meet the team

We work with and through others.

We are a fast-paced organization that works to make the greatest impact possible on health and quality of life for the people in our region. Working with and through people like you, we:

• LEAD initiatives to create a region of the healthiest people.
• BUILD the fundraising success of charities.
• INVEST in new ideas that create widespread health improvement.

Together, this is WHO WE ARE.

Board of Directors

Leading for Exceptional Impact

The board of Dakota Medical Foundation is made up of medical professionals and other community leaders:
•  DREAMERS, THINKERS, DOERS and INNOVATORS  •

They lead us to address complex challenges facing our community
and push us to achieve the greatest possible societal return from our resources.

They test us to understand and teach us best practices,
and challenge us to continually become better by measuring and evaluating our effectiveness.

Together with our staff, they are our most important human capital.

Julene Brown, RN

Board Member

John Deutsch, Pharm D

Board Member

Rob Lauf, DDS

Board Chair

Dr. Susan Mathison

Past Chair

Nola McNeally, JD

Vice Chair

Julene Brown, RN

Board Member

John Deutsch, Pharm D

Board Member

Rob Lauf, DDS

Board Chair

Dr. Susan Mathison

Past Chair

Nola McNeally, JD

Vice Chair

Kim Meyer

Board Member

Eric Monson

Treasurer

Amanda Thomas

Immediate Past Chair
Thompson_jennifer_1x1_web

Jennifer Thompson, JD

Board Member

Dr. Barbra Brookshire, OD

Board Member

Chris Kennelly, JD

Secretary

Dr. Dave Akkerman, MD

Board Member

Kim Meyer

Board Member

Eric Monson

Treasurer

Amanda Thomas

Immediate Past Chair
Thompson_jennifer_1x1_web

Jennifer Thompson, JD

Board Member

Dr. Barbra Brookshire, OD

Board Member

J. Patrick Traynor, JD

Executive Director, Ex-Officio

Chris Kennelly, JD

Secretary

Dr. Dave Akkerman, MD

Board Member

J. Patrick Traynor, JD

Executive Director, Ex-Officio

*Not pictured: Jessica Kuhn, NP

Committees

executive committee

Barb Brookshire, OD
Eric Monson
Chris Kennelly, JD
Susan Mathison, MD
Dave Akkerman, MD
Amanda Thomas 
Rob Lauf, DDS • Chair •
J. Patrick Traynor, JD • Ex-Officio •

governance committee

Dave Akkerman, MD
Dianna Hansen
Chris Kennelly, JD • Chair •
Susan Mathison, MD
Kim Meyer
Eric Monson
Amanda Thomas
Peter Stenehjem
J. Patrick Traynor, JD • Ex-Officio •

Finance & investment committee

Dave Akkerman, MD
John Deutsch, Pharm D
Jay Eisenbeis
Eric Monson • Chair •
Sindy Keller
Susan Mathison, MD
Richard Vetter, MD
Amanda Thomas
J. Patrick Traynor, JD • Ex-Officio •

DMF Center for Excellence & Innovation Committee

Jay Eisenbeis
Sindy Keller
Susan Mathison, MD
Nola McNeally, JD 
Robert Ross
Jay Krabbenhoft
Amanda Thomas • Chair •
J. Patrick Traynor, JD • Ex-Officio •

 

lend a hand up
subsidiary board
established 2019

Stephanie Astrup
Laetitia Mizero Hellerud
Jennifer Thompson
Diane Miller
Julene Brown, RN
Brian Haugen • Chair •
Jane Skalsky, RN
Sindy Keller, Treasurer
Barbra Brookshire, OD
Jason Boutwell
Jessica Kuhn, NP • Vice Chair •
Peter Hovey
Peter Jacobson
J. Patrick Traynor, JD • Ex-Officio •

Note: Board and committee members do not accept solicitations for grant funds.

Team

Here are the hands, feet, and voices of Dakota Medical Foundation and its Initiatives.

Helping you do good and improve lives.

Evan Balko

Multimedia Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Kelly Barbot

Design Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Ashley Blazek

Community Manager
Impact Foundation

Riley Boese

Digital & Operations Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Tara Bujold

Director of Executive Operations
Dakota Medical Foundation

Evan Balko

Multimedia Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Kelly Barbot

Design Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Ashley Blazek

Community Manager
Impact Foundation

Riley Boese

Digital & Operations Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Tara Bujold

Director of Executive Operations
Dakota Medical Foundation

Dianne Connelly

Accountant
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Dianne Connelly

Accountant
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Amber DeKrey

Community Relations Officer
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Lana Foss

Administrative Specialist
Dakota Medical Foundation

Michelle Hogan

Accounting Manager
Dakota Medical Foundation

Whitney Isaacson

Outreach Coordinator
Dakota Medical Foundation

Amber DeKrey

Community Relations Officer
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Lana Foss

Administrative Specialist
Dakota Medical Foundation

Michelle Hogan

Accounting Manager
Dakota Medical Foundation

Whitney Isaacson

Outreach Coordinator
Dakota Medical Foundation

Emily Jones

Director of Development
Dakota Medical Foundation

Nate Mickelberg

Director of Strategic Projects
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Emily Jones

Director of Development
Dakota Medical Foundation

Nate Mickelberg

Director of Strategic Projects
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Angela Nordstrom

Lend A Hand Up Operations Manager
Dakota Medical Foundation

Jessica Offerman

Operational Excellence Leader
Impact Foundation

Matthew Ohren

Technology Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation

Angela Nordstrom

Lend A Hand Up Operations Manager
Dakota Medical Foundation

Jessica Offerman

Operational Excellence Leader
Impact Foundation

Matthew Ohren

Technology Lead
Dakota Medical Foundation

Tanner Olson

Special Projects Coordinator
Impact Foundation

Kim Palm

Development Specialist
Dakota Medical Foundation

Danielle Paulus

Director of Community Engagement
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Jeana Peinovich

Lend A Hand Up Director
Dakota Medical Foundation

Cheryl Poirier

Events Coordinator
Dakota Medical Foundation

Tanner Olson

Special Projects Coordinator
Impact Foundation

Kim Palm

Development Specialist
Dakota Medical Foundation

Danielle Paulus

Director of Community Engagement
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Jeana Peinovich

Lend A Hand Up Director
Dakota Medical Foundation

Cheryl Poirier

Events Coordinator
Dakota Medical Foundation

Amanda Sayre

Director of Giving Hearts Day
Dakota Medical Foundation

Amanda Sayre

Director of Giving Hearts Day
Dakota Medical Foundation

Michael Schumacher, CPA

Chief Financial Officer
Dakota Medical Foundation

J. Patrick Traynor, JD

Executive Director
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

Michael Schumacher, CPA

Chief Financial Officer
Dakota Medical Foundation

J. Patrick Traynor, JD

Executive Director
Dakota Medical Foundation
Impact Foundation

*Not pictured: Kelsey Beyer, Naomi Hambrick, Kailynn Barrett

Career Opportunities

Join Our Team

Currently seeking an
Entry Level Software Developer

learn more

Join Our Team

Currently seeking an
Entry Level Software Developer

learn more
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Julene Brown

Board Member
Julene previously served as the Chief Compliance Officer of Organizational Integrity and Compliance for Essentia Health until her retirement. She has extensive study and experience in nursing, leadership, and management. In addition to leading as a DMF Board Member, Julene serves as the Board Chair for Lend A Hand Up. Julene enjoys staying active with her eight grandkids and traveling to her townhouse in Mesa, Arizona.

John Deutsch, Pharm D

Board Member
John is the president and co-owner of InHealth Specialty Pharmacy; a pharmacy specializing in customized prescription medications for humans and pets. John earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from North Dakota State University and proudly serves on DMF’s Finance & Investment Committee. John enjoys golfing and spending time with his family. 

Rob Lauf, DDS

Board Chair
Rob is a Doctor of Dentistry and owns Goose River Dental Associates, P.C., in Mayville, ND. He serves on the Western Regional Examination Board and is a Dental Examiner. Rob is the President of the North Dakota Dental Foundation, and he also serves on the NDSU Foundation. Rob is the Vice Chair of the Foundation’s Board. He is a proud grandpa to his grandson, Ellis.

Susan Mathison, MD

Past Chair
Dr. Susan Mathison is the Founder and CEO of Catalyst Medical Center and Clinical Spa. She is a Past Board Chair of Dakota Medical Foundation and serves on the Executive, Governance, and DMF Center for Excellence & Innovation Committees. Dr. Susan also serves on the Impact Foundation Board of Directors.

Nola McNeally, JD

Vice Chair
Nola is the General Counsel/Advisor at Edgewood REIT. Previously, she worked as an attorney within the firm of Dorsey & Whitney LLP for 10 years and as an Officer at the Fredrikson & Byron P.A. law firm. Alongside being a board member, Nola also serves on Dakota Medical Foundation’s Center for Excellence & Innovation Committee. She loves to travel with her family, and her favorite destination is Paris.

Kim Meyer

Board Member
Kim is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Gate City Bank. She has degrees from Minnesota State University Moorhead, the Graduate School of Banking, HR Management School and Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Kim serves on the Executive and Governance Committees. She loves spending time with her bernedoodle, Izzy.

Eric Monson

Treasurer
Eric is the former Director at Sagency in West Fargo, ND. He previously served as a Sr. Vice President at Banner Health and the CEO for both Novus, LLC and the Anne Carlsen Center. Eric is Dakota Medical Foundation’s Board Treasurer and the Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee. He also serves on the DMF Executive and Governance Committees. Instead of hobbies, Eric prefers to keep himself busy with a variety of projects. 

Amanda Thomas

Immediate Past Chair
Amanda is a Residential Architect and Consultant and holds a degree in Architecture from North Dakota State University. She is the Chair of the DMF Board. She serves as the Chair of DMF’s Executive Committee and Center for Excellence & Innovation and on the Governance and Finance & Investment Committees. Amanda is a homeschool parent raising twins. She loves to travel and cook. 

Jennifer Thompson, JD

Board Member
Jennifer is a Managing Partner of H.A. Thompson & Sons. Jennifer holds a J.D. from the University of North Dakota. She also serves generously on the Lend A Hand Up Board of Directors and Application Committee, along with serving on the Fargo Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors.

Barbra Brookshire, OD

Board Member
Barbra co-owns Eyecare Associates clinics in Fargo and West Fargo, ND. She attended Illinois College of Optometry and is an adjunct clinical professor at Pacific University, in Forest Grove, Oregon. She serves on the DMF Executive Committee and is a board member and the Vice Chair for Lend A Hand Up. Barbra’s favorite sport is basketball, and she enjoys playing it with both of her kids. 

Chris Kennelly, JD

Secretary
Chris is the owner of and an attorney at Kennelly Business Law. He also owns Frontier Title Group. He leads as the DMF Board Secretary, a member of the Executive Committee, and as the Chair of the Governance Committee. Chris is also a Lend A Hand Up board member.

Dave Akkerman, MD

Board Member
Dr. Dave Akkerman is a Family Physician at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. He obtained his medical degree from the University of South Dakota-Vermillion. In addition to serving as a DMF Board Member, he serves on the DMF Governance and Finance & Investment Committees.

J. Patrick Traynor, JD

Executive Director, Ex-Officio
Pat is the Executive Director of DMF and an ex-officio member of its Committees. He is an ex-officio non-voting member of the Board and the Executive Director of the Impact Foundation. He has served with DMF since 2000. Previously, he was the Executive Director and CEO of the ND Workers Compensation Bureau and an attorney in Fargo, ND.

Evan Balko

Multimedia Lead
Evan leads video production for all DMF and Impact video content. He also directs the annual Giving Hearts Day livestream, Heartcast. In his spare time, Evan enjoys skiing, cooking, and working on cars. He is the recipient of two Addy awards. Evan joined the foundation in 2020.

Kelly Barbot

Design Lead
Kelly oversees all DMF branding and leads the creation of digital and print marketing assets for DMF and Impact Learning Co. She got engaged to her husband, Jerad, on top of the Empire State Building. Kelly joined the Foundation in 2019.

Ashley Blazek

Community Manager
Ashley works on the Impact team to support charities through coaching and training. She connects people to resources and one another. Ashley is a lover of disco balls, confetti cannons, and her two feline friends: Jean-Ralphio and Mona-Lisa. She joined the Foundation in 2020.

Riley Boese

Digital & Operations Lead
Riley is responsible for creating and coordinating digital content for DMF and Impact Learning Co. In addition, she provides creative support for marketing material and assists with Foundation operations. Riley loves reading, exercising, and all things comedy and music. She joined the Foundation in 2020. 

Tara Bujold

Director of Executive Operations
Tara supports the Executive Director through internal day-to-day operations. She is instrumental in implementing strategy and goals for DMF initiatives. Tara loves dogs, especially her loyal companion Ole. She resides in Fargo with her husband Nick. Tara joined the foundation in 2020.

Dianne Connelly

Accountant
Dianne is responsible for accounting functions of the Impact Foundation, Achievements Unlimited Foundation, and North Dakota Dental Foundation. Dianne enjoys gardening, bike riding, kayaking, and spending time in downtown Fargo.

Amber DeKrey

Community Relations Officer
Amber works to deepen relationships with businesses, charities, and community members by connecting them to training, volunteering, and giving opportunities. She activates year-round engagement for all DMF initiatives. Amber loves reading, iced coffee, dark chocolate, painting, essential oils, and spending time with family outdoors. She joined the Foundation in 2019.

Lana Foss

Administrative Specialist
Lana manages daily operations and events of the DMF building. She coordinates various DMF committee meetings and provides administrative assistance to the accounting team. Lana is a proud mom to her son, Colby, and daughter, Dana. She joined the Foundation in 2014. 

Michelle Hogan

Accounting Manager
Michelle manages the general accounting functions for Dakota Medical Foundation, Dakota Medical Charities, and other contracted affiliates. She looks forward to taking up her new hobby of photography. Michelle joined the Foundation in 2012.

Whitney Isaacson

Outreach Coordinator
Whitney is responsible for coordinating engagement and educational opportunities for DMF’s partner initiatives of Kids Mental Health, Lend A Hand Up, and Matto Foundation. She enjoys teaching group fitness classes, playing with her golden retriever dogs, reading, and trying new restaurants. Whitney joined the Foundation in 2022.

Emily Jones

Director of Development
Emily leads the Donor Funds team within DMF that manages charitable giving funds and membership programs. In addition, she assists with operations and system processes. Emily loves sandwiches, spending time with her family, and going to sporting events. She resides in West Fargo with her husband Travis and Labradoodle Suzie. Emily joined the Foundation in 2021.

Nate Mickelberg

Director of Communications
Nate leads DMF’s in-house team of communications professionals. He assists in the creation of content produced by the team and oversees communication strategies for the foundation and each of its programs. Nate is an avid golfer and proud dad to two boys. He joined the Foundation in 2018.

Angela Nordstrom

Lend A Hand Up Operations Manager
Angie manages web logistics, media, and administrative processes for the Lend A Hand Up program. She assists program fundraisers with online resources and promotional material. Angie is a wife and mom to two teenagers and two fur babies. She enjoys retail therapy and organizing. Angie joined the Foundation in 2021.

Jessica Offerman

Operational Excellence Leader
Jessica leads internal operations, Giving Hearts Day charity experience, and project management for the Foundation and its partner initiatives. She is the mom to a fellow bookworm, is always caffeinated, and likes running and sports. Jessica joined the Foundation in 2015. 

Matthew Ohren

Technology Lead
Matt leads the Giving Hearts Day development team and is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the websites and digital applications of DMF and all its partner health initiatives. He loves to ski and skate. Matt joined the Foundation in 2019. 

Tanner Olson

Special Projects Coordinator
Tanner coordinates pilot programs and special projects for the DMF and Impact Foundations. In addition, he conducts research and data review, and provides charity resources for Giving Hearts Day. He and his wife, Jeshanah, have three kids. Tanner also serves as pastor at Living Hope Baptist Church and enjoys reading, fishing, and woodworking. Tanner joined the Foundation in 2013. 

Kim Palm

Development Specialist
Kim works closely with the Development Director to coordinate the donor management system, membership programs, and charitable giving funds. Outside of DMF, she is looking forward to spending more time watching and learning about birds. Kim joined the Foundation in 2001. 

Danielle Paulus

Director of Community Engagement
Danielle serves as an external advocate for all DMF and Impact programs. She also leads the engagement team within DMF that helps connect businesses and charities with engagement and volunteerism opportunities that will help provide long lasting relationships. She is a mom, wife, and yoga sculpt instructor. Danielle joined the Foundation in 2022.

Jeana Peinovich

Director of Lend A Hand Up
Jeana is the director of Lend A Hand Up, which has raised more than $20 million for families in need since its launch in 2008. Prior to 2008, she served as the Outreach Coordinator for DMF’s Covering Kids & Families initiative. Jeana is a talented tap-dancer and she and her husband, Jim, have three daughters and five grandchildren. Jeana joined the Foundation in 2003.

Cheryl Poirier

Events Coordinator
Cheryl manages the DMF Center for Excellence by scheduling and coordinating building space for nonprofits, employees, and other groups. She maintains a welcoming environment and assists with other various building functions. Cheryl loves reading, spending time with family, taking long walks, and decorating her home. She joined the Foundation in 2017.

Amanda Sayre

Director of Giving Hearts Day
Amanda oversees strategy and technical logistics for Giving Hearts Day. She is a wife and mother of three. Amanda joined the Foundation in 2015.

Michael Schumacher

Chief Financial Officer
Mike is responsible for the finance and accounting functions of DMF and Impact Foundation. He works closely with the board of directors to manage investment functions and provide financial information and guidance for both Foundations. Mike also oversees maintenance of the Foundation’s facilities. Mike and his wife, Barbara, love spending time with their 4 children, traveling, and being at the lake. Mike joined the Foundation in 2013. 

J. Patrick Traynor, JD

Executive Director
Pat leads DMF and Impact Foundation under the general direction of the board of directors. He is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the DMF Board of Directors and the Executive Director of Impact Foundation. Pat is an avid hunter and loves spending time with his wife, Jamie, and their three sons. He joined the Foundation in 2000.