Board of Directors
PrairieCare Fund has a volunteer board of directors who bring diverse skills and interests to the organization - who all share the same deep level of passion for our mission. If you are interested in meeting with a board member, or are interested in joining our team, please click here to contact us directly.
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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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Heidi Northrup - Secretary & Treasurer
Heidi currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at South Lake Pediatrics, and has been a highly committed founding board member of the PrairieCare Fund. She has successfully developed innovative partnerships with other health care providers, including mental and behavioral health. Heidi is an advocate for effective identification and treatment of youth struggling with mental illnesses, and providing support for their families. |
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Bryan Aitkens - Board Member
In my day to day professional life I Co-Own and Manage 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. I first came in contact with PrairieCare over 10 years ago and have been involved with staffing since then. That involvement lead me to learning more about PrairieCare Fund and have enjoyed being involved and sponsoring events for the Fund for the past 5 years. I was drawn to the mission because of the people involved and the community we serve. Mental Health has directly impacted my family and friends and I wanted to help make an impact on our future. Education and awareness is critical and I am passionate about how the Fund supports both. I am supported by two amazing little girls and an equally amazing wife that also understand the importance. |
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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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Erica Larson - Board Member
Erica is Vice President at St. Paul based architecture and interior design firm Pope Design Group where she leads and manages the company's healthcare practice. She has designed a wide array of healthcare facilities across the Twin Cities and throughout the Midwest. Erica has been instrumental in developing and shaping Pope Design Group's Behavioral and Mental Health practice, where she is able to combine her passion for thoughtful design with reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. Erica is driven to help create healing spaces that provide patients with a sense of equality, support and reassurance. |
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JoAnne Hoffman, MD - Board Member
In more than 23 years at South Lake Pediatrics, Dr. Hoffman has initiated and implemented integration of mental and behavioral health into part of “routine” pediatrics care. JoAnne initiated clinic wide screening for mental health and chemical use, developed formal relationships with multiple mental health partners including some co-location. She has a strong belief that physical and mental health cannot and should not be separated continues to drive forth new initiatives and community collaboration. |
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Maureen Pryor - Board Member
Maureen is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and worked as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for 19 years. She is also passionate about making a difference through the power of art. She recently transitioned from her teaching career into art consulting. She is the project manager for Nolo Art Consulting in Minneapolis - a company started by her husband that curates and procures art collections for apartment buildings, hotels, and corporate collections locally and nationally. Maureen has seen and felt the importance of mental health awareness and advocacy through her extensive experience working with young children and their families who struggle with mental health issues in addition to the struggles of those within with her own family. She believes teachers and children shouldn’t feel isolated and struggle alone and that by providing resources and tools to our schools we can make a significant impact in our teacher’s and children’s well-being. |
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Mike Stark - Board Member
Mike is a native of MN and has worked in the design and construction industry for 10+ years. He is a graduate of the University of MN, with a Bachelor of Design in Architecture. Mike leads the development of Kraus-Anderson’s project teams and strategic growth in the healthcare market. Throughout his career he has worn the design, real estate, and construction hat in roles for both the owner and construction manager. This diverse experience allows Mike to engage project partners to think differently and build more efficiently when constructing environments that provide healing spaces for our communities. He is passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and resources for our youth that will have positive long term impacts. |
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Quinn Handahl - Board Member
Quinn is a member of the Minnesota Twins Front Office, who leads and manages the Target Field Events department. Quinn and her team are responsible for the coordination and execution of all non-baseball related events within Target Field. Quinn was introduced to the Fund during the planning and coordination of the 2016 and 2017 Gala’s, which were hosted at the ballpark. She officially joined the Event Committee as a member in 2017, and currently serves as the committee Treasurer. Quinn was immediately drawn to the mission and vision of the fund to bring mental health awareness and programming into Minnesota communities specifically, schools. As a high achiever with her own mental health struggles as a child, she hopes the impact of these programs can help students and families in similar scenarios have the resources and tools she did not. |
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Rhoda Beaird - Board Member
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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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. |
Inaugural Board Members
Marsha Swails - Ex-Officio Board Member & Inaugural Board Chair