Board of Directors

Channeling the entrepreneurial spirit to ensure no one faces cancer alone.

Gilda’s Club Minnesota is a place where people currently impacted by cancer gather, connect, and learn. At Gilda’s Club, we:

Believe in serving our community with integrity, acceptance, and trust
Collectively and intentionally nurture meaningful relationships
Embrace laughter, tears, joy, and fear
Value self-care, curiosity, and the opportunity for growth

Gilda’s Club Minnesota (GCTC) seeks motivated and dedicated directors who will serve as passionate ambassadors of the organization so that no one faces cancer alone.^®

Job Description

The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the governance, finances, fundraising and strategic direction of GCTC. It is responsible for planning and policy decisions, for financial stability and development, and for the ongoing support and evaluation of the work of the Executive Director and the organization. The Board acts as a whole and its members support the decisions made by it, while exercising independent judgment in decision making. Click here to view the full Board of Directors Job Description.

Want to learn more?

Fill out the fillable PDF Board Application Form and email your application to Jim Thomas, Director, at Jim.Thomas@gildasclubmn.org, 612-321-6459 (call or text).

Meet the Board

Louise Harris, Board Chair

Louise Harris has been a part of the GCTC community for six years and currently serves as GCTC’s Board Chair. Outside of GCTC, Louise is a consultant providing strategic planning and organizational development to Fortune 500 companies and non-profits. She is also a professor teaching graduate classes in culture, transformation, leadership, and human development.

Dr. John Piatkowski, Vice Chair

Dr. John Piatkowski (JP) has been a part of the GCTC community for three years. JP serves as GCTC’s Vice Board Chair and on the Development Committee. Outside of GCTC, he serves as Medica Health Plan’s Vice President, Physician Services leading value-based care outreach to over 20 health systems throughout the Midwest.

Greg Newfield, Treasurer

Greg Newfield has been a part of the GCTC community for one year, serving as a member of the Board of Directors and as GCTC’s Treasurer. Outside of GCTC, Greg is a senior manager at Wipfli.

Karn Anderson, Director

Karn Anderson has been a part of the GCTC community for one year. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors. Outside of GCTC, Karn is Senior Director, Human Resources at Medica.

Mike Bauer, Director

Mike Bauer has been a part of the GCTC community for three years. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors. Outside of GCTC, Mike is the Founder and President of Bauer Design Build, a commercial general contracting firm founded in 2005.

Elena Beckius, Director

Elena Beckius has been a part of the GCTC community for three years, serving as a member of the Board of Directors and the Development Committee. Outside of GCTC, Elena is a Senior Vice President leading Think 2 Perform, and mother to two boys. Elena prides herself on a few unique abilities: dodging soaring Nerf Bullets and avoiding catastrophic injuries due to stepping on Lego’s.

Eva Boehm, Director

Eva Boehm has been a part of the GCTC community for one year, serving as a member of the Board of Directors. Outside of GCTC, Eva is the Associate Director of Curriculum, America Reads at The University of Minnesota.

Jane Doyon, Director

Jane Doyon has been a part of the GCTC community for one year, serving as a member of the Board of Directors and the Development Committee. Outside of GCTC, Jane is Vice President of Marketing at Colder Products Company.

Todd Hanson, Director

Todd Hanson has been a part of the GCTC community for one year, serving as a member of the Board of Directors and Development Committee. Outside of GCTC, Todd is Senior Director at Cushman & Wakefield.

Brent Johnson, Director

Brent Johnson has been a part of the GCTC community for three years, serving as a member of the Development Committee and leading the Young Professionals Board. Recently has also joined as a member of the Board of Directors. Outside of GCTC, Brent is Director of Business Development at KPI Staffing.

Jim Thomas, Director

Jim Thomas has been a part of the GCTC community for two years and serves as a member of the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and the Finance Committee. Outside of GCTC, Jim owns a consulting firm, helping Minnesotan manufacturers export goods, and mentors global business students and young executives.

Brent Williams, Director

Brent Williams has been a part of the GCTC community for two years and serves as a member of the Board of Directors and the Governance Committee. Outside of GCTC, Brent is the Assistant Chief Compliance Officer at Mairs & Power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Answers to common questions you may have about serving as a board member at Gilda’s Club Minnesota.

What are the term lengths?
- Board terms are three years. Members may serve up to two consecutive terms.
- Officer terms are two years. Members may serve up to two consecutive terms.
How often does the Board of Directors meet?
- Board meetings are two hours every 3rd Monday of every other month at 4:00 PM.
What is the expected time commitment?
- A board member typically spends four to six hours a month on duties. Officers and committee chairs may expect to spend up to 2x’s as much time.
What are GCTC’s committees?
- GCTC committees are as follows:
  - Governance Committee – Provides for the Board’s effectiveness and continuing development.
  - Development Committee – Works with GCTC staff to develop and execute the organization’s Development (Fundraising) Plan.
  - Finance Committee – Provides financial oversight for the organization.
Are board members required to sit on a committee?
- All board members are strongly encouraged to lend their time and talents to at least one committee during their term.
Are board members expected to commit to making donations?
- Board members are strongly encouraged to make a financial donation at whatever level is most comfortable for them. GCTC does not have a minimum commitment amount.
How many active board members are there at one time?
- GCTC’s Board of Directors can have up to 25 board members at a time.
Is Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance provided?
- No, we do not provide Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance.
Can I volunteer once my term is up?
- YES! We encourage board members to continue volunteering their time and talents in other capacities at the end of their term(s).

Donate

Gilda’s Club depends on the support of people like you. An independent and locally funded nonprofit, all our services are delivered free of charge—because the last thing someone dealing with cancer needs is another expense.

Make a donation