Four couples who have played significant leadership roles in the Twin Ports announced they will support a fund that develops future generations of community leaders.
The couples have created the ALLETE Chairmen's Circle Challenge by promising to match all new gifts and pledges to the Young Leaders Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation up to $135,000.
The Young Leaders Fund provides grants for projects and activities that increase the quality of life for local adults ages 21-35 in the region. Fund activities also provide opportunities for young adults to hone their leadership and community-building skills.
The couples are Alan and Erika Hodnik of Hermantown, Sandy and Verna Sandbulte of Duluth, Don and Pat Shippar of Superior and Bruce and Kaye Stender of Duluth. Alan Hodnik is CEO and chairman of the board of ALLETE Inc., the Duluth-based parent company of Minnesota Power. Sandy Sandbulte, Don Shippar and Bruce Stender are all former ALLETE chairmen.
Developing future generations of leaders is critical to the success of the Twin Ports and all communities, the four couples said.
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It is the single most important means for this or any other region to turn obstacles into opportunities, the Hodniks said. In essence, leadership is everything, they said.
"If everyone worked strictly from 8 to 5 at their place of employment and had no outside involvement in the greater community, it's easy to see that many things now done for the benefit of others rather than self would fall by the wayside," the Sandbultes said.
"Strong communities need effective leaders -- people who will take an active role in shaping the future," the Shippars said.
"A community cannot grow and prosper without leadership," the Stenders said. "It is our responsibility to ensure that the next generation can learn what constitutes good and ethical leadership."
BMO Harris Bank in Duluth and Superior will contribute $10,000 to the Young Leaders Fund as a first step in meeting the ALLETE Chairmen's Circle Challenge, bank President James Zastrow announced.
BMO Harris Bank in Duluth and Superior will contribute $10,000 to the Young Leaders Fund as a first step in meeting the ALLETE Chairmen's Circle Challenge, bank President James Zastrow announced.
"At BMO Harris Bank, we are a very active partner in our communities, and being a committed corporate citizen is an important part of who we are and how we approach our business," Zastrow said. "We are pleased to continue the long-standing tradition of community involvement that was also an important part of the culture of M&I, now a part of BMO Financial Group. Our support of the Young Leaders Fund is one way we are standing behind our commitment."
Community Foundation President Holly C. Sampson thanked the couples and BMO Harris Bank for their generosity.
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"One of the strongest commitments anyone can make to a community is to help develop future leaders of that community," Sampson said. "These leaders are demonstrating their impact once again by giving back. We are grateful for their support of our growing number of young adults and for their financial commitment."
The Young Leaders Fund is guided by an advisory board consisting of Ryan Boman and Mia Thibodeau (co-chairs), Jennifer Carey, Grant Carlson, Jon Heyesen, Kelly Mullan, Don Ness and Branden Robinson.
