We are a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving the lives, businesses, and environment of Saint Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood
Staff
Carrie Obry
Interim Executive Director
Carrie Obry (she/her) has more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a passion for building strong, connected communities. Throughout her career, she has helped mission-driven organizations strengthen their impact and create meaningful opportunities for engagement. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature from St. Norbert College and a master's degree in humanities from New York University.
Carrie was first drawn to Dayton's Bluff by its beautiful old homes and sweeping views of the city. What made her stay was the neighborhood's vibrant, grassroots spirit and the people who call it home.
In her free time, you'll find her walking around Lake Phalen, shopping at neighborhood-owned grocery stores, and decorating her new home in the historic district.
Tim Marino
Community Organizer
Tim Marino works closely with Dayton’s Bluff residents, businesses, and community leaders to foster connections, strengthen partnerships, and build a more engaged community. He is dedicated to helping neighbors navigate resources, amplifying community voices, and creating opportunities for residents to connect with one another and shape the future of the neighborhood.
Tim believes the neighborhood can continue to grow and thrive while preserving the history, character, and sense of community that make it such a special place. Outside of work, he enjoys watching soccer, biking, and taking walks with his dog, Mika.
Board Officers
President: Eric Foster
Eric Foster joined the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council in November 2024 to help support the progress and solutions the community is striving for.
What he loves most about Dayton’s Bluff is the people—the area is diverse, yet neighbors share common goals, interests, and concerns, creating a true sense of community.
When he’s not engaged in local initiatives, you can find him enjoying a meal at his favorite East Side spot, Yoerg Brewing Company.
Vice President: Nate Barber
Nate is a local busybody. He works in communications for the State of Minnesota, runs the Mounds Park Community Garden and occasionally volunteers as a bartender at the local Fraternal Order of Eagles.
He loves the active and connected community of Dayton’s Bluff and the many annual get-togethers and celebrations like the Mound’s Park Progressive Dinner, 4th of July and Halloween parades, block parties in the summertime, and events at Mounds Park Community Garden.
Nate joined the DBCC to learn more about the goings-on in Dayton’s Bluff and find ways to contribute. He likes finding new ways to help grow the neighborhood and connect people with information they can use to get involved. His favorite places to eat on the east side are Brunson’s for the best fish and chips in Saint Paul and Taqueria Paisanos for the quesabirria and pozole.
Board Members at Large
Secretary: Dieu Do
Dieu Do (she/her) is a grassroots immigrant rights activist, community organizer, and campaign strategist based in the Twin Cities with roots in the Iron Range.
She is a proud daughter of Mexican and Vietnamese immigrants who came to the U.S. during the American War in Vietnam. Growing up in a rural low-income family, Dieu saw how the lack of fair wages and paid family and medical leave, dignified healthcare, and access to cultural foods impacted her family. These hardships inspired Dieu’s pursuit of justice.
In her free time, she loves supporting Ha Tien Supermarket, locally-owned small businesses, and finding new eats and treats with her mom, loved ones, and friends.
Gary Brown
Bio to come
Amanda Musachio
Amanda is the principal at Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus and couldn’t be more proud to represent the students and families that we serve. Her favorite thing about Dayton's Bluff is the children. They are caring, hardworking and imaginative!
She joined the DBCC because she cares about creating a community that Dayton's Bluff students can be proud to be part of.
Her favorite east side restaurant is Ho Ho Gourmet. Her family loves the wings.
Kate Pearce
Kate has lived in the Mounds Park corner of Dayton’s Bluff since 2017, with her teenage son and two cats.
Being involved with the community has always been important as well as fulfilling. She likes to believe in the amazing potential of a community when everyone is invested and involved.
During the day, Kate works from home as a fundraising consultant. You can also find her weeding her flower garden, jogging the trails around Wic̣aḣapi, socializing at the Eagle’s Club, or hosting gatherings as often as possible in her backyard.
Peter Rachleff
Peter Rachleff has spent the last forty-five years exploring the intersections of race and class in the development of the United States, from our economy, politics, and popular culture to the emergence and evolution of social movements for progressive change. These concerns have driven his research, writing, teaching, and activism.
From 1982 to 2012, Peter taught labor, immigration, and African American history at Macalester College. In 2014, with his partner Beth Cleary, he co-founded the East Side Freedom Library with the mission to "inspire solidarity, work for justice, and advocate for equity for all.” Peter and Beth have lived in Dayton's Bluff for 26 years.
Kirisitina (Kiri) Sailiata
Kiri (she/her) is a Sāmoan educator, researcher, feminist activist, and aspiring visual artist.
As part of DBCC, Kiri strives to build good relationships as a newcomer to this community and this place. She believes in the radical power of intentional presence as well as practices of care and reciprocity in these times of accelerated crisis. She is also keen to learn more about local governance systems.
In her downtime, Kiri enjoys spending time with her family, thrifting, learning how to use power tools for DIY projects, trying new cafes and eateries, and cheering on the Lynx. She is typically found out and about on a sidequest with her sister, Melia, and their two pups, Mālosi and Peaches.
Melia Sailiata
Melia (she/her) currently works in food styling and media with nearly twenty years of experience in the food and service industry. Over the years, she has done everything from behind-the-scenes creative work to managing coffee shops. She is passionately invested in good food, warm spaces, and strong community connections.
Melia is especially interested in helping strengthen local resources around food and housing and supporting neighbors in looking out for one another. She moved to the East Side with her sister in the spring of 2023 and has loved getting to know the area ever since.
Melia also enjoys board games, Pokémon Go, gardening, making jewelry, and taking community art classes across the metro area. She has a twenty-plus-year-old cat named Koko and is frequently running around with her sister Kiri and their two pups, Mālosi and Peaches.
Jorge Sosa
Jorge loves the down-to-earth, friendly people of Dayton's Bluff, as well as the stunning views of downtown Saint Paul and the easy access to walking trails.
Inspired by a friend, Jorge joined the Dayton's Bluff Community Council as a way to get involved in the community and has been grateful ever since.
When it comes to dining, Jorge’s favorite spot on the East Side is the cozy and welcoming Swede Hollow Cafe.
Michael Yang
Michael joined the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council to help ensure the Asian community has a voice in local decision-making.
He loves the neighborhood’s rich diversity of cultures, businesses, and people.
You’ll often find him enjoying a morning meal at Swede Hollow Café—and advocating for a great pho spot near 7th Street and Minnehaha or Hope Street.
Where is Dayton’s Bluff?
Dayton's Bluff is a historic neighborhood on the East Side of Saint Paul, Minnesota, situated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, just east of downtown.
It's known for its multicultural community, beautiful historic homes, diverse food scene, and proximity to parks like Wicaħapi (formerly Indian Mounds Park) and the Wakan Típi (formerly Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary), with major highways (I-94, I-35E) providing easy access.
Newsletter signup
Dayton’s Bluff Community Council
804 Margaret Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
651.772.2075 (voice)
info@daytonsbluff.org