Opportunity Partners' Executive Team

 

 

Bruce Bester, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Bruce Bester was awarded the 2008 CFO of the Year Life Achievement Award by the Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal for his years of dedicated service to Opportunity Partners and volunteerism with nonprofits supporting people with disabilities. In his 35 years with Opportunity Partners, Bruce has been involved with all major growth initiatives, including construction of the headquarters in 1976 and its remodel in 2007, the addition of Karlins Center serving people with autism in 1991, the Asplin Center day program in 1994, the addition of 17 group homes from 1999 to 2001, and the Golden Opportunity program for seniors in 2007. The success of each required a sound financial plan, often a fundraising campaign, and a tax exempt bond or other financing mechanism which Bruce oversaw in his financial role. He also oversaw growth in annual revenues from $1.8 million to $28 million and an increase in the balance sheet from less than $1 million to $20 million. Bruce’s networks in banking, law, auditing, advocacy and government has helped to facilitate this growth. His responsibilities at Opportunity Partners have grown beyond his role as CFO to include overseeing sales, IT, and property management. In addition, Bruce holds or has held volunteer positions with Minnesota Rehabilitation Services, Minnesota Association of Community Rehabilitation Organizations, Minnesota Nonprofit Employers Workers Compensation Fund, and the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota. He also volunteered as a tax preparer for persons with disabilities with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and a volunteer boat driver for Courage Center’s adaptive water ski program. Bruce attended the Universities of Minnesota and Maryland and graduated cum laude from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He also earned a mini MBA from St. Thomas University. Bruce’s education was followed by his military service in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He earned his commission in the Signal Corps and attained the rank of Captain.

 

 

 Brenda Goral, Senior Vice President, Client and Customer Care 

Brenda Goral has joined Opportunity Partners as Vice President, Vocational Services. In her role, she oversees employment and personal development programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, brain injury and other special needs. Prior to arriving at Opportunity Partners, Brenda worked for 28 years at Dakota Communities, Inc., most recently as Vice President of Program Services. She brings a wealth of management and leadership experience to Opportunity Partners, including a proven ability to lead projects successfully. Brenda has a B.S. degree from Minnesota State University at Mankato and has completed graduate level coursework in special education at St. Mary’s College of Minneapolis. She has been active in a number of organizations, including the Association of Residential Resource in Minnesota (ARRM), where she served on the Board of Directors, and Minnesota Life College, where she currently serves as a member of the board.She has also been active in the Association for Severely Handicapped, the MN Association for Severely Handicapped, and the National Association for Dual Diagnosis. In 2004, Brenda was a recipient of The Business Journal “Woman Change Maker Award” for outstanding leadership in the community.

 

 

Sue Hayes joined Opportunity Partners in May 2008 as Vice President, Advancement. Her professional experience includes Director of Advancement Services, College of St. Catherine, and Campaign Director of the College of St. Catherine’s Leadership in Mind fundraising campaign. She has also worked as Director of Volunteer Ministry for the Basilica of St. Mary and was a partner with the communications firm Visible Ink. Sue also has a wealth of volunteer experience including co-chairing the Special Events Committee for the Basilica where she initiated and implemented the first Basilica Block Party in 1995. She is a past Chair and past Board of Directors member of The Jeremiah Program and chaired the first Jeremiah Bullfrog Bash in 1999.