Kevin & Kathy Kirvida with Chisago Lakes Area Community Foun

I grew up in a farmhouse my grandparents built in the Red River Valley a few miles northwest of Crookston, Minnesota. I’ve been in the Twin Cities for the past 30ish years, so it is truly home to me now.

 It’s hard to pin down an exact time: As a child, my parents involved me in church activities, 4-H, community theater, and performing in nursing homes. They demonstrated an attitude of helping out wherever you see the opportunity. In adulthood, my volunteer activities followed my children, forming a babysitting co-op through Early Childhood Family Education, volunteering with Boy Scouts and Minnesota Youth Symphony.  

My daughter got me involved in the Miss Minnesota Organization, which is a preliminary competition to Miss America. The organization is branded as apolitical, encouraging young women to take their passions for improving the world into their academic and career goals. What makes this organization unique is that it supports contestants who have strong opinions. It helps them learn to interact with those who may have quite differing views. Those of us who volunteer in the organization recognize that we are not in an echo chamber, which opens our eyes to new ways of seeing things. My local organization, MISS CHAIN OF LAKES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, established in 2013, has grown from sending one young woman to the state competition to now sponsoring six contestants. For each of them, I provide scholarships to support their academic pursuits. It is my pleasure to open doors for them whenever I can.

There is nothing more fulfilling than helping someone recognize how remarkable they are. As I learn the journey someone has been on, I see how they have responded to adversity, problem solved to make the way smoother for others, and celebrated accomplishments. 

FUTURE. My work with young women reminds me of how much progress has been made in my own lifetime and it inspires me to think that these young women will use their passions to make the world a better place. They give me incredible hope for our future.

Before I retired, my work involved coaching people on problem solving and how they communicated their plans to resolve a problem. I loved seeing people transform as they turned bad problems into opportunities for taking the next leap forward. Prior to my corporate career, I was a freelance musician and composer. My experience with creating performances grounded me in running a local Miss America competition every year and coaching performers to bring their best to the stage.

A farm girl at heart, I am happiest when I’m in my garden listening to a podcast or eBook. In that flow state I can spend hours before I realize it is time to go back in the house.  My husband has had to remind me to come in when a thunderstorm rolls in. 

 Many people inspire me as I learn their stories of overcoming obstacles. Specifically, and personally, I am inspired daily by my children: watching them build their careers and create a beautiful life fills me with great joy. 

Life is such a series of enjoyments; I don’t really pick favorites. I make my own yogurt, so that might be a favorite food. A dinner I love making is a curry chicken with rice, yogurt sauce with raisins. It has lots of curry, garlic, and paprika. I’ll whip up a batch of naan, add some homemade wine: so enjoyable!

One that is not over scheduled so I can lose track of time and get lost in creating something.

Here are some words I got back when I queried my group chats: motivated, curious, generous, creative, organized, empathetic, sincere, charismatic, reliable are a few of the words that were used.

Park Falls, Wisconsin

August, 2017

I’m chair elect for the Board, preparing to become the Alumni Board Chair in April, 2022.  

Helping people find their passion and watching them take action to achieve it.  

Dedication.  Because everyone I’ve met through the UMAA (employees and volunteers) are dedicated to their work and the U.  

Yes, in both places, I am serving people. At the U, it’s students and alumni.  At Medtronic, it’s patients and employees. 

Cooking and baking

Brené Brown.  She’s not afraid to talk about any topic, ask hard questions and become a better person.  I love her quote “I’m not here to be right, I’m here to get it right.”  

Pizza with fresh toppings - a spinach side salad.  :-)

Being outside, active and in nature - in any season. 

I see the good in the world, I want to make a difference and I like to celebrate the simple things in life with others.