Our Team
Alaina Myers, MA
Co-Founder/ Executive Director
I was born and raised in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School. From there, I went to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where I earned double Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in English: Literature, Culture and Media and Film Studies. After my time at UWM, I went on to earn a Master's of Arts degree in Filmmaking from Kingston University outside of London.
After Kingston, I had the opportunity to work on film sets in Spain, London, Minnesota and Los Angeles before making my way back to the Midwest to teach film at a residential treatment facility for teenagers. That experience led me to wanting to create Amongst Wildflowers Creative. My teaching style is not a one size fits all model, but instead it is tailored to empowering each creative to find their wild, the voice inside that has always been strong and is now ready to forge it's way through any limitations.
In my free time, I volunteer as a videographer and editor for local nonprofits and am an Art Buddy. I also am a self-published poet and enjoy finding inspiration for my writing in nature and during my travels abroad and stateside. I enjoy getting to create with fellow creatives and am constantly learning from all of those that I have come across and hope that Amongst Wildflowers Creative will provide the same for you.
Laura Russell-Reyna, MA, LPCC
Co-Founder/ Mental Health Services Director
I was born and raised in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School. After completing my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Gustavus Adolphus College, I obtained a Master of Arts in Counseling & Psychological Services at Saint Mary’s University. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy Approved Supervisor in Minnesota.
I am a person centered therapist. The metaphor I use for this is that a client is the captain of their own ship and I am the first mate. It’s up to the client to steer the ship, while I look out for penguins and icebergs (also know as positives and negatives that should be addressed).
I enjoy using art, music, literature, and different aspects of pop culture with clients. Amongst Wildflowers Creative has provided me the opportunity to take both my passion for the arts and for spreading mental health awareness, and I look forward to continuing our work!
My husband, Dennis, and I live in Maple Grove with our basset hound, Charley and basset hound mix, Buck. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering with a dog rescue, listening to and writing my own music, and reading.
