Some Tiny Notes of Gratitude - 2015

Some Tiny Notes of Gratitude - Thanksgiving 2015

Thank you ………

Ben Aase – for the chance to finally work together

Gary Ablan – for the invitation to think with you about what’s next

Athena Adkins – for a great brainstorming session and an unexpected Cookie Cart delivery

Omar Akbar – for being an exceptional search committee chair & new friend in the process

Stan Alleyne – for inviting me to join you for HHH Public Leadership Awards Dinner

Judy Alnes – for supporting Pollen’s growth and strengthening MN’s civic ecosystem

Jen Alstad – for bringing design, philanthropy and social entrepreneurship together in new ways

Stephanie Andrews – for the opportunity to make it feel like we’re still office neighbors

Brad Ballinger – for an amazing introduction to your culinary gifts and consulting prowess

Allison Barmann – for the chance to work together in support of Genesys Works – Twin Cities

Kate Barr – for being a fellow co-founder of the INFJ networking circle of trust & encouragement

Julie Bates MacGillis – for teaching me about interim leadership in a lived experience

Briana Bierschbach – for the chance to talk all things MinnPost

Peg Birk – for being my mom, my professional role model & original civic connector in my life

JoAnn Birkholz – for a great conversation at Good Day Cafe

Judy Blaseg – for the chance to hear more about the org that took such good care of my Gpa Jack Birk

Brenna Brelie – for a great coffee at Workhorse Coffee Bar

Ronnie Brooks – for your work to build the human network that is the Shannon Fellows 

Lynn Casey – for always making the time to share counsel, ideas and support

Kevin Cashman – for not dismissing the 22 yr old who asked for your advice 16 yrs ago

Peg Chemberlin – for your counsel and friendship

Bernadette Christiansen – for the opportunity to partner with you at McKnight Foundation

Katie Clark Sieben – for working to strengthen MN for all entrepreneurs and change makers

Julie Cohen – for inspiring me by taking your own leap of faith into the Pollen hive

Emmett Coleman – for not cutting the friendship cord when we cut the cord

Ted Davis – for your hospitality and connection as new neighbors in Midway

Paul DeBettignies – for seeking to use your recruiting prowess for good in our community and region

Jim Delaney – for working to engage the corporate sector in the civic networks of MN

Etty DeVeaux – for the opportunity to share with University of MN professional & administrative leaders

Stephanie Devitt – for a great conversation about engagement, recruiting and civic impact

Rebecca Driscoll – for continuing to be a trusted mentor, advisor and connector for our work

Sarah Duniway – for the opportunity to brainstorm together

Daniel Duty – for finally getting coffee after too many years of missed connections

Kevin Ebben – for all that you give to the boys and families of Mounds View Basketball Association

Andrew Eklund – for living your life transparently and authentically & inspiring others in the process

Carolyn Egeberg – for inviting me to become part of the CaringBridge story over lunch at Pepito’s

Mandy Ellerton – for giving hope to Dr. M. Oliver Johnson’s vision for culinary expansion

Sherry Essen – for the chance to brainstorm together about possibilities  

Irene Fernando – for being you and inspiring others in the process

Jon Fletcher – for the chance to work together on Bridge for Youth

Jessica Fleuti – for inviting me to join the Net Impact national conference conversation

Jeff Freeland Nelson – for the early sneak peek of YOXO’s amazing work and continued friendship

Kathy Gaalswyk – for the opportunity to partner with you at Initiative Foundation

Lauren Gilchrist – for your public service and a great coffee at Workhorse

Andy Goldman-Gray – for your interim leadership at GIveMN and passion for growing giving in MN

Amel Gorani – for sharing your story with me

Joan Grathwol Olson – for your friendship & brainstorming about future of recruiting & philanthropy

Vlad Griskevicius – for the opportunity to hear more about your research at CSOM and UMN

Kelly Groehler – for holding the ongoing record for biggest thank you note I’ve ever received

David Hakensen – for your work with many MN nonprofit boards 

Keith Halleland – for reconnecting after too many years without a coffee

Colin Hamilton – for sharing insights on future of arts, community building and economic development

MayKao Hang – for inviting me to share, and learn, from your network of young leaders at Wilder

Tom Hanson – for the chance to learn more about your work for all of Minnesota

Jill Harmon – for becoming a new friend and business partner in the process

Louise Harris – for sharing your gifts including your new artwork in our conference room

Trista Harris - for accelerating conversations and connections for new networks of leaders in philanthropy 

Todd Hauschildt – for inviting us to work together on the leadership search at GiveMN

Wendy Helgeson – for inspiring me by your own resiliency & commitment to MSP via ICLV

Steve Helland – for letting us crash “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opening night, Force is strong w/ U

Helen Henson – for the chance to hear more about you and your aspirations

Amy Hertel – for the invitation to explore possibilities of partnering together

Ted Hillestad – for doing STO proud at Google and ping pong matches and staring off into space silently

Matt Hunt – for honest feedback and the invitation to embrace failure in whole new way(s)

Blake Iverson – for staying connected over time and (new) space(s)

Mark Jaffe – for lunch, counsel & a very funny & insightful read via “Let Me Give It To You Straight”

Barbara Joers – for introducing me to your (former?) favorite coffee spot

Emy Johnson – for your public service and spirit to share what you’ve learned

Ike Johnson – for the gift of asking for counsel

Jen Keavy – for a wonderful coffee and conversation at Overflow

Suzanne Kelly – for teaching me about grit, resilience and gratitude

Sean Kershaw – for leading by example in civic engagement

Dawn Kessler – for the opportunity to work together at Angel Foundation

Kate Khaled – for leading by doing and your ambition for possibility in our community

Morgan Kinross-Wright – for your authenticity and friendship

Melissa Kjolsing – for inviting me to join in the work of the Minnesota Cup

Chris Kopka – for honest and real conversation about religion, recovery and all the in-between

Jan Kruchoski – for the opportunity to work together at MN Chamber of Commerce

Elizabeth Kruger – for a great conversation about evaluation, impact and philanthropy

Maren Leafblad – for being my best friend and partner in this thing called life

Megan Leafblad – for being an amazing sister, aunt and leader in our community  

Jane Leonard – for remaining connected as former colleagues

Cyndi Lesher – for entrusting us as true partners in the work of GIveMN’s leadership transition

Matt Lewis – for your work with Make.It.MSP to build new networks in our community

Scott Litman – for a fun breakfast in Edina

Allegra Lockstadt – for bringing our annual report to life through visual narrative

Mike Logan – for including me in your leap to the civic sector; welcome!

Sarah Lutman – for the opportunity to visit in Twin Cities Business & beyond

Hank Marotske – for being a living example of resiliency and passion for growth

Kristine Martin – for sharing wisdom and counsel

Graham Martin – for helping me stay on the journey of recovery

Beth McGuire – for supporting the Ordway and giving us the chance to connect in the process

Kara McGuire – for inviting me brainstorm with you about the future

Phil McKoy – for sharing your counsel, insights and support as an advisory board member

Jamie Millard – for the glimpse of what I hope our own daughters will grow up to be like

Peter Morse – for reconnecting after 20 years and hitting the proverbial field sprinting

Katina Mortensen – for reaching out and inviting me to coffee

Kate Mortenson – for seeking to support and connect leaders across MSP

Jim Mulrooney – for your vulnerability, honesty, sense of humor and shared questions

Ashley Murphy – for being patient and gracious with the worst financial planning client ever

Meghan Murphy – for sharing yourself with Pollen and the rest of us in the process

Katie Nadeau – for continuing to keep me on your MBP guest list

Dana Nelson – for your sense of humor and ambition to change the world for the better

Jennifer Niemela – for being one of the first people to share openly w/ me about their recovery

June Noronha – for counsel, friendship and shared laughter

Tony Novak – for inviting me to share with the Larson King network and being a great neighbor

Pat O'Brien – for being a great partner in work with MN Philanthropy Partners and GiveMN

Liwanag Ojala – for going full circle from friend to candidate to client at CaringBridge

Blois Olson – for being there for a friend in a time of need

Kellee O'Reilly – for a great lunch and great brainstorming

Rachel Palermo – for reminding me how talented St. Olaf students & recent grads are

Anita Patel – for inviting me to be a trusted partner in your new work

Steve Pederson – for the chance to share, and learn, from your class at CSOM

Sami Pelton – for the chance to catch up and envision new horizons

Suzanne Perry – for the opportunity to visit & contribute to Chronicle of Philanthropy

Naomi Pesky – for the opportunity to brainstorm about your new leadership work

Tad Piper – for being a true mentor in all facets of my life

Maureen Ramirez – for inviting me to lunch and the great conversation that ensued

Luther Ranheim – for always working to connect the dots for others

Jen Reedy – for being the catalyst in support of my entrepreneurial journey

Patrice Relerford – for coffee, conversation and a new connection

Laurence Reszetar – for always being a true friend no matter the time that’s passed

Bruce Roselle – for sharing insights on the questions that matter most to leaders

Nancy Rosenbaum – for graciously sharing your storytelling & interviewing acumen

Steven Rosenstone – for entrusting us as your search partners at MnSCU

Nick Roseth – for sharing more of the DocuMNtary story with me

Lauren Ross – for accelerating serendipity by suggesting coffee

Ellen Ruiters – for the lifelong memory made from the Homecoming honor at Minnehaha Academy

Jon Ruzek – for the chance to contribute to a UMAA webinar and your love of maroon and gold 

Vineeta Sawkar – for the amazing behind-the-scenes tour of StarTribune HQ

Damon Shoholm – for the opportunity to talk about the future of leadership development

Nils Snyder – for always being there for your friends and being the older brother I never had

Cecily Sommers – for dancing your own dance and inviting us to join in

John Stanoch – for having us as your partners at Ronald McDonald House Charities – Upper Midwest

Rachel Stassen-Berger – for the chance to finally visit over coffee

Diane Steele – for the pumpkin bars and camaraderie as new colleagues

Matthew Taylor – for having Taylor Design Works + Ballinger | Leafblad

Bo Thao-Urabe – for the opportunity to hear more about your work with leaders in our community

Jeff Tollefson – for being such an incredible example of a founding leader passing the leadership baton

Amee Tomlinson McDonald – for a great conversation at Workhorse on civic orgs and communication

Diane Tran – for the chance to finally catch up in person at Overflow

Rick Trontvet – for your leadership with the MN Chamber of Commerce search

Mandy Tuong – for coming back to MN

Jenn Urban – for the invitation to share start-up stories

Cassie Utt – for the chance to learn more about TEDxMinneapolis

Garrick Van Buren – for Kubb, coaching, calm, and reminder to focus on what matters most

Avi Viswanathan – for sharing stories and experiences in philanthropy and public policy

Brad Von Bank – for being a founding client and long-time friend

Anika Ward – for continuing our conversation started at Wilder Foundation

Justin Ware – for sharing insights on the future of online giving

Hamse Warfa – for the lunch invitation & chance to hear more about your dreams

Jonathan Weinhagen – for being relentlessly optimistic & tirelessly striving for what’s possible

Alfonso Wenker – for connecting the dots for good in whatever you do

David Whitesock – for the opportunity to visit about the future of recovery

Ann Wiesner – for the invitation to visit at Overflow

Kate Wolford – for modeling how philanthropic leaders can engage through social media

Beth Zemsky – for jump starting an important conversation w/ our team on race, equity & privilege

To the hundreds of other people I crossed paths with this past year, thank you for the lessons, ideas, counsel and feedback you shared with me, known or unknown, through our time together. Thank you!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful season of practicing gratitude.

I’m grateful for you.

Lars