MNRAAA Announces Four New Board of Directors

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The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MNRAAA) is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to the Board of Directors: Kellian Clink, Candace Fenske, Kimberly Holm, and Catie Lee.

Kellian Clink of Mankato currently serves as a professor at Minnesota State University-Mankato within the library and is an active member on campus and in her communities. She has experience volunteering with hospice and at the Connections Ministry. Ms. Clink also works with the Blue Earth County Social Services Task Force and liaises between the student government and the faculty association. A member of the American Library Association and the Minnesota Library Association, Ms. Clink has received awards from Minnesota State University-Mankato and the Being a Difference Award from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy Center for the Public Trust.

 

Catie Lee is the Director of Swift County Human Services. Lee is the current Equity Chair for the Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators (MACSSA) and has served on the Benson Communities Memory Loss Network and non-profits that have worked with the developmentally disabled population and public health. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Lee has completed the Equity Works Leadership program offered through the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and holds a master’s Degree from Capella University.

 

Kimberly Holm is a graduate of Minnesota State University-Mankato with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. Holm is currently the Executive Director of the Southwestern Minnesota Adult Mental Health Consortium (SMAMHC). SMAMHC is dedicated to improving the mental health of the 18 counties they serve. Holm is active in her community as a volunteer in her church and assisting fundraisers for the Hawk Creek Animal Shelter. One of Ms. Holm’s favorite quotes is, “There is no health without mental health.”

 

Candace Fenske spent her career in health care management, starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), becoming a registered nurse focusing on geriatrics, and retiring as a rural hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms. Fenske has stayed active with MNRAAA as a volunteer through her role as a member of the Planning Committee. She focuses on developing affordable housing for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Ms. Fenske continues to advocate for equitable healthcare access for diverse populations.

 

“I am thrilled to have Candace, Catie, Kellian, and Kimberly join our Board of Directors. Candace and Kellian have previously served on our Board and continue to bring new insights into the aging network. Catie and Kimberly are new to the Board. Catie brings great insight into the front-line struggles of workforce shortage and areas in which to work with caregivers. Kimberly’s knowledge of direct care and the continued need to address mental health will assist MNRAAA in reaching those with the greatest economic and social need.” stated Jason W. Swanson, Executive Director of MNRAAA.

When joining the board, the new board members were asked about their areas of interest or concern regarding older adults and caregiving.

“How do we, as a community, respond to the needs? With strong listening and research skills, concern, and sensitivity, we can discern the needs, celebrate the triumphs and lived experiences, and make our community the best place to age!” responded Clink.

Fenske said, “Providing advocacy and education for older adults to live well at home. Raising awareness around supportive services such as nutrition, transportation, and education.”

“Assisting individuals who may be coping with the loss of a loved one and providing education around grief while supporting healthy mental health,” replied Holm.

Lee stated, “My personal area of interest is memory loss and how to support individuals and families as they grapple with this.”

“On behalf of MNRAAA, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our newest board members. Their diverse expertise and commitment will undoubtedly bring new and fresh perspectives to the organization. We look forward to their invaluable contributions as we move forward in this important work of supporting older adults.” stated Khou Lor, MNRAAA Board Chair.

The MNRAAA Board of Directors is a volunteer governing board that features professionals from the twenty-seven-county area, ranging from a Director of Nursing Services at an area hospital to a retired superintendent. For more information or interest, please visit our website at www.mnraaa.org.

 

About MNRAAA

MNRAAA’s vision is to assist older adults to thrive. MNRAAA provides advocacy, information, resources, and assistance so that older adults in southwest Minnesota can maintain the lifestyle of their choice. Learn more about MNRAAA at www.mnraaa.org

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MNRAAA Announces New Board of Directors Members

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February 3, 2023 – The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MNRAAA) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the Board of Directors: Dianne Crowley and Deborah Rezac.

Dianne Crowley of Slayton recently retired as the Finance Director for the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC). During her tenure at SRDC, Crowley worked closely with the Southwest Area Agency on Aging from its inception and through the transition of Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. into a separate entity. Crowley is familiar with many of the programs of MNRAAA and values them, especially the Senior Linkage Line, as a vital link for seniors and caregivers in the area.  Crowley continues to work with her husband on the family farm. Crowley has been active in numerous organizations in Southwest Minnesota, including Girl Scouts, Hospice of Murray County, 4-H and Lake Wilson Study Club. Crowley is interested in assisting caregivers in finding services for their loved ones.

Deborah Rezac of Mankato is a Sales Associate for Cal-Am Properties. Before moving back to Mankato to serve as a caregiver, Rezac was active in Wisconsin’s aging and diversity professions. As a specialist with the Western Wisconsin Area Agency on Aging, Rezac transitioned to the Diversity Director at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. She remains active in diversity efforts within the Mankato area.

Rezac stated that “I want to serve on this board to continue and expand the services to the most vulnerable, to find new ways to build collaborative systems born out of capacities and assets of each community, county, and tribal sovereign nations within the MNRAAA region.” “(We need) to reach those who are not totally computer orientated and visibly work with people who work better one-on-one” was Crowley’s response to wanting to join the MNRAAA Board.

“Deborah and Dianne have worked professionally and at a volunteer level with the aging and caregiving population. They bring expertise and shared knowledge of how we can work to assist older adults to thrive,” stated Jason W. Swanson, Executive Director of MNRAAA.

“Deborah’s experience working in non-profit organizations focused on older adults will bring invaluable information to MNRAAA,” stated Kandyce Peton, Board Chair for MNRAAA. “Dianne’s financial background will be a nice addition to our board. It will be fun working with both individuals,” continued Peton.

The MNRAAA Board of Directors, which feature professionals from the twenty-seven-county area, ranging from a Director of Nursing Services at an area hospital to a registered dietitian, is a volunteer governing board.

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MNRAAA Announces Retirement of Board Chair, Robert Roesler and election of the new Board Chair, Kandyce Peton

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The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) has announced a new chair for their board of directors, Kandyce Peton. Peton will take over the role on January 1, 2023. Peton will take over as Robert Roesler retires from the board of directors.

Robert Roesler

“Roesler has been an integral part of the organization,” stated Jason W. Swanson, MNRAAA executive director. “He saw the final transition from the regional development commissions into a stand-alone non-profit and the transition from the previous executive director, Linda Giersdorf, to me.” Roesler served as the chair of the board for the last six years.

“As my term on the Board of Directors at MNRAAA comes to a close, I wish to thank the staff, management team, and the many board members I have had the privilege to work with in the past years. I look forward to seeing the many new opportunities for seniors provided for by MNRAAA in the future.” Roesler stated on his retirement.

“Roesler has done a phenomenal job mentoring not only myself, our staff, and our board. Peton has been and will continue to be a strong advocate for older adults in our area,” commented Swanson.

Kandyce Peton

Peton currently lives in Courtland and is a retired registered nurse who has worked nationally in hospitals, health systems and specialty surgery centers. She is a graduate of Connecting Nicollet County, a leadership development program. Ms. Peton participated as a volunteer nurse with the Southwest Minnesota National Honor Flight to assist World War II veterans in traveling to Washington, D.C. She currently volunteers in her community and participates in activities at her local church.

“I am so excited; this is going to be a great year. We have a lot of stuff going on, and I am thrilled to be a part of this organization,” stated Peton about her becoming the new Board Chair.

The MNRAAA Board of Directors, which features professionals from the twenty-seven-county area, is a volunteer governing board. Members of the board range from a director of nursing services at an area hospital to a registered dietitian. For more information or if you are interested, please visit our website at www.mnraaa.org.

About the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging

MNRAAA’s vision is to assist older adults to thrive. MNRAAA provides advocacy, information, resources, and assistance so that older adults in southwest Minnesota can maintain the lifestyle of their choice. Learn more about MNRAAA at www.mnraaa.org.

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Khou Lor Announced as a New MNRAAA Board of Directors Member

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MNRAAA is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to the Board of Directors. Khou Lor has been appointed to serve on the MNRAAA Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2022.

Khou Lor of Tracy, MN, is the Rural Equity Specialist with the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF). Within her community, Lor is a board member of the Tracy Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and a member of the Tracy Area Foundation. She has also been involved with the Southwest Hmong Community. Lor was asked what interests her about the aging population; “I have an interest in trauma/healing in our aging community. When we talk about cultural groups, often, there is trauma from past disruption of place, family, and home. I want to dig more into what that means for our older generations.” Lor enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter in her spare time and is an avid photographer who enjoys visual art.

“Khou has been an advocate for her community for many years. We are fortunate to have her experience and passion join our Board of Directors,” stated Jason W. Swanson, Executive Director of MNRAAA.

“MNRAAA is excited with the recent appointment of Khou to the Board of Directors. She will be able to assist MNRAAA in finding innovative solutions to assist older adults to thrive,” noted Robert Roesler, Board Chair for MNRAAA.

The MNRAAA Board of Directors, which feature professionals from the twenty-seven-county area, ranging from a retired hospital administrator to a registered nurse, is a volunteer governing board. For more information or if you are interested, please visit our website at www.mnraaa.org.

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