Chelse Kippley Named 2025 Mike Maidenberg Emerging Leader Award Recipient

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is pleased to announce Chelse Kippley as the recipient of the 2025 Mike Maidenberg Emerging Leader Award.

Chelse Kippley is a Grand Forks native and a graduate of the University of Mary’s Gary Tharaldson School of Business. During her undergraduate studies, she was selected as one of four Americans to participate in the Global Village program at the Iacocca Institute at Lehigh University, where she collaborated with peers from 54 countries on international marketing projects.

After beginning her career in Bismarck, Chelse returned to Grand Forks in 2018 and joined Gate City Bank, where she currently serves as Treasury Management Consultant for Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Park River, and Mayville. In addition to her professional role, Chelse is a board member of Red River Valley Athletics, an active member of her church, and volunteers with a variety of community organizations. She and her husband have two children and enjoy spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the lake, and traveling.

As the 2025 Emerging Leader Award recipient, Chelse selected St. Joseph’s Social Care to receive a scholarship to attend the 2026 Chamber Leadership Class. St. Joseph’s Social Care provides compassionate support to individuals and families in need throughout the Greater Grand Forks community, offering services that promote dignity, stability, and hope.

“Chelse exemplifies the values this award was created to honor,” said Becca Baumbach, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “She is a thoughtful, committed leader who invests her time and talents in strengthening our community. Her decision to support St. Joseph’s Social Care reflects both her compassion and her understanding of the importance of developing strong nonprofit leadership.”

About the Mike Maidenberg Leadership Endowment and Emerging Leader Award

The Mike Maidenberg Leadership Endowment was established in 2004 at the Community Foundation by Grand Forks Herald employees to honor Publisher Mike Maidenberg upon his retirement. It recognizes his lasting civic contributions to the Grand Forks region, particularly his leadership following the 1997 flood and his role as a founding leader and first Board President of the Community Foundation.

The Mike Maidenberg Emerging Leader Award is presented annually to a member of the Chamber Leadership Class who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, including positive attitude and adaptability, communication and vision, integrity, education and innovation, creativity, intelligence, and team building. Each recipient selects a nonprofit organization or government entity to receive a scholarship to a future Chamber Leadership Class.

About the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is a nonprofit, community foundation created by and for the people of the region to encourage a spirit of philanthropy. Working in partnership with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and trusted advisers, the Foundation manages over 165 charitable funds and provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, public entities, and other charitable causes. Since 1998, the Foundation has granted $15.5 million to create stronger, more vibrant communities across the middle and upper Red River Valley region. Learn more about the Community Foundation and its work at gofoundation.org.

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