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. Seventeen years and 144 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 4,000 children have received the gift of 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
Sarah Stark
Sarah joined Smile Network four years ago after graduating from the College of Saint Benedict. Sarah wears many hats in the office including the execution of marketing endeavors and planning fundraising events. Additionally, Sarah coordinates Adventure Travel logistics. Sarah has participated in multiple missions.
sarah@smilenetwork.org
Lynn Herbert
“Hi! My name is Lynn Herbert –working in partnership to deliver sustainable solutions that enable people and our planet to thrive is my number one goal. I am honored to work with a values-based organization that achieves the best possible outcomes because we practice what we value – Trust, Safety, Quality of Care and Learning.”
Lynn Herbert, Director of Development, leads Smile Network International’s oral health campaigns to expand access to surgical and dental services for Native American and under-resourced communities in the U.S. Lynn is a business strategist, creative problem solver and passionate advocate for equitable engagement and positive social impact. She has 30+ years of experience working in partnership with diverse teams to implement innovative solutions to complex challenges related to global supply chains, health and wellness, agribusiness and changing consumer preferences. Lynn’s persistence and optimistic perception of change combined with her ability to recover from setbacks and imagine novel ways to move things forward will enable Smile Network to improve oral health outcomes in more communities.
lynnherbert@smilenetwork.org
meet the board of directors
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.
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.
Sonia Ungermann
Sonia is highly energetic and passionate about her role as general sales manager at Hubbard Broadcasting, and 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.
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.
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.
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.
Barb Stinnett
Barb is the CEO of Timmaron Group and an expert in applied technologies, innovation and building growth strategies – talents she employs in her role as Board Chair of Smile Network International. A global senior executive, Barb is one of the first women to serve operationally in the C-suite at Hewlett Packard, Sybase/SAP, Oracle and Cisco, and one of the largest global private equity firms. Barb has been active with Smile Network for many years and has participated in a mission in Guatemala and will soon experience her first adventure travel trek in Peru.
Peggy Halvorson
A registered nurse for 44 years, more than 30 have been spent specializing in various aspects of perioperative nursing care. Her education has been ongoing, first obtaining a nursing diploma then a Bachelors Degree in Health Sciences, and most recently a Masters Degree in Health Care Administration. In February 2020, she will participate in her 24th surgical mission with Smile Network. Peggy is also the tri-chair of Smile Network’s Be the Change Gala.
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.
Jen Bellmont
Jen Bellmont has more than 20 years of public relations experience in strategic planning, special events, project management, internal communications, media relations and digital outreach. She provides strategic communications counsel on behalf of B2B and consumer clients, as well as trade associations and non-profit organizations. She’s committed to giving back to the community and helped create her agency’s Bellmont Gives Back program, which allows employees to spend company time volunteering for causes about which they’re passionate. Jen joined the Smile Network Board of Directors in 2018.
meet the advisory board
Scott Behmer
While planning a milestone birthday, the universe introduced Scott to Smile Network International and the kiddos they help. He hiked the Inca Trail in Peru on an adventure mission and then spent several days in Lima meeting deserving families eager for a life-changing surgical miracle. During that trip, he realized that a smile needs no translation and that Smile Network International was the cause he wanted to champion. Scott lives in Southern California with his partner, David, and looks forward to his next chance to hug moms, high-five dads and help deserving kids on an upcoming mission.
