T H E   T E A M

In the Office

Jenny Maattala
Founder, Executive Director
Jenny has a background in English, Marketing, and Communications, working with both  publishing houses and nonprofits in their marketing departments. Her love of writing and  editing has provided a steady source of freelance opportunities over the last eight years  as a stay-at-home mom, taking on clients for proofreading and copyediting services to  keep her professional skills from getting too rusty. She always knew she wanted to go back to school to get her Master’s degree, but it wasn’t until her sister was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer that Jenny figured out how to combine her long-time passion for writing with a new passion – helping kids who are experiencing the gut-wrenching grief of losing a parent (or sibling or primary caregiver). 

Jenny lives in Bismarck with her husband and their four children. She graduated with an MFA in Writing from Queens University of Charlotte, her specialty being writing therapy. When she isn't reading, writing, or spending time with the fam, Jenny is teaching cycle class at the Bismarck YMCA or Mandan Family Wellness Facility. Although the events leading to her meeting the kids who will participate in Soul 57 aren’t ideal, she is eager to help them cultivate a passion for writing and use it as a tool to navigate their grief, and any other major event in their life, just as she’s done since she could string a sentence together. ​​

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Kristina Dirk
Program Director, Intern Coordinator
Kristina Dirk is a wife, a mother of four beautiful children, and a grandmother of one beautiful granddaughter. While originally from Montana, she has been a resident of Mandan, North Dakota, since 2008.

Kristina considers herself a lifelong learner and is eager to expand her knowledge to improve the lives of others. Kristina has training in both trauma informed care practice and grief informed care practice. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Management, Kristina earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota in 2017. Kristina has experience working with children and families in a variety of service settings including behavioral health, addiction, child welfare, and trauma.

Kristina is passionate about advocating for children and families and identifies the word “resilience” as one of her favorite words. She describes resilience as the strength to bounce back from challenges in life. Kristina recognizes how various challenges in life can be detrimental, but with the support and advocacy of others, people are more apt to overcome those challenges and make positive choices in their lives.

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Board of Directors

Jess Wurtz
Chair

Jess has always been passionate about helping vulnerable populations find their voice while allowing them a non-judgmental environment to feel heard and valued. Jess is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with youth in a variety of settings for over twenty years. Jess is currently a mental health therapist and the co-owner of Stepping Stones Counseling. Jess graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Minot State University in 2010, then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University in 2015. Jess lives in Bismarck with her husband and their three girls staying busy with their many activities. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to live music, and participating in game nights. Historically, she says she likes reading, but currently has a hard time fitting it into her busy schedule. She realizes that someday she will have more than enough time and will work on catching up on her reading list at that time. Until then, she is appreciating what she knows someday she will look back on as the good old days.​

Kyle Kapsch
Vice Chair

Kyle was born and raised in Bismarck, where he continues to build upon his deep roots in the community while raising his own family. As a Managing Architect and Development Lead, Kyle has dedicated his career to bringing out the best in teams and individuals through mentorship and strategic leadership.
Kyle is deeply committed to his family and community. He enjoys watching his children grow and thrive, actively participating in their various activities and interests, including their involvement in Cub Scouts. Kyle's approach to leadership, whether in professional or volunteer settings, focuses on building supportive environments where individuals can grow and succeed.
A graduate of Minot State University with a Computer Science degree and an MBA from the University of Mary, Kyle combines his technical expertise with business acumen to help organizations operate more effectively while maintaining their core mission and values.

Allison Hilleren
Secretary

​Allison Hilleren was raised in Inver Grove Heights, MN, before moving to North Dakota to attend NDSU. After graduating with a degree in criminal justice, Allison worked in Fargo for a few years before moving back to MN to be closer to family and settling in a career in sales at a major bank. After working in sales & management for 14 years, Allison relocated to Watford City, ND, after meeting her husband, Seth. In Watford, Allison transitioned into an HR career, currently with Hoss Rentals. Allison, her husband Seth, and their children Kason & Macy, currently reside in Arnegard, ND. Since the idea for Soul 57 was born, she has been excited about the mission, as the cause is near and dear to the hearts of many members of her family. 

Linda Svihovec
Treasurer

Linda served a 27-year career as the McKenzie County Auditor/Treasurer.  She retired from her job with McKenzie County in 2017, and after 32 years in Watford City, Linda and her husband Jim moved to Bismarck where she graduated from high school and college and where her elderly parents and four siblings reside, as well as her son Nathan.  The move to Bismarck affords her the opportunity for a second career as a research analyst and legislative lobbyist for the North Dakota Association of Counties, and a resource for county officials across the state.  She served as the President of the ND Treasurer’s Association from 2006-2008 and for the ND Association of Counties in 2010.  In 2019-2020,  she was appointed as co-chair of the Governor’s 2020 Census Task Force. 

Amy Hollar
Communication Chair

Amy’s greatest passion is volunteerism and advocacy, and the betterment it brings to communities. She is an assistant professor of communication at the University of Mary and an adjunct professor at Bismarck State College.
​Amy joined the University of Mary communication department as a faculty member after teaching communication courses at Marquette University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her primary areas of teaching include strategic communication, public relations, advertising, public speaking, interpersonal, and intercultural communication.
When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her watching a sporting event, reading a good book, or traveling. ​

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Travis Albers
Member at Large

​Travis is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota but was raised on the Oglala and Cheyenne River reservations in South Dakota. He works as the Cultural and Wellness Advocate for the Mandan Public School District, the Title Vi Coordinator, and the Mandan Middle School Activities Director. Travis has six amazing kids, three daughters Teylor, Skylar, Bryar, and three sons Zander, Bowen, and Cooper. Travis holds a bachelor’s degree in university studies from the University of Mary, a bachelor’s of Dietetics from the University of North Dakota, and, mostly recently, completed a double master’s in educational leadership and athletic administration. Travis has the vision of promoting a community of inclusion and diversity, aligned with improving overall health and wellness.

Dave Lindell
Member at Large

David is an attorney and CPA who practices out of Washburn. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a B.B.A. in Accounting and Banking & Finance and a Juris Doctorate from the UND School of Law. In addition to being a director with Soul57, David is a director with the McLean Family Resource Center in Washburn and the Capital Gallery in downtown Bismarck.

Pillars of Soul 57

1. Vulnerability
We let down our armor and share our stories. Being sad is not a weakness. It’s an opportunity to learn more about yourself and other human beings. It is a way to understand that we all feel, and letting down the walls and allowing others into help is a strength.
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2. Trust
This is a safe space. We come to make connections and communicate shared feelings. We will not judge anyone, repeat what we’ve heard, or use the information someone shares against them.

3. Community
Again, this is a safe space. Everyone here is grieving, suffering, and sorting through emotions that are new and unwelcome. We are here as a group to offer support and provide encouragement. Although your situations and grief look different from one another, nobody is suffering alone. We are in this together.

4. Courage
Sharing stories is hard. Being vulnerable is hard. Taking advice and learning tools to move forward every day is hard. And even though it won't always be easy, and some days the sadness will feel greater than the good, we will have the courage to keep moving forward and supporting each other and letting others support us.

5. Empathy
This is not the same as sympathy. We are not lesser than or weaker because of our loss. We don’t need people to feel sorry for us or treat us differently because we are grieving. Having empathy and receiving empathy means we understand there will be good days and bad days and we are here to support each other and find compassion and understanding for each other and ourselves.