Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of The Danish Immigrant Museum provides oversight to the staff and assists in developing ideas and plans that contribute to the museum’s continuing vitality. Board members participate at their own expense and receive no reimbursements.

The Board of Directors is limited to twenty-five members. Terms of service are for three years, with the possibility of re-election to a second term. Three years must pass before a member can again be considered for board membership. Several ex-officio members have continued to provide expertise although they normally do not attend meetings nor do they vote on issues. The Board’s Nominations Committee strives for regional representation, gender balance and diversity of expertise.  

The Board of Directors meets three times a year. The annual meeting is held in Elk Horn, Iowa during the third weekend in October. Normally, the Board meets each February and June in different locations around the United States to cultivate interest in the museum’s mission.

Without the dedication, energy and support of a strong team-oriented Board of Directors, the Staff of the museum would not be able to work effectively in managing day-to-day operations of The Danish Immigrant Museum.

President – Harriet Albertsen Spanel, Bellingham, WA
Vice President – Mark Nussle, Palos Park, IL
Secretary – Dennis Andersen, Atlanta, GA
Treasurer – Clark Mathisen, Omaha, NE

Carlo Christensen, Glendale, CA
Lone Christensen, Brown Deer, WI
Ane-Grethe Delaney, Wayzata, MN
Mark Frederiksen, Falcon, CO
Kurt Hansen, Rosemount, MN
Mia Hansen, Tucson, AZ
Vice Consul Anna Thomsen Holliday, Houston, TX
Kristi Planck Johnson, Bethesda, MD
Kenneth Larsen, Calistoga, CA
Steven Lund, Yuma, AZ
Cynthia McKeen, St. Paul, MN
Carol Jensen Mills, Dubuque, IA
Kay Esbeck North, Ames, IA
Benedikte Ehlers Olesen, Eugene, OR / Bryup, Denmark
Consul Lynette Skow Rasmussen, Johnston, IA
Consul Eva Robinson, Butler, PA
Mark Strandskov, Mount Pleasant, MI
Janet M. Thuesen, Sausalito, CA

Ex-Officio
Marc Petersen, Omaha, NE
Kai Nyby, LaPorte, IN
Vern Hunter, Fargo, ND
Nils Larsen, Portland, OR
Dennis Larson, Decorah, IA
Dagmar Muthamia, Long Beach, CA