Tessa Benitez

Tessa has over 15 years of experience working in Association and Meeting Management. In 2003 she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Science with a Marketing and Sales specialization from the University of Applied Science (HES) in Amsterdam.

In 2008, Tessa joined the Status Plus team in the Netherlands and oversaw many meetings for national and international associations, as well as events commissioned by Dutch government agencies. In 2009, she expanded her focus to include association management, which was a great fit for both Tessa and Status Plus. Over the years, she has developed comprehensive knowledge of association management with a focus on medical non-profit associations, organizational development, governance, financial management, membership management, fundraising strategies, and meeting organization.

In 2013, after moving to the United States, Tessa rose to her current position as CEO of Status Plus LLC, and currently lives with her husband and 3 children in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area. She is appointed as the Executive Director for the American Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (AGOS), the Council of Chairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology (CUCOG), the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (IDSOG), the International Society for Pelvic Pain (IPPS), the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA), the Scientific Network of Female Sexual Health and Cancer (Scientific Network), the SMSNA Foundation, and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS).

Clients value Tessa for her relentless dedication, persistence and eagerness to help them move forward as an organization. She is a member of the AMC Institute, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) and Association North in Minnesota.

Bobbi Hahn

Bobbi has over twenty years of non-profit management experience. She earned her BA in International Studies and Sociology and taught English in the Czech Republic and Japan. Upon returning to the United States, she became an entrepreneur, opening a small coffee shop and café. After four years she sold her business and entered the non-profit sector working with adults with disabilities. Six years later she decided to return to school to earn her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) and was accepted into the National Urban Fellows Program, where she served as Special Assistant to The Director of Nonprofit Technical Assistance at United Way New York City. Bobbi joined the National Urban Fellows organization as its Director of Operations, and during her tenure launched an executive leadership development program for women and people of color. In 2014, she began her career in association management, working with three ophthalmic medical societies. She led the development of educational programs/meetings, membership retention/growth strategies, and worked closely with the Board and Committees on a variety of strategic initiatives. She joined the Status Plus team in March 2018 as Association Manager, working with the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, the International Pelvic Pain Society and the Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer.

Bobbi has two dogs, loves cooking, CrossFit, gardening, and travelling. Her travels have taken her across the globe from Asia, to Europe, to South Africa. One of her favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt which says “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

Denise Gaddo

With a passion for innovation and a commitment to continuous improvement, Denise brings a creative and solution-focused mindset to her role as an Association Coordinator.

With over a decade of experience, she has held a variety of roles within the real estate industry, with a strong emphasis on operations and team leadership. Her expertise, adaptability, and dedication consistently contribute to successful outcomes and a collaborative work environment.

A lifelong Minnesotan, Denise enjoys life at home with her husband, son, and their beloved dog. Outside of work, she finds joy in exploring the outdoors, tending to her garden, and building imaginative Lego creations.

Drew Shifflet

Drew joined Status Plus after a distinguished career at the American Urological Association, where he served in a governance role, working closely with the Board and managing councils/committees and associated programs. He was a staff lead in strengthening relationships with AUA Sections and urology subspecialty societies.

In 2005 when the AUA decided to offer association management services to key partners, Drew assumed the role as Executive Director of the AUA Northeastern Section, and helped establish and lead Urology Management Services where he served as the Executive Director for six additional urology societies. He also assisted the Urology Care Foundation, implementing new humanitarian initiatives which expanded the Foundation’s mission.

Within Status Plus, Drew is the Association Manager for the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS), the American Gynecological and the Obstetrical Society (AGOS) and SMSNA Foundation.

Drew lives in the New York Finger Lakes and enjoys learning about the history of the region and exploring parks and trails to waterfalls, or a casual bicycle ride to the nearby lakefront park. His wife is from Scotland, and they visit there often.

Holly South

Holly graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2023 with a B.S. in Professional Communication and Emerging Media focusing on journalism. She has previously worked for a spice company, a civil law association, a police department, and a tech company specializing in furniture content, all of which have helped to develop her skills in content writing and social media. With a well-rounded history, she was ready for something new that better aligned with her interests and started at Status Plus in February, 2025, as a Content and Communications Specialist.

She grew up in Cottage Grove, MN and is still very close with her two siblings. Here, she participated in American Sign Language and dance classes as a creative outlet and would often be caught reading past her bed time. When not working, you can find her watching true crime documentaries or detective shows – usually while completing a crossword puzzle – reading, or crafting. On occasion, she’s out with friends or family on the weekends, or participating in dance classes.

Jessi Friendshuh

Jessi has spent the better part of the last 25+ years developing her skills in several very interesting roles both in the non-profit sector and in the corporate world, beginning as a copy clerk at a real estate inspection company back in the early 90’s. In the late 90’s Jessi began a career in customer service where she quickly moved up the ranks from customer service representative to department manager. Since then, she has held various administrative roles from receptionist to office manager, to executive assistant to the president and CEO of a company. In the years Jessi has been in the workforce, the experiences she has enjoyed and valued the most are those she has spent in the non-profit sector, more specifically as an executive assistant at the American Cancer Society (ACS) and still currently as the board secretary with the Valley Athletic Association (VAA) Board of Directors. Jessi prides herself in her great customer and client service skills and is very much excited to now be a part of the Status Plus team.

Jessi is a “born and raised in” Minnesotan and currently resides in Apple Valley with her husband Jamie; four kids Alayna, Jayden, Mason, and Ariana; and two fur babies (cats), Niko and Paisley. In her spare time, you will find Jessi dedicated to watching her kids play in the sports that they love: Baseball in the spring/summer, football in the fall, and basketball in the fall/winter. When not at home or at a sporting event watching one of her kids play, you can find Jessi enjoying time with her family outdoors, such as at a swimming pool or beach or taking walks with her husband and kids. In the colder months of the year Jessi enjoys watching movies with her kids, most of which are Disney.

Kelly G.

Kelly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management and joined Status Plus in November 2023. As Director of Finance and Operations, she oversees our finance, operations, and administrative functions ensuring everything runs efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with our goals. Kelly continues to play a key role in managing budgets, audits, HR support, and operational improvements that keep Status Plus strong and growing.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Kira Welle

Kira graduated from Winona State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science. A self-described damn-giver, do-gooder, and chaos coordinator, Kira has held a variety of roles in the nonprofit sector including fundraising, community organizing, program support, project management, healthcare administration, and communications.

Kira completed her master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership in 2023 and is a lifelong, fierce advocate for health equity, specifically reproductive justice. She’s excited to work with so many people dedicated to education, outreach, and advancements in sexual medicine/healthcare.

Outside of work, Kira is an avid lover of fitness – especially powerlifting and yoga. She loves live music, adding to her tattoo collection, the Great Outdoors, thrifting, reading, writing, cooking, hunting for agates, and spending time with friends and family. Her nieces, nephews, and cat Pepper are spoiled rotten.

Lucas Hansen

Lucas is a hardworking and creative communications specialist from Saint Paul, MN. Lucas earned a Bachelor’s degree in public relations and English from Marquette University in 2020, as well as a Full Stack Web Development Certification from the University of Minnesota in 2024. While in school, Lucas gained experience working with many different aspects of social media and communications, including digital marketing, event planning, and graphic design. His web development skills took advantage of this understanding of visual design and information display and allowed Lucas to create and manage interactive web applications. The crossover between these two skillsets allows him to thrive in variable and multi-faceted positions, including his newest role with Status Plus.

Outside of work, Lucas loves to play sports and exercise, watch movies and spend time cooking. He also loves to travel, whether it be to relax or simply to explore somewhere new, and he is always looking for his next adventure!

Mary Dupuis

Mary graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2003. After college, Mary spent 20 years working for a pharmacy benefit company in various roles, primarily spending 10 years as a client liaison. She earned her Master of Business Administration in 2014. Mary joined Status Plus in 2025 as an Accounting and Administrative Assistant.

In her free time, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is avid supporter of men’s gymnastics at all levels and of Notre Dame football.