Our Family Serving Yours For Over 50 Years

Kaylynn Lofstrom has been with Benders since August 2001, working her way from shoe salesperson to General Manager overseeing all three locations—Grand Rapids, Duluth, and Hibbing. With over two decades in retail and a background in education, she combines hands-on leadership with a passion for developing people, always putting “people before product.” Kaylynn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education from Bemidji State University and an Associate of Arts from Itasca Community College. Outside of work, she enjoys boating, side-by-siding, and life on her mini farm with her family, pets, and chickens, as well as following her daughter’s college basketball games. Rooted in a family business background, Kaylynn brings a deep appreciation for hard work, customer service, and community connection to everything she does.

Mike Nielsen is a Certified Orthotist who has been with Benders for four years, serving customers at all three locations—Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Duluth. With a career spent working alongside Physical Therapists to create braces for patients with neurological conditions such as strokes, MS, cerebral palsy, and TBIs, Mike brings extensive expertise in evaluating the ankle/foot complex and its impact on overall alignment. His goal is always to help customers walk out better than they walked in, reducing pain and improving function. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Boise State University, a Master’s in Orthotics from Century College, and has completed a two-year residency. Since moving to Minnesota to be closer to family, Mike has been embracing life in the North—most recently learning how to fish.

Maria Olson joined Benders in June 2021, bringing six years of marketing experience in the hospitality and foodservice industry and a fresh perspective to the footwear world. Known as a “jack-of-all-trades,” she excels at creating detailed spreadsheets, resources, and guides that keep operations organized and efficient. Maria holds a BA in Spanish and a BS in Spanish Education from the College of St. Benedict. Outside of work, she loves spending time outdoors—whether paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, or camping—and is an avid board game enthusiast with a taste for strategy games. Passionate about making a positive impact, Maria is committed to helping her community and customers alike, from volunteering to helping someone find relief from foot pain.

Nina Oberto joined Benders in January 2022 and became a Certified Pedorthist in February 2025. With a background spanning retail sales, insurance, hospitality, and parking, she brings over two decades of customer service experience. Nina is skilled at identifying foot and gait concerns and creating solutions that improve comfort and mobility. She holds an Associate of Arts in General Education from Gogebic Community College and studied Business Administration at UW–Superior. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with loved ones, and is passionate about helping people realize that pain doesn’t have to be part of everyday life.