The Board of Directors
Board President: Cody Severson
Cody has a bachelor’s degree in social work from MSUM, a LBSW in North Dakota, and has almost finished a master's degree in Public Health from an online program with Tulane University. In his down time, he spends time with his partner and his tortie cat Kadabra!
Board Secretary: Mandi Thorson
Mandi is a Licensed Social Worker experienced in mental health, chemical dependency, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and dialectic-behavioral therapy. She has worked with a wide variety of clients and is passionate about helping people. Mandi is married and has four fur babies: three cats and a dog. She loves photography, fishing, music, and spending time with her family. She is an award-winning author and photographer.
Board Member: Sarah Benson
Sarah is an OIF veteran and high school counselor in Moorhead, MN. She is an essential part of the creation of CUP and dedicated to the importance of this work. Sarah spends quality time with her husband and two children, who she absolutely adores.
Board Member: Jordan Amatuegwu
Jordan Amatuegwu is a newer board member of community uplift program. He is a family medicine physician in the Fargo-Moorhead area and specialize in LGBTQIA+ primary care. He graduated college at Stony Brook University New York, earned his medical degree from University of Antigua, and completed his residency training at University of Buffalo School of medicine in New York. Jordan moved from New York City to Fargo with his husband. They are avid foodies, love traveling, playing with their dog (Stitches) and supporting local drag shows.
Board Member: Hannah Cook
Hannah Cook is a queer activist and organizer in Moorhead, MN. She works for Honor the Earth, a non-profit dedicated to creating awareness and support for Indigenous environmental issues, where she organizes and hosts at Welcome Water Protectors - an arts and cultural education center with a focus on traditional ecological knowledge, citizen science, and arts in resistance. She also enjoys organizing and volunteering with local harm reduction and mutual aid groups, like the Community Culinary Corps Project. In her free time, she makes mixed-media art and spends time outdoors with her friends and family.