We want to share an important update regarding our team. Due to funding constraints and the need to realign our teams for greater efficiency, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate two positions effective July 30: Youth & Community Program Officer and Community Engagement Specialist. This decision was not made lightly. It reflects a broader effort to integrate responsibilities across staff and ensure that our work continues to align with our mission and vision.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to staff members Amy Brustuen and Than Than Kyaw whose roles are ending.
Amy Brustuen
Amy joined SWIF in March 2022. As our youth and community program officer, Amy has been a resource to build and strengthen southwest Minnesota by creating community connections and directing resources to opportunities that impact critical needs for the education and wellbeing of youth and their communities across the region. During her time here, Amy built relationships with community members and has been a collaborative partner and bridge-builder between local organizations and nonprofits.
Than Than Kyaw
Than Than started his role as community engagement specialist in August 2022. He has supported community-led partnerships, especially with Black, Indigenous, People of Color and marginalized communities. Than Than’s passion and experience have helped strengthen community engagement, spread cultural awareness and inclusion, deliver accessible resources, increase awareness of what welcoming and belonging mean to the community, encourage respect, and connect neighbors with one another.
Amy and Than Than’s contributions have been deeply valued, and we thank them for their dedication and hard work. They have made a lasting impact on our community.
As we move forward, we remain committed to maintaining the high standards of collaboration and service that define our organization. Our priorities remain unchanged: economic mobility, community development, and charitable giving. We are dedicated to a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive.
If you have questions, please reach out to Scott Marquardt, President, at [email protected] or (320) 583-4629.
