We build on foundations we did not lay

We warm ourselves by fires we did not light

We sit in the shade of trees we did not plant

We drink from wells we did not dig

We profit from persons we did not know

Augustana University is my alma mater and a nonprofit, liberal arts university with a mission I believe in. I am grateful for the donors of time, money, and attention that gave and allowed me to attend Augustana University.  I now donate and volunteer for Augustana University to further expand their mission.

Involvement:

• • Dillon DeBoer Scholarship and donations to student groups

  • Augustana Alumni Association Board Member

  • Graduates of the Last Decade (young alumni group) Vice-President

  • Augustana University Association Representative 

    • Augustana University Association Trustee Nominating Committee

From website:

Founded in 1860, Augustana is a selective, comprehensive university affiliated with the Lutheran Church. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs for undergraduates, along with graduate degree and continuing education programs, the University is committed to enriching lives and fostering development by combining a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study.

Augustana serves more than 2,100 students from 29 states and 36 countries. Most are part of our residential community and call our 100-acre campus home. Our graduate and continuing education programs serve students online and during times that are convenient for adult learners.

Giving back to my community is important. The best way for me to get involved and meet my neighbors was getting more involved in my local neighborhood association in Elliot Park. Elliot Park Neighborhood has a lot of opportunities and challenges ahead of it as downtown Minneapolis continues to grow and change. I look forward to helping service and guide this community through my involvement. 

Involvement:

• • Board member since 2024

From website: 

Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc. (EPNI) was established in 1976 with a primary focus of reinvesting in the community through renovation of existing housing and investment in new housing. The focus of the organization has shifted over the years and current mission is to build community vitality by connecting & empowering neighbors.

Our current work focuses on: 1) land use and transportation, 2) food access, and 3) tenant rights. We invite you to join us in this work!

I joined Young Professionals of Minneapolis shortly after moving to the twin cities. I immediately found a great group of friends and contacts throughout the region. 

Involvement:

• • Member since 2022

  • Director of Finance on Board of Directors, 2023

From website:

We are a network of aspiring leaders working together to be the best version of ourselves. YPM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to create economic equity within the Greater MSP community by shaping young professionals to be well-rounded. YPM hosts 3-5 events a month focused on professional development, social networking, and community involvement. Our goal is to empower young professionals to be leaders. 

After moving back to Sioux Falls, I realized I longed for the time each week to unplug and become grounded again.  For me, that has always been best achieved through worship.  I happened upon Peace Lutheran Church and instantly liked it.  Peace Lutheran Church is a welcoming church that is focused on outreach.  In 2018, I was elected to the Church Council, where I am now able to serve as a leader and visionary for the congregation.  

Involvement:

• • Board Member (including President-Elect)

    • Introduced a new method of goal setting, which the Board adopted in 2018

  • Space Visioning Committee (a building committee to evaluate the uses of current and future building needs)

  • Reviewed church financial statements and controls 2016-2017 pro bono

  • Served on the internship committee

From website:

Peace Lutheran Church began a ministry of Word and Sacrament on the west side of Sioux Falls in 1965. Since then, it has grown to a congregation of over 4,300 people. We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), with over 3.6 million members and 9,300 churches across the United States. 

My involvement in St. Dysmas started in high school when I was first able to visit the prison church.  I attended worship at least twice per year at St. Dysmas for the rest of high school and thereafter throughout college.  The opportunity to serve St. Dysmas came after I graduated and moved back to South Dakota after my first job.  A family-friend heard St. Dysmas was in need of a Treasurer and gave them my contact information.  After being Treasurer, I served as vice-chairman and then as Chairman of the Board.  My time on the St. Dymas Board has included the change of two pastors and the launch of the new reentry program that assists men when they are released from prison.

Involvement:

• • Former Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and Board Member

  • Assisted in drafting program proposal for the launch of the reentry program

  • Assisted in drafting policies and procedures for the staff and Board to follow

From website:

Two congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Church in America) located behind the walls of the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls and Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. We also support Sunday evening worship at the Yankton Minimum Unit in Yankton.

Hope Chapel, where we worship is the only place men are called by their Christian names; everywhere else they are known by their surname or number. Because many of the men do not receive visitors it is the only place they can enjoy conversation with someone who is not paid to be there or other inmates. 

I first heard about Junior Achievement through my former employer and an Augustana University friend.  After learning more about this organization, I excitedly volunteered and believed JA brings great skills and education to the classroom.  I wish I had a program like this available to me when I was a student.  For this reason, I volunteered as a classroom volunteer.  Well, that and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the finance and money lessons. 

Involvement:

• • Classroom volunteer 

From website:

Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.  Junior Achievement has 109 local JA Areas across the nation, and together we are the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.