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
The LIVIN Foundation focuses on the following things as our main programs and initiatives to reach and help as many people as we can. Our main focus is on peer-to-peer connections and helping people feel comfortable to share their stories and what they are going through with others, but we also want to effectively get them to the support and help they need. Our current programs are as follows;
– Annual LIVIN Music Festival – “Not just a music festival, it’s #LIVIN.”
– Annual Camp LIVIN for families and adults that have lost a loved one to suicide.
– Individual and Family community financial grant assistance related to mental health.
– LivinConnected Mental Health Support Platform with a Human Touch
Mailing Address:
PO Box 652, Anoka, MN 55303
Donation checks made payable to LIVIN Foundation
© 2024 Livin Foundation. All rights reserved.
Follow us!
*The LIVIN Foundation does not provide mental heath services. We connect you with the help you need.
Please dial or text 988 if this is a crisis or visit our Get Support menu option for help.
#LIVIN is trademarked and owned by the LIVIN Foundation.
2168 7th Ave, PO Box 652, Anoka, MN 55303
If you are in crisis, please dial or text 988.
Executive Director
Kaitlin pursued a career in health insurance as an operations leader for 16 years before making a life-changing decision to completely switch gears and start chasing a career that aligns with her passion and purpose in life. She is a mom, wife, entrepreneur, and leader.
Her experience in startup companies and large corporations has made her who she is today. She has a proven track record of significantly increasing profitability and shareholder value within organizations. These results have been delivered by creating strong leadership teams and contributing to building vibrant organizational cultures that improve efficiencies and enhance processes.
The experience, skills, and knowledge that she has gained throughout her operations leadership career have prepared her for where she is today and readily transfer to building successful businesses and delivering outstanding customer experiences in every aspect of her life. Whether she is working on the real estate investment property company that she and her husband own, or the non-profit she runs, the common denominator in all aspects of life, is that the customer experience always comes first, always! Kaitlin has both her real-estate and insurance licenses.
Kaitlin has now been part of the LIVIN Foundation for 5+ years as the Executive Director.
Kaitlin’s Specialties:
-Operations leadership (contact center and general operations)
-Ability to motivate people
-Customer relationship management
-Team development, leadership, and mentoring
-Ability to manage cross-functional teams
-Performance management
-Alignment of people, process, and technology
-Real estate investment (vacation rentals by owner)
-Non-profit management (board and executive level)
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
Help and Hugs Director
Hi, I’m Hope, take my hand and come with me for support. LivinConnected is a mental health support platform with a human touch.
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
COO, The Builders Group
Jon Schindel spent 20 years in the private practice of law, focusing on small to mid-sized businesses. Jon left private practice in 2023 and took on a role as Chief Operating Officer at The Builders Group (TBG) after representing the company as outside counsel for 15 years. TBG is a self-insured workers compensation fund that provides coverage over 700 Minnesota construction companies. In addition, through two separate non-profits, TBG supports the trades by offering safety training services, by providing scholarships for people entering the trades, and by donating equipment to schools that offer trades-based education programs. Jon provides legal recommendations to the LIVIN Foundation and, through is twin cities professional network, helps to connect us with people that can help to drive the LIVIN mission forward.
COO & Senior Partner, Healthtek Inc.
We are so excited to welcome Nicholas Murphy to our Advisory Board! Nicholas and the Healthtek team have collectively helped us develop and launch our new mental health platform with a human touch, LivinConnected. Nicholas Murphy is behind a number of innovative tech solutions from content platforms to remote patient monitoring solutions within the health industry. He has over 30 years experience in the software development arena from game development, community building, managed digital platforms and app development. Matched with his love for everything digital is his attachment to the earth and a drive to transform damaged land into healthier growing grounds.
Vice President of Operations, MTG
Founder,
HireCMO
Mike Whitmire is the Founder of HireCMO, a leading marketing consulting firm that specializes in providing strategic marketing leadership to businesses. With a robust background in marketing and entrepreneurship, Mike has dedicated his career to helping organizations achieve growth through innovative marketing strategies and effective team leadership.
In addition to his role at HireCMO, Mike has recently joined the LIVIN Foundation as an Advisory Board Member. The LIVIN Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preventing suicide by fostering quality connections through open conversations about mental health.
By leveraging his extensive experience in business and marketing, Mike aims to support the foundation’s mission of creating impactful programs and partnerships that promote mental well-being. As an Advisory Board Member, Mike will provide valuable insights and consultation to the Executive Director and the leadership team, helping to guide the foundation in its efforts to save lives and support individuals facing mental health challenges. His expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that the LIVIN Foundation achieves its goals and objectives, ultimately making a positive impact in the community.
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
Camp LIVIN & Retreats Coordinator
Caitlin Branson is always willing to do whatever is needed at the moment. She has spoken to students in schools, assisted with the LIVIN Music Festival, led a partner golf tournament benefiting LIVIN and is now our Camp LIVIN & Retreats Program Coordinator. Caitlin also is a Certified Peer Support Specialist within the mental health space. Caitlin always jumps in where needed!
When asked why she is so passionate about LIVIN, she had this to say; “…Many people don’t talk about how they are truly doing or what they are going through. My involvement with LIVIN has allowed me to not only help break that stigma and raise awareness about mental health- but also has given me the opportunity to have conversations with others I normally wouldn’t have. It’s also given many the opportunity to change the narrative to think about the good and what you are #LIVIN for even in the depths of the bad. The Organization has given me friendships that can have tough conversations together and help support one another’s journey through healing and life- there’s something to be said about an organization that doesn’t just do good for others, but is good for all!”
Financial Grant Committee Chair
Brooke Nault is our Financial Grant Committee Chair and has been with the LIVIN foundation since its inception in 2015. The foundation has a special place in Brooke’s heart who lost her father to suicide in 2009. To be able to give hope, help and virtual hugs to those in need is a huge motivator and it’s why she loves being a part of the grant committee. We are lucky to have Brooke part of the LIVIN Foundation, helping so many people through our grant program.
LIVIN Music Festival Director
Shannon is the Corporate Partnerships Manager for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. With years of corporate, marketing, non-profit and board level experience, Shannon is able to leverage her experience to continue to grow and move the LIVIN Music Festival forward, which ultimately allows the LIVIN Foundation to reach as many people as we can to prevent suicide. We’re grateful to have Shannon on board to spearhead such a monumental pillar of the LIVIN Foundation.
LIVIN Music Festival Coordinator
We are thrilled to welcome Krissy Iverson to the LIVIN Family, as our LIVIN Music Festival Coordinator. Krissy and Shannon Hoheisel, our LIVIN Music Festival Director, will work together to continue to grow and lead the music festival.
My name is Krissy Iverson and I am the mother of two amazing teenagers. I love to spend my time volunteering, planning events and camping with my camping family. I was drawn to the Livin Family because of my passion for volunteering and helping others. I have someone very special to me that deals daily with severe mental health and helping with Livin is just one way I can give back and honor him. I am excited to join the team as the new Music Festival Coordinator. What could be better than Country Music and helping others!
Senior Graphic Designer
Meet Becky Blue! She is a Senior Graphic Designer Contractor & Volunteer! Becky has 20+ years of experience in graphic design, production and advertising. She is passionate about taking abstract business and data to collaboratively create consumer facing design. Becky has worked at Circle K/Holiday Companies for 19+ years as their Senior Graphic Designer. Not only does Becky have the experience needed, she and her family have personally been impacted by mental illness, and she is passionate about helping us move the mission forward!
Administrative Communications Coordinator