Tonya Loken is outgoing, warm, and incredibly friendly. She considers herself an “extrovert with a capital ‘E.’” “I’m just a people person,” she noted.
Loken was hired at Essentia Health in 2015, in what is perhaps the perfect position for her extroverted personality: Community Relations Director. In this role, Loken helps foster deeper connections within the communities Essentia serves, in areas including outreach and volunteerism.
And, after growing up in the small town of Zumbrota, Minnesota (population: roughly 4,500), and later living in the Twin Cities metro area, Duluth offers the blended type of lifestyle she was seeking.
“Duluth has small-town neighborhood vibes, but still has a lot to offer,” she said. “Compared to Zumbrota, there is more diversity, and so much more to do.”
Origin Story
As noted, Loken grew up in Zumbrota, Minnesota. Her mother, Cindy Thompson, was the city clerk, and her father, Tom Thompson, worked for a concrete company.
Loken and her younger brother Shawn enjoyed a pretty idyllic childhood. “We grew up with our entire extended family – grandparents, great-grandparents, and cousins,” she explained. “We biked to school and knew everybody in town.
“In high school, I ran track, and we hung out at the public swimming pool. My first job was at the Dairy Queen. Later, I worked at K.P.’s restaurant, where I cooked, baked pies, and waitressed.”
Education and Career
As an adult, she moved to the Twin Cities, where she worked for a trucking company and later for 3M. After going through a divorce, Loken relocated to Duluth in 2007 with her three young children.
“I wanted to move to a community where the kids could walk to school,” she said. “Here, people welcomed us like family.”
Loken worked at Minnesota Power from 2007 to 2015. In 2013, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior from the College of St. Scholastica. She was hired at Essentia in 2015.
She explained a bit about her role as Community Relations Director. “In my job, I help foster trusting relationships to help make a difference for people in our community.
“For example, I meet with the local Chambers, schools, and food banks. It’s really about the people, and how we connect; how we see our communities as a whole.”
Loken has six direct reports, whom she is incredibly proud of. “I have such a bright and talented team,” she noted. “The people who work here truly make my job so fulfilling.”
Civic Engagement
Besides her full-time career, Loken is involved in many other initiatives. Currently, she serves on the Boards for Ronald McDonald House – Upper Midwest, 7 Stars Ranch, and One Roof Community Housing. She is a past Board member for Northwood Children’s Services.
Loken is a graduate of Leadership Duluth. Additionally, she is a past Board member and past vice-chair for Chester Bowl.
And, in 2023, she was awarded the Leadership Award, one of The Woman Today magazine’s prestigious annual Rosie Awards.
Personal
Loken and her husband, Brad Flynn, who works for Minnesota Power, share a blended family. This includes five adult children: Ben, Sam, Eli, Raine, and Evan. The family also has two dogs: Mila, a Golden Retriever, and Silvi, a Shepherd mix.
Interestingly, all the Loken/Flynn kids “went off to college,” but have all found themselves back in Duluth. This provides yet another testament to the magnetism and appeal of our great city.
In her spare time, Loken enjoys outdoor activities, socializing, and most of all, spending time with her family. “We recently bought a lake property – a rustic cabin – that we’re renovating. Beyond that, I just love being outside, hiking, and traveling,” she said.
“I consider myself a lifelong learner,” she added. “I look forward to meeting new people, having new experiences, and seeing new places.”
Loken and her family live near UMD.
Duluth
As noted, Loken finds Duluth to be the perfect amalgamation of “small town vibes” blended with “lots to do.” And, of course, she loves the people.
“The thing I love most about this city is the people,” she said. “I love the connections we’ve made over the years, and the friendships we’ve formed.
“And, there are so many beautiful places. We’ve spent many afternoons at Brighton Beach, Park Point, and hiking up the North Shore. There are so many great in-town attributes, with lots of great options to connect with nature, too.”
Important Work
While Loken doesn’t work in direct patient care, she plays a vital role in the health of our community. “Health doesn’t just happen in the hospital,” she noted. “It happens in our communities, where we all live, work, and play.”
She added, “I deeply admire the people I get to work with. I’m just in awe. The people in this organization are such givers. I feel very privileged to be in this role.”
