YWCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors consists of strong women with diverse backgrounds. Their responsibilities include: annual budgeting, strategic planning, marketing, networking, event planning and be ambassadors of the YWCA Minot mission. We also rely on grants, donations, pledges, and partnerships to meet our budgetary needs.

YWCA Board of Directors
Shelbi Waters - Interim President
Natassia Cherne - Vice President
Becky Bertsch - Secretary
Kelly Matalka - Member at Large
Kelsey Mahone - Past President
LaRae Helseth
Robbie Keelan
Lisa Olson

Shelbi Waters
​Interim President

Shelbi Waters graduated from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in International Security Studies and Arabic. She spent the last decade working in the political sector before transitioning to nonprofit development.

​After marrying her husband, the Air Force moved them to Minot, ND where they had their first baby. In July 2019, Shelbi became the Executive Director for the Souris Valley Animal Shelter. She sits on the board of director's for the YWCA and Northern Plains Children's Advocacy Center, while also serving in the Optimist Club. ​

Natassia Cherne
Vice President

Natassia Cherne is in the United States Air Force, Public Affairs Office and currently stationed at Minot Air Force Base. She is stationed here with her husband Adam and three boys, Gabriel, August and Noah. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from East Carolina University and also has a graduate degree in Media Studies from Clarion University.

Natassia is also the host of the Brodette Nation Podcast which launched July 28, 2017. Through her travels around the world, she realized she was surrounded by incredible women, with important experiences and stories to share. She started her podcast because she’s passionate about building the next generation of female leaders. Her goal is to branch-out beyond a podcast and create an online platform to celebrate women and help them achieve their goals. Natassia joined the YWCA Organization because she believes we can build and empower women by showing up for them anyway we can. She appreciates the YWCA and all those that aid in its mission.

"The YWCA doesn’t just help provide a place to stay for Minot’s women and children; it helps each woman get beyond their current situation to make a better future for themselves."

Becky Bertsch
Secretary

Becky Bertsch has been a proud member of the YWCA board since June of 2017.  One of her favorite quotes is "You must be the change you want to see in the world." - Ghandi.  She always had the desire to lend a hand, help others in need and LOVES feeling the sense of fulfillment and seeing the smiles of appreciation.  Becky enjoys the perks of volunteering, being active in community service groups and empowering others in the community to do the same.

Becky decided to be on the Board of Directors for the YWCA  because she recognized that they are a strong and powerful group of women who truly want the best for our community and she wanted to be a part of that. She believes the commitment, passion and the success they have had as a board is nothing less than amazing.

Kelly Matalka
Member-at-Large

Kelsey Mahone
Past President

Kelsey Mahone is the Branch Manager at Town & Country Credit Union’s Dakota Square location and joined the Board of Directors for the YWCA Minot in December of 2018.  Kelsey is a native of Macon, Georgia, and has lived in Minot since 2013 with her husband and two kids.  Kelsey holds a degree in Finance and is passionate about diversity, financial stability, and sisterhood, while making sure there is room for everyone at the table.
“I am hoping to raise awareness of the needs of the women in our community by participating in programs and educating our community on the work being done to ensure women are able to stand up for themselves, survive hard times, overcome racism, become key contributors in economic advancements, and better their lives for themselves and their family.” 

LaRae Helseth
Board Member

LaRae Helseth comes to the YWCA board with 20 years of banking experience, 15 of those being in Treasury Management.  She is currently with Bremer Bank, involved in developing and maintaining business banking relationships, along with being responsible for the sales, implementation and ongoing client support of TM products.

A Minot native, LaRae joined the YWCA board because she not only strongly believes in YWCA’s mission statement when it talks about eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace and dignity for all, but she would like to help in fulfilling that mission. 

​She brings 8 years of experience from previous boards, where she held executive positions including Secretary, Treasurer, VP and President.  Her participation in nonprofits goes back many years both with Habitat for Humanity and the United Way. Before coming back to her hometown, LaRae earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Management from Moorhead State University and spent several years in Fargo and Minneapolis.  

Robbie Keelan
Board Member

Robbie Keelan was born and raised in Minot, ND. She completed one year at Minot State University and then transferred to Alexandria, MN where she graduated with a degree in Interior Design. In 2008, Robbie moved back to Minot where she accepted a job with Souris River Design in 2009. In 2015, she started working for the Hometown Radio Group WGO and The ZOO. This was a leap of faith for Robbie as a single mother who works strictly on commission. She feels as though she made the right choice.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to help promote businesses and help them grow. Being on the board of the YWCA also makes me feels like I’m making a difference in our community.”

Lisa Olson
Board Member

I have been an educator for 29 years and am currently the Dean of Students at TGU Granville School.  I have served on Minot's City Council for 10 years and was elected Council President in June 2020.  I am active in the community serving in a variety of ways, including Souris Basin Planning Council, Center for Technical Excellence NDR Committee, Census Complete Count Committee, Liaison Committee, Delta Kappa Gamma, Our Redeemers Church and Women Lead, Women Run.  I have been married to my husband Jason for 35 years.  We have 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren.  My goal, in all that I do, is to make a difference in the lives of others, particularly women and children.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER?

We are always on the look out for new board members to join our mission in empowering women, and providing peace, justice, freedom and dignity to all. 

Do you have a valuable skill or past experience that you feel could benefit the women and children of your community? Do you believe in our mission to empower women? And most importantly, do you want to give back and really make a difference in the Minot community? If so, we would love to hear from you!