What is your role on the Board?
The title I have on the Max Marvin Foundation board is Treasurer, but I will also be donating my time and resources to help wherever it is needed.
Why is the success of this foundation important to you?
To me this foundation represents the concentrated effort of people with ideas, means, and motivation to make a difference in the lives of not just kids or one community, but an entire region. Suicide and depression have either directly or indirectly affected almost everyone. They are difficult concepts, and the more we can do to normalize open conversation and get more minds working together on help and prevention, the better off everyone will be.
What do you hope the Max Foundation can accomplish?
My hope is that the Max Foundation can find the right people with the right expertise to donate resources to, and that the result will be communities with the tools to prevent suicide and support those struggling with their mental health. Whether that’s with in-school programs, therapists, community projects, or access to mental health training for whoever wants it. The Max Foundation is working in the right direction and I’m proud to be part of it.
What is your favorite memory/experience with Max?
Max had a way of fitting in wherever he was – even with a team of girls a few years older than him. When I was on the Warroad Girls JV Hockey team, Max would join us for practices, and they were always better when he was there. Max would show us the stick handling tricks he was practicing and chat with anyone nearby. The kid never got winded. I specifically remember when he was telling us he was going to get bigger shoulder pads and start checking soon – he was so excited and proud that he was moving up to that level in hockey. We were all happy for him even though it didn’t affect us at all, he was just contagious like that.
What are the highlights of your life personally?
I am thankful for my husband, my dog, my family and my home. I might not be the kind of lucky person that wins at scratchers or raffles, but I was born blessed with people who love me and a good life.
Please give a brief summary of your professional/work experiences
I skipped around and ended up back where I started. In high school and into college I worked as a teller at Security State Bank of Warroad. After graduating college with a degree in management I went to work at my husband’s family’s resort for a few years. After deciding that the resort business was not for me, I was offered a job back at Security State Bank and with Security State Insurance. I have happily been with those businesses since.