OUR MISSION & VISION
United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Itasca-area communities. Our vision is an equitable Itasca Area where all people have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive.
BOARD & COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Are you interested in making a deeper impact in your community. United Way is currently recruiting individuals to serve on its 2026 Board of Directors and leadership committees, with the new board term beginning in July 2026. We welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including individuals with expertise in business, finance, education, health care, marketing, public policy, nonprofit leadership, and community development.
Board & Committee Leadership
Behind all of our work are committed and caring volunteers who are give time and talent to improve the quality of life across our community. We are grateful to work with many qualified and creative professionals who make invaluable contributions year-round by serving on one of our volunteer committees. Our committee members provide a diversity of expertise and experience to advance United Way’s mission to create a community where every person has the opportunities and resources needed to thrive.
Board of Directors brings community voice to United Way’s decision-making and is charged with stewardship and accountability to maintain the trust of the community.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Connie Braiedy, Community Member
Jeff Gervais, MDI
Dan Giles, Northview Bank
Nikki Knapp, Consultant (Vice President)
David Kooda, Community Member
Hannah Madden, Enjoy Unbound (Past President)
Rhonda Mecl, Community Member
Ryan Patton, Lake Country Power
Sara Rose, Grand Properties Real Estate
Becky Thurman, Park State Bank (Treasurer)
Beth Wilson, , Essentia Health (Secretary)
Danielle Witherill, Edward Jones, Financial Advisor (President)
STAFF
Kimberly Brink Smith, Executive Director
Molly Hiipakka, Community Impact Coordinator
COMMUNITY IMPACT COMMITTEE
Jeff Gervais, MDI (Chair)
Anglea Oelke, Grand Rapids High School
Ryan Patton, Lake Country Power
Myrna Peterson, Community Member
Jennifer Raushel, Members Cooperative Credit Union
2025 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PANEL
Teresa Alto, Minnesota North, retired
Alan Anderberg, Community Member
Connie Braiedy, Community Member (Board Liaison)
Jessie Buckalew, Community Member
Sierra Napoli-Thein, Essentia Health
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Taylor Apedaile, Taylor Apedaile Photography
Hannah Madden, Enjoy Unbound
Rhonda Mecl, (Chair)
Dylan Owens, Photographer / Filmmaker
Sara Rose, Grand Properties Real Estate
Brittany Townley, Adams MultiMedia
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Connie Braiedy, Community Member
Jeff Gervais, MDI
Nikki Knapp, Consultant
Shilo Knapp, Community Member
Dave Kooda, Lake Country Power (Chair)
Jane Shade, Minnesota North College
Beth Wilson, Essentia Health
Danielle Witherill, Edward Jones
BOARD & COMMITTEE OPENINGS
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has a governance mandate and is responsible for ensuring the United Way’s mission and strategic plan are achieved. Board members are responsible for:
- Providing strategic leadership to United Way: establishing the long-term direction and vision; monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the strategic plan; overseeing the financial health of the organization; and providing insights to inform organizational decisions.
- Acting as a positive and passionate ambassador for United Way both in the board room and out in the community.
- Has a willingness to connect the organization to capital such as: financial resources or prospective donors; policy makers or community leaders; diverse populations or community issue subject matter experts
- Keeping informed about the organization, its issues, and its connection to the community through active participation
Meetings are held monthly for usually 1.5 hours. Each board member is also expected to serve on a committee that strives to meet at least quarterly and more often as needed (the approximate meeting time is 1 hour). In addition, board members are asked to attend 4-6 special events throughout the year.
Community Impact Committee
The Community Impact Committee aspires to achieve lasting community change on the most pressing human and social issues facing our community. The committee guides United Way strategies and invests resources to achieve established community priorities, while also guiding the ongoing development of the priorities themselves, to ensure they remain relevant and responsive to our community. The committee actively seeks partners to implement activities and measures results to ensure efficacy. Volunteers are recruited from the not-for-profit, public, and private sectors. Community Impact Committee supports the Community Investment Process.
This committee meets on an as-needed basis, but strives to meet at least quarterly.
Marketing and Public Relations
The Marketing Committee’s role is to direct United Way’s overall marketing and strategic planning programs, and corporate communications. Facilitate investor development through promotions and marketing programs. The committee shall design, implement, and facilitate annual marketing plan, administer the marketing budget; help coordinate special events. Oversee corporate communications activities including external communications, internal communications, and public relations efforts. Volunteers are recruited from the not-for-profit, public, and private sectors.
This committee meets on an as-needed basis, but strives to meet at least quarterly.
Resource Development Committee
The Resource Development Committee provides leadership and management for direction, planning, and execution of fundraising and development related activities. It is the goal to establish meaningful donor-investor relationships by developing and implementing strategic plans, providing leadership and guidance for staff and volunteers, planning, developing, and executing strategies for obtaining private donations, identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gift prospects (individuals, corporations and foundations). Provide for on-going promotion of planned giving opportunities, overseeing, managing and/or planning advancement events.
This committee meets on an as-needed basis, but strives to meet at least quarterly.
WORKING AT UNITED WAY
At United Way, we lead by example. We hold ourselves and our partners accountable. We’re open to new and creative ideas, and we’re dedicated to representing the entire community in our staff.
UNITED WAY OF 1000 LAKES
United Way of 1000 Lakes began in 1963 as the United Fund of Grand Rapids, organized by volunteers to raise money to help more than twenty local charities. Today, United Way of 1000 Lakes has evolved from its roots as a fundraising organization to a community convener which mobilizes local partners including businesses, community leaders, public officials, and residents to develop opportunities for people to succeed. Our focus is on three key building blocks: a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family, and good mental and physical health. United Way helps to identify community needs, create solutions, and fund local programs that deliver health and human services directly to the people in our community.
UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE
United Way was formed in 1887 when a Denver priest, two ministers, and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their city’s welfare problems. The first campaign raised $21,700 for 22 agencies.
By the 1950s, more than 1,000 communities across the United States and Canada had established United Ways. In 1974, United Ways raised nearly $1.04 billion, marking the first time in history that a single organization raised more than $1 billion in an annual campaign. Over its long history, United Way has helped with everything from the Persian Gulf War to the Olympic torch relay to the President’s Summit for America’s Future. It’s won awards, such as the Charity of Choice from Financial World magazine. Across the country, United Ways now raise more than $4 billion annually.
Accountability & Transparency
At United Way of 1000 Lakes, we believe accountability and transparency are essential to earning and maintaining our community’s trust. Each year, we publicly share our IRS Form 990, which provides an overview of our programs, governance, leadership compensation, and financial activities. We also engage an independent certified public accountant to conduct an annual financial review, providing an additional level of oversight and assurance regarding our financial statements and stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.
As a member of United Way Worldwide, we adhere to membership standards and best practices designed to promote ethical leadership, sound governance, and financial integrity. Together, these commitments reflect our promise to be thoughtful stewards of donor dollars and to maximize our impact in building a stronger community for all.
United Way Worldwide membership signifies our commitment to meeting rigorous standards for governance, ethics, financial stewardship, and community impact.
Charity Navigator’s Four-Star rating reflects our commitment to transparency, ethical practices, financial stewardship, and earning donor trust.