About CCF: Serving Chisholm for Over 35 Years!

Advisory Board

Our volunteer advisory board is committed to raising funds necessary to cover our annual operating costs, thus allowing all contributions to go directly to the community. Our current advisory board includes the following members of the Chisholm community.

Amanda Pihlaja

I was born and raised in Duluth, MN and graduated from Duluth Central High School. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Crookston in 2013 with my Bachelors of Business, I took on an adventure and moved to Mackinac Island, Michigan. Going on adventures is something that I have always been intrigued by. Shortly after returning from my adventure I started a career at Sherwin Williams and that is how I fell in love with Chisholm. I have been grateful to call Chisholm my home for the last nine years. I have worked for Park State Bank for eight years and throughout my time at Park State Bank I have grown a passion for being a part of my community and volunteering. I serve as treasurer for Northern Traxx ATV Club, a board member for the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, I currently hold a position on the Chisholm Economic Development Authority and am now proud to be a board member for the Chisholm Community Foundation. I look forward to serving on the Chisholm Community Foundation to help give back to the community that has given so much to me.

Rita Charter

I was born and and raised as a Chisholm Bluestreak! In 1972, I graduated from Chisholm High School and earned my Bachelor’s degree from Mankato State in 1976. Later, I completed a Master’s degree from the College of St. Scholastica. In the course of almost 40 years, I was blessed every day to work at a job that I was passionate about – teaching. To be able to teach at the high school I graduated from was truly a gift; therefore, despite my retirement from ISD 695 in 2014, I went back to work in a classroom setting so that I could stay in touch with my students – the best energy source on the planet! I have been working part-time now for more than three years. When I am not at the cabin on Little Sturgeon, you will find me traveling, at the gym, volunteering or enjoying time with friends and family.

Judi Scott

I am a life-long resident of Chisholm. I graduated from CHS in 1972 and attended the College of St Scholastica. We have two children, both graduates of CHS and one adorable granddaughter, Tomlin. My husband Bill and I are both retired and enjoy volunteering and spending time at our cabin. For the past three years, I have been very active in the Fairview Range Volunteer Service Organization and currently serve as the fundraising chair. My working career centered around healthcare in many forms. From clinics, mental health centers and hospitals to insurance companies. I have pretty much done it all. This is my second time being on the CCF Board. I am so proud of the work that is done that I was happy to come back and help.

Travis Vake

I was born and raised as a Chisholm Bluestreak and I have lived here for my entire life. I love our city of Chisholm and I believe it is the heartbeat of the Iron Range. I graduated in 2005. I got my Associate’s Degree at Mesabi Range College, my Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. I have been a teacher in Chisholm the past six years and have enjoyed working in my hometown every second of every day. I try to give back to my hometown as much as I can. I was honored to be asked to join the CCF and help provide grants to our great city. Currently I am serving on the Chisholm City Council, the Range Center Board, the Chisholm Community Foundation, and the President of the Chisholm Kiwanis Club. I am the proud Uncle of a beautiful niece and two handsome nephews, who I adore and spoil as much as I can. In my spare time I enjoy playing sports, spending as much time at the cabin as possible, refereeing high school and JUCO sports, and hunting with my dad.

Tina Janezich

I was born and raised in Chisholm and graduated from Chisholm High School in 1999.  I attended Hibbing Community College, St. Cloud State University, and Bemidji State University and earned a degree in Elementary Education.  Family is very important to me, so I was very fortunate to move back to Chisholm when I started my own family.  My husband, Cory, and I have three children, Genae, Drew and Allie, all graduates of Chisholm High School too!  I have worked at Heritage Manor for over 20 years and love my job, my team, the residents, and their families.  It is truly a gift wot work in geriatrics.  AS a busy mom of three kids, I was very involved in extra-curricular activities while they were growing up.  I was member of the Chisholm Skating Club Board of Directors for over 15 years and served as Club President for most of those years.  In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, taking walks, snowshoeing, hiking, golfing, spending time at the lake, and traveling.  Now that my children are all in college, I wanted to find a meaningful way to invest my time and energy by giving back to this wonderful community and the opportunity to join the Chisholm Community Foundation Board felt like the perfect fit.

Andy Zahorsky

Andy was born and raised in Chisholm and graduated from Hibbing High School in 2000.  He attended Hibbing Community College and McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, earning a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and Music Business.  Andy recently moved back to the Chisholm area (Side Lake) from California with his husband, Jacob, and father-in-law, Fernando, to be closer to family and open a business in downtown Chisholm.  Andy brings expertise from both corporate and nonprofit roles.  He is passionate about the arts, having been a performer all his life.  Most recently, he has worked in real estate in California, as well as home remodel and design, building a business with Jacob.  Andy and Jacob recently purchased a property in downtown Chisholm and they look forward to contributing to Chisholm’s future growth and development.  Andy is excited to be back on the Range and looks forward to giving back to the community he grew up in, making an impact for generations to come.

Jennifer Kaczor

I was born and raised in Side Lake. I graduated from Chisholm High School in 2012. After high school, I attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. I then attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry to earn my degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. After graduation, I moved home to the Iron Range to practice dentistry in Chisholm. I am happy to be back and to be able to provide care for the community that raised me. In my free time, I like to spend time with my husband, family, and dog, Toby. I enjoy reading, biking, hiking, and spending time at my family’s cabin. I am extremely excited to join the Chisholm Community Foundation board to give back to the community that’s given me so much. I want my love and appreciation of the Chisholm community to be passed down to future generations.

Michelle Perpich

I was born and raised in Chisholm. I graduated in 1999 from Chisholm High School and went on to earn a degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. In 2008, my husband and I decided we wanted to move back to the Iron Range. We wanted to raise our family with the same values, community, and way of life we were lucky enough to grow up with. Chisholm checked all those boxes. Along with raising our kids, I continue to work at the Chisholm Public Library, helping people of all ages learn to appreciate the love of reading. I served on the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Finance Council and spent over 10 years coaching figure skating with the Chisholm Figure Skating Club. With this opportunity, I look forward to giving back to this community that has always been home.

Organization Affiliation

The Chisholm Community Foundation (CCF), an affiliate of the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, is a permanent, philanthropic endowment for the enduring benefit of our community. It secures, manages and allocates investors’ gifts for charitable purposes in the Chisholm area, working to improve the quality of life for local residents.

To date, the CCF has awarded over $1.8 million in grants to various organizations in and around our community. Our foundation stands as a beacon among small community foundations in our state. We are extremely proud of our accomplishments and truly grateful to all those who have contributed to the success of the CCF. Learn more about how the Chisholm Community Foundations works here.