A 40-year veteran of the Twin Cities banking industry, Kelly Elkin has specialized in public financing and government and nonprofit banking since 2001. In 2023, she joined North Dakota-based Alerus at its Minnetonka location to establish its government and nonprofit lending group. Under her leadership, the new segment closed nearly $135.5 million in nonprofit financing and projects in less than two years. Notable projects include a $50 million senior housing project and a $2.6 million community development project, both in St. Paul, and a $2 million Minneapolis affordable housing project. Elkin enjoys mentoring others, especially women, who remain a minority in commercial and specialized lending.