Industry Insight

Team Work Makes The Dream Work

I still remember how excited I was to learn that Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) was planning to hire an executive director. For over three decades, the organization had a history of supporting important initiatives in our area and had a superb reputation for engaging talented and dedicated board members. They were a hard-working volunteer-run group wanting to find someone to build on their efforts.

After I was hired in 2009, we did a strategic examination of our role in the community and dreamt big about our future. We agreed on the need to create the infrastructure that would allow MAF to engage our philanthropic community, grow assets, and ultimately increase our impact on the community. To do that, it required the right boards AND the right employees.

The Foundation’s team has grown slowly and methodically. One at a time, we attracted the best staff possible to advance our goals. Together, we needed to understand the challenges and opportunities facing our nonprofit sector,

The Mankato Area Foundation team, pictured left to right: Maureen Gustafson, Sarah Beiswanger, Rita Rassbach, Nancy Zallek, Ashley Eimer, Tricia Lewis and Sammi Spicer.

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create an organization that embodied trust and confidence, and function as a visionary community partner. Because of this talented and committed staff, the Foundation has grown tremendously.

I want to introduce you to some of my favorite people. These dedicated individuals bring energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism to the workplace every day! I am so fortunate to work with them. I hope you will take a moment to “meet” our team and realize what it takes to transform our region through charitable giving. –Nancy Zallek, President and CEO

Ashley Eimer, Vice President of Philanthropy

“I love that Mankato Area Foundation exists to help donors shape their legacy and serve as a resource to support this thriving community. Thanks to the work of this team of rockstars, dreams are made, plans are carried out, and our community’s organizations grow and thrive.

My position is new to MAF, which is exciting because it speaks to the success and growth of the organization. Each day in this job is different, but that’s what drives me! Whether it’s connecting passionate people with organizations or projects they would like to support, collaborating to find creative solutions to challenges in the community, or helping people achieve their philanthropic goals, every day is an adventure.”

Tricia Lewis, Operations and Governance Director

“It is hard to describe what I do at the Foundation because I wear so many different hats. I manage Shared Spaces, I coordinate all of our marketing efforts, I provide operational and administrative support to the team, I handle technology support, and more. I am basically the Amazon Alexa of the Foundation–if you have a question, just ask! If I don’t have the answer, I will find it.

After working here for seven years, I can easily say that no two days are the same. You can never predict what the priority is going to be from day to day, and consequently I have never once not looked forward to going to work! I love that I have the opportunity to be directly involved with so many great philanthropic initiatives happening in our community.” Sammi Spicer, Finance Director

“My job involves being a puzzle-solver and a gatekeeper. I get to make sure our accounts are in balance, handle incoming and outgoing funds, ensure our grants go to qualified nonprofits, and work with Nancy and the board to ensure we are prepared to manage our future growth.

I just started working at MAF recently, and I applied because I was impressed by the Foundation’s history, growth, and their ability to make a real difference in our community. I quickly felt a part of this team and I thoroughly enjoy facilitating the charitable gifts of our donors.”

Maureen Gustafson, Donor Relations and Programs Director

“Every day I get to see old friends AND make new connections. And it is so fun assisting these generous individuals in fulfilling their legacy.

One particular memory that will always stay with me is that of a donor couple who had a dream of turning their passion for Maverick Hockey into a fuller experience for all who attended. They wanted to create a “wow factor” gateway to the hockey arena, and it came to fruition in the form of the amazing smoking bull statues you see in front of the Mayo Health Systems Event Center today. However, those didn’t appear by magic! It took months to imagine, design, create and install. The dedication event occurred during an April rainstorm in the middle of the pandemic. It was cold and chaotic, but everyone was too filled with joy celebrating something new together (for the first time in months!) to notice. I loved every minute of it!”

Sarah Beiswanger, Community Grants and Nonprofits Specialist

“I work at Mankato Area Foundation because it allows me to make an impact in the community I grew up in. The work I do really resonates with me because I have always been a connector–connecting people to what they are looking for or need.

I love being able to help nonprofits in our area and to help students apply for the many generous scholarships our donors have made possible. Since I started at MAF, our scholarships have increased from 3 to 19! This past year we awarded over 40 scholarships to students in this region. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of such incredible philanthropy, and there’s truly nothing better than seeing the happy face of a kid who has just received a scholarship for college!”

Rita Rassbach, Administrative Coordinator

“Working for Mankato Area Foundation means I get to work with an amazing team of strong women who want to make the world a better place and for an organization whose focus is on philanthropy and meeting our community’s needs. If that doesn’t scream ‘dream job’ for me, I’m not sure what would!

Right now I have the most fantastic opportunity to work on the Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study. In other words, I get to work with many people from great partner organizations and diverse backgrounds with the goal of continuing to make our community a wonderful place. I am so proud of our partners and the Foundation for being invested in learning more about our community and its residents. To me, it’s like working with warm hugs every day!”