In the face of challenges including addiction and incarceration, Mark Stewart has persevered. After suffering the loss of his partner, Taylor Joy, to mental illness, something clicked for him, and he has been relentlessly serving his community since then. A nontraditional leadership journey like Mark’s has steep highs and lows. He has kept going through them all.
Archives for April 2025
Petra Jimenez on leadership
Petra Jimenez has lived most of her life in southwest Minnesota and makes her home in Fulda. A graduate of our latest Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort, Petra plans to run for the local school board next year. Last year, she organized the first Welcoming Week celebration in Fulda to help build belonging.
Brad Gruhot on leadership
Brad Gruhot is a husband, dad, “Chamber guy,” sports lover and a volunteer. He’s been with the Marshall Area Chamber for nearly 11 years and is involved in Business Development, Ambassadors and Transportation & Legislative Committees as well as overseeing daily chamber operations. Brad and his wife, Karen, live in Marshall with their two children.
Laura Curtiss on leadership
Laura Curtiss wears many hats in life. She serves as our Grants and Operations Assistant in addition to being a devoted mom, a supportive sister, a grateful daughter, an enthusiastic follower and an ambitious dreamer. Each of these roles allows her to demonstrate leadership in unique and meaningful ways. Laura is also part of the current cohort of McLeod For Tomorrow’s leadership program.
2025 Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund
As a trusted partner to the Otto Bremer Trust, Southwest Initiative Foundation will grant out a total of $400,000 to southwest Minnesota organizations from the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive fund. The Community Responsive Fund grant application will be available April 15 to May 22, 2025.
Where are they now? Southwest Minnesota Initiators Fellows
Are you ready to turn your passion for social change into a thriving enterprise? The Initiators Fellowship is here to help you. We’ve gathered stories from our southwest Minnesota Initiators Fellows past and present to give you an idea of where the fellowship could take you!
