BeBlessed Leadership Team
Jacob Richmann, Founder & Chair
An avid athlete, artist, and family man, Jacob strives to stay grounded in his roots, and always maintain a positive outlook that embraces life. Jacob has a heart of a giver with a talent in building organizations and leading great teams. He formed the BeBlessed Foundation to provide a platform for all types of people to have a place to give their time, talent, and treasure to make the world a better place through the act of giving. Outside of his time working at the BeBlessed Foundation, he is passionate about leading people and growing companies. A true visionary with a wealth of knowledge in business and executive leadership, he provides a valuable skill set that is hard to find. Priding himself on fearlessness to grow companies, he has had the opportunity to work alongside some of the largest corporations in America and has been fortunate to have experienced proprietorship in a variety of industries. After years of working as an executive, Jacob has decide to shift his focus and skills to make an impact on individual lives through the BeBlessed Foundation. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and giving back to his community.
Elyse Richmann, Executive Director
With over 23 years in the financial services and software industry, Elyse has experience in banking, management, operations, and CRM software. Elyse has extensive knowledge in managing projects and budgets. Elyse has always had a heart for helping others and making an impact in our communities. She cares deeply for those in need which is why she decided to lock arms with her husband Jacob Richmann to build the BeBlessed Foundation. Elyse enjoys the outdoors, the sun, and spending time as a family with their two children Brooks & Genevieve.
Dr. Denny Duron Jr., Board Member
Denny Duron Jr. and his wife Sarah are the lead pastors of Shreveport Community Church in Louisiana. SC Church has been pastored by Denny’s family since 1956. Denny received a bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University while playing baseball in 2009. Denny played professional baseball for the Spokane Indians in 2010 and the Washington Wild Things in 2011. He received both his Masters and Doctorate of Ministry from SEU. Denny’s passions are serving Jesus, his wife and four children, and following God’s calling.
Dr. Sarah Duron, Board Member
Sarah Duron and her husband Denny are the lead pastors of Shreveport Community Church in Louisiana. Sarah received her associate’s degree from the Art Institute of Dallas in 2001. Sarah was a graphic designer and production coordinator at Healing Place Church from 2002-2010. Sarah won a TV show competition called “Homemade Millionaire” on Discovery Channel for her homemade cleaning product line in 2010. She received both her Master’s and Doctorate of Ministry from SEU. Sarah loves God with all her heart, loves her husband and four children, loves the church, and lives to help others.
Jessa Rakotz, Board Member
Since 2009, Jessa has been passionately devoted to serving children and students with the most significant disabilities (autism, down syndrome or severely multiply impaired). She has a tender heart molded by Jesus, and a fierce belief that all students deserve access to rich educational opportunities within the public school system and beyond. Jessa completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and received her master’s in special education through the University of St. Thomas. She has developed specially designed classroom programs serving and advocating for students from the age of 14 to 21 at Buffalo Community Middle School and Buffalo High School. Jessa loves spending time outdoors, traveling, and going on adventures with her three kids and husband, Andy. She is also a strong supporter of the Anoka Champlin Fire Department where Andy Rakotz serves his community as a fire captain, as well as president of the Relief Association.
Mark Volpei, Chief Operations Officer
Mark’s former career and experiences comprise of working as a county sheriff, district attorney, special forces for the sheriff’s department, private investigator, and a task force member in a variety of specialties – just to name a few. As his career in criminal justice was coming to close, Mark accepted an opportunity to work on the west coast with a church organization as the director of operations while becoming a pastor. Mark has always had a heart to give back to his community and impact people around him through his leadership and love. As COO, Mark plays a critical role in the overall success of the foundation and the operations. Mark is responsible for developing and maintaining systems and structures to support the overall mission of the BeBlessed Foundation. Mark works closely with the CEO and Chairman to achieve the goals and mission of the BeBlessed Foundation. Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and family and enjoying the outdoors.
Jeff Shaw, Chief Deployment Officer
Jeff Shaw was born and raised in California. He played football for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and started his own construction company shortly after college. He has a heart for helping people and giving back to the community. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hunting and coaching youth sports. He feels very blessed and wants to be a blessing to others.
Janel Shaw, EVP, Events & Community Impact
Janel Shaw was born and raised in a small town in California. At a young age she had a passion for helping and teaching children, which lead her into the educational field. Janel taught elementary school for many years before having children of her own. She continues to volunteer in the classroom and helps her husband run their construction company. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and being in the outdoors.
Jim VanderGriend, CFO
Jim VanderGriend comes to the BeBlessed Foundation with a wealth of knowledge in finance, accounting and taxes. Jim has over 40 years of experience in finance as CFO, CPA, and VP of accounting and tax planning. Jim is founder and president of Novaqua Science and has been with the company for 19 years. As chief financial officer of the BeBlessed Foundation, he works closely with the leadership team to uphold financial integrity, budget management, strategy, tax planning, auditing, and executive reporting. When he is not working on the numbers, he enjoys time with his family, traveling with his wife, and summers around the pool in Minnesota.
Steve Munds, Director of Partnerships & Advancement
For close to 50 years, Steve has been entirely invested in youth ministry. His life’s work has been, and continues to be, to reach the next generation, and to help them reach a level that the church and world is unfamiliar with, all for the glory of God. After serving as youth pastor to countless teens in the local church, Steve founded an international ministry, with the vision to train young ministers to run with the call of God. He has traveled worldwide preaching, teaching, and training the leaders of tomorrow. At the BeBlessed Foundation, Steve works closely with donors, vendors, partnerships, and events while driving the mission. Steve is a gifted singer, communicator, and mentor for many. His deep passion to help people in need while encouraging others to live a life of significance is truly inspiring and plays a key role to the success and reach of the BeBlessed movement and foundation’s overall impact.
Suzanne Cartmill, Vice President of Advancement & Donor Relations
Suzanne Cartmill, the Vice President of Advancement & Donor Relations, seamlessly blends a wealth of experience in sales, management, and business growth with a natural leadership style characterized by kindness and compassion. Her focus on donor relations involves close collaboration with the leadership team, driving KPIs and growth initiatives that contribute significantly to the BeBlessed Foundation's mission. Beyond her professional endeavors, Suzanne cherishes family moments in Texas, engages in networking, and creates lasting memories with friends and family, adding a personal touch to her impactful journey.
Michael J Boho Jr., Director of Gift Planning & Investments
Michael J. Boho Jr. comes to the BeBlessed Foundation as an expert in planned giving & investments, finance and actuarial science. Mike works closely with donors to make sure that each gift is properly structured to maximize the donors personal giving goals. He also supports the executive leadership team and board at the BeBlessed Foundation. Michael is founder & president of Hero Insurance & Planning. He has over 23 years of experience in the insurance industry and is a sought-after consultant and speaker for school districts, businesses, government officials, and insurance companies across the United States. He is a graduate of Northwestern University in applied mathematics and a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, holding Top of the Table status since 2018. Michael is always focused on blessing others! Michael and his wife YanLing love to ski, hike, and travel the world on and off motorcycles.
Ken Jarvis, Director of Partnerships & Strategic Projects
Ken Jarvis comes to the BeBlessed Foundation with a great deal of experience in business and investments, as an angel investor, entrepreneur, and more. Ken grew up in Minnesota. He started his career as a business owner in the construction and development industries. His hard work, consistency, and smart business sense lead him to a successful career with the ability to become an investor in a handful of startup companies over the years. Ken provides a wealth of knowledge in a little bit of everything with his versatile background and years of experience. Above all else, Ken has the heart to help others and desires to see people live their best lives. Ken works closely with the team at BeBlessed in developing partnerships and strategic projects. When not working, he enjoys boats, spending time with friends, and a good burger.
Paul Willette, Advancement Officer
Paul Willette grew up in south Minneapolis and currently lives in Eden Prairie. He has been married to his wife Erika for 22 years and they have 4 kids. They recently sent their oldest to college at the University of Minnesota. Their twin boys and youngest daughter go to Eden Prairie Schools. As a family, they enjoy volunteering at Feed My Starving Children and Bingo at Waters Nursing Home. They are passionate about giving back. Paul has been a day trader for over 20 years. He has also coached his kids in various sports and enjoys working with our youth. He loves going to his family cabin and playing golf. He is excited to join the team and looks forward to the opportunity to give back more to his community.
Carson Richmann, Creative Director
Carson comes to The BeBlessed Foundation with a background in content creation, video, marketing, photography, social media, and brand management. Carson is responsible for overseeing the design layout and visual impact of marketing materials, events, products, branding, and publications. Carson frequently meets with foundation executives to determine visual needs for outreach, events, fundraising, promotions and strategic marketing. As Creative Director, he is responsible for high-level decisions, producing the highest quality of work, while managing all internal creative team members and external marketing partners. Carson is responsible for planning and overseeing the development of foundation fundraising promotions, brand campaigns, and overseeing the development of all creative content. In his spare time he enjoys music and sporting events, spending time with family and friends, enjoying great restaurants, all while embracing his creativity in every aspect of his life.
Judith Richmann, Sr. BeBlessed Ambassador
Raised in Minnesota, to an entrepreneurial family with six siblings, Judy learned from a young age to have a deep love for helping others. Her father, who fought in WWII, later became a successful businessman with a large giving heart. This upbringing allowed Judy, at a young age, to exercise and strengthen the use of giving her time, talent and treasure. Judy passed down her giving nature to her children by teaching them how to lead with a giving heart – showing love and compassion to others. Judy plays a part in BeBlessed Foundation by displaying love and support to all the staff and volunteers that impact so many on a daily basis. Judy finds enjoyment spending time with her grandkids and family while passing down her wisdom to younger generations that will play a major role in making our world a better place.