Meet our Board of Directors
The success of PrairieCare Fund is greatly attributed to the dedicated advocates within our board of directors. These individuals play a crucial role in driving our mission forward by serving as passionate ambassadors for the organization. Through leveraging their connections, networks, and resources, our board members actively work to develop collective action aimed at achieving our organization's mission. Together, they collaborate to strengthen our mission and vision, ensuring that we make the most significant impact possible on Minnesota communities.
Their unwavering commitment and leadership are instrumental in guiding PrairieCare Fund towards fulfilling our goal of improving mental health resources and support for youth across the state. We are deeply grateful for their invaluable contributions.
Their unwavering commitment and leadership are instrumental in guiding PrairieCare Fund towards fulfilling our goal of improving mental health resources and support for youth across the state. We are deeply grateful for their invaluable contributions.
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Ann Fritz - President
Ann serves as a Partner at ESG Architects in Minneapolis as well as Director of Interiors. She is known for award-winning work across the country in urban residential, hospitality, and workplace environments. Many of the trendy restaurants, condo buildings, and hotels here in Minneapolis are signature projects of Ann’s. Like most members of the board, she developed compassion for those struggling with mental health because of what she witnessed within her family, friends, and associates. |
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Rhoda Beaird - Treasurer
With more than 25 years of experience, Rhoda provides accounting and consulting services to entrepreneurial clients within multiple professional service industries, with a special focus in medical and dental practices. She listens carefully and learns the ins and outs of her clients' businesses to help solve unique problems. She has extensive experience with compensation formula preparation, internal control structures, budgeting and analysis, accounting assistance, and payroll reporting and related issues. Rhoda is also a part of the medical/dental go-to-market team that delivers industry-focused tax, accounting, and consulting solutions. Whether she is reading a book, going for a run or enjoying her flower garden, Rhoda prefers to be outside in her free time. She also loves spending time with her two daughters. |
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Liz Jaunich - Secretary
Bio Coming Soon |
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Bryan Aitkens - Board Member At-Large
In Bryan's day to day professional life he is Co-Owner and Manager of 2 small businesses, CorBridge Solutions and One Healthcare Solution. One assists with recruitment and the other partners with Healthcare organizations to manage their Revenue Cycle. Bryan first came in contact with PrairieCare over 10 years ago and have been involved with staffing since then. That involvement lead him to learning more about PrairieCare Fund and has enjoyed being involved and sponsoring events for PrairieCare Fund for the past 5 years. Bryan was drawn to the mission because of the people involved and the community PrairieCare Fund serves. Mental Health has directly impacted his family and friends and he wanted to help make an impact on our future. Education and awareness is critical and he is passionate about how PrairieCare Fund supports both. He is supported by two amazing little girls and an equally amazing wife that also understand the importance. |
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Randy Drager - Board Member At-Large
Randy currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Planned Parenthood North Central States, and formerly served as Vice-President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of PrairieCare. For over 30 years Randy has been passionate about working for and supporting healthcare organizations that serve some of the most vulnerable members of the community and has been a proud supporter of the PrairieCare Fund since its inception. |
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Billy Beson - Board Member
Billy brings a wealth of knowledge in driving a mission forward. The running of his corporation for 40 plus years has taught him how to get things done the right way, in a short amount of time. He has a deep rooted passion for advocating for mental health and making a difference in the community. With his deeply rooted connections within Minnesota communities and businesses, Billy looks forward to bringing more awareness to the needs of Minnesota schools and youth mental health. |
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Misty Bowe - Board Member
Misty started her career in the commercial real estate industry in 2003. Since 2009, her focus has been exclusively in the healthcare sector. Misty is responsible for providing consulting and advisory services to healthcare clients offering a unique understanding of the issues specific to their practices. She brings her clients unbiased, uncompromised representation and is a true advocate and extension of their internal team. Misty has been an advocate of PrairieCare Fund for several years with a passion for changing the landscape of mental illness. She strives to raise awareness of the many struggles people with mental illness face, especially youth. She is eager to get to work in driving the mission of PrairieCare Fund forward and is excited to be part of the board. |
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Kyle Johnson - Board Member
Kyle has worked the past 15 years in IT in consulting, operations, and leadership positions. He uses his skill sets to build business solutions leveraging IT as the apparatus to do so. Through his work he has had the opportunity to work closely with all structures, sizes, and needs of different organizations. Many of these organizations are non-profits which he has had the opportunity to help create solutions and support at a personal level. He was drawn to PrairieCare Fund hoping to further bridge the gap between the demand for mental health services and the access available today. |
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Tom Lehman - Board Member
Tom is a political consultant and founder of The Lehman Group, which represents a variety of health care clients at the state and national level. Tom’s relationship with PrairieCare began in 2007 and he is a passionate advocate for mental health services for children and teens. During his over 30 years in Minnesota politics, he has fought for health care policies that improve the lives of people. |
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Elizabeth McCray - Board Member
Beth has a passion for seeing nonprofit landscapes thrive. Beth brings expertise on planned giving, endowments, and charitable planning. Inspiring generosity is truly Beth's vocation… the place at which deep passion meets the world’s deep need. Beth is passionate about working toward a more just and equitable society and has served on more than a number of nonprofit boards. Beth has been volunteering in the community and with schools for over 3 decades. |
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Tim Mortenson - Board Member
Bio Coming Soon |
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Brian Murray - Board Member
Brian is the Chief Executive Officer at Ryan Companies. He has been a staunch advocate of decreasing the stigma of mental illnesses, and connecting youth and families with necessary care. Brian is a talented leader and brings his compassion for making change to the board, which translates to making a real impact in our communities. |
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Elizabeth Stephan - Board Member
Elizabeth is deeply passionate about PrairieCare Fund’s mission and vision for youth mental health. From family members and close relationships, she knows first-hand the impact to build strong mental health skills, build psychological safe environments, and provide mental health treatment. She is not only eager but fully dedicated to contributing her skills and experience to champion the well-being of young individuals facing mental health challenges, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive. |
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Janie Westbrook - Board Member
Janie has over 30 years of extensive sales, project management and business development experience which she uses to navigate and embrace the diversity, equity, and inclusion arena. Her vast experience in working within the corporate, non-profit, government, medical and educational vertical markets has allowed her to cultivate and nurture successful long-term business relationships. Janie is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BA in Journalism; she has several sales and business development certifications from Fortune 100 companies and business organizations. Janie has been in Minnesota for over 40 years, she is married to Jeffrey Westbrook, they have two adult children and three grandchildren, she is an active member of her church helping wherever is needed. Janie enjoys traveling, cooking, especially baking, adult coloring, and various needle crafts, i.e. knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Most of all she enjoys meeting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and showing the compassion of Christ when given the opportunity. |
Inaugural Board Members
Marsha Swails - Inaugural Board Chair
JoAnne Hoffman Jecha, MD - Inaugural Board Member
Heidi Northrup - Inaugural Board Member
JoAnne Hoffman Jecha, MD - Inaugural Board Member
Heidi Northrup - Inaugural Board Member