About Us

Kari Krause is a founding member of the Merjent Foundation. She appreciates the opportunity to identify and support charities focused on community outreach and animal welfare as well as organizations promoting education and life skills.  She has a M.S. in Cultural Resource Management.

Melissa Dellwo is a founding member of the Merjent Foundation. Her passion for charity is focused on hunger and homelessness.  As President of the Merjent Foundation, Melissa is excited to help our community on a larger scale. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris with a degree in Communication. 

Jessica Caruso is a member of the Board of Directors and has passion for supporting charities that address hunger, homelessness, and grief support.  She is also excited to be able to support the Foundations Scholarship program.

William Harding is a member of the Board of Directors and has an abiding concern for disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations.  He earned an M.A. in Anthropology with a focus on archaeology at Idaho State University.

  Scott Beard is passionate about service and helping people find fulfillment.  As an optimist and problem solver, he believes there is no challenge too great to overcome.

Lacy Lepisto is a member of the Board of Directors and is particularly interested in supporting medical research charities, as well as organizations providing support to marginalized communities. She is excited to help our community as a member of the Board of Directors. She graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa with degrees in Creative Writing and Archaeology. 

Mark Cline is a recent addition to the Merjent Foundation. He has a passion for the environment and people, as well as bringing the two together. Serving on this charity organization provides an opportunity for him to direct aid and support into his community. “It’s an honor to serve.

  Brian Fox is a member of the Board. He has a strong personal interest in wildlife protection and animal welfare, especially when affected by natural disasters. He’s also passionate about exploring donation opportunities for smaller organizations with limited fundraising capacities.

Becky Reinert is passionate about addressing food insecurity by supporting initiatives that improve access to nutritious food in local communities. She actively supports conservation efforts that protect local ecosystems and resources. Additionally, she is committed to disaster relief and recovery planning, working to enhance community resilience in times of crisis. As a member of the foundation board, Becky Reinert brings financial expertise with her master’s in accounting, strategic insight, and a strong dedication to fostering sustainable solutions for both people and the environment.