Initiative Foundation Staff

Matt Varilek | President | mvarilek(at)ifound.org | (320) 631-2005

"For 35 years, the Initiative Foundation has empowered local people to build thriving communities across Central Minnesota. The Foundation’s staff—working in conjunction with a diverse array of partners—plays a critical role in the important work of making our region an ideal place where people choose to live, work, give and play."

View our Board of Trustee summary statement on .

Why do we love it here? Listen to staff members as they share what working at the Initiative Foundation means to them.

Doug Adams
Business Finance Officer
dadams(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2063

Jessy Beto
Program Specialist
jbeto(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2057

Kate Bjorge
Community Philanthropy Manager
kbjorge(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2048

Daniel Bullert
Senior Business Finance Manager
dbullert(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2013

Mike Burton
External Relations Officer
mburton(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2059

Lynn Bushinger
Chief Financial & Operations Officer, Treasurer
lbushinger(at)ifound.org | (320) 631-2041

Abdi Daisane
Enterprise Academy Program Officer
adaisane(at)ifound.org
(320) 207-4888

Chris Fastner
Initiators Fellowship Program Manager
cfastner(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2019

Yadira Frey
Office & Facilities Coordinator
yfrey(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2020

Brenda Gugglberger
Development Specialist
bgugglberger(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2061

Don Hickman
Vice President for Community
& Workforce Development
dhickman(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2043

Barb Larson
Accounting Specialist
blarson(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2017

Laura Larson
Entrepreneurship Specialist
llarson(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2064

MaryAnn Lindell
Director of Administration
mlindell(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2004

Hannah Mayhew
Enterprise Academy Intern
eaintern(at)ifound.org
(320) 270-6019

Bob McClintick
Marketing & Communications Director
bmcclintick(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2008

Michele Miller

Michele Miller
Director of Finance
mmiller(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2050

Carl Newbanks
Grants & Development Manager
cnewbanks(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2042

Allison Norgren
Marketing & Communications Specialist
anorgren(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2001

Robin Skinner
Three Rivers Community Foundation Administrative Assistant
rskinner(at)ifound.org
(763) 218-1974

Kimberly Slipy
Information Systems Administrator
kslipy(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2014

Kasey Stevens
Accountant
kstevens(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2049

Zach Tabatt
Nonprofit Development Program Officer
ztabatt(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2015

Kerie Thoma
Program Specialist
kthoma(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2054

Matt Varilek
President
mvarilek(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2005

Carie Verley
Finance Specialist
cverley(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2010

Brian Voerding
Vice President for Inclusive Entrepreneurship
bvoerding(at)ifound.org
(320) 631-2006

Among our many partners are several certified Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFIs, that help us meet our goals to empower the people of Central Minnesota.