Board of Directors

Get to Know Your Board of Directors

Committees
Strategic Plan
Sponsorship Opportunities
Past Chairs
Clinton A. Schroeder Distinguished Service Award

Cindy Aegerter, CFRE| Chair

Cindy Aegerter serves as Senior Gift Planner and has been part of the Charitable Giving Services team at Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing since 2004. In her role as Gift Planner, Cindy consults with donors and their financial advisors to develop giving solutions that meet their charitable and financial goals. In addition, she works with churches and faith-based nonprofits that hold their endowments at Thrivent Charitable to educate their supporters and promote planned giving.

Cindy is a graduate of the University of Oregon, School of Journalism, and worked in public relations prior to moving into the nonprofit sector. Cindy is a member of the Minnesota Gift Planning Association and ALDE and has received certification as a Certified Fund Raising Executive from CFRE International. She serves on the Board of Simpson Housing Services, whose mission is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. Cindy lives in Minneapolis and is active in her neighborhood association.

Christine Pulkrabek, MA, CAP ® | Vice-Chair

Chris, President of L’evate Non-Profit Consultants, has worked for nonprofit organizations for 30 years, the past 18 years building and enhancing planned giving programs at both small and large organizations. She is passionate about improving the health and well-being of her community by developing meaningful and impactful relationships with nonprofit organizations and serving as a mentor to MGPA
members who are new to fundraising or planned giving.

Recently, Chris started L’evate Non-Profit Consultants, focusing on helping other non-profits build and enhance their planned giving programs, educating leadership, boards and staff on the power of legacy giving, speaking at conferences and giving planned giving seminars and
presentations.

She loves entertaining and travel and enjoys wine, cooking/grilling, live music, scuba diving, boating and golfing. Chris and her husband spend their time between Minnesota and Florida.

Chris earned her B.A. in Communication and Public Relations at Metropolitan State University and her M.A. in Nonprofit Management at Hamline University. She also earned her Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) certification from the American College of Financial Services.

Kyle Wesely | Treasurer

Kyle is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with Wesely & Wesely CPAs, a boutique accounting firm specializing in charitable tax planning. The firm has a deep specialty in tax planning and administration for charitable remainder trusts, and assisting charitably inclined individuals optimize their giving through tailored solutions.

Prior to joining Wesely & Wesely, Kyle gained experience at a prominent CPA firm in Denver, where his work centered around serving large family groups. He is a graduate of Iowa State University, holding degrees in Accounting and Information Systems.

Residing in Mendota Heights, Kyle, and his wife Carrie, have one young son. Outside of his parental responsibilities, he enjoys cycling, golfing, playing hockey, cooking, and visiting breweries and wineries. Though he misses the mountains of Colorado, he frequently returns to hike and snowboard, and he loves traveling to new and intriguing destinations.

Inez Bergquist | Secretary

Inez Bergquist is currently Director of Development with the Northern Star Scouting Council in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A graduate of Augsburg University (B.A.) and the University of Minnesota (M.A.), she started her career at the University of Minnesota Foundation and the Minnesota Orchestra’s development department. In 2017 she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Augsburg University.

She developed the online Donor Series database, now called DonorSearch, (www.donorsearch.net) which tracks donor gifts, and has consulted in the fundraising and management field with over 300 nonprofits throughout the U.S. as President of Waltman Associates. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, Inez has authored several books on the history of prominent families including the Book of Minnesota Family Trees, Book of American Family Trees, and her own family history.

She has been an active volunteer in the Twin Cities area, recently serving on the board as president of the Wells Foundation, president of the Friends of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, a board director of the Young People’s Symphony Concert Association, Governing Member of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Development Committee of Adamant Music School in Vermont, Board Secretary of the St. Paul Parks Conservancy and chair of Planned Giving at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral.

She is a past board member of the University of Minnesota Library Friends as president, Augsburg College Alumni Association, Caponi Art Park, YMCA Camp duNord as president, The Singers Minnesota Choral Artists as president, as senior warden (council president) of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, and the Eagan Foundation as vice chair.

Joe Thiegs | Immediate Past Chair

Joe is President and owner of the consulting firm Generoworks LLC (generoworks.com), specializing in planned giving, values-based estate planning, and family philanthropic advising. Among his roles as a consultant, Joe is a Vice President and representative of Thompson & Associates. Until making consulting his full-time occupation in 2019, Joe was the Planned Giving Director at Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to that, he worked as Associate Director of Advancement at the University of Minnesota Law School, as a Planned Giving Officer at the University of Minnesota Foundation, and as an estate planning attorney at Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Minneapolis.

Joe is a regular presenter for MGPA and other organizations, including several years as presenter of A Brisk Walk Through the Basics. Joe has been involved with MGPA since 2005, and previously served two terms on the Board of Directors from 2008-13. He’s been a member of the Conference Committee (Sponsorship Chair), Finance Committee (Chair and MGPA Treasurer), Membership Committee (Chair), Brisk Walk Committee, and currently the Hargroves Mentorship Program (Co-Chair). Joe serves as the national Planned Giving Advisor for Greater Public and facilitator of its Legacy Leaders cohort. Joe served for several years on the Governing Council and the Legislation Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Probate & Trust Law Section, and was a member of the MSBA joint Task Force evaluating and making recommendations for adoption of Minnesota’s version of UPMIFA. He earned his B.A. in Political Science and Sociology (Thesis with Distinction) from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and his J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Joe loves people, music, cooking, wine and beer, sports (especially college football and basketball), reading, learning, camping and hiking, photography, cards and other games, humor, spending time with his family, and anything having to do with being on the water.

Helene Benitez, CFRE | At-Large Board Member

Helene Benitez is a senior planned giving officer at the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) where she works in partnership with development colleagues to advance donors’ philanthropic support of the University. Prior to joining UMF’s planned giving team, she served in various development roles at the University of Northern Iowa, University of Texas at San Antonio, Central Catholic High School, and Trinity University. Helene is also a U.S. Army veteran and has her MBA from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and her BA from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Helene is a member of MGPA and the incoming chair of the MGPA Communications Committee. She is also a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Helene lives in Saint Paul with her husband Julio, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, visiting art museums, and exploring antique stores, thrift shops, and state and local park and recreation areas.

Kari Clark | At-Large Board Member

Kari Clark is an associate vice president at BWF with a special focus on the Midwest. In her role, she assists nonprofit organizations in planned giving, principal gifts, campaign planning, and board development.

Kari began her career as an attorney, but upon experiencing the power of planned giving, she soon transitioned into a full-time career within the philanthropic industry. Today, Kari holds over 25 years of fundraising and leadership experience in the nonprofit, healthcare, and education sectors. Prior to BWF, she served as chief development officer and interim co-CEO for the YWCA Minneapolis. She also served ten years at Gustavus Adolphus College and seven years with Children’s Minnesota as director of both principal gifts and gift planning. Kari has been a panelist or presenter at regional professional workshops including AFP-MN and MGPA.

Kari earned her bachelor’s degree at Gustavus Adolphus College and her juris doctor degree at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Additionally, she holds a BoardSource certification for Nonprofit Board Consulting and a Good Leadership certification in Team Momentum Coaching.

Alex Gonzalez | At-Large Board Member

No matter what your financial goals, achieving them requires preparation. Whether you are just starting out in your career or are preparing for retirement, I'll assess your situation and develop a financial strategy designed exclusively for you using an appropriate combination of solutions and strategies-including insurance products and investments-to help you: Protect your financial future .....and your family's.

I specialize in the following:

Retirement income planning
Long-term care planning
Estate strategies
Special needs planning

I believe in giving back and support the following charities and causes:

Grace Church in Eden Prairie
Augsburg University - Athletic Alumni A Club
Meals on Wheels Bloomington - Board Member
Walk Right In Ministries
The Way Church in St. Paul

Wade Hauser | At-Large Board Member

Wade Hauser's practice centers on helping tax-exempt organizations—such as health and long term care providers, colleges, foundations, and advocacy organizations—meet their objectives. Wade regularly guides nonprofits through major transactions including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and financings.

Wade also works with long-standing and startup organizations to establish a practical governance and corporate structure and secure and maintain tax-exempt status at the state and federal level. Clients aiming to influence public policy and elections rely on Wade's advice on state and federal campaign finance and tax-exemption law. Wade also regularly advises on grant making and charitable giving issues, including the management of endowments and donor advised funds.

Wade holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law, where he was one of two recipients of the John F. Murray Award recognizing the highest grade point average in the graduating class.

Before joining the firm, Wade served as a judicial clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, clerking for the Honorable James E. Gritzner. Prior to law school, Wade worked for several nonprofit corporations and served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Washington, D.C., where he helped coordinate a free, walk-in clinic and conducted HIV testing and counseling.

Jacob LaCroix | At-Large Board Member

Jacob LaCroix brings twenty years administrative and fundraising expertise to his Director of Philanthropy position with Allina Health Foundation. He champions Major and Planned Gifts fundraising efforts, specializing in deepening mission engagement with major donors and community leaders. Jacob leads with innovative approaches designed to engage diverse people and bring them together in purpose to propel Allina Health forward. Educational achievements: Concordia University (Saint Paul), master’s degree in Organizational Management and bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in Communication Studies; and professional credentialing, Certified Fundraising Executive International.

Linne Lemke, CFRE | At-Large Board Member

Linne Lemke is a Senior Donor Advisor with Greater Twin Cities United Way. The mission of GTCUW is to unite Changemakers, advocate for social good and develop equitable solutions so all people in our community can reach their full potential regardless of income, race or place. Linne has the joy of working with generous, caring individual donors who desire to make a lasting impact in the lives of neighbors experiencing poverty. Linne achieved her CFRE, certified fund raising executive from the University of St. Thomas. She currently serves as a co-chair of the program and education committee for a Minnesota Gift Planning Association.

Jeffrey Prottas, MBA, CFRE | At-Large Board Member

Jeffrey M. Prottas is an experienced organizational performance and strategic planning consultant, trainer and leader focused on helping position Wipfli clients for financial, operational, and programmatic success. He has 30 years of experience facilitating change to support organizational growth objectives through the identification, development and training of organizational leadership, implementation of innovative strategies, processes, and technologies, and leveraging increased engagement to exceed expectations.

Jeffrey has worked with dozens of nonprofit organizations leading strategic planning projects, leadership development and staff trainings, financial resource development (FRD) initiatives and assessing overall organizational effectiveness. Clients appreciate his tailored individual and business solutions to help them overcome challenges and meet their goals.

Dana Rubin | At-Large Board Member

Dana joined Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) in 2013 as the Development Director. Previously employed for 15 years as the Assistant Campaign Director and Campaign Director at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and as the Development Director at Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Dana oversees most of the fundraising efforts of JFCS which includes but is not limited to; the Annual Campaign, Annual Benefit, Direct Program Support, Planned Giving, Tribute Cards and the Endowment Fund. Fundraising from individual and corporate donors to JFCS totals nearly $3 million on an annual basis. In addition to her professional work at JFCS, Dana was Temple Israel Sisterhood Board President for 6 years and is now on the Temple Israel Foundation Board and Chairs the Stewardship Committee. She is also the President of the Friends of the Ridgedale Library, and President of the Hennepin County Libraries Friends Council. Dana spends her free-time dog sitting, is an avid reader and enjoys time with friends and family.

Martha West, CFRE | At-Large Board Member

Martha is the Director of Philanthropy at Covenant Living Golden Valley, and formerly, the Development Manager at History Theatre in Saint Paul. Before her career in fundraising, she was a Personal Banker for Wachovia Bank (Wells Fargo) and a Sales Manager for USA Today.

Martha earned a B.S. B.A. from East Carolina University and a M. A. in Theology from Saint Catherine University. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE®) and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®). She was part of the national cohort for New Strategies Business for Impact at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. In addition to serving on the board of MGPA, Martha serves on the board the Minnesota Grants Professionals Association and is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.

Martha lives in Saint Paul with her partner and has four adult children who are all very accomplished in their academic and professional careers. She also has two grandchildren who are perfect in every way. She enjoys cooking, traveling, college sports and gathering with family and friends. She is known for her quirky expressions, her ability to find humor in almost any situation, and rumor has it she makes the best "southern" BBQ in Minnesota.

Jennifer White | At-Large Board Member

Jennifer has been a member of the University of Minnesota Foundation's Planned Giving team since 2011. She came to the Foundation from Washington, D.C. where she was a Senior Planned Giving officer at The Wilderness Society. Prior to her career in development, she worked as an attorney in private practice. She received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota, and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin. Jennifer is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the Minnesota Gift Planning Association, currently serving on the Communications and Conference committees.

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1/21/2025
Joint MGPA & FPA MN January Event

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