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.

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.

Jennifer Willard 

I was raised in Chisholm and graduated from Chisholm High School in 1989.  After high school, I attended Hibbing Community College and the College of St. Scholastica where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in communications, and then went on to get my master’s  degree in leadership in higher education from Capella University. After college, I moved back to the Iron  Range and have worked at Minnesota North College in various positions for the last 29 years. I am  currently the Director of Student Services, Advising, and Athletics for the Mesabi Range campuses. I  have been married to my husband Jim for 32 years and we have two grown children, Hailey and Conner. I  have most recently become a grandma to Bowen, which has been such a joy! In my free time, I like to  spend time with my family and friends, travel, try new recipes, walk, and play pickleball. I am very  excited about this opportunity to give back to my hometown. Chisholm has shaped who I am as a human  being. The people of this small but mighty town have taught me the true values of speaking up for what  you believe, fighting for the underdog, caring about your neighbors, working hard, and being a leader. I  love Chisholm and its people and am very interested in doing whatever I can to help this city flourish into  the future.

Thomas Pascuzzi 

I am a Hibbing graduate, both High School and Community College. I then went on to attend UMD  where I graduated with a Teaching Mathematics degree. I taught and coached hockey and baseball before  returning to the range. My wife, Janet, and I move to Chisholm in 2003. I have worked at Chisholm  Jubilee since 1994 and have been a partner since 2003. Currently, I am employed at Range Fairview  Hospital too. We have 2 children (Dominic and Olivia) that go to either HCC or Chisholm Public  Schools. Over the years I have been on many boards in town including Chamber of Commerce, Curling  Club, Hoops Club, Planning and Zoning, and this is my 2nd go around on the CCF. I have also coached  youth sports over the years in town. I’m glad to have the opportunity to serve on the Foundation board  again.

James Whitlock 

I was born and raised in Hibbing, MN, but found my true roots in Balkan. I graduated from the Class of  2000 in Hibbing, and after high school I started a family at a very young age. I then went back to college  to build my business portfolio, but after multiple degrees and certifications, I wasn’t done yet. I went back  to college again, almost 10 years later, to get my Millwright degree and Welding certification. I started my  own company in 2017, “Twisted Woods LLC” featuring furniture and home decor. I am learning the ins  and outs of business, but I have truly found my passion doing this while supporting my community in  multiple ways. Aside from running my company full-time, I also work as a maintenance mechanic at  Hibbing Taconite full-time. I am a husband and proud dad of 3 beautiful girls, Alexandra, Ava, and Addy,  who have all attended or graduated from Chisholm schools. We love our family time and enjoy camping,  fishing, and hunting, but going up to the cabin is what I enjoy the most.

Loisanne “Lolly” Micko 

I was born in Virginia, MN and moved to Chisholm shortly thereafter with my parents. I graduated from  Chisholm High School in 1966 and continued my education at the University of Minnesota. I experienced  “big city” life there, as well as in Alaska, Colorado and North Dakota before returning to my happy place,  Chisholm, in 1981. It is here that my family and I received support during some difficult times, and  encouragement and opportunities to engage in events and organizations that promote and sustain our  close-knit community. My children and my grandchildren also experienced the extended family life that  Chisholm offers. As a retiree, I look forward to working with the Chisholm Community Foundation  Board in helping all residents discover that service to others and a welcoming and energetic attitude make  Chisholm a place to proudly call home.

Alyssa Amic-Shega 

I was born and raised in Chisholm and recently had the opportunity to move back home with my husband  in November 2025. We were both so excited to return to a community that means so much to us. I  graduated from Chisholm High School in 2008. After graduation, I pursued nursing school but quickly  realized it wasn’t the right path for me. My mom, a highly respected loan originator, took me under her  wing and taught me the mortgage business she worked so hard to build. I am grateful to continue the  legacy she created, and I have now been in the mortgage industry for the past 12 years. When I’m not  working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our kids. As a family, we love going on bike rides,  taking walks, and spending time at the lake in Crane Lake. I am honored and excited to be joining the  Chisholm Community Foundation. Giving back to a community that has given so much to me is truly  meaningful, and I look forward to serving and making a positive impact.

Mark Wagensteen 

I was born and raised in Chisholm, and am a proud graduate of Chisholm High School, class of 1985.  After graduation, I continued my education at the University of Minnesota Duluth before beginning a  career in the financial and real estate industries. After college, I lived in Duluth, where I worked in the real estate title services and later in aircraft financing at Cirrus Aircraft. In 2010, my wife, Debbie, and I,  along with our sons, Nathan and Calvin, moved to Chisholm, where I joined First National Bank as an  executive and served as a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors. I am currently working as a  Community Business Consultant at Park State Bank. Throughout my career, I have remained deeply  committed to serving this community. I have served on the boards of the Chisholm All Class Reunion  Committee, Chisholm Kids Plus, the Chisholm Area Chamber of Commerce, Chisholm Kiwanis, the  Chisholm Curling Club, and Chisholm Community Education. I also previously served as both a board  member and Board Chair of the Chisholm Community Foundation. Outside of my professional and  community commitments, I enjoy spending time with family and friends on Madeline Island. Inspired by  the legacy of my father and grandfather, I am dedicated to helping Chisholm continue to grow and thrive.  My goal is to preserve the community’s proud traditions while supporting opportunities that strengthen its  future.

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.