Annual Meeting

Greater Mankato Growth’s Volunteer of the Year, Nancy Zallek:

Nancy Zallek, Mankato Area Foundation’s President & CEO, has been a key voice representing the philanthropic and non-profit community in Greater Mankato. She has been a champion while serving on the Greater Mankato Growth Executive Talent Council and the InterCity Leadership Visit Steering & Planning Committee. Nancy was a strong voice in the creation of the Talent Resources Liaison position, as well as the discussions revolving around the need to launch a Community Engagement Specialist (a.k.a. “community concierge”) position. She has played an important role in serving our regional non-profits and interacting in conversations related to potential activities focused on community diversity and inclusion.

Visit Mankato’s Volunteer of the Year, Lori Benike:

Lori Benike is the Assistant Store Leader/Event Coordinator for Scheels and has been very passionate and an involved volunteer with Visit Mankato for several years. She has been involved on the Mankato Marathon Task Force, the Regional Sports Banquet Planning Committee, various biking committees and as a Commissioner with the Mankato Sports Commission. Her experience in event management and the hospitality industry has been invaluable. 

City Center Partnership’s Volunteer of the Year, Heather Clark:

Heather Clark, of Salvage Sisters, has served on the Marketing & Promotions Committee for several years. Most notably, she founded and ran the Alive After 5 Artisan Market, an exciting addition to the Alive After 5 Summer Concert Series. Heather has been a key figure in the Shop Small in the City Center promotion and in 2018, she took on additional leadership in the Old Town Association. As a small business owner, she understands the importance of a vibrant City Center and believes that a successful downtown benefits all businesses.

 GreenSeam’s Volunteer of the Year, Gary Koch: 

Gary Koch is the Vice President and General Counsel at Christensen Farms and is the GreenSeam Board of Governors Vice Chair. Gary has devoted countless hours and energy beyond expectations to support and promote GreenSeam. He began the extensive GreenSeam™ trademark registration process and most recently served a key role in the success of the annual Rural Legislative Forum by identifying and securing the keynote speaker, a world-renowned agricultural icon, Harry Stine.