About us
Discover what makes our Thrivent Member Network possible. Learn about our local and national leadership, and how we're making a difference as a holistic financial services organization.
More to explore
Thrivent has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for the next step in your career, membership options or financial products—we can help.
With banking, insurance, investments and personalized financial guidance, we have products and services that meet you where you're at.
Discover the advantages of being a Thrivent member. We provide access to benefits, tools and resources to help you live a life full of meaning.
Put your skills and ideas into action in meaningful ways. We offer development opportunities, competitive compensation and attractive benefits to our corporate team members and financial advisors.
Regional leadership
The Thrivent Member Network regional board is made up of Thrivent clients with membership. The board provides leadership and strategic insights to help carry out Thrivent's mission on a local level. Clients with membership can have a voice by voting in the elections for the Thrivent Member Network board.
Rich has spent the majority of his career bringing people together for a purpose. He is currently the Director of Community Partners at KTIS where he works out his passion of connecting people both with the radio station and in the community. He knows his community well and volunteers in several organizations including CROSS Services, the Brooklyn Park Police Department, and Hope for Youth. He is excited to join the Twin Cities Regional Board and do what he can to help Thrivent, the Board, and our community continue to grow.
After serving on Thrivent's Rocky Mountain Region Managing Partner Advisory Board for the past 12 years, Ehlen looks forward to helping Thrivent make a bigger impact closer to home. Ehlen will tap into his experience in business and personnel development to provide strategic direction and support to the regional board.
Pastor Jessica Jackson is eager to share her perspective and experiences to help Thrivent refine and achieve its goals and create sustainable outcomes relevant to financial literacy and economic dignity, especially in the Black community. As Lead Pastor of IMPACT Living Christian Center, Jackson has worked with Thrivent in many ways over the last several years and is excited about this next chapter.
With a passion for Christ-centered work and a desire to empower women, Knotek looks for opportunities to serve others both personally and professionally. Following a 24-year career with Northwest Airlines, Knotek retired as senior vice president. She and her husband then founded KLASS Skin Care & Cosmetics and the KLASS ACT Foundation and opened River Reflections Suites in Hudson and River Falls, WI.
Martinez has worked to support the minority business community throughout his career, as a small business loan officer, a business consultant, and currently in his role as the Vice President of Supplier Diversity for U.S. Bank. He's excited to join the regional board and offer perspectives that will help Thrivent work with ethnic communities in the Twin Cities.
Throughout his nearly 25-year career in education, including his current role as Interim-President of Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School, Myers has worked to develop and maximize the talents of his students and peers to create a strong school community. He sees many parallels of this work with Thrivent's efforts to help people live generously.
As part of the regional board, Rainey will tap into the expertise gained from a diverse professional career, including leading his own consulting firm, working as an executive coach, serving as a Human Resources executive, and in post-secondary education. He currently volunteers as the Twin Cities District lay leader for the United Methodist Church Conference and a lay leader at Park Avenue United Methodist Church.
As Senior Director, Windows at Andersen Corporation, Rugara joins the region with a wealth of business and marketing experience. He is excited to combine his skills, knowledge, and perspective to build on the meaningful and productive work that Thrivent already does and is eager to help that work grow into new areas of our community.
In joining the regional board, Dr. Kathi Tunheim, Vice President of Mission, Strategy & Innovation at Gustavus Adolphus College, hopes to serve as an advocate for Thrivent in her church, community, and college. "I love Thrivent's mission to help members be wise with money, live generously, and strengthen communities. This is a powerful & inspiring purpose that can help individuals, families, and organizations serve our neighbors all over the world."
Our leaders work in the best interest of our membership––not third-party shareholders, like publicly traded companies. Clients with a benefit membership can vote in the annual election for the Thrivent Board of Directors. As the organization’s supreme governing body, the board focuses on serving the interests of the membership, both now and into the future. The board establishes and promotes Thrivent’s purpose and oversees major business decisions, and works with leadership to assess and manage risk. Get to know the people who serve on the Thrivent Board of Directors and the executive leadership team.