EMBER REICHGOTT JUNGE NAMED CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER AT LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Nov. 13, 2007) – Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) has named Ember Reichgott Junge as its Chief Advancement Officer, a position formerly held by Jodi Harpstead who has become the organization’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Reichgott Junge will assume her duties at LSS on Dec. 4.
The LSS Chief Advancement Officer is responsible for overall fundraising, communications, marketing, public policy, advocacy and volunteer coordination for the $75 million statewide organization that employs 2,300 and assists approximately 100,000 Minnesotans each year.
Mark Peterson, President and CEO of LSS, said that Reichgott Junge brings a tremendous skill set to the role she will play at LSS.
"We are delighted to welcome Ember to our organization,” Peterson said. “Her sense of personal and professional mission aligns well to the values of LSS and to the direction LSS is headed. She has superb skills and exceptional experience in all of the areas important to our CAO’s success."
Reichgott Junge is a well-known Minnesotan, having served as a Minnesota State Senator from 1983 to 2000. An attorney with The General Counsel, Ltd., she served over 20 years as a general counsel for businesses and non-profits in the Twin Cities. In addition, she formed her own communications company in 2000, and has been advising and training a number of nonprofit organizations in communication strategies. She is an accomplished writer and public speaker on topics related to human services, education, government and ethics. Further, she has served on a number of local and national Boards, such as the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“This exciting opportunity is a natural extension of my legislative and community work toward improving the lives of children, families, seniors and people with disabilities,” Reichgott Junge said. “LSS provides outstanding service to Minnesotans, and I want to help build an extraordinary community for all of us.”
Reichgott Junge is a graduate of St. Olaf College (B.A.), and the University of St. Thomas’ Graduate School of Business (M.B.A.). She earned her J.D. degree from the Duke University School of Law.
Headquartered in St. Paul, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota provides services to more than 100,000 individuals each year across Minnesota. The organization serves children, youth and families as well as older adults and persons with disabilities. LSS is owned by the six Minnesota Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Further information about LSS is available at www.lssmn.org
