SUNSHINE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
Developing Visions…Bringing Awareness…Making an Impact
Board Member Bios | Interests…Affiliations…Motivations
“If you are interested in learning more about serving as one of our Board Members please contact us administration@sunshinememorial.org or 701-738-2462.
Bruce Gjovig - Chair
Affiliations
CEO Emeritus, Founder & Entrepreneur Coach UND Center for Innovation Foundation, a program focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and private investment that received 18 national and international awards for excellence..
Chair, Bioscience Association of North Dakota (BioND),
Chair. Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation
Chair, American College of Norway Foundation USA
Chair Emeritus of the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks
Appointed to the Civic Leaders Group of the US Air Force by the Secretary of the Air Force ad Chief of Staff
*** In Feb 2014, Gjovig was presented with the national Ronald Reagan Award for promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and free enterprise for 30 years.
***In October 2008, Gjovig was knighted by King Harald V of Norway.
***In 2001, Gjovig inducted into the North Dakota Entrepreneur Hall of Fame
Motivation
“The Sunshine Memorial Foundation is providing an nonprofit opportunity for donors to build a first-rate hospitality home to serve hundreds of families in our region who are having a medical crisis. There is nothing more important than being close to a loved one in a family setting when there is a family crisis. We want to help these families that come from far and near. I like the entrepreneur aspect of the Sunshine Memorial Foundation, and I want to support Van Larson, his family and the board members in this social entrepreneur adventure. Our community and our medical services are going to greatly enhanced.”
Kenton McGregor - Treasurer
Affiliations
Current: CPA, Phil Thompson & Associates LLP
Current: Greater Grand Forks Senior Center
Current: Delta Tau Delta House Corporation
Current: South Forks Lions
Carma Hanson - Director
Affiliations
Current: RN, Altru Health System/Coordinator of Safe Kids Grand Forks
Current: North Dakota Republican Party Vice Chairwoman
Current: Adjunct faculty member with the University of North Dakota, College of Nursing
Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society
Motivation
“Whether as a nurse, a mom or the Coordinator of Safe Kids, promoting health, wellness and safety has always been a passion of mine. Getting involved with the Sunshine Memorial Foundation was a perfect fit with my current profession and much of the work Safe Kids Grand Forks does around dehydration and other safety related topics. This desire to be involved was enhanced even more when the SMF took on the Sunshine Hospitality Home project. Over the years, I have worked with very tiny babies and seen how devastating it is for parents to have to leave their bedside because there was nowhere for them to stay or they could not afford accommodations on top of their expensive medical costs. I longed for a place that would offer the caring and compassionate accommodations that were so vital to caring for the whole patient and their families. I am blessed to be a part of this organization that brings so many of my “loves and passions” to life!!
Mary Glessner - Director
Affiliations:
Current: UND Aerospace
Current: Cheerful Givers
Current: Grand Cities Woman Magazine
Motivation:
“My passion and interest in the Sunshine Hospitality Home project has given me the opportunity to serve on the Sunshine Memorial Foundation Board. Being involved in the community in which we live is a priority. It’s exciting to help advocate for the hospitality home project because of the impact it will have on Grand Forks and the surrounding region.”
Donovan Larson - Director
Affiliations
Current: The RLE Group
Former North Dakota American Institute of Architects – Executive Committee Associate Director
Former Preservation North Dakota Board – Director
***Govenor’s Trustee – North Dakota State Historical Society
***1997 AIA North Dakota Special Recognition – Re-Imaging Downtown Greater Grand Forks
Motivation
“I greet each day knowing that my sister, Shannon, is looking down and hopefully I can do everything in my ability to make a difference in other’s lives. Moving the Sunshine Memorial Foundation forward helps me to bring awareness to her senseless death and make a meaningful impact in honor of her helpful and caring spirit.”