fervently in the value of Christian education, which offers a balance of discipleship, grace, and academic rigor. He enjoys his service on the Board of Directors as the organization endeavors to strengthen Christian education in the Rochester area. Chris’s interests include spending time with family, running, reading, cooking and fly fishing.

Christian Baum
Scott Peloquin- Treasurer

Scott Peloquin holds a B.S. in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. With 12 years of experience at the Mayo Clinic, Scott is currently a manager in the Internal Audit Department. Scott also has experience having previously served on the finance committee at a local church.

Scott and his wife, Amanda, moved to Rochester 11 years ago, and have since grown their family to include Nora, Natalie, and Evan, their 3 children. Originally from Chippewa Falls, WI, both Amanda and Scott graduated from Christian High Schools. Scott enjoys traveling, sports, and coaching in his free time.

Scott Peloquin
Heather A. Heaton, M.D.- Secretary

Dr. Heather Heaton is an emergency medicine physician at Mayo Clinic. Heather moved to Rochester in 2013 with her family, after spending her younger years moving about the country. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Chemistry minor from Texas Christian University, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, and a master’s degree in clinical informatics from Arizona State University.

Heather joined The Grace Foundations Board of Directors in 2022; she identified with the Foundation’s mission to serve RCLS and the Rochester community as an organization to help augment financial resources for the school in support of ongoing needs and future growth. She has two daughters that attend RCLS. As a family, their favorite hobby is traveling, and they pair it with riding horses every opportunity they can.

Trevor Redlin

Trevor Redlin has been teaching Physical Education at RCLS for the past 3 years. As a Minnesota native he enjoys spending time outside camping and hiking with his wife and 3 boys. Trevor graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s in ministry with a special education focus and received his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a focus in recreation and he enjoys putting that use in his classroom.

Trevor and his wife, Annie, settled in Rochester 12 years ago and have enjoyed exploring Rochester and all that it has to offer. The Redlin family attends Christ Community Church and is an active part of their community.

Dr. Nicholas Brong

Dr. Nicholas Brong is a dedicated dentist, entrepreneur, and community leader. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry in 2012. After beginning his career in St. Paul, he went on to establish Zumbro Family Dental PLLC in Rochester, MN, in 2015, where he remains committed to providing high-quality, patient-focused care.

Nick also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of St. Thomas. In addition to his dental practice, he is deeply engaged in his community, serving as president of his building association for seven years and acting as a founding partner in multiple real estate ventures.

Nick and his wife, Nicole, are proud parents of three children, all of whom have attended Rochester Central Lutheran School. Having grown up in a similar environment, Nick has a deep appreciation for Christian education and its role in shaping strong values and character.

Gabriel Christenson

Biography coming soon.

E. Paul Lindell, M.D.

Biography coming soon.

Katie Christenson- Director of Fundraising & Partnerships

Katie serves as the Chair for The Grace Foundation’s annual Blue and White Night, the largest fundraiser supporting Rochester Central Lutheran School. With the help of a dedicated team, she works to ensure the success of this event, which provides essential funding for the school’s facilities, strengthens its financial future through endowments, and offers scholarships to families in need. In addition to Blue and White Night, Katie helps plan and coordinate all events hosted by the Foundation, bringing the RCLS community together in support of its mission.

As an RCLS parent, Katie is passionate about making a difference in the school community. She believes RCLS has profoundly enriched her family's life and is committed to giving back through her work with The Grace Foundation. With a dedication to event planning and a heart for service, she enjoys creating opportunities that unite and inspire others while helping to ensure a bright future for RCLS students.