Dardis chairs YWCA Cass Clay Board, new directors elected

FARGO, ND (April 2, 2026) — Louise Dardis, longtime West Fargo Public Schools educator and administrator, has been elected president of YWCA’s Board of Directors for 2026. 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 Lisa Schwinden, first vice president; Sherri Schmidt, second vice president; Josie Perhus, treasurer; and Jodi Duncan, secretary. Tammi Jo Barta is the immediate past president and another member of the executive committee.

Newly elected to the YWCA Cass Clay board are Crystal Coalwell of Gate City Bank, Karla Isley of Noridian, and Ashley Schmidt of Old National Bank.

Other members of the board are Jennifer Anderson, Krista Andrews, Adair Boening, Anne LaFrinier-Ritchie, Megan Schreiner, Karen Skjold, 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. 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 for women and children in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, providing 24/7 safety and support for 1,300 individuals annually escaping domestic violence and homelessness. Beyond providing safe shelter, YWCA Supportive Housing provides stability to over 320 adults and children each year through 97 units of safe, affordable housing for the longer journey to empowerment and independence. Through trauma-informed care and client-centered programs for health, employment, and education, YWCA empowers survivors and their children to heal and thrive.

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