Sertoma awarded its highest honor to a nonmember of Sertoma to Jill Carlson as the person who epitomizes Service to Mankind in the community.
"Jill brings enthusiasm, consensus building skills, and common sense to problem solving which when combined with her wit and wisdom make her an asset to any organization," said Kevin Thesing of Lakes Printing, in a news release.
Miranda Anderson, marketing director at Essentia said, "Jill Carlson not only positively builds social capital with all those in our community; but she looks for opportunities for others to do so as well. One has only to look at the long, but incomplete list of organizations she has been involved with to mark her as a true leader and major contributor in the Brainerd/Baxter community."
Organizations include, Brainerd Public Schools Foundation Blandin Leadership, Rotary Club, Brainerd Lakes Women's Fund, BHS Personal Finance Program, BHS Distinguished Achievement Hall of Fame, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Lakes Media Collaborative, Mac Carkuff Foundation, Vacationland Figure Skating Club and Visit Brainerd. Deborah Erickson, Crow Wing County administrative director, pointed to Carlson's ability to foster connections for the benefit of all.
"I am always so impressed with how she selflessly devotes her time and energy to help others thrive and to make each venture her most important one," Erickson said.
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Carlson was joined at the meeting by her family and many friends. They got to hear President Christina Landree talk about Carlson's many achievements, including as president of the Rotary Club and president of the Board of the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation. Carlson is actively involved in her church, the Women's Fund, mentoring through Presenting Yourself, and working with the Blandin Foundation to create a social capital online tool for alumni.
Carlson is a past member of Sertoma.
Carlson, a hometown Brainerd resident, is the mother of three children: Addy, Emma and Max. She is currently serving as director of training and community relations for Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union.
Jim Hunt talked about her contribution to the Hall of Fame Committee.
Suzette Olson, director of the Mac Carkhuff Foundation sums it up by saying Carlson is the epitome of Service to Mankind. "The Brainerd lakes area is very lucky to have such a young, vibrant, service oriented intelligent woman in its community."
This story was altered to remove comments contributed to the late Rev. Deborah Celley.
