Barta chairs YWCA Cass Clay Board, new directors elected

FARGO, ND (May 15, 2025) — Tammi Jo Barta, Chief Underwriter-Corporate Markets at Sammons Financial Group, has been elected president of the YWCA Cass Clay Board of Directors for 2025. She will provide leadership along with other directors and chair the YWCA executive committee.

Other officers elected by YWCA board of directors in February were Louise Dardis, first vice president; Lisa Schwinden, second vice president; Megan Schreiner, treasurer; and Sherri Schmidt Tefft, secretary. Rayonna Hystead is the immediate past president and another member of the executive committee.

Newly elected to the YWCA Cass Clay board are Jenny Anderson, Recovery Works; Dr. Kate Cook, North Dakota State University, and Karen Skjold, Park Co. Realtors.

Other members of the board are Krista Andrews, Adair Boening, Jodi Duncan, Jessica Ebeling, Celine Paulson, Josie Perhus, Sandi Piatz, Anne LaFrinier-Ritchie, Paula Swanson, and Cassie Wiste. YWCA CEO Erin Prochnow is also a board member.

YWCA Cass Clay is affiliated with the national organization YWCA USA whose mission is to empower women and eliminate racism. YWCA Cass Clay’s governing board is made up of community representatives who determine local direction, establish policies, and shape programs for Fargo-Moorhead and the region beyond.

YWCA Cass Clay operates the largest emergency shelter in North Dakota and the region, providing safe shelter for 1,238 women and children in 2024. YWCA’s supportive housing program brings survivors safe, affordable housing to continue their journey to recover from domestic violence and homelessness due to poverty. Through YWCA shelter and housing programs, 351 adults and children had safety each night last year. They were supported with empowerment programs to improve health, family well-being, and economic security.