Prevent suicide by creating quality connections through
everyday conversations about mental health, by way of programs and partnerships.
We can’t change the past, but together we can affect the future!
We want #LIVIN to be a universally recognized movement that promotes a world that is just as
comfortable talking about mental health as it is the weather.
Start the Conversation, Listen with Intent, Get Busy #LIVIN
Events & Outreach
We support and participate in many activities and outreach including community and speaking engagements.
We have events all year round regarding the importance of mental health. Contact Us if you are interested in hosting an event!
Check our Facebook for all the latest events!
Follow us!
*The LIVIN Foundation does not provide mental heath services. We connect you with the help you need. Please
visit our Looking for Help tab if you need help.
#LIVIN is trademarked and owned by the LIVIN Foundation.
If you are in crisis, please dial or text 988.
Executive Director
Kaitlin Daeges has been part of the LIVIN Foundation for 5+ years. Kaitlin brings more than 16 years of operational and contact center experience in startup companies and large corporations with a proven track record of significantly increasing profitability and shareholder value. Kaitlin has achieved these results by creating a strong leadership team and a vibrant corporate culture that improves efficiencies and enhances processes within organizations. After losing her father to suicide when she was 12, she has decided to turn her own personal tragedy into driving passion to give back and ultimately prevent suicide so that no other families have to experience what hers did. Her professional and personal experiences continue to drive the #LIVIN movement forward.
Board Member
Jack Zipoy is an executive board member and has been part of the organization for over 3 years. Jack is a Senior Account Executive for Gartner. His version of #LIVIN is spending time with his three kids, beautiful wife and golfing!
Board Member
Micah Vegter is the founder and President of Digits Financial Solutions. His professional focus is helping small businesses understand the ins and outs of accounting, translating numbers into meaningful business insights. He was born and raised in Minnesota, crossed the border for school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and currently resides in Denver, Colorado.
Micah has been a game-changer for our organization in helping us get even more efficient with our finances and accounting.
Please join us in welcoming Micah to this new role!
#Passion #Dedicated #Loyal #Genuine #Selfless #StartTheConversation #ReduceTheStigma #GetBusyLIVIN #LIVIN #ItsYourStory
Board Member
Emily has 10+ years of insurance operations experience within medical, life, disability, and supplemental health benefits. Emily’s experience includes leadership, process development and improvement for contact center, billing, implementation, and data exchange operations.
Emily has been a volunteer with the LIVIN Foundation for 2+ years, primarily supporting our back-end operational functions. You will also see her smiling face at various events that she volunteers and helps at.
Emily’s organizational and operational skills, combined with her level of detail will help us continue to take the LIVIN Foundation to the next level.
Please join us in welcoming Emily to this new Board Member role!
#Passion #Dedicated #Loyal #Genuine #Selfless #StartTheConversation #ListenWithIntent #GetBusyLIVIN #LIVIN #ItsYourStory
Matt plays a leading role in Myslajek Kemp & Spencer, Ltd.’s tax department focusing on taxation of corporations, partnerships and exempt entities. Matt is originally form Jordan, Minnesota and after graduating from Augustana University in 2008, began his career in public accounting. He has also taken on numerous advocacy projects including Distracted Driving and “Hands Free” driving initiatives passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2018. Matt’s other interests include riding his bike, running on the Minneapolis trails and spending time at the family cabin.
Senior Philanthropy Officer, Children’s Minnesota
Meet Ashley Lawson, Advisory Board Member! As a Senior Philanthropy Officer at Children’s Minnesota, Ashley Lawson connects donors and community partners with the incredible mission of raising healthier kids. She has over 14 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and communications, and is passionate about improving the lives of others. Ashley received her B.A. in Communications from the University of North Dakota, and her Master in Public Affairs from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota. In addition to her professional work, she enjoys traveling, seeing any kind of live music, spending time with friends and family, and has been a coach to the Special Olympics Minnesota team, the Minneapolis Eagles, for more than 10 years. We are so grateful to have Ashley on the team!
Chief Development Officer, Canvas Health
With having felt the impact of mental health and suicide in her life, supporting #LIVIN is a passion for her. Upon hearing the mission, there was no question she would do what she could to advance the mission. Allie has been in Marketing for over 30 years and has decades of entrepreneurial experience as well. She owned and operated several of her own businesses prior to starting Workhorse Marketing along with her 3 partners, giving her the unique perspective of a business owner as it relates to the importance of marketing. She loves to share her knowledge and experience with non-profits as well. As a member of the advisory board for both the Midwest Country Music Organization as well as The #LIVIN Foundation. She supports many others as well. As much as marketing is her passion, so is travel. With a wandering spirit and thirst for adventure she will work from anywhere on the globe just to keep exploring. She is the travel planner for all her friends and family and will spend endless hours looking for new places to traverse. With one trip always on the calendar she is driven by meeting new people and learning new things that’s her #LIVIN.
Mary Serie is one of our Advisory Board members! She grew up just outside of Detroit and moved to Minnesota in 2006 and attended the University of Minnesota (undergrad) and the University of St. Mary’s Winona (graduate). She spent the first 8 years of her career working in the nonprofit sector – specifically with grants, events and large corporate partnerships. She transitioned into the technology sector leading a global channel partner program and most recently working at Concur.
Mary is most excited to continue to use her nonprofit expertise for a cause that silently affects so many people. Mary’s version of #LIVIN is being outdoors and spending time with her family! Thank you for helping us grow the organization, Mary!
Stacy has been part of the LIVIN Foundation from day 1, when it was founded in 2015! Chances are that if you are receiving a check or an invoice is being paid by LIVIN, that Stacy is the one taking care of it! Stacy, her husband Derek and the entire Ramacher family have been and continue to be extremely dedicated to the #LIVIN movement and are there whenever we need them. When asked why she is so passionate about LIVIN, she had this to say; “The foundation is very near and dear to my heart. I’m honored to be part of the movement. It is important to me to be able to spread the message, with hopes of giving others the encouragement to talk openly about their mental health. Be kind as you never know what battles one might be facing.”
When asked why she is so passionate about LIVIN, she had this to say; “I love creating and bringing merchandise to life for this amazing organization with a cause so prevalent in today’s world.”
Look for lots of new and limited edition merch coming soon! Start shopping now: https://bit.ly/3mV7Bl7