Our Team
Meet the Papa and Nana’s Team
Papa & Nana’s was built by people who believe in the power of family, the value of hard work, and the importance of knowing where your food comes from. At the heart of the company are Todd and Louise Malecha, lifelong agricultural entrepreneurs whose decades of experience running Malecha Enterprises — a multi-generational central Minnesota dairy operation — laid the foundation for everything Papa & Nana’s represents. Their commitment to stewardship, transparency, and rural community runs through every product the company makes.
Surrounding that foundation is a team of experienced advisors and specialists who bring deep expertise in business strategy, marketing, and brand development. Together, they support Papa & Nana’s mission to transform quality agricultural products into wholesome, farm-inspired foods that families can trust. From strategic planning and market positioning to visual identity and community engagement, every member of the team is united by a shared belief that family farms can innovate, grow, and connect consumers directly to the agricultural heritage behind what they eat.
Todd Malecha, Co-Founder
Todd is a lifelong agricultural entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience in dairy production, farm operations, and agribusiness leadership. As co-owner of Malecha Enterprises, a central Minnesota dairy operation, he played a central role in building and expanding the farm into a diversified agricultural enterprise that now includes dairy production, crop farming,  and agricultural services. Todd helped guide long-term strategic planning, operational systems, and team leadership while successfully transitioning day-to-day management of the dairy to the third generation of the Malecha family.
Building on this agricultural foundation, Todd co-founded Papa & Nana’s to expand the family’s agricultural legacy into value-added food manufacturing. His experience in agricultural production systems, resource management, and operational leadership supports the company’s efforts to transform locally produced dairy into premium frozen dessert products. Todd brings practical expertise in scaling agricultural enterprises, managing complex operations, and developing sustainable business models rooted in family agriculture. Todd has also been active in agricultural leadership and governance, advocating for producer transparency and responsible cooperative practices while engaging with policymakers and industry leaders on issues affecting family farms. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to strengthening rural communities and supporting the long-term viability of agricultural enterprises.
Together with Louise, Todd’s leadership is grounded in stewardship of the land, responsibility to community, and the belief that family farms can continue to innovate and create new opportunities through value-added agriculture. Through Papa & Nana’s, he continues to apply this experience to build a farm-rooted food company that connects consumers directly to the agricultural heritage behind the products they enjoy.
Louise Malecha is a lifelong agricultural entrepreneur with four decades of experience in dairy production, farm management, and multi-generational business leadership. As co-owner of Malecha Enterprises, a central Minnesota dairy operation, she helped lead long-term operational oversight, regulatory compliance, production management, and the successful transition of the business to the next generation.
Building on this foundation, Louise co-founded Papa & Nana’s to strategically diversify into value-added food manufacturing. Her deep understanding of agricultural supply systems, food safety standards, sourcing integrity, and operational planning provides a strong framework for sustainable growth. Her hands-on experience in cost management, production systems, and compliance supports the company’s commitment to efficiency and scalability within the betterfor-you frozen foods category.
Louise also serves in agricultural leadership through Farm Bureau educational initiatives, contributing to youth programming and community outreach that strengthen agricultural literacy and consumer awareness.
In addition to her agricultural leadership, Louise is an international Amazon best-selling children’s author whose books focus on educating families and children about agriculture and where their food comes from. Her storytelling reinforces the brand’s mission of transparency, stewardship, and connection to the land—strengthening Papa & Nana’s identity as a farm-rooted, familycentered food company.
Louise Malecha, Co-Founder
Kaylene Porter
Marketing and Sales Strategy
An entrepreneur and marketing strategist with 25+ years of experience, Kaylene Porter founded Dynamic 14, a full-service marketing and consulting agency supporting nonprofits and small to midsize businesses. Her background includes leading global brand expansion, product launches, and international growth initiatives at Douglas Scientific, along with eight years in marketing and program management at Tastefully Simple. At Papa & Nana’s, she brings her expertise in creative vision, operational clarity, and strategic marketing to support the company’s growth and market positioning in the frozen foods sector. Guided by her faith, Kaylene is also deeply committed to serving her community through ministry and volunteer work.
Dawn Striegel
Graphic Design/Branding
A communications and brand development professional, Dawn Striegel brings extensive experience in visual design, marketing strategy, and digital communications. She specializes in translating complex ideas into clear, compelling messaging that builds brand recognition across graphic design, website development, and integrated marketing materials. At Papa & Nana’s, Dawn leads the company’s visual identity and brand communications — overseeing packaging design, website development, and marketing materials that bring the company’s farm-to-product story to life. Her work ensures the brand consistently reflects the authenticity, family heritage, and agricultural roots that define Papa & Nana’s Chillery.
Rena Striegel
Business Consultant
Rena Striegel is a business strategist and advisor specializing in strategic planning, leadership development, and long-term business sustainability for agricultural families and family-owned businesses. With extensive experience working with agricultural enterprises and rural businesses across the Midwest, she brings a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing family farms and value-added food businesses. At Papa & Nana’s, Rena supports strategic planning, market positioning, and the development of scalable systems to guide the company’s growth in the frozen foods sector. Her advisory work helps ensure that Papa & Nana’s expansion into value-added food manufacturing is grounded in a clear operational and financial framework — while staying true to its agricultural roots.