Meet the Board of Directors
Board Member Since December 1998
Mark Donnelly was born in 1957 and raised in Eau Claire, WI. He is an entrepreneur and started his first business when he was 19 years old. Since then he has started or been a part of a number of different businesses ranging from several employees to several hundred. Realizing the emptiness of materialism, he dedicated his life to Christ in 1987.
In 1998 he and his wife Cindy founded Hope Gospel Mission. Mark is currently the President and part-owner of Crusts Unlimited, Inc. in Osseo, WI, which makes pizza crusts for frozen pizza manufacturers, pizzerias and grocery stores nationwide.
He and his wife Cindy both actively volunteer at HGM and their church. They have 3 children and live in Eau Claire.
Board Member Since August 2011
Rick Hendel was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up in the Twin Cities. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. His career in finance as a Controller was spent primarily in the food industry with The Pillsbury Company and ConAgra Foods. Rick relocated to Eau Claire in 1992 with ConAgra and is currently retired. He has served as an elder and leader in his local church and has served on the Hope Gospel mission board since 2009. He was active in coaching various youth sports in Eau Claire.
Rick and his wife Dawn have 9 children and 14 grandchildren. They currently reside in Eau Claire.
Board Member Since November 2019
Board Member Since September 2021
Lee is a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and a retired member of the Wisconsin State Patrol. Upon discharge from the Coast Guard Lee entered into State Service with the State Patrol. Lee served as a Trooper in Northwestern Wisconsin prior to being promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to an instructor position at the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy. From the Academy Lee was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and subsequently promoted to the rank of Captain. At the time of his retirement Lee was serving as a Region Commander overseeing State Patrol's operation in the Madison and Tomah Wisconsin areas. Upon retirement Lee returned to college to gain his credentials as a chemical addiction counselor. After serving as a counselor for two other organizations in the Chippewa Valley Lee was provided an opportunity to work as a Renewal Counselor with Hope Gospel Mission's Renewed Hope Program. Lee is currently retired from employment, but is honored to be able to remain involved with Hope Gospel Mission by serving on Hope Gospel Mission's Board of Directors.
Board Member Since September 2020
Board Member Since July 2019
Steve is a Wisconsin native and graduated from UW-LaCrosse in 1979. He owned and operated Great Harvest Bread Co. for 19 years prior to retirement. This is Steve's second time serving on the board because he believes very strongly in the work Hope Gospel Mission is doing in the Chippewa Valley. "It is amazing to see people breaking free from the addictions and problems that have contributed to their homelessness," proclaims Steve.
Steve is married to Teri. They have two daughters and three grandchildren that keep them busy and active.
Board Member Since September 2020
I enjoy volunteering and specifically at Hope Gospel Mission because it's an organization filled with passionate individuals that are always looking to improve themselves and the environment around them. It's difficult to find a faith based organization that has such a positive impact in the community and that was something I wanted to be a part of ever since my volunteer internship at Hope Gospel Mission.
I was blessed with wonderful friends and family so I spend as much time as I can with them. I also enjoy time on my own doing outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and running. Finance is my career passion. I'm a Member Account Representative at Royal Credit Union, helping others through their unique finance situations. I have a finance and business consulting company called Silver Eagle Financial that I enjoy teaching and educating through. I also wrote a book on personal finance called Eat or Be Eaten that's self-published on Amazon. I'm on the board and treasurer for the CollECtive Choir as another opportunity to volunteer with a high impact, faith based, nonprofit.
Board Member Since September 2019
Ellen Scott is from Eastern Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice from UW Eau Claire in 2016. She has been a member of the board since 2019. Ellen is a police officer in the Chippewa Valley and has five years of law enforcement experience. Ellen is a trained crisis negotiator, a police training officer, and has expertise in other law enforcement specialties. Ellen has previously worked for the Boys and Girls Club of America and has various volunteer experience with children. She is a member of a local church and involved in women's and other missional ministries. She is excited and humbled to serve on Hope Gospel Mission's Board of Directors. Ellen is passionate about Hope's mission to see lives transformed by the gospel of Jesus.
Board Member Since August 2018
Mike Vold was born in 1960, and grew up in Eau Claire. After Graduation From UW Stout in Construction Management, Mike and his wife Jackie relocated to Wausau, WI, where Mike worked as an estimator for Sterling Homes. After 2 years, they moved back to Eau Claire and Mike has worked in Construction Management and Sales since.
Mike’s involvement in the Mission started with the remodel of the Farwell St location in 2000. He then served on the Board from 2004-2006. I am excited to be back and look forward to serving on the Board once again.
Mike and Jackie live in Eau Claire, and are members of a local church. They have 3 adult children, and 5 grandchildren.
Board Member Since August 2018
Haley Wiedenhoeft was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Major in Middle Level Education. Her career started at Whitehall Middle School where she taught English for 5 years before deciding to stay home with her children full time. She has a heart for Youth Ministry and has served in many capacities from youth leader, to kids club coordinator on various mission trips.
Haley and her husband, Max, have two daughters. They live in Pigeon Falls, WI.