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.
Dave Akkerman, MD
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.
Barbra Brookshire, OD
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.
Julene Brown, RN
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.
John Deutsch,
Pharm D
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.
Chris Kennelly, JD
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.
Rob Lauf, DDS
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-Elect of the Western Regional Examination Board and the President of the North Dakota Dental Foundation. Rob is the Vice Chair of the Foundation’s Board. He also serves on the Head Start Health Advisory Board.
Susan Mathison, MD
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
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.
Kim Meyer
Kim is the 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.
Eric Monson
Eric is a Director and Executive Coach 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.
Seth Novak
Seth is DMF’s Chair of the Board. He is a co-founder of Anchor Ingredients Company and a passionate entrepreneur, starting and leading multiple businesses during his career. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the Dakota Medical Foundation Board. Seth also serves on DMF Executive Committee.
Hope Yongsmith, MD
Hope is an Ophthalmologist and since 2010, she has served patients at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Fargo, ND. She attained her medical degree from Boston University Medical School in 1994. Hope serves generously on DMF’s Executive Committee, and within other organizations in the community.
Amanda Thomas
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.
Jennifer Thompson, JD
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.
J. Patrick Traynor, JD
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.
Committees
executive committee
Barb Brookshire, OD
Eric Monson
Chris Kennelly, JD
Susan Mathison, MD
Amanda Thomas • Chair •
Seth Novak
J. Patrick Traynor, JD • Ex-Officio •
Kim Meyer
Hope Yongsmith, MD
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
J. Patrick Traynor, JD • Ex-Officio •
Richard Vetter, MD Amanda Thomas
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
Godela Iverson, MD
Stephanie Astrup
Laetitia Mizero Hellerud
Jennifer Thompson
Diane Miller
Julene Brown, RN • Chair •
Brian Haugen
Chris Kennelly, JD
Jane Skalsky, RN
Sindy Keller, Treasurer
Barbra Brookshire, OD • Vice Chair •
Jason Boutwell
Jessica Kuhn, NP
Peter Hovey
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
Evan creates compelling visual content in a variety of video projects for DMF, its initiatives, charity partners, and funds. Evan joined the Foundation in 2020.
Kelly Barbot
Kelly oversees the design and branding for all of Dakota Medical Foundation’s initiatives and is DMF’s graphic designer. Kelly joined the Foundation in 2019.
Kelsey Beyer
Kelsey supports the Executive Director of the North Dakota Dental and Optometric Foundations with day-to-day operations. Kelsey joined the Foundations in 2021.
Ashley Blazek
Ashley supports learners engaged in trainings & coaching experiences offered at Impact Foundation. Ashley joined the Foundation in 2020.
Riley Boese
Riley is responsible for creating and coordinating digital content for Dakota Medical Foundation and its partner initiatives along with managing internal operations systems. Riley joined the Foundation in 2020.
Tara Bujold
Tara supports the Executive Director through internal day-to-day operations and partner initiatives. Tara joined the Foundation in 2020.
Dianne Connelly
Dianne is responsible for general accounting functions for Dakota Medical Foundation, Dakota Medical Charities, Impact Foundation, and other contracted affiliates. Dianne joined the Foundation in 2022.
Amber DeKrey
Amber builds relationships with businesses, charities, and community members to connect them with meaningful volunteerism and giving opportunities and leadership resources. Amber joined the Foundation in 2019.
Emily Eback
Emily supports the Giving Hearts Day and engagement teams to ignite community involvement through coordinating special projects, logistics, and research. Emily joined the Foundation in 2021.
Lana Foss
Lana manages daily operations of Dakota Medical Foundation and provides administrative assistance to the Foundation’s accounting department. Lana joined the Foundation in 2014.
Melissa Glander
Melissa is responsible for assisting the Chief Financial Officer and Accounting staff with the day-to-day accounting, financial management, and other support functions of the Foundation. Melissa joined the Foundation in 2021.
Michelle Hogan
Michelle manages the general accounting functions for Dakota Medical Foundation, Dakota Medical Charities, and other contracted affiliates. Michelle joined the Foundation in 2012.
Scott Holdman
Scott develops pathways for charitable organizations to thrive through training, coaching, and product creation. Scott joined the Foundation in 2014.
Emily Jones
Emily leads the Giving for Impact team within DMF that manages charitable giving funds and membership programs. In addition, she assists with operations and system processes. Emily joined the Foundation in 2021.
Michael Little
Mike directs the North Dakota Dental Foundation (NDDF) and the Optometric Foundation of North Dakota (OFND) under the general direction of the board of directors. Mike has been with NDDF and OFND since 2018.
Nate Mickelberg
Nate oversees and directs internal and external communications for Dakota Medical Foundation, including content creation, communications strategy, and media relations. Nate joined the Foundation in 2018.
Angela Nordstrom
Angie manages web logistics, media, and administrative processes for the Lend A Hand Up program. Angie joined the Foundation in 2021.
Jessica Offerman
Jessica leads internal operations, Giving Hearts Day charity experience, and special projects for the Foundation and its partner initiatives. Jessica joined the Foundation in 2015.
Matthew Ohren
Matt is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the websites and digital applications of DMF and all its partner health initiatives. Matt joined the Foundation in 2019.
Tanner Olson
Tanner coordinates pilot programs and special projects for the Foundation. In addition, he provides logistical support and charity resources for Giving Hearts Day. Tanner joined the Foundation in 2013.
Kim Palm
Kim is on the Giving for Impact team and coordinates the donor management system, membership programs, and charitable giving funds. Kim joined the Foundation in 2001.
Danielle Paulus
Danielle leads the engagement team within DMF that helps connect businesses and charities with engagement and volunteerism opportunities and trainings that will help provide long lasting relationships. Danielle joined the Foundation in 2022.
Jeana Peinovich
Jeana has directed Lend A Hand Up since its launch in 2008. Prior to 2008, Jeana was the Outreach Coordinator for DMF’s Covering Kids & Families Initiative. Jeana joined the Foundation in 2003.
Cheryl Poirier
Cheryl manages the DMF Center for Excellence. She greets guests by phone and in-person. She schedules and coordinates event space for nonprofits, employees and other groups. Cheryl joined the Foundation in 2017.
Amanda Sayre
Amanda oversees strategy and technical logistics for Giving Hearts Day. Amanda joined the Foundation in 2015.
Michael Schumacher, CPA
Mike is responsible for the finance and accounting functions of DMF and Impact Foundation. He supports the board of directors and manages investment functions for both Foundations. Mike joined the Foundation in 2013.
J. Patrick Traynor, JD
Pat directs 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 joined the Foundation 2000.