Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are a group of skilled, talented and committed individuals who are deeply dedicated to the mission and vision of The Grief Club.
Robert Archbold
Robert Archbold
Robert has over thirty years of combined experience in mortuary science, small business operations and strategy. He currently applies this diverse background to advise and represent clients in the funeral service industry, as well as allied health professionals. In addition to being a mortician he is a government relations and lobbyist specializing in funeral services and allied health professionals in Washington DC, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, the founder of Funeral Service Roundtable, partner advisor with Epilogg and the publisher of The Arch Report.
Susan Carter
Susan Carter
Susan has more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit and philanthropic community most recently as the Executive Director of the WCA Foundation at the Minneapolis Foundation. Additional philanthropic roles Susan has held include leadership with the Valspar and Pentair Foundations, Thrivent Charitable, Flint Hills Resources and United Way. Susan holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kansas, and a M.A. in Nonprofit Management/Public Administration from Hamline University. She was also selected as a Humphrey School of Public Affairs Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota in 2018. Susan serves on the Allina Health Patient Experience Advisory Board and as a Member of the Minnetonka Coalition for Equitable Education. Previous service includes the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation Board, Allina Health Quality Council and as a Minnetonka City Council Member. Susan is at her best with her husband, Matt, and children, Justin and Hilary, by her side.
Dr. Chris Chang
Dr. Chris Chang
Chris is a dentist and owner of Maple Grove Family Dental Clinic where he has been in private practice for 23 years. He earned his dental degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry after graduating with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in biochemistry and microbiology. Chris is married to Nichole and they have three children and a golden retriever.
Dennis GoetzBoard Chair
Dennis GoetzBoard Chair
Dennis is the Chief Financial Officer at Pohlad Companies. Dennis has over 30 years of experience in finance and accounting roles in both public and private companies, including Carlson Companies, Buca di Beppo and United Sports Brands. Prior to Pohlad, he was the founder and principal of Boyd Consulting Group, LLC. Dennis is a Certified Management Accountant and has his MBA from the University of Minnesota. He is also active in the Boy Scouts of America through leadership in the Twin Cities Northern Star Council. Dennis was born and raised in west-central Wisconsin. He is married to Michelle and has four amazing children.
Geoff Gothro
Geoff Gothro
Geoff, a University of Minnesota graduate, spent the first 20 years of his career as an employee benefit consultant for multiple national consulting firms. He then worked in executive positions within United Health Group and following his retirement he co-developed a successful e-commerce business. Over the past 15 years Geoff has served on the Board of multiple non-profits including the Bloomington Theater and Arts organization and Milkweed Press in which he currently serves on their Executive Committee and is the HR Committee Chair. He is also on the Board of a small for-profit technology services company. Geoff loves spending time with his kids and grandkids and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time on the golf course.
Susan Johnson
Susan Johnson
Susan enjoyed a career centering on supporting grieving children. She received her M.A. in professional psychology from the University of St. Thomas and was certified as a spiritual director through the Wayzata Cenacle. She served on the founding Board of Directors at Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners. Susan has practiced as a children’s grief therapist for several organizations in the metro area and was integral in the start up of two of them. Following her retirement, Susan has volunteered with her pet therapy dog, Maya, a sweet golden retriever. She also volunteers in the IOCP food shelf, and as a gardener at Noerenberg Memorial Gardens. Susan and Mick have been married 55 years, and have two daughters and five incredible grandchildren. She loves spending time with her family, practicing yoga, long walks with friends, reading, gardening, cooking, studying the Enneagram and welcomes opportunities to learn, grow and serve.
Kylie Kaminski
Kylie Kaminski
Kylie Kaminski is a Business Attorney at Hellmuth & Johnson. She represents established and emerging businesses entities with mergers, acquisitions and other various corporate law needs. Kylie believes there are many roads to success, and she carries that attitude throughout her practice and her life. She brings innovative solutions to her clients and makes sure she asks the right questions to help them tackle their specific goals. Kylie attended the University of St. Thomas Law School and was born and raised in the Minneapolis area.
Vicki Kopplin
Vicki Kopplin
Vicki has more than 25 years of experience in non-profits including roles in marketing, program development, fundraising, financial management , advocacy and executive leadership. Vicki has worked and volunteered for large and small nonprofits across the country. She earned her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University and a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota. Vicki spent the bulk of her career working with kids and families impacted by epilepsy – seeing first hand the profound effect grief has on families impacted by Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Her passion for kids and families continues today with her work at Gillette Children’s in St Paul, MN. Vicki has two adult children, a grandson and two golden retrievers.
Mike Krance
Mike Krance
Mike brings a wealth of public relations experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. At International Dairy Queen, he ran its international magazine, corporate contributions and Children’s Miracle Network cause marketing programs. Mike has also worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations, including Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Pinky Swear Foundation, Second Harvest Heartland, March of Dimes and Northfield Shares. His roles have ranged from marketing communications and grant making to fundraising and executive director. Mike, and his wife Jill, have two sons and enjoy volunteering for their activities.
Chad Lanners
Chad Lanners
Chad has nearly 30 years of experience working in executive roles for nonprofits. He is the former Senior Vice President of Operations at YMCA, and currently is the Chief Operating Officer with Fishing for Life. Chad has served on several Boards of Directors including Youth Intervention Program Association, Sioux YMCA Board of Trustees, Peacemaker Center, Northwest Community Health Council and the Anoka County Child and Family Council. He is married to Lisa, a first grade teacher, and together they have 2 adult children.
Amy Parnell
Amy Parnell
Amy has been the director of communications and community engagement for the Wayzata Public Schools for the past 10 years. She brings over 30 years of experience in education, non-profit and small business communications and public relations. After the death of her husband Charlie in 2006, when her children were young, Amy knows first hand how crucial it is to have high-quality grief support for kids and their families. Amy’s greatest joy is being mom to Laura, Kelly and Ben and she loves traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Eric Perkins
Eric Perkins
Eric joined KARE 11 in November of 1996 as a sports reporter and in 2012 was named weeknight sports anchor and sports director at KARE. As a sports reporter Perkins gained much attention with his “Perk at Play” segment. He has also covered major sporting events including 5 Olympic Games. Eric is the creator of Perk’s Pinky Swear MessFest. He has served as an event emcee for organizations like Pinky Swear, Children’s Minnesota, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Second Harvest Heartland, St. Jude, SpareKey and more. Eric is married with two daughters and a son. Of all the great athletic events he’s covered, he says nothing compares to sitting in the stands and cheering on his kids as they pursue their passions.
Marty Ragnow
Marty Ragnow
Marty previously worked as an Administrative Assistant and Special Needs Paraprofessional in a metro area middle school. She has always enjoyed helping families with a new found passion for those navigating their way through grief. She played basketball for Augustana University and graduated with a degree in Social Work. In 2016, Marty’s husband died unexpectedly, leaving her and their five children to grieve his death. She loves spending time with her family and especially enjoys their time at their Canadian cabin.
Mary Beth Roane
Mary Beth Roane
Retired airline employee, Mary Beth has been a devoted mother and wife to her family of five children, husband of 35 years and new grandson. Following the 1999 drowning of her 11 month old son, The Jack Alexander Roane Memorial Endowment Fund was established at Ronald McDonald House Charities-Upper Midwest. Mary Beth served on and was the chair of the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House. She was instrumental in helping establish the partnership with RMH Charities for the vision and building of Faith’s Lodge, as well as, funding and designing the RMH inside of Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Monica Treviño
Monica Treviño
Growing up in San Antonio, Monica spent her childhood and early career in her parent’s business, a childcare center. There, she witnessed the pain felt by children and families following the death of a loved one and became an advocate for the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. Monica transitioned to a career in business development, working with nonprofits and private companies in Texas and Minnesota, building relationships with minority communities. She is the founder and owner of Mosaic Language Services, a translations and interpreting company based in the Twin Cities. Monica is grateful that The Grief Club of Minnesota exists and can help grieving children and their families “on this end of I-35.” Monica is happiest when she is with her four children, hanging out with them and enjoying their company.
Advisors
Mick JohnsonSenior Advisor
Mick JohnsonSenior Advisor
Mick is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Spirituality & Healing and School of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. For decades, Mick served as the President of the Park Nicollet Foundation and Senior Vice President at Mercy and United Hospitals. Mick was also an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas and a YMCA senior director and consultant. Mick is a consultant, facilitator, teacher, speaker and coach in the areas of leadership, governance, team building, strategic planning, philanthropy and staff development. He currently sits on multiple boards and advisory councils.
Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much.
Helen Keller
