The SACC Board
The Schnitzelburg neighborhood is served by 18 hard-working volunteer members of the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council. Among their various duties, SACC oversees community beautification projects, hosts community events, assists in community planning, and serves as a liaison between Metro government and residents.
Board members are elected at the November general meeting and serve a one year term. Board members are required to attend monthly board meetings and are expected to meet various volunteer requirements.
Interested neighbors and supporters from neighboring areas are invited to participate. If you are interested in joining the board, please fill out this application.
You can read our bylaws here.
Paul Nelson,
President
Paul Nelson has lived in and around Schnitzelburg for the past 11 years. He and his wife Sara bought their home on Reasor Avenue in 2020 and have enjoyed growing their front yard garden and walking to all of their favorite neighborhood spots. Paul is a Branch Manager for Park Community Credit Union and is passionate about serving his community through financial education and support. Paul and Sara stay busy with their two rescue dogs Elouise and Chani, and enjoy spending their free time attending concerts, travelling, and volunteering.
Brandon Keith,
Vice President
Brandon has called Schnitzelburg home for three years now, along with his partner, Jacob, and their spoiled tuxedo cat, Hamilton. By day, he’s an oncology nurse; by night (and weekends), you’ll find him volunteering as a naturalist at Bernheim Forest, thrifting for hidden gems, or sipping a well-made Old Fashioned. He loves Schnitzelburg for its walkability, rich history, and tight-knit community—and let’s be honest, the porch sitting is top notch. Always up for a good laugh and a great cause, Brandon is excited to give back to the neighborhood he loves.
Alexandra Upadhyaya,
Treasurer
Alexandra moved to Schnitzelburg as a renter in 2021- after quickly realizing it was a neighborhood she wanted to set roots in, she bought her first home in early 2022. She is a product designer who designs outdoor grills, smokers, and pizza ovens and has loved being able to grill out in her backyard. One of her favorite things about the neighborhood is how walkable it is- she enjoys frequenting the local bars and restaurants on foot or on bike. She often goes out for runs around the neighborhood and values pedestrian safety. She is looking forward to participating in locally hosted events and contributing to the great Schnitz community.
Cherise Mingus,
Communications Officer
Cherise is the Event Sales & Outreach Coordinator for the James B. Beam Distilling Company. Based in Clermont, she promotes the legacy of Jim Beam while supporting tourism and strengthening the hospitality industry across Kentucky and beyond. Cherise has served on the SACC Board since 2022 and lives on Burnett Ave. Passionate about community engagement, Cherise is dedicated to encouraging connection, collaboration, and a spirit of togetherness through local events and outreach initiatives.
Amelia Dawson,
Secretary
Amelia has lived in the Schnitzelburg area, off and on, since 2017. One of her favorite things about the neighborhood is all the local restaurants, bars, boutiques, and coffee shop that are all walking distance to her home. She looks forward to investing her time and giving back to a community she has grown to love so much!
Mary Inman
Mary and her partner, Chase, bought their Schnitzelburg home in July 2021 and have been loving the neighborhood ever since. Mary is a Grants Manager and also teaches yoga and Pilates. Community building has always been a passion of hers which is why Mary served as SACC president for two years and continues to be a vital part of the board. Thank you Mary!
Michelle Kurland-Hurst
Michelle is a full-time Realtor® with Homepage Realty and an active community leader serving on the boards of SACC and SPNA (Shelby Park Neighborhood Association). A neighborhood resident since 2010, she currently lives on Milton Street with her husband and their two Boston Terriers, Jax and Tokey.
Michelle loves being involved in local traditions including the Dainty Festivities, Spring and Fall Walks, the Blues Festival, and the #1 Citizen Dinner. She’s passionate about Schnitzelburg’s strong sense of community, wonderful neighbors, and proudly supports local businesses.
Lauren Bricking
Lauren has been a Schnitzelburg resident since 2017 and is excited to be on the board and continue to help our neighborhood flourish. She lives with her fiance Eric, son Lucca, and furbaby Sasha. She is the Practice Manager at Bluegrass Kidney Consultants. In her spare time, you may find her running along Eastern Parkway with her dog, patronizing one of the neighborhood's many great bars and restaurants or enjoying her porch.
Alan Pacholski
Alan moved to Schnitzelburg 3 years ago and has felt at home ever since. Originally from Nebraska, he loves helping his communities thrive any way he can. He and his dog, Hera, love walking the neighborhood and checking out the various businesses.
Luke Rhode
Luke has lived in Louisville his entire life, and he, his fiancée, and their two cats have proudly called Schnitzelburg home since 2023. It didn’t take him long to realize how special the neighborhood is, and he immediately wanted to get involved. He has served on the board since 2024, bringing a servant’s heart and a genuine love for his neighbors.
When he is not working for the fire department, Luke enjoys spending time with friends at The MerryWeather or getting outdoors whenever he can. Luke has a natural way of brightening people’s days with humor and kindness. You can always count on him to step up, pitch in, and leave you smiling.
Emily Edwards
Living around Schnitzelburg since 2018, Emily and her husband, Brett, bought their house in 2022 on the sliver of Schnitzelburg that neighbors Parkway Village. Emily is a public health researcher and PhD student at UofL and spends her time crafting, making music, running, and practicing yoga. She’s passionate about community connection and enjoys Schnitzelburg’s bars, restaurants, businesses, and events.
Dustin Duncan
Dustin has lived in Schnitzelburg since 2022 with his partner Scott and Ducky, their spirited and curious labrador. He is a local government employee with more than a decade of grants and municipal management experience.
He also serves on the board of the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana and enjoys the neighborhood’s craft and culinary scene while searching for every dollar to help Louisville remain a great place to live, work, and play.
Kelsey Pyne
Kelsey and her partner, Ian, bought their Schnitzelburg shotgun home in 2022. They share their space with two furry roommates - their cat, Sequim Washington, and their terrier mutt, Tilly, Queen of Schnitzelburg. By day, Kelsey works as an executive assistant; by night, she’s usually catching up on her favorite TV shows, walking with Tilly, or embroidering/crafting/painting (she painted the toilet paper rolls on The Merryweather’s bathroom doors!). She loves the neighborhood for its walkability, quirky personality, and charming characters.
Ian White
Ian has lived in Schnitzelburg since 2022, and has thoroughly appreciated its walkability, restaurants, and cast of characters. Ian is a distillery operator at Rabbit Hole distillery, and enjoys fishing, gardening, and birdwatching with his three-legged cat, Sequim. You can often find him alongside his fiance, Kelsey, and their terrier, Tilly, tucked away in a booth at the Merryweather, or enjoying the sunshine at a Monnik picnic table.
Tori Sommer
Tori has called Schnitzelburg home for the past six years, settling into a house that proudly celebrated its 100th birthday in 2025. A corporate communications professional, Tori is passionate about bringing people together through the power of storytelling. She specializes in leading people‑centric strategies that help organizations navigate transformation with clarity and heart. Tori is an enthusiastic advocate for “building a village” and being an active member of her community. Around the neighborhood, you’ll often spot her out with her dog, Moose, who considers it his personal mission to ensure no squirrel overstays its welcome in their yard. In her free time, Tori loves to travel, try new local restaurants, and catch live music — some of her favorite things that make Louisville such a great city.