PFund welcomes new board members for the 2009 fiscal year

Dale Johnson has served as the artistic director of the Minnesota Opera since 1994, advising the president and CEO on all aspects of artistic planning. During the 1998 season, he launched the Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Program, which is a nationally recognized training program for young singers, pianists, conductors and stage directors. As Dale celebrates his 23rd year with the Minnesota Opera, the company has been internationally acclaimed for its daring programming and casting, its commitment to new works and the rediscovery of Bel Canto era masterpieces. He was instrumental in creating “Out @ the Opera,” the opera’s outreach effort to the GLBT communities.  Last November, he helped coordinate PFund’s major donor thank-you event at the Minnesota Opera Center.  Dale grew up on a dairy farm south of Youngstown, Ohio, and received his bachelor of arts from Mount Union College in Ohio and a master of music degree from the Manhattan School of Music.  He lives in Minneapolis with his dog, Howard.

Jaron Roering is a senior financial analyst at RBC Wealth Management in Minneapolis.  He has been a volunteer with PFund since 1998. He has served on the finance committee, staffed Pride booths in the Twin Cities and Mankato, assisted with signature events and participated on the grant review committee.  He led the process in selecting PFund’s auditor. He is currently a senior financial analyst with RBC Dain in Minneapolis.  His skills and expertise include auditing, accounting, investments and reviewing and implementing financial oversight procedures.  After growing up in rural, central Minnesota, he became a PFund supporter due to our focus on reducing isolation, especially in rural communities. He received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris and his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas.

Current Board Members

Dan Anderson joins the board noting that he was attracted by PFund’s focus on youth. Dan is an educator and was an elementary school principal when he received the PFund Power of One award for his activism in St. Cloud, Minn. He has served as a city human rights commissioner and a founding member of the St. Cloud Area Task Force for GLBTQ Youth and Allies.

Claire Chang is a seasoned professional in the foundation world. She is currently the director of program planning and special initiatives for the Saint Paul Foundation. She has also been involved as a volunteer with other nonprofit organizations. She is a strategic thinker who contributes to the board’s depth.

Lorrie Janatopulis received PFund’s Power of One Award in 1997 for her grassroots organizing efforts in Minnesota. She has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Minnesotans and as a coordinator for the It’s Time Minnesota civil rights group. She has also served as a member of the Virginia City Human Rights Commission, giving voice to GLBT concerns.

Deb Williams joins the board with a strong background in grassroots organizing. She is Ojibwe and active in Minnesota’s Two Spirit Community. With strong leadership ability and strategic insight, Deb is interested in helping PFund’s Grants & Programming Committee.

Many of our new board members began their service with PFund as volunteers. We invite you to join us! To find out how you can get more involved in PFund, contact us today or visit our Web site at www.PFundOnline.org.

PFund Board of Directors
2008-2009