Board of Directors

Mark Lasswell (he/his) is the 2022 Board President at Clare Housing.  As a self-proclaimed “recovering CPA,” he brings a strong financial lens to his work with Clare, as well as a fantastic sense of humor.

Can you talk about what interested you in serving on Clare Housing’s board of directors?

I’ve been involved with Clare Housing since 2013, when a friend of mine told me that this non-profit (which I had never heard of) needed help on their Finance Committee. I then took a job in Omaha in January 2014, so I had to end my involvement with Clare. One of my first calls I made when I returned to Minnesota in August 2018 was to Clare’s Executive Director. I was able to rejoin the Finance Committee, and I jumped at the opportunity to join the board in 2020. I’m passionate about Clare’s work to provide housing for people living with HIV; being on the board and being part of the leadership group helping Clare deliver on its mission is very fulfilling.

What about your professional background helps inform your work on the board?

I am a former Accounting Major, CPA (I still call myself a recovering CPA), and auditor, so I know a bit about finance and how to read a balance sheet and income statement. I’m also with a financial services firm, and that background has been helpful in selecting a money manager for Clare’s investments. Finally, most of my career has been in compliance roles, so I also have a strong appreciation for controls, regulatory compliance, and policies and procedures.

What lasting lesson have you learned from working with Clare?

I’ve learned that housing is a basic human right. I now believe a person isn’t able to make real, meaningful improvements in their life without a consistent roof over their head and a bed to sleep in. I’ve heard more than one Clare leader drive home the point that “Housing is Health Care.”

Is there a big difference between being a board member and being an officer? Why?

For starters, as an officer, I have more meetings. But seriously, I don’t think there is a big difference. Maybe a bit more engagement, since as an officer and a member of Clare’s executive committee (which also consists of Clare’s Executive Director, board VP, board secretary, and board treasurer), we sometimes drive strategy priorities and agenda topics for the board meetings.

What does “success” mean to you in terms of your work on the board?

A couple of things. First, elimination of the resident waiting list for Clare housing units. And a continued high viral suppression rate for Clare residents, which to me is a very meaningful measure of the impact solid, consistent housing has on Clare residents being able to take care of themselves.

What do you hope to accomplish/are you most proud of accomplishing in your term with the board?

It probably sounds trite, but it is the same as what I mentioned earlier: I love Clare’s mission and the work it does to provide housing for people living with HIV, and I’m incredibly proud to be associated with it.

Clare Housing welcomes Rose Teng as one of three new Board Members in 2022!

Rose Teng (she/her) previously worked at Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers for ten years as a public policy director, and is now a Project Manager at US Bank. Rose is familiar with Clare Housing through her work and is passionate about supporting non-profits in building affordable housing.

Can you tell us what interested you in serving on the Board of Directors (BOD) for Clare Housing?

I first learned about Clare Housing when I was working in housing advocacy with non-profit developers at the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers and was blown away by the work that the organization does at the intersection of health and housing. As someone who truly believes that housing is the foundation for success in the other areas of our lives, Clare Housing’s work really demonstrates how important that connection is. I jumped at the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Clare Housing to be able to support this work and be a part of the mission. 

What skill or value are you most excited to bring to your service on the board?

Everyone needs safe, affordable, and dignified housing to succeed in life. I have tremendous respect for organizations that are doing the hard work of developing affordable housing and meeting the daily needs of residents. I’m looking forward to bringing my experiences working with non-profit developers in capacity building, housing advocacy and policy, and now in affordable housing financing to the board. 

What does “success” mean to you in terms of your work as a board member?

Success to me means supporting Phoebe and the Clare Housing staff and working collectively to continue to make heath outcomes and stable housing opportunities possible for people living with and affected by HIV. 

What do you hope to accomplish in your current term with Clare Housing?

There is still a lot to learn about Clare Housing and the fantastic work the staff is doing, so I have a goal of continuing to learn and understand the impact of Clare Housing and where the organization is going.

We look forward to working with you, Rose! Thank you for your service on the Clare Housing Board of Directors!

Clare Housing welcomes Kelsey Vatsaas as one of three new Board Members in 2022!

Kelsey Vatsaas (she/her), former Board member, current member of the Finance Committee is Managing Principal of Nonprofit Industry at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), and longtime supporter. Kelsey is highly passionate about advancing Clare’s mission and was able to step in as our newest Board Treasurer.

Kelsey, this isn’t your first time on our Board of Directors. Can you tell us what interested you in serving on the Board of Directors (BOD) for Clare Housing?  Has it changed since the last time you served?

I’ve been fortunate to be part of Clare Housing for over a decade in many different capacities.  After my last Board Term ended, I stayed involved on the finance committee, as a table host, and a donor.

While those were valuable ways to be involved, with so many changes at Clare – particularly in staff leadership – I found myself curious what was happening at a strategic level. 

The first time I met Phoebe [Clare Housing Executive Director] I made an offhand comment about being open to coming back on the board if it would ever be beneficial.  And now, here I am!

What lasting lesson have you learned from working with Clare Housing?

Housing = Healthcare has been such a powerful lesson for me.  The first time I learned about the drastic reduction in viral loads for those stably housed, and how can [help folks] stick to their medical regimen, my whole perspective changed.

What does “success” mean to you in terms of your work as a board member?

Being a true strategic partner to executive leadership – where we can all authentically work together towards our vision – while also staying in our appropriate lanes.

The balance of “governance vs. management” is always hard in a nonprofit – one of the reasons I love serving on the Clare board is Clare really has a history of striking that balance well; allowing staff the autonomy to execute and manage, while ensuring the board is setting strategy, assessing risk, and putting appropriate checks and balances in place.

What do you hope to accomplish in your current term with Clare Housing?

As has been our trend, Clare must continue growing to meet the needs in the community.  But I’m excited to think about and ultimately make changes to how we meet those needs as it likely isn’t only in the model we have grown in the past.

We look forward to working with you, Kelsey! Thank you for your service on the Clare Housing Board of Directors!