I have had the privilege of collaborating with Alisi for the past 15 years, witnessing firsthand the remarkable impact of her work—particularly in my home county of Itasca, Minnesota. The initiatives she led there were both ambitious and transformative.

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When Alisi arrived in Northern Minnesota, she recognized the region’s cultural wealth and untapped potential. She co-founded what became the area’s first professional film production company and established a commercial production pipeline capable of serving national and international brands. In doing so, she built a local crew base, cultivated emerging talent, and created pathways for the next generation of storytellers to work at a professional standard without leaving their community.

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Her leadership as producer, writer, and director shaped one of the region’s first cinematic series dedicated to arts, culture, and history as drivers of economic development. This work required sophisticated coordination across private enterprise, municipal departments, county leadership, nonprofit boards, and regulatory bodies. I observed her presenting to city councils, collaborating with county commissioners, navigating permitting processes, and contributing to multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, including efforts tied to the reconstruction of a major performing arts center. Her storytelling became central to fundraising strategy, legislative advocacy, and public-facing messaging that advanced funding conversations at the state level.

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Alisi’s vision extends beyond screen-based storytelling into placemaking and experiential design. She activated an underutilized Mississippi riverfront venue with a summer of arts and cultural programming, including wine and jazz nights, live theatre productions, cinema under the stars, and a 60th anniversary celebration for a beloved community nonprofit. She led rebranding conversations, marketing strategy, and relaunch efforts that repositioned valued community assets with clarity and confidence.

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Through her documentary work in a neighboring small town—once bustling in its heyday—Alisi reintroduced the town’s mining-era mythology to a contemporary audience, catalyzing tourism initiatives, red carpet premieres, and immersive venue openings inspired by the stories she brought forward. The Associated Press picked up the story, resulting in nationwide coverage in outlets such as the Star Tribune and The Washington Post. The project gained viral momentum, drawing broad national attention to the town and its historic underground ‘speakeasy’ tunnels.

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Alisi’s work also engages civic responsibility. She partnered with Minnesota’s largest rural nonprofit to pioneer a community-wide inclusivity campaign, contributed to arts advocacy and education initiatives, and participated in public dialogue where institutional accountability was required. In every setting—whether addressing business leaders, coordinating investors, conducting oral histories, or navigating complex media interviews—Alisi operates with composure, strategic intelligence, and cultural sensitivity.

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The red carpet premiere of her inaugural docu-series was described by the Itasca County administrator as “transformative,” a sentiment echoed to the county’s commissioners. That series earned an Emmy® nomination, affirming the production excellence behind her vision. Her integration of viral media strategy with in-person activations demonstrated her ability to translate narrative momentum into tangible economic and cultural outcomes, drawing hundreds to live events and generating renewed regional interest from former residents and entrepreneurs.

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Alisi understands how story, capital, and community intersect. She builds ecosystems around ideas, sees the latent value in overlooked places, and brings people together to realize it. As a producer, I recognize the rare combination of creative instinct, executive discipline, and civic commitment that defines her work. It has been a privilege to witness the lasting imprint of her leadership on an entire region.

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I am honored to give my full recommendation for Alisi and her work.

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Sincerely,

Benjamin Braff

Emmy®-Nominated Creative Producer & Communications Strategist

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminbraff/