After an extensive and thorough search, VEAP’s Board of Directors is absolutely thrilled to announce our newest Chief Executive Officer, Kari Thompson.

You may recognize Kari’s name as she has served as our Advancement Director for the past three years. During her tenure at VEAP, Kari has grown our organization’s revenue by over 360%. She has expanded the scope of our philanthropic collaborations, and increased our visibility in the South Hennepin community. During the pandemic, Kari immediately mobilized new funding sources, increasing our rental assistance grants from $150,000 annually to over $5,000,000 a year.

In her new role as CEO, we are confident Kari will expertly lead us into our next phase of growth. 2024 marks VEAP’s 50th anniversary, and we are poised to capitalize on new opportunities while honoring our mission to holistically serve members of our community who are struggling with food and housing insecurity. We know Kari will guide our organization with energy, financial acumen and compassion.

Please join us in welcoming Kari to her new position! You may reach her at [email protected]

With enthusiasm for the future,

Ross Widmoyer
VEAP Board of Directors President