The University of North Dakota School of Law

University of North Dakota

Executive Director at Dakota Medical and Impact Foundations

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Since joining the Foundation in 2000,  I have directed the Foundation to continuously explore new ways to become more effective and impactful in the use of its resources. More than $82 million has been invested since 1996 in improving health and access to care among people of the region.

Together with an outstanding team, I led the establishment of Giving Hearts Day in 2008. This 24-hour give-a-thon has become the largest giving day in the region with more than $41 million raised for charitable causes since inception. Giving Hearts Day 2017 raised $10.6 million through more than 50,000 donations – a testament to the generosity of our neighbors.

DMF is also widely known for its Lend A Hand program that has helped volunteers raise over $12.5 million for 400 families in medical crisis since 2008. DMF also works with childcares and schools in the region to help children develop healthy physical activity and food habits for a lifetime of good health.

During my tenure, we designed and built the DMF Center of Excellence, which opened in 2013. The building provides much-needed space for area nonprofits to hold meetings, conferences and retreats. State-of-the-art presentation and videoconferencing equipment provides technology that may otherwise be unaffordable to nonprofits. The nonprofit center supports DMF’s work as a collaborative leader in the region, organizing to tackle complex, multifaceted issues such as childhood obesity, chronic disease, addiction, and other challenges requiring long-term strategic focus and shared resources.

Dakota Medical Foundation

Executive Director

In 2005, I led the creation of Impact Foundation to help nonprofit leaders vastly improve their fundraising abilities and capacity to serve through training and coaching.

With the help of an extraordinary team, I oversaw the development of the <a href="http://impactgiveback.org">impactgiveback.org</a> website for online fundraising and volunteering. It currently features over 360 area nonprofits, and was the birthplace of Giving Hearts Day.

Impact Foundation’s strong coaching and training programs, together with Giving Hearts Day, earned a prestigious 2015 Bush Innovation Prize for elevating charity results and building a collaborative network of nonprofits.

Impact Institute of the Impact Foundation

Responsibilities included management and control of all aspects of the business.  Reported to the Governor and later to a Board of Directors comprised of employer, employee and medical provider representatives.  Managed the following department directors/managers:  Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel, Policyholder Services, Loss Prevention, Claims and Rehabilitation, Legal Services, Workers’ Adviser Program, Public Affairs and Targeted Employer Services, Human Resources, Accounting, Customer Relations and Quality Assurance, Internal Audit, Fraud, and Research and Statistics (175 total employees).

North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau

Executive Director/CEO

Served as the Bureau’s Deputy Director/General Counsel for 18 months prior to being appointed its Executive Director in 1995. Primary focus during this time frame involved drafting, passing, and implementing a substantial legislative reform package to substantially improve North Dakota’s workers compensation system.

Deputy Director and General Counsel

Specialized in personal injury litigation for this large, general practice firm.

Pat Traynor