Learn about our Team and Culture

We are a team of dedicated professionals, ready to help you insure your lives, businesses and more!

Dawn Bijou Janes-Bartley

Dawn Bijou Janes-Bartley

President - Insurance Guru, CRM, CIC

About Dawn

I love insurance. I can’t really explain it. I am deeply passionate about working with our clients to help them protect what they find valuable or important. I have earned my Certified Risk Management (CRM) designation, my Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation, and I also hold a Surplus Lines License. This special license and these credentials help me create insurance and non-insurance solutions for clients and brings much more value to your risk protection program. Yes, I really am an insurance nerd. And when it comes to something as important as understanding your insurance policy, you do want an insurance nerd like me on your team.

Buying insurance involves entering into a legal contract with an insurance company. When you pay your premiums, you expect certain claims to be covered, but what the policy says can contradict what you assume might happen. Insurance policies are complex, which is why most of you reading this have likely not read one cover to cover. I enjoy working through policy language to help each client better understand the coverage they have, and the coverage they don’t. It is important to me that I understand what you want your insurance policy to do so I can provide the solutions to meet those needs.

I was born and raised in Plymouth, Minnesota, attended school in Wayzata and college at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology, with a Certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling and Sign Language. My husband Chad and I live in Minnetrista and enjoy seeing horses on our block and cows across the street.

We have four kids ages 7-17 that keep us young; Alex, Kyle, Anna and Kali. We are active in their activities; soccer, gymnastics, music, art, theatre, scouting and church. I spent several years as a co-den leader with our Cub Scout Pack 297, and volunteer often for kids’ school functions, church events and Girl Scout activities. We added a Cockapoo named Bella into our family in April of 2019 and a Cockalier-Poo named Bear in April of 2022. I also provide guardian and conservatorship care for my mother who is living with Dementia in an assisted living facility. This experience has made me a strong advocate of Long-Term Care Insurance solutions.

About Michelle

I was born in Duluth, Minnesota, but have lived all over the U.S. I joined the U.S. Air Force out of High School, where I worked on aircraft. I was fortunate to be stationed in the Philippines and North Carolina. I like to travel and meet people of other cultures and experience new foods.

I have been with Minnesota Insurance Group since 2020. I started as a customer and decided to make a change and try something new. I enjoy helping people and find there is a lot of variety every day, which makes it interesting.

In my spare time I like sewing, gardening, kayaking, fishing and spending time at the lake camping with family and friends. My husband Ron and I live in Brooklyn Park, we have 2 grown daughters and 5 grandchildren who keep us active.  We are also active in church, where we started out in children and teen ministry and transitioned into hospitality.

Michelle

Michelle

Commercial Lines Account Manager
Benj

Benj

Commercial Lines Service Assistant

About Benj

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and for the past few years I have worked as a Data Analyst and Customer Service in the technology industry. In 2019 I transitioned to the insurance industry and have been working as a customer service assistant

Since then. I joined Minnesota Insurance Group in early 2021 and have really enjoyed the continuous learning opportunities in the commercial side of insurance. I see myself as relentless problem-solver and am always looking for a new challenge.

I’ve been interested in building gaming computers and traveling with my wife Razel and our son Ezekiel. I take a lot of pride in caring for my family and believe my ability to plan, schedule, and handle many different tasks helps me in taking care of my family.

About Saamantha

Joining Minnesota Insurance Group was my opportunity to continue helping clients find a solution for their insurance needs in the complex legal language of contracts.  With a legal professional background, I found the insurance industry very interesting and customer-driven, making this new chapter in my life a perfect place to develop meaningful relationships while being part of the community.

I was born in Colombia and moved to the United States more than 5 years ago. Being bi-lingual in Spanish and English, I am able to help a wide range of clients. I became a Minnesota Wild fan when I moved to Minnesota and I really enjoy watching ice hockey. I love to spend time with my family doing outdoor activities such as walking and enjoying the lakes, and swimming is my favorite.

I am very fortunate to be a part of the Minnesota Insurance Group Team!!

“Calidad de servicio no es lo que tu das, es lo que el cliente recibe”. Peter Drucker

Saamantha

Saamantha

Agent
Pat

Pat

Agent

About Pat

Born and raised in the Minneapolis Metro area, I have been in the industry for over forty years. I started my career as a Customer Service Rep and grew to love helping my clients. Eventually, I attained my license in order to best help my clients make the important decisions when purchasing insurance. I have been with Minnesota Insurance Group since 2002.

In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, golfing and traveling with my husband Dennis. My two grown sons and grandson also live locally.  I give back to the community through my church by volunteering and teaching Sunday school. My family has been active in the lives of another family from Nairobi, Kenya since 2003.