Women’s History Month Features- CEO Kristen Denzer, CGO Robert Thesing and more!

“One of my first jobs out of college was working at a nonprofit focused on reproductive rights and ensuring access to science-based information on comprehensive sexual education. While working there, I saw first-hand the tremendous positive impact RBG’s decades-long work to expand reproductive rights had on women. RBG battled extreme sexism while managing to still graduate first in her Columbia Law School class – and was the first justice to officiate a same-sex marriage. She was a trailblazing powerhouse, and truly left a lasting legacy.”

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Robert Thesing, Chief Growth Officer:

“I’ve always looked up to my mom as an amazing self-made woman. As a stay-at-home-mom and seamstress she raised four kids on a farm, then put herself through college. She got a job at a boat manufacturing company and worked her way up to be the top person in finance for the whole company! She ‘retired’ early to start her own business, The Old Creamery Quilt Shop in Randall, MN and has been incredibly successful. All the while she still makes time for her hobbies and passions like quilting, gardening, and being a great mom and grandma!”

Carolyn Henning, Director of Operations:

“My mom, Betty Clark, was a role model to me from an early age that I can do anything I set my mind to. My parents met when they were in college, at that time it was customary for women to drop out of college and begin to raise a family. That is the route my parents took. Once the youngest child was in kindergarten Betty went back to school at the U of M and completed her BA degree. From there she became an adoption social worker. Her goal at the time was to support families to connect with children who needed homes and help the process through the system to completion. Approximately 10 years into that career she announced that she was going back to school to get her Masters of Divinity. She wanted to become a minister. She was one of 2 women enrolled in the Seminary at that time. This was an example of her forging a path into a traditionally male role. She became and ordained minister and began a second career in the ministry. She met with many obstacles along the way because she was a woman, but she was persistent. She chose to show her worth and her value through her work. Betty was humble and kind, and that was a very successful approach. She impacted many throughout her years in the ministry and will be remembered for that. Betty taught me that it is important to always look at the other side of the story … that you never know what a person is going through, so it is not OK to make assumptions. Rather, meet people where they are and go from there and it will all work out. Her compassion for others and her kind ways will stay with me forever.”