Megan Sande has been chosen as the 2025 board president for Onward Eden Prairie, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing and support to young people ages 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The organization was formed in 2017 and in 2018 opened Onward House, which offers each resident comfortable community space, a private bedroom and the support they need to move forward with their lives.
Joining Sande as board officers for this year are: Jim Nelson, vice president; Darla Nemec, treasurer; and Mark Weber, secretary.
Also serving on the board are directors Paul Carroll, Deb Garvey, Susan Geitzenauer, Adam Sienkowski, and Dick Ward.
Sande lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and two teenage daughters. She is vice president of sales for Freudenberg Household Products, which makes O-Cedar spin mops and brooms.
“I was interested in Onward before it was even Onward,” Sande said. “I attended meetings at Immanuel Lutheran Church when they were discussing how to get it launched.”
She subsequently joined the organization’s Communications Committee and, in 2022, the board of directors.
“I’ve really enjoyed helping to shape Onward’s strategic direction and look forward to continuing to grow its reach,” she said.
Sande takes over for John Urbanski, whose term on the board recently expired. Like Sande, he has a long history with Onward that includes serving as board president.
“Since 2017, I have seen Onward become a critical nonprofit in the southwest metro,” he said. “As I finish my 2024 term as president, I am pleased to report that Onward completed a very successful year. We were able to serve young adults facing housing instability or homelessness by keeping our house full and expanding our aftercare program. Our donors and volunteers are making a difference!
“Onward also enjoyed strong financial results for 2024, with donations exceeding our budget by 15%,” he added. “Also, Immanuel Lutheran voted to transfer ownership to Onward of the single-family home used by Onward. Both of these put us in a strong position as we look to 2025 and beyond. Thank you for your continued support of Onward!”
For more information about Onward, contact executive director Tricia Wright at tricia@onward.ep.org or visit the organization’s website: onwardep.org.
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