Hannah Douglass – President
Having joined as a board member in 2019, Hannah is now in the role of Vice President, and she is excited to continue her commitment to the United Way. By carrying on her parent’s support for the organization, she has been happy to be able to contribute to the community through the many programs offered. Born and raised in Willmar, Hannah went on to attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, finishing her education in 2015, and then returning to the town she has always called home. Shortly after her return, Hannah met her husband. Both Hannah and her husband come from community-oriented families and enjoy working on projects, the outdoors, and spending time at the lake. Hannah is currently a business systems analyst at Duininck companies. She has a special interest in the Growmobile program, given that she has taken the children she babysat in the past to it.
Griffin Leitch – Vice President
Griffin was raised in the Willmar area, graduating from Willmar High School in 2007. He then attended the University of North Dakota, earning a degree in Business Management with a minor in Sport Business. He then went on to William Mitchell College of Law, earning his JD in 2014. He worked as a law clerk at Anderson Law Office while in school, and upon his graduation was offered a job, where he still works today. He lives in Willmar with his wife, Laura and their three kids – Camden (3), Harper (1), and Blakely (newborn). In their free time they enjoy spending time together playing outside. Griffin also enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, and hockey. He enjoys the diversity of the city and feels it’s a great area to raise his family. When choosing to join the board, Griffin was particularly interested in the many programs offered which are geared towards young children and families, many of which the community may be unaware of, such as the addition of The Village Children’s Museum. He hopes that while he serves the remainder of his term, he can continue to share with the community all of the great things the United Way does in our area.
Lori Dinnis – Treasurer
New incoming board member Lori Dinnis came to the Willmar area about 5 years ago when her husband’s career brought new opportunities. Upon relocating here from the Chanhassen area, where she lived with her family and raised her children for 20 years. Now, her 2 adult children are grown and living in the suburbs of Minneapolis. Lori attended NDSU in Fargo where she acquired her Bachelor or Science degree in Accounting while also earning her CPA certification. She then went on to earn her MBA in Business from Chapman University in Orange, California. She now works in Willmar at Home State Bank. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and boating on the lake. She comes to the United Way of West Central Minnesota board with an interest in continuing the collaboration that the United Way is known for. Fostering relationships and partnerships within the community with people, businesses, and other organizations to drive improvement in our community.
Kristie Haefner – Board Member
Kristie was born and raised in Wadena, MN. She attended Ridgewater College in Willmar and then Winona State University to earn her degree in human resources. Following her graduation and given the strong connections she had made in the area, Kristie returned to Willmar for good, where she currently works for Doosan Bobcat. She has been married to her husband Travis for 11 years and is mom to a son, Gabriel, and daughter, Madeline. She enjoys reading and learning, running, golfing and spending time with her family. Having joined the board in 2014, she has served as board President, as well as a board member, and has no plans to leave anytime soon. She attributes one of her favorite programs, Imagination Library, to her children’s academic success and feels strongly about the importance of early literacy which it contributes to.
Andrew Bregar – Board Member
Andrew Bregar, the most recent member to join the board, moved to Willmar in 2019. As a native of Pueblo, Colorado, Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Metropolitan State College in Denver. He then earned his master’s in library studies from the University of Oklahoma. Then, after returning to Colorado and serving as a library branch manager, he desired to relocate to Minnesota, and when an opening at the Willmar Public Library became available, =he was excited to accept the position. Having family near, he has been happy to throw himself into becoming a part of the community. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, especially camping and hiking with his German Shepherd, Sadie. The Village is one program that Andrew is especially excited about being a part of.
Sarah Van Beek – Board Member
Sarah, who was a member of The Village’s board, joined our board during the integration of The Village into a United Way program. Raised Near Raymond and Prinsburg, Sarah spent much time in Willmar and has always felt a connection to the area. She is a graduate of Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg and attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, followed by Trinity Christian College and Palos Heights, Illinois, for her nursing degree. After marrying her husband, Jayme, who is currently a physician with centric care, Wilmar, she moved around for several years while Jayme completed his medical training. Going from Des Moines, back to Willmar, then to Ohio and on to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. However, once Jayme’s training was completed, they returned home to the Willmar area to stay. Sarah and Jamye are parents to Titus (11), Alexis (8), and Oliver (6). Having come from The Village originally, it remains one of her most favorite programs.
Jeron Smith – Board Member
Jeron Smith is another board member who made the switch with The Village when it came under the umbrella of The United Way of West Central Minnesota’s programming. After growing up near Spicer, Jeron went in to earn his B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. After that, his love the the lakes area brought him back home again, where he works for Willmar Municipal Utilities. With his wife of 14 years, Paula, he has four daughters: Kaitlyn, 13, Natalie, 8, Leah, 7, and Rubi, 4. In his free time, Jeron and his family all enjoy boating and camping together. Having originally come to the United Way from The Village, it remains an important part of Jeron’s interest as a board member. He hopes to see The Village be successful and grow, as well as help support the other aspects of our United Way which help to benefit the community.
Datriana Jensen – Board Member
Datriana moved to the Willmar area when she accepted her current position in Administration at Jennie-O Turkey Store. She came to the position after having earned her AAS in Administrative Support along with certification in Microsoft Office and Coaching. She and her husband, Brent Mahn recently welcomed their first child, Becket! They are a pet loving family, having a cat named Yoda, a Berne-doodle named Sully, and a Mini Golden-doodle named Sadie. Datriana has also enjoyed coaching softball in the past but is currently looking forward to slowing down and spending time with their new baby, as well as to playing some softball this summer. Datriana enjoys the overall concept of giving to the community she is a part of and has been drawn to the United Way because of the ability to do so in a variety of ways.
Bill Adams – Board Member
Bill Adams, another new board member, grew up in Janesville, MN before moving on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Social Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. From there, his education journey was just beginning as he went on to earn his Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning and his K-12 Principal License from Saint Mary’s University, then his Community Education Director License from Minnesota State University, Mankato, his Superintendent License from Bethel University, and finally his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Bethel University. Today, he works with the Willmar Public School as the Assistant Superintendent. He has enjoyed this career move immensely, saying that it would take a minor miracle to cause him and his family to leave the area. Along with his wife, Stacy, he has 4 children, Lexi who is 24, Gable who is 19, Emma who is 14, and Bryn, who is 13. In their spare time they enjoy spending time together and with family, watching movies, golfing, and doing projects. As a new member to the board, Bill is excited about being involved with the United Way as a way to be involved civically in the community.
Manny Obregon – Board Member
Manny Obregon is another new board member who has been a local to the Willmar area his whole life. He attended high school in Willmar, continuing on to Ridgewater College where he earned his Associates degree, and finally becoming licensed as an Insurance Producer. Although he left for a short time to live in the Minneapolis area, Manny returned to the Willmar area when the opportunity presented itself because of his love for the area and community. He now works at Bremer Bank and enjoys living near his family. His parents Pablo and Erika Obregon, as well as his sister, niece and nephew, all still live in Willmar. In his free time, Manny likes to spend time with his family and friends, hike, fish, play pickleball, and cook. Upon joining the United Way of West Central’s board, he is looking forward to participating in many of the youth focused programming that is offered, as well as finding ways to help the community in general. His own experiences being involved with youth sports and programs has given him an interest in bettering youth opportunities and an excitement for what our United Way chapter has been building.
Mary Kjolsing – Board Member
New incoming board member, Mary Kjolsing, has been a Willmar resident since 1975 and, although now retired, had a 40-year long career at Rice Memorial Hospital working in the Behavior Health Department. She has an adult son and daughter, along with a 4-year-old grandson. She currently enjoys her home on Eagle Lake and in her free time she likes to read, garden, and travel. Mary joins the United Way from the local diaper distribution fundraising program, called Little Bums, which she took part in starting. Now a program of the United Way of West Central Minnesota, we are thrilled to be a part of the program, as well as to have Mary join our board and contribute to helping better our community.