meet the staff
Kim Valentini
In 2003, Kim Valentini stepped away from a career as a high-powered corporate sales and marketing executive to evaluate what was missing in her life. Fueled by the desire to find meaning and to be a voice for people who didn’t have one, she launched Smile Network International, which quickly became a global force in the nonprofit world. Two decades later and hundreds of passport stamps later, Kim’s “project,” otherwise known as Smile Network International, has resulted in nearly 100 surgical missions in 13 countries on five continents and more than 4,500 children have received the gift of a life-altering surgery.
Kim has received many honors for her work with Smile Network including the KARE-11 Eleven Who KARE award, Minneapolis Business Journal’s Women in Business and Inkandescent Women Magazine named Kim one of the 100 Amazing Women who are changing the world. In addition to her charitable work, Kim travels the country speaking to corporate and civic organizations, as well as educational institutions and conferences. She tells stories of her life experiences and inspires audiences to dream big, take risks and listen to that little voice inside of yourself to identify your purpose.
kim@smilenetwork.org
Niki Bohne
Niki has a 30-year history with numerous non-profit organizations overseeing a wide variety of organizations whose missions include the arts, social justice, protection of our nation’s wilderness, youth development and many more.
Niki has worked in the capacity of the Chief Financial Officer for Smile Network for over 17 years. In addition to her financial role in the organization she has also volunteered in a medical records capacity on a surgical mission in Lima, Peru and participated in various Adventure Travel Experiences with Smile Network, having hiked the famed Camino trail in Spain and ridden horses in Ecuador, to raise money and awareness for the work of the organization.
Niki’s financial expertise ensures that the organization’s financial resources are leveraged strategically so that the mission of serving children by providing the gift of a smile to a child born with a cleft condition is realized, one child at a time. Over 4500 children have received a life-altering surgery with Smile Network since its inception.
niki@smilenetwork.org
Angela LaVelle
Angela is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven initiatives and is known for her leadership, vision, empathy, and deep desire to help others. As Manager of Development, she leads efforts to expand domestic oral and dental health campaigns, focusing on tribal nations with underserved communities.
Angela is inspired by the resilience of the Native American community and is committed to fostering connections with integrity, trust, and transparency. She is dedicated to serving others and is passionate about making a positive impact within the organization and the communities it serves.
Angela was born and raised in St. Paul, MN. She attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications, with a minor in Marketing. She held various roles within her professional career and is most proud of owning a business that empowered women. Angela appreciates Minnesota summers, especially when she can head north to unplug and take advantage of all that “lake life” has to offer. She enjoys playing sports, gardening, being on the water, and spending time with her large extended family. Her pride and joy are her two young children who inspire her every day.
angela@smilenetwork.org
Rachael Moir
Rachael attended Maryville University in St. Louis, MO while working full-time and playing college basketball. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, emphasis in Marketing, and a Minor in Psychology, she took a position as the Director of Marketing and Promotions for Boar’s Head. She later pursued a career in the Financial Industry managing a 7-person office at Oak Leaf Financial Group, an entity that cleared through LPL Financial.
Rachael was ready to be a part of something bigger where she can use her experience and talents with the desire to help others and transitioned to the role of Manager of Administration at Smile Network International in February of 2024.
rachael@smilenetwork.org
meet the board of directors
Chad Boger, DDS
Dr. Chad Boger, President of Boger Dental, serves on the Board of Directors for Smile Network and volunteers with several community organizations. Dr. Boger is actively leading the effort to educate and empower children to care for their oral health. He is passionate about using dentistry and cosmetic dentistry to improve the health and lives of children and adults and is an expert in diagnosing and treating complex dental problems. Since 1976, Boger Dental has delivered personalized, family-friendly dentistry.
One Who Rides His Horse East
A member of the Blackfeet tribe, Rodgers was at the helm of a wide range of issues in 2022, from voting rights in Montana to cannabis and psychedelics legislation in Washington. Rodgers is the founder of Carlyle Consulting and the Global Indigenous Council, an advocacy organization focusing on Native American issues.
He’s been at it for decades. In 1989, as a 30-year-old staffer for then-Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Rodgers played a key role in an economic tax development package that Baucus and the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) authored to attract investment to Native American reservations. Since that first foray, Rodgers has dedicated his life to working on American Indian issues including voting rights, murdered and missing Indigenous women, opioid litigation and more.
Janell Stanton
Janell Stanton practices management-side labor and employment law and employment litigation. Janell devotes much of her practice to counseling management on strategies, methods, and policies designed to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local laws and minimize risk and exposure to potential litigation. She is passionate about giving back and currently volunteers for several organizations including Smile Network International. In 2019, she hiked the legendary Inca Trail on behalf of Smile Network.
Mark Sweet
“Boozhoo! My name is Mark Sweet – Ojibwe from White Earth Nation – understanding and protecting the needs of our fellow Native American Nations is my number one goal. I have a vested interest in ensuring Native American Tribal communities maximize their opportunity for sustainable outcomes while preserving their honor, traditions and identities.”
Mark Sweet, founder of Native Nations Alliance, serves on the board of directors for Smile Network International (SNI) and will serve as the first Tribal Liaison for SNI’s Domestic Dental Campaigns for Sovereign Nations. He has 35 years of development experience with a focus and outreach towards Economic Development for Tribal Communities. He has a diverse body of knowledge sourcing and executing sustainable development projects across the US in education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, multi-family, office and commercial retail. As SNI’s Tribal Liaison, Mark will engage with Tribal Leadership to establish trust and assess the potential impact in partnering with SNI and ensure our surgical and dental teams honor unique cultures, respectfully recognize traditional ceremonies, and preserve the wisdom of elders and partners as we work together to achieve life-altering outcomes.
Sonia Ungermann
Sonia is highly energetic and passionate about her role as General Sales Manager at Hubbard Broadcasting where she oversees MyTalk107.1. She brings that same energy and passion for motivating others to Smile Network. She has spent over 30 years in media sales, specializing in radio and digital strategy. Sonia recently participated in the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage on behalf of Smile Network, raising both awareness and funds for Smile Network.
Carla Warner
Carla is an Owner of Warners’ Stellian Appliance Co. She was previously Director of Sales for 25 years and currently is Chair of the Family Board. She sits on the Warners’ Stellian business board as well as the board for the Family Business Center at St. Thomas College. Carla has been an active volunteer with Smile Network for many years and has been on the Board of Directors for the last five years. Carla has participated in multiple adventure travel treks and missions. She brings her passion for giving back to all she does.
Kathy Fink
Kathy Fink is a founding board member of Smile Network International, having volunteered for 17 years and volunteered on numerous missions around the globe. Kathy has more than 30 years experience as a surgical assistant and has been instrumental in procuring medical supplies for nearly 100 missions since 2003.
Mark Young
Mark Young is a founding board member of Smile Network International, previously serving as Treasurer and Board Chair. As CEO of myHRcounsel, Mark is a global legal, operations and finance leader for software companies, professional services, financial services and manufacturing. Smile Network continues to be a family passion for Mark, as he and his children have volunteered on several missions since 2003.
meet the advisory board
Jon Davis
Jon Davis joined the Smile Network Board of Directors in 2018 and now serves as Treasurer for the board bringing his financial expertise to the organization. Jon has been involved with his family business, Davisco Foods International, working in almost all capacities since 1992. After 13 years as COO, Jon was named CEO succeeding his father, Mark. In 2014, Jon spearheaded the sale of his family’s company, Davisco.
Jordan Obinger
Jordan joined the Smile Network board in 2018. He owns a creative ad agency, Edition Studios, located in Minneapolis. Jordan has spent the past decade focusing his career around creating strong brands, building innovative, design-forward websites, and curating content that inspires others. He has a passion for traveling and immersing himself in new experiences.
