| St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Awards in Philanthropy. Kevin Spellacy will be receiving the Professional Award in Philanthropy, Hodan Omar will be receiving the Social Trust Award, Michelle Pape will be receiving the 2023 ATHENA Award and Geri Bechtold will be receiving the 2022 ATHENA Award. These individuals will be honored at the CMCF Annual Celebration of Philanthropy Social that will take place on Thursday, September 14 from 5:00-8:00pm at the Park Event Center in Waite Park. For more information and to register to attend, interested parties can visit www.communitygiving.org/events or call (320) 253-4380. |
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| Kevin Spellacy – Professional Award in Philanthropy The Professional Award in Philanthropy recognizes efforts of a professional advisor such as an attorney, accountant, financial planner, or other professional who has significantly contributed to philanthropy in the region. Kevin Spellacy’s commitment to helping his clients and connecting their passions with the needs in the community are unmatched. Achieving his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, Kevin became a shareholder in Quinlivan & Hughes in 1984. In his estate and trust practice, he helps individuals, charitable organizations, trustees and personal representatives but his favorite part of practicing law is helping families. Kevin is an active member of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor Council and appreciates the sharing of knowledge and ideas amongst his peers. Kevin is also active in supporting other charitable organizations such as being Chair of the United Way of Central Minnesota’s Planning Giving Committee. |
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| Hodan Omar – Social Trust Award The Social Trust Award recognizes the often-unsung hero of community building: the Weaver; an individual who is actively building social trust across the Greater St. Cloud community. 2023 is the inaugural year of this award being presented. With a love for community and helping her students, Hodan Omar has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Social Trust Award. As Equity Outreach Coordinator at the St. Cloud Area School District, Hodan serves as a voice for underserved individuals and ensures that all voices are heard. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in community psychology from St. Cloud State University and has been working in the education field for 10 years. In 2022, she received the Notable Alumni award from St. Cloud State University. Hodan is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Educational Administrative Leadership. |
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| Michelle Pape – 2023 ATHENA Award The ATHENA Award is a lifetime achievement award recognizing exceptional women leaders who inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives. Since 2004, Michelle has been the Founder and Owner of Next Monday. Next Monday is an executive coaching company that focuses on personal and professional growth. Michelle says the goal of Next Monday is, “to create a safe, trusting place where people feel valued and uplifted for being the unique person that God created them to be. I want each person to know that they belong, that they are enough, that they are perfectly imperfect, similar yet different, and that women can be in community together building up one another.” With a background in sales and marketing, Michelle started her career selling products at home parties and later went on to accept an entry level marketing position at one of Minnesota’s largest fish wholesalers. Over the next few years, she moved up through the company and went on to lead their sales and marketing team. After 15 years, Michelle realized that she wanted to become a professional coach and she started Next Monday, “because no one starts something new on Tuesday or Friday, right?” says Michelle. Along with her work at Next Monday, Michelle is also a philanthropist. Notably she’s served as a Board Member on the Capital Development Project Committee for the YMCA. The ATHENA Award is presented by the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and sponsored by Granite Partners. |
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| Geri Bechtold – 2022 ATHENA Award An ambassador for youth, a mentor to young women, and a woman who is described by her peers as being the heart and soul of the nonprofit to which she’s dedicated her life’s work, Geri Bechtold was selected as the 2022 ATHENA Award recipient. Currently, Geri is the Vice President of Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota. She started at the Clubs part-time more than 30 years ago and since turned it into her career. She started out as a program manager for the Kennedy location KIDSTOP in the 90s. Along with her work at the Boys & Girls Clubs, Geri also supports and partners with the United Way of Central Minnesota on their youth education programs as well as some of the Central Minnesota area school districts. Right now, she is working to launch a program in area schools that will help students who have lost credits during the pandemic, earn them. Geri is also working in the St. Cloud school district to support a program designed to decrease the early learning education gaps among children.. The ATHENA Award is presented by the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and sponsored by Granite Partners. |