Ivy Vainio

About Ivy Vainio

I have worked 26 years in higher education developing and implementing recruitment, retention, cultural diversity awareness, and mentoring programs at three different universities. In 2017, I was recruited at a non-profit called the American Indian Community Housing Organization. I started as their Climate & Cultural Resiliency Coordinator where I infused American Indian culture and perspectives into sustainability and renewable energy programs, initiatives and events. In 2019, my focus shifted and I became AICHO\'s Art & Culture Coordinator curating art gallery exhibitions (4 - 5 shows a year) and art activities that focused on Ojibwe and Indigenous art forms and lifeways. At this time as well, I became AICHO\'s Traditional Healing Grant Coordinator creating access to Ojibwe culture, language and traditional knoweldge leaders through events, ceremonies, activities. I also took the lead on AICHO\'s Communications working with media outlets and social media platforms. As of June of 2024, I became only the Traditional Healing Coordinator and delved in AICHO\'s social media management. At the end of June 2025, I resigned from AICHO. In October of 2025, I started my current job Associate Producer with PBS North Native Report involving scheduling, interviewing, editing, and social media maintenance. I produced the 2009 Emmy nominated documentary film called \"Walking into the Unknown\" which aired on over 210 PBS TV stations across the country. In 2022, I co-produced the documentary film \"Who is Rainbow Trout?\" film which aired on PBS North TV for close to two years. I have produced two podcasts:\"Duluth to Montgomery\" with Duluth NAACP and \"First Light: Carl Gawboy, Wendy Savage and the Ojibwe Art Expo\" which aired on The North 103.3 FM radio station. I am a nationally and internationally published photographer.

Experience

1. Associate Producer

   Pbs North

   Oct 2025 — Present · Duluth, MN, US

   Producing film segments, scheduling interviews, interviewing, and maintaining social media accounts.

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Superior

  Master of Arts (M.A.)

  2011 — 2013

• University of Minnesota-Duluth

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  1987 — 1992

Skills

• Marketing
• Nonprofits
• Academic Advising
• Workshop Facilitation
• Promotions
• Retention Programs
• Public Speaking
• Recruiting
• Staff Development
• Teaching
• Film
• Leadership Development
• Video Production
• Editing
• Creative Writing
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Program Management
• Student Development
• Photography
• Resume Writing
• Coordinating Programs
• Broadcast
• Career Counseling
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Program Implementation
• Fundraising
• Supervising
• Program Development
• Event Management
• Event Photography
• Television
• Oral & Written Communication Skills
• Youth Mentoring
• Public Relations
• Student Leadership
• Social Media
• Newsletters
• Curriculum Development