Leadership

Staff

Connect Kootenai funds a full-time executive director to help the organization meet its goals. This position coordinates and supports the work of the Board of Directors through facilitation, grant writing, reporting, data collection, project management, event planning, community presentations, and volunteer coordination.

Contact

Greta Gissel

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Executive Director

An Idaho native and graduate of the University of Idaho, Greta Gissel is a familiar face in the community as she’s spent much of her life helping to bring people together and sparking passion for community service.

Greta is no stranger to Connect Kootenai. She served on the original CDA Vision 2020 Draft Committee that later became CDA 2030, Inc. in 2013 and served on the founding board of directors. Additionally, she served on the Implementation Plan Committee’s Education and Learning focus area. She’s also served on the Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership board of directors and is a member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

Greta’s previous accomplishments include working as the Executive Director of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, serving as an advocate for education through her K-12 teaching, and being the president of the Coeur d’Alene Leadership Class of 2015.

Tess Reasor

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Executive Assistant

Tess Reasor is an Idaho native and is an involved member of our community. Tess recently started her own non-profit, 208 Recovery North and is working within the Connect Kootenai Health and Safety implementation plan with a focus on behavioral health and substance use disorder recovery supports.

Tess serves on the Idaho Association of Addiction Professionals, serves on the R1BHB and is co-chair of the Region 1 Adult Behavioral Health Board, she is part of the Idaho Law Enforcement Diversion Program, serves on Idaho Homeless Coalition, IHFA Housing Committee and CDAide.

Tess’s previous accomplishments include receiving the 2021 Idaho Department of Health and Welfare recognition for Who’s who in Recovery and winning the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors Emerging Leader award for 2022.

Volunteer Board of Directors

The Connect Kootenai Board of Directors is charged with guiding and supporting the Connect Kootenai vision by raising awareness of the Implementation Plan and ensuring the sustainability of the nonprofit organization by broadly engaging the community. Each year dedicated community leaders are selected to serve on the Board of Directors, chosen from businesses, government agencies, education, and civic and community-based organizations to represent the broad interests and talents of the community.

Vacancies on the board are filled by the Nominations Committee which consists of five to seven board members and at least two non-board community members. They also nominate officers and members of the Executive Committee each year.

I’m excited to be on the Connect Kootenai board because I believe Kootenai county can continue to develop conscientiously with affordable housing, healthcare, childcare & education for all, and increased public awareness of the issues that face our water resources.

– Marie Schmidt