Northwest Minnesota Foundation ~ Developing Community Assets ~ Serving 12 Counties
Spring Brings Staff Changes to NMF
Left to right: Jane McKelvy, Jim Steenerson, Lin Backstrom
Lin Backstrom Program Manager – Early Childhood Lin was hired in 2003 to implement the Early Childhood Initiative in the region and it has grown to include 12 community coalitions. She worked with the Minnesota Initiative Foundations on the project to advocate statewide for early childhood care and education, which also went on to create the Thrive Initiative, focusing on strengthening early childhood mental health services for young children and families. She moves on beginning June 1 and will live in Minneapolis and on an avocado grove near Escondido, CA. She will continue advocating for the well-being of young children.
Jane McKelvy Senior Program Officer – Training Jane began in 1996 as a consultant for NMF on a diversity grant program. She was hired in 1997 as the training program manager, helping to design and overseeing Adult Leadership, LeaderImpact, STAR Teams, Nonprofit Excellence and the Cultural Competency and Diversity training programs, among others. She retired effective April 15th and plans to move to Asheville, NC.
Ritchie Houge Vice President for Philanthropic Services Ritchie was hired in 1997 to direct fund development in the region to grow endowments and retain assets. NMF added over 250 component and community funds and helped to build and promote philanthropy during his tenure. Ritchie left for a position as executive director of the Foundation at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville, TN. Ritch resigned March 23.
Jim Steenerson Senior Program Officer – Grants Jim was hired in 2001 to fill a vacant position in programs. Jim is responsible for grant programs, including on-site visits, research, analysis, and recommending actions to the board. He has been instrumental in developing the Healthy Lakes and Rivers program and working with housing programs in the region. He will retire June 1st, and will remain in the area, enjoying grandkids, gardening, golf, travel, and getting acquainted with new and old friends.
NMF President Nancy Vyskocil has kept succession planning front and center since starting out with the foundation in 2008. “We know the region is graying and changing,” she said, “and we are not immune to it. There will be a large turnover across all sectors in the next few years. There are opportunities and challenges coming along with it and we real-
It has often been said that change is the only real constant in life. That hasn’t really been the case with employment at NMF, where the primary program and administrative staff have remained in their jobs for over 15 years. This spring, that began to change, when 16-year NMF veteran Ritchie Houge left to take another job. Jane McKelvy, at NMF for nearly 15 years, is retiring along with Jim Steenerson, who has 11 years in his position. Then Lin Backstrom’s life took a new turn, as she makes plans to move out of the area.
(Continued on page 2)
Spring 2012 ~ Number 56 This is a quarterly publication of Northwest Minnesota Foundation
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gary Purath Chair Red Lake Falls Bob Hager Vice-Chair Roseau Laurie Wilson Secretary Crookston Judy Roy Treasurer Redby Tom Anderson Director Clearbrook Faye Auchenpaugh Director Thief River Falls Eric Bergeson Director Fertile Pete Haddeland Director Mahnomen Jody Horntvedt Director Baudette Jon Linnell Director Warren Leah Pigatti Director Park Rapids Jon Quistgaard Director Bemidji