Four community leaders from across rural Minnesota have been selected for the 2026 Project REACH (Rural Experts Advancing Community Health) cohort, a program that supports rural residents working to address health and policy challenges in their communities. Through Project REACH, participants build skills in leadership, community engagement, and policy development while developing community-centered solutions to local issues.
The cohort brings together leaders with experience in public health, local government, community-based work, healthcare, and social services. Their work reflects a wide range of priorities facing rural communities across Minnesota.
Meet the 2026 Project REACH cohort
Marjia Storrs
Marjia Storrs works in Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) on Minnesota’s Iron Range, supporting individuals as they build skills, strengthen their mental health, and work toward greater stability in their daily lives.
As a survivor of domestic violence, Storrs brings lived experience to her work supporting stronger support systems and safer housing options for survivors in rural northern Minnesota. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed care and a commitment to helping individuals feel supported and empowered. Through Project REACH, she will focus on policies related to domestic violence and access to resources on the Iron Range.
Alicia “Ifayomi” Rufus
Alicia “Ifayomi” Rufus is a community health worker in Little Falls, Minnesota, and a mother of four. She is currently studying organizational leadership with a specialization in social services. Through her work, Rufus helps individuals and families navigate health-related social needs and connect with community resources.
Rufus serves as co-chair of the S.E.W. Cooperative and recently completed the North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship with Nexus Community Partners. In partnership with the Onyx Collective, she supports efforts to strengthen community connection and expand access to wellness resources for Black residents in rural Minnesota. Through Project REACH, she will focus on addressing social isolation among Black rural residents in Minnesota.
Alicia Pearson
Alicia Pearson is a clinical research leader, rural advocate, and Mayor of Lanesboro, Minnesota. Her background includes work in clinical operations, patient engagement, decentralized clinical trials, and improving healthcare access for communities facing barriers to care.
Pearson has led research initiatives, built partnerships between healthcare and community organizations, and supported efforts to improve public access and community involvement in research and healthcare. Through Project REACH, she will focus on issues related to aging in Lanesboro and strategies to support the health and well-being of older adults in rural communities.
Marlee Morrison, RN, PHN
Marlee Morrison, RN, PHN, is based in Walker, Minnesota, and brings more than 25 years of nursing experience, primarily in public health practice and administration. She currently serves as a resource development administrator at Sourcewell, supporting townships, cities, and local governments across Cass and Crow Wing counties through funding opportunities, outreach, and capacity-building efforts.
Leading a public health department through the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened Morrison’s interest in how government, public health systems, and community trust shape health outcomes. Through Project REACH, she will focus on policies related to childhood immunizations and reducing barriers between local government, public health professionals, and the communities they serve.
Other News
