Reverend Gail Berger, Executive Director
Born into a LCMS pastor’s family, Gail has had ministry in her blood. It has taken many forms as musician, teacher and youth director in the LCMS. After raising three sons, she worked as a Christian Ed. Director and spent 6 years on the Waconia School Board. After her husband of 28 years died in 1993, she entered full time ministry graduating from Luther Seminary with a Master of Divinity which gave her opportunity to serve as an apologist for Faith Studies International and travel as a teaching missionary in Africa and the Philippines. Gail lost her second husband to cancer in 1996 and her 26 year old son in a racing accident in 2001. She is a speaker, teacher and mentor in many venues besides running The Blessing House, a spiritual life and growth center in Victoria, MN. Her interest in philanthropy led her to chair a national board for Royal Treasure, a women’s philanthropic organization that educated global minded women. Contact Gail
Born into a LCMS pastor’s family, Gail has had ministry in her blood. It has taken many forms as musician, teacher and youth director in the LCMS. After raising three sons, she worked as a Christian Ed. Director and spent 6 years on the Waconia School Board. After her husband of 28 years died in 1993, she entered full time ministry graduating from Luther Seminary with a Master of Divinity which gave her opportunity to serve as an apologist for Faith Studies International and travel as a teaching missionary in Africa and the Philippines. Gail lost her second husband to cancer in 1996 and her 26 year old son in a racing accident in 2001. She is a speaker, teacher and mentor in many venues besides running The Blessing House, a spiritual life and growth center in Victoria, MN. Her interest in philanthropy led her to chair a national board for Royal Treasure, a women’s philanthropic organization that educated global minded women. Contact Gail
Pamela Miller, Chairman
As Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management at Beckman Coulter, Pam had responsibilities for the integrated supply chain including manufacturing operations, technical publications, technical operations, distribution & logistics, facilities and the advanced supply chain functions. She has a diverse background including research and development, customer technical support, product support and manufacturing. Pam recently retired from her 35+year career in the medical diagnostic field and is looking forward to spending more time with her family and volunteering for non-profits. She has three daughters, one son and six grandchildren. She currently volunteers for Make-A-Wish. Pam is a lifetime member of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle and served on the board of directors and as an officer of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also served on the Executive Board of Directors, at the University of St. Thomas Management Center.
As Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management at Beckman Coulter, Pam had responsibilities for the integrated supply chain including manufacturing operations, technical publications, technical operations, distribution & logistics, facilities and the advanced supply chain functions. She has a diverse background including research and development, customer technical support, product support and manufacturing. Pam recently retired from her 35+year career in the medical diagnostic field and is looking forward to spending more time with her family and volunteering for non-profits. She has three daughters, one son and six grandchildren. She currently volunteers for Make-A-Wish. Pam is a lifetime member of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle and served on the board of directors and as an officer of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also served on the Executive Board of Directors, at the University of St. Thomas Management Center.
Steve Kosel, Treasurer
Steve Kosel has been the SVP of Finance for Sparboe Farms, Inc., an egg producer and processor, for the last 4 years. Steve’s experience over the last 29 years has been in the egg production and processing, moving and storage, wholesale distribution and accounting services industries. Steve is a CPA and enjoys finance and accounting, but he really enjoys corporate strategy and planning work in his role at Sparboe. Steve holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
Steve has been married to his wife, Mary, for 31 years. They have 4 children (3 girls and one boy) ranging from age 31 to 21. Steve and Mary do not have any grandchildren yet, but they are hopeful that is right around the corner!
Steve was initially asked to join the Board of The Blessing House for his Accounting and Finance expertise. After Steve met Gail and some of the other Board members, he felt a strong calling and connection to the “Creating Spaces for God to Work…so that all those that come can find a deeper truth of a Christ-centered life” mission & vision. Steve is always looking for a deeper connection with God, and his work at The Blessing House, with Gail and the Board is providing him with countless examples of how he can achieve that deeper connection.
Steve Kosel has been the SVP of Finance for Sparboe Farms, Inc., an egg producer and processor, for the last 4 years. Steve’s experience over the last 29 years has been in the egg production and processing, moving and storage, wholesale distribution and accounting services industries. Steve is a CPA and enjoys finance and accounting, but he really enjoys corporate strategy and planning work in his role at Sparboe. Steve holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
Steve has been married to his wife, Mary, for 31 years. They have 4 children (3 girls and one boy) ranging from age 31 to 21. Steve and Mary do not have any grandchildren yet, but they are hopeful that is right around the corner!
Steve was initially asked to join the Board of The Blessing House for his Accounting and Finance expertise. After Steve met Gail and some of the other Board members, he felt a strong calling and connection to the “Creating Spaces for God to Work…so that all those that come can find a deeper truth of a Christ-centered life” mission & vision. Steve is always looking for a deeper connection with God, and his work at The Blessing House, with Gail and the Board is providing him with countless examples of how he can achieve that deeper connection.
Todd Anderson, Director
A business development and sales executive in the life-sciences industry with over 30 years of healthcare experience, including sales and business development roles in the pharmaceutical, health informatics, and clinical research industries. Todd holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Minnesota and is actively networked throughout the medical product industry. Todd has been married for 27 years and has two adult children and two grandchildren. Todd is actively involved in Westwood Community Church and serves as a part of the New Member Team.
A business development and sales executive in the life-sciences industry with over 30 years of healthcare experience, including sales and business development roles in the pharmaceutical, health informatics, and clinical research industries. Todd holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Minnesota and is actively networked throughout the medical product industry. Todd has been married for 27 years and has two adult children and two grandchildren. Todd is actively involved in Westwood Community Church and serves as a part of the New Member Team.
Steve Kowalke, Director
As Vice President and Treasurer of Target Corporation, Steve had responsibility for Banking and Financing, Investments, Risk Management, Taxation, and Acquisitions and Divestitures.
After a 25 year career with Target, in 2005, Steve decided to leave the corporate scene so that he could focus his time on volunteering with Non-Profit organizations. During 2010 he served as the interim President and CEO of Children’s Home Society and Family Services, a large adoption and family support NGO located in St Paul Minnesota.
Steve is currently the Board Chair of Children’s Home Society and Family Services, and Past Board Chair of Fraser. Steve received his BBS and MBA degrees in Management and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
As Vice President and Treasurer of Target Corporation, Steve had responsibility for Banking and Financing, Investments, Risk Management, Taxation, and Acquisitions and Divestitures.
After a 25 year career with Target, in 2005, Steve decided to leave the corporate scene so that he could focus his time on volunteering with Non-Profit organizations. During 2010 he served as the interim President and CEO of Children’s Home Society and Family Services, a large adoption and family support NGO located in St Paul Minnesota.
Steve is currently the Board Chair of Children’s Home Society and Family Services, and Past Board Chair of Fraser. Steve received his BBS and MBA degrees in Management and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Chris Rud, Director
Chris Rud is an organizational consultant helping her clients build the organizational capability to deliver on their business strategies. She has worked for Right Management for nearly 20 years where she has held local, regional and global leadership positions. Prior to joining Right Management, Chris held leadership positions in all functional areas of Human Resources including VP of Human Resources for a global high tech manufacturing company. Chris holds an undergraduate degree in business and advanced degree (ABD) in Organization Development. She is a Bush Leadership Fellow. Chris has been married for over 43 years and has two daughters and four grandchildren. Chris’ passion for women’s and children’s issues has led to many volunteer and sponsorship activities including currently serving on the Board of Directors of Mount Olivet Rolling Acres and volunteering for Make-A-Wish. As a charter member of Mount Olivet Church West, she is actively involved in church activities.
Chris Rud is an organizational consultant helping her clients build the organizational capability to deliver on their business strategies. She has worked for Right Management for nearly 20 years where she has held local, regional and global leadership positions. Prior to joining Right Management, Chris held leadership positions in all functional areas of Human Resources including VP of Human Resources for a global high tech manufacturing company. Chris holds an undergraduate degree in business and advanced degree (ABD) in Organization Development. She is a Bush Leadership Fellow. Chris has been married for over 43 years and has two daughters and four grandchildren. Chris’ passion for women’s and children’s issues has led to many volunteer and sponsorship activities including currently serving on the Board of Directors of Mount Olivet Rolling Acres and volunteering for Make-A-Wish. As a charter member of Mount Olivet Church West, she is actively involved in church activities.
