United Way of 1000 Lakes is proud to announce the election of new members and officers to its Board of Directors for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, which began July 1, 2025.

As part of this year’s transition, the organization expresses deep gratitude to three outgoing directors who recently completed their terms: Angie Tanner, Tanis Henderson, and Patrick Lovejoy. Together, they contributed nine years of combined service, guiding United Way’s mission to mobilize the caring power of community. Their leadership helped advance initiatives that support local families through education, health, financial stability, and community resilience.

“United Way is stronger today because of the dedication of these board members,” said Kim Brink Smith, United Way executive director. “Their insight and commitment helped us navigate new challenges and expand opportunities for people in our region to thrive.”

Five community leaders have joined the board, bringing diverse expertise and perspectives to the table:

Connie Braiedy, Grand Rapids
Connie Braiedy is a retired educator who spent her career fostering a love of learning and helping students succeed. Now active in volunteerism, she brings her passion for youth and families to United Way’s mission. “I’ve seen firsthand how much our community cares about its young people,” Braiedy shared. “I’m honored to continue supporting them through United Way.”

Jeff Gervais, Bovey
Born and raised in St. Paul, Jeff Gervais has spent more than three decades with MDI (Minnesota Diversified Industries) and currently serves as Operations Manager at the company’s Cohasset facility. Jeff and his wife, Nicole, have been together for more than 24 years and are proud parents and grandparents. “One of our goals was to settle in a smaller community and start giving back,” Gervais said. “What better way to do that than with United Way?”

Nikki Knapp, Grand Rapids
Nikki Knapp works as a safety professional at ALLETE – Minnesota Power. Since moving with her family to northern Minnesota three years ago, she has quickly embraced the area as home. Nikki brings both professional expertise and a strong belief in the power of community. “United Way’s work stays local, and I love knowing that every effort directly helps our neighbors,” Knapp noted.

Rhonda Mecl, Grand Rapids
Rhonda Mecl is retired from a career as a federal employee in public health protection. She has dedicated much of her time to community engagement and volunteer service, with a focus on supporting health and well-being. “The most rewarding part of service is seeing how it improves lives,” Mecl said. “I look forward to supporting United Way’s efforts to build a healthier, stronger Itasca area.”

Ryan Patton, Bovey
Ryan Patton is a Senior Engineer with Lake Country Power and has a long history of volunteering in the community. “What drew me to United Way was its strong focus on creating real and lasting impact right here in our local area,” Patton said. Though new to the board, he has already found the experience meaningful. “It’s been great to meet the other members. Each brings unique backgrounds and skills, yet all share the same passion for helping others.”

Along with the new additions to its Board of Directors, United Way also appointed officers to its Executive Committee for FY26. These leaders guide governance priorities and ensure strong alignment between the organization’s mission and community needs:

Hannah Madden, Hwy 35 (President)
Danielle Witherall, Edward Jones, Financial Advisor (Vice President)
Mike Larson, Minnesota DNR (Treasurer)
Sara Rose, Grand Properties Real Estate / Grand Rapids Herald Review (Secretary)
Leanna McBride, Grand Dental Center (Past President)

Continuing their service as board members-at-large are Joe Dasovich, Itasca County Sheriff; David Kooda, retired from Lake Country Power; Jeff Niemala, Niemala Mediation; Darlene Peters, Park State Bank; and Beth Wilson, Cass Lake Bena Schools.

The organization maintains a board of 12 to 21 members, creating space for a variety of backgrounds, skills, and community perspectives. This diversity helps ensure decisions reflect the people and places the organization serves, while staggered terms provide stability and continuity over time.

“We are excited to welcome such a talented group of leaders to our board,” said Smith. “These individuals care deeply about Itasca County and surrounding communities and every person who lives here. Each brings a unique perspective that strengthens our work to build resiliency and create opportunities for families to thrive across generations.”

United Way of 1000 Lakes achieves its impact by mobilizing communities around shared goals and addressing critical issues through a collaborative, multi-faceted approach. By bringing together donors, volunteers, partners, and local leaders, the organization strengthens services, responds to emerging needs, and creates lasting opportunities for children, families, and the region as a whole.

For more information about United Way of 1000 Lakes’ leadership and impact, visit uwakes.org or call 218-999-7570.