Meet US
Kirk Ingram
Chairman |
Joe Dailey
Executive Director and Co-FoundeR
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Rob Wudlick
Treasurer and
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KIRK INGRAM
Chairman
Kirk Ingram is Chairman of the Board. In August of 2015, Kirk sustained a C4 injury following a shallow dive in Lake Minnetonka. He credits GUSU with providing insight to living with a SCI and the knowledge to advocate for a cure. Kirk has been an athlete his whole life, he was a member of the Concordia University St. Paul baseball team, the St. Louis Park Town Ball Team, and was a hockey referee. As such, he strives to maintain an active lifestyle and often can be found FES cycling or working out with a trainer.
Kirk majored in mathematics with a minor in business at Concordia-St. Paul. He completed the Technology Leadership Program at Target Corporation and is currently a Senior Project Manager within technology services.
JOE DAILEY
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Joe Dailey has been a board member since inception. He brings 21 years of experience in living with a SCI and has seen many positive changes in the search for a cure for paralysis due to SCI. Joe was elected Executive Director of the board in January of 2017 and is a driving force for defining our mission and priorities which include: fund research, unite & educate, and promote fitness.
Joe attended South Dakota State University. He has over 35 years of experience with M.A. Mortenson Company where he currently works as a Community Stewardship Coordinator. Joe enjoys exercising, handcycling, skydiving, reading, and spending time with his grandchildren.
ROB WUDLICK
Treasurer and Co-Founder
Rob Wudlick is Treasurer and Co-Founder of GUSU. In April of 2011, Rob suffered a C4-5 spinal cord injury from a diving accident on a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. Since that time, Rob has worked tirelessly to advance medical research and to advocate for the spinal cord injury community. Rob serves on the Minnesota State Council the for Spinal Cord & Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, and is an Advocacy Advisor for many national spinal cord injury research organizations.
Rob attended Montana State University, Bozeman, and has a degree in Industrial & Management Engineering. He has a wide range of interests, including bodies of water and mountains, and has worked in the fields of engineering design, operations, and development, entrepreneurial endeavors, and has over 10 years of professional boating experience on recreational whitewater and charter operations.
Chairman
Kirk Ingram is Chairman of the Board. In August of 2015, Kirk sustained a C4 injury following a shallow dive in Lake Minnetonka. He credits GUSU with providing insight to living with a SCI and the knowledge to advocate for a cure. Kirk has been an athlete his whole life, he was a member of the Concordia University St. Paul baseball team, the St. Louis Park Town Ball Team, and was a hockey referee. As such, he strives to maintain an active lifestyle and often can be found FES cycling or working out with a trainer.
Kirk majored in mathematics with a minor in business at Concordia-St. Paul. He completed the Technology Leadership Program at Target Corporation and is currently a Senior Project Manager within technology services.
JOE DAILEY
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Joe Dailey has been a board member since inception. He brings 21 years of experience in living with a SCI and has seen many positive changes in the search for a cure for paralysis due to SCI. Joe was elected Executive Director of the board in January of 2017 and is a driving force for defining our mission and priorities which include: fund research, unite & educate, and promote fitness.
Joe attended South Dakota State University. He has over 35 years of experience with M.A. Mortenson Company where he currently works as a Community Stewardship Coordinator. Joe enjoys exercising, handcycling, skydiving, reading, and spending time with his grandchildren.
ROB WUDLICK
Treasurer and Co-Founder
Rob Wudlick is Treasurer and Co-Founder of GUSU. In April of 2011, Rob suffered a C4-5 spinal cord injury from a diving accident on a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. Since that time, Rob has worked tirelessly to advance medical research and to advocate for the spinal cord injury community. Rob serves on the Minnesota State Council the for Spinal Cord & Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, and is an Advocacy Advisor for many national spinal cord injury research organizations.
Rob attended Montana State University, Bozeman, and has a degree in Industrial & Management Engineering. He has a wide range of interests, including bodies of water and mountains, and has worked in the fields of engineering design, operations, and development, entrepreneurial endeavors, and has over 10 years of professional boating experience on recreational whitewater and charter operations.
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MELISSA INGRAM, Ph.D.
Chair, Research Committee Melissa Ingram joined the board of directors in 2017. She entered the SCI community after her husband, Kirk, was paralyzed following a dive into shallow water. Since then, Melissa has leveraged her 10 years of experience in medical research and immersed herself into the chronic SCI research field. Melissa attended the University of Minnesota, and has a BS degree in genetics, cell biology and development, and completed her PhD work in molecular biology focusing on human disorders including muscular dystrophy and ataxia. She has co-authored several articles in scientific journals, has completed due-diligence on new technologies in the biomedical and pharmaceutical space, and has experience obtaining grant funding and completing clinical trials. She currently works at a clinical research organization and enjoys traveling, gopher sporting events, and playing with her daughter. |
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MEGAN KENDZIOR
Chair, Education Committee Megan joined the board in 2019. She entered neurological rehabilitation eight years ago when she started working for Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute where she gained experience in spinal cord injury rehabilitation and care coordination. Additionally, she works at M Health Fairview Acute Rehabiltation and has been a certified rehabilitation RN for seven years. Megan received her BSN from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Megan prides herself on being a fierce advocate for her patients, finds passion in assisting with discharge planning, and enjoys education and attending nursing conferences throughout the year. In her free time, Megan loves to travel, practice yoga, and spend time with her husband, family, and friends |
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ANDREW RAPACZ
Chair, Fitness Committee Andy Rapacz joined the GUSU Board in 2018. Andy is an Exercise Physiologist and has worked in the neurological rehabilitation world since 2009. Beginning in 2010, at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute-Golden Valley (CKRI), part of Allina Health, he was a founding staff and Lead Activity Based Specialist of CKRI’s, NeuroRecovery Network, Activity Based Locomotor Exercise (ABLE) program. Since 2020, Andy has worked in the NeuroWell Program at HealthPartners NeuroScience Center, in St. Paul, MN, where he is actively involved in Adaptive Exercise for SCI research and programming . Throughout his professional experiences he has helped foster programming growth, development and expansion of adaptive fitness opportunities for individuals with Spinal Cord Injury and other neurological diagnosis. Andy holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota; M.A. in Organizational Leadership certificate from St. Catherine University; and is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM EP-C). He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters enjoying the outdoors, MN sports, and live music. |
Mariah Doom
Member
Mariah joined the board in 2021. She is a physical therapist and is completing a Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency in order to receive her Neurologic clinical specialist certification. She received her BS in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and her DPT from St. Catherine University
Mariah prides herself on helping her patient's reach their goals, promoting fitness, advocating for her patients, and advancing the physical therapy profession. In her free time, Mariah is an avid Colorado Avalanche fan, loves to hike with her dogs, practice yoga, garden, and spend time with her husband, family, and friends.
Member
Mariah joined the board in 2021. She is a physical therapist and is completing a Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency in order to receive her Neurologic clinical specialist certification. She received her BS in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and her DPT from St. Catherine University
Mariah prides herself on helping her patient's reach their goals, promoting fitness, advocating for her patients, and advancing the physical therapy profession. In her free time, Mariah is an avid Colorado Avalanche fan, loves to hike with her dogs, practice yoga, garden, and spend time with her husband, family, and friends.
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Dillon Borowicz
Treasurer Dillon joined the board in 2023 and started being associated with GUSU around 2012 shortly after sustaining a C5 injury due to a diving accident in his family pool. As a junior in high school at the time things rapidly changed. Dillon was still able to graduate early, enrolled in Normandale Community College for two years, then finished his BS degree in Business and Marketing Education and Leadership minor from the University of MN Twin Cities in 2019. (ROW THE BOAT!!!) Dillon currently works for Old National Bank and has been in the mortgage division for three years. Also is the Abilities First Impact Network co-chair for Old National Bank’s MN market, and mentor for Old National Bank’s Achieve Ability program which helps individuals with disabilities find employment. Hobbies include being physically active, being outside, Summer > Winter, likes all sports (hopes to see the Vikings win a Superbowl), enjoys tasting new beers and food, and is happiest feeding his soul with live music accompanied by friends and loved ones. Favorite quote “The courage to go deep, the faith to go far and in between these two is confidence.” -Jennifer Blair |
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Alex Mitchell
Member Alex Mitchell joined the GUSU Board in 2022. Alex sustained a C5 spinal cord injury following a snowboarding accident in 2012. Post injury, Alex has found a passion for adaptive fitness and healthy lifestyle education, and the importance they have in the SCI Community. Alex found that mentorship and a strong sense of community were fundamental in his SCI recovery, and hopes to help others with SCI’s to reach their full potential in all aspects of life. Alex received a BS in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse; and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Alex is currently employed as a CTRS in the Transitional Rehabilitation Program at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. In his free time, Alex enjoys exercising, cooking, watching sports, and spending time with his family and friends. |
SAMANTHA DROST
Member at large
Samantha Drost joined the board in 2017. Sam has been a member of the SCI community for over 10 years following a body surfing accident. Sam has a wealth of knowledge navigating life post-injury including using adaptive technology and advocating for PCA services. Sam is also a member of the State Quality Council, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to support a system of quality assurance and improvement of services for people with disabilities.
Sam attended Augsburg College and has a degree in mathematics and economics. She is currently a Senior Analyst Business Insights and Analytics at Target Corporation. Sam enjoys adaptive yoga, playing with her nephews and taking her dogs for walks.
Member at large
Samantha Drost joined the board in 2017. Sam has been a member of the SCI community for over 10 years following a body surfing accident. Sam has a wealth of knowledge navigating life post-injury including using adaptive technology and advocating for PCA services. Sam is also a member of the State Quality Council, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to support a system of quality assurance and improvement of services for people with disabilities.
Sam attended Augsburg College and has a degree in mathematics and economics. She is currently a Senior Analyst Business Insights and Analytics at Target Corporation. Sam enjoys adaptive yoga, playing with her nephews and taking her dogs for walks.
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KAREN FOUKE
Member Karen Fouke joined GUSU in June of 2022. She became paralyzed in a car accident in 2005 while on a business trip in Houston, Texas. While traveling to the airport, her vehicle was struck and t-boned by a person that ran a red light. The impact ejected her 50 ft from the vehicle and broke her back at T-10, leaving her a paraplegic. Almost 20-years later, she remains grateful she survived her accident and continues to lead a purposeful life, with meaning and value. Karen’s recently retired after working 38+ years for two companies, in the financial document service and virtual M&A banking industry. She enjoys volunteering, creating art projects, watching sporting events, and traveling. An Iowa State University alum, Karen loves Cyclone Athletics events and enjoys her college friends |
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MATTHEW RODREICK
Co-Founder, Member at Large Matthew Rodreick entered the SCI community after his son Gabe sustained a C5 injury while body surfing in Costa Rica. After leaving his position as Emergency Department Operations Supervisor for the Fairview Health System, he and Gabe traveled the world in search of the best therapeutic options, only to end up back in Minnesota advocating for cure research. Matthew is a founding member of GUSU and led the group as the Executive Director until January of 2017. Matthew is now the Executive Director of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis, and continues to advocate through their various programs. Matthew is working with advocates around the country to develop U2FP's Cure Advocacy Network in multiple state initiatives modeled after Minnesota's success in funding SCI Research. |
