About us
Hope, Help, Hugs
We are a 100% volunteer organization!
Mission:
We are a 501c3 non-profit, whose mission is to promote a positive outlook on life, reduce the stigma associated with depression/mental illness, and ultimately prevent suicide through various activities, events, & outreach.
Vision:
We want #LIVIN to be universally recognized as an inspiring symbol of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Our Mailing Address
The LIVIN Foundation
P.O. Box 652
Anoka, MN 55303
Events
Starting the conversation
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!
Executive Board & Leadership
Paul "PT" Thomas Hohag
Kaitlin Daeges
Shawn Pucylowski
Jack Zipoy
Founder/Chairman
Executive Director
Board Member
Board Member
Advisory Board
Charlie Kanan
CEO & Chairman, Waytek Inc.
Matt Lind
CPA, Myslajek Kemp Spencer, LTD
Julia Yach
Director of Marketing, Canvas Health
Allie Grack
President, Workhorse Marketing
Charlie Kanan grew up in the Excelsior community and has been active with many groups throughout his life. Leadership contributions to the community are a regular part of Charlie’s life. When there is an opportunity to build community, solve problems within the community, or help others, Charlie wants to be involved. Charlie’s business experience spans more than 40 years in a variety of senior leadership and board member positions. Industries included; Burger King, Haagen-Dazs, Play it Again Sports and Fitness and Miracle Ear. He’s currently the CEO and Chairman of the Board at Waytek Inc., a national distributor of electrical supplies. Along his journey, he makes sure to incorporate his life philosophy to “give more than you receive.
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.
As Canvas Health’s Marketing and Development Director, Julia Yach is responsible for the agency’s fundraising, marketing, communications, and special events efforts. She has over 20 years of experience in the marketing and communications field, including serving as Director of Marketing at the Autism Society of Minnesota. She holds her BA in Public Relations and Electronic Publishing from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Julia loves live music, running, traveling, and spending time with her two teenagers and husband. She’s proud to be a member of the LIVIN Advisory Board because she’s passionate about increasing access to help for those who struggle with their mental 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.
Jon Schindel
Partner, SchindelSegal, PLLC
Mary Serie
Client Executive, SAP Concur
Stacy Ramacher
Emeritus
Ashley Lawson
Senior Philanthropy Officer, Children’s Minnesota
Jon is a partner with the Minneapolis-based firm of SchindelSegal, PLLC. His practice focuses on small to mid-size business. He helps his clients with the purchase/sale of businesses, commercial real estate and corporate governance. Jon and LIVIN Founder, PT- Paul Thomas were introduced by a common friend not long after the LIVIN Foundation was formed and have been happy to continue in an advisory role for the board on legal and strategy matters. It is incredible to work with such a dynamic and passionate group.
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.”
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!
Charlie Kanan
Matt Lind
Julia Yach
Allie Grack
Jon Schindel
Mary Serie
Stacy Ramacher
