SPLF Staff Members

Elsbeth Howe has a passion for education and the power and promise of public libraries. She joined the Stillwater Public Library Foundation as Executive Director in September 2023 and is thrilled to support Stillwater Public Library, a vital resource in our community. Before this she served as Development Director at the Inver Hills Community College Foundation for almost four years. In that role she sought to make college accessible and affordable for students, and was responsible for fundraising, grantwriting, event planning, the alumni association, and scholarship administration at Inver Hills.

Before Inver Hills, Elsbeth served as Executive Director at Students United, an advocacy and scholarship nonprofit organization for Minnesota State University students.

Elsbeth earned a B.A. in History from Drake University and earned her J.D. degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. In May 2023 Elsbeth completed a Master’s Degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She has served as a board member for several local nonprofit organizations, and was a pro bono volunteer attorney with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota between 2011-2017.

Contact Elsbeth at (651) 504-2350 or splf@stillwaterlibraryfoundation.org

Annette Look joined the Stillwater Public Library Foundation in May 2024, bringing decades of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including deputy municipal clerk, program and volunteer manager, executive director, and office manager.

Before joining us, Annette was the Program and Communications Manager with the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative, a program within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. She relocated to the Twin Cities area to be closer to family and transitioned to a part-time role, where she is thrilled to share her wealth of experience with the Foundation.

A lifelong library enthusiast, Annette firmly believes in the vital role libraries play in building strong communities and is excited to use her skills to support the Foundation’s mission of engaging the community and its resources to expand the reach and impact of Stillwater Public Library.

Annette's strengths include creating operational efficiencies, working collaboratively, and problem-solving. In her role with the Foundation, she supports fundraising initiatives, provides board governance support, and raises awareness of the Stillwater Public Library Foundation.