The Dragonfly Project
Staff & Leadership
We are grateful to these people for offering their passion and expertise to our mission.
Executive Director -- Tara Morrison
Tara joined The Dragonfly Project as Executive Director in May 2025. She grew up in Owatonna, MN and has a degree in Anthropology from Luther College. Tara has worked in a variety of roles from international sales for a hearing aid company to wildlife education, volunteer and event management, managing her favorite band (Storyhill) and their music festival (Storyhill Fest), has done lost dog search and rescue, and served as the International Wolf Center’s Outreach Director. She has served on boards of nonprofits, including NW Montana’s Yaak Valley Forest Council. Tara has a passion for non-profits, wildlife, cultural understanding/education and helping others, whether it be other people or animals.
Tara lives in White Bear Lake, MN, with her husband Marc, 3 rescued dogs, and has 3 adult children. She enjoys reading, camping, hiking, road trips and spends as much time as she can in Montana, especially the Glacier National Park area (where her daughter lives and works).
JORGEN LERVICK ~ Chair
Jorgen Lervick is a corporate attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where she focuses on business transactions, governance, and compliance. She brings legal expertise, business insight, and a strong commitment to community service through her pro bono work and nonprofit involvement. As a board member, she is honored to support The Dragonfly Project’s mission of offering comfort and hope to those who are grieving. Jorgen has served on the board of directors since May, 2025.
KAREN BONDE ~ Vice Chair
Hans Bonde was my nephew, who was years beyond his age in relating to people. At only ten years young, he could easily make conversations with grandma and grandpa, his parents, family, friends and girls! Something about his character made people comfortable around him. I was with him when he peacefully passed away at age 11. Seeing the strength of my brother Pete and his wife Julie was beyond comprehension. They spent a little over a year making life as normal as possible for their three other boys while Hans was sick. Even though family and friends were there to offer help and support it wasn’t enough to fill the loss of their son. When Anne sent the Dragonfly story months later, it was a perfect gift of hope and the sense of Hans’ presence. Karen has served on the board since 2018.
SHARON BRATTON ~ Secretary
Since losing her father to cancer at age 8, Sharon became acutely aware of how grief can shape us. For the next 12 years, Sharon wrestled with that grief until, through a Christian friend, she came to a place where she could trust that God had a plan for her life, even if she didn't yet understand all that has happened in it. Throughout those years, music was a significant part of her healing and grief management.
With a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Duquesne University, she has enjoyed a career in manufacturing operations and quality management where she's had the opportunity to learn good process development, continuous improvement and other management skills. She's been able to develop and challenge individuals, leaders, and other companies to reach their full potential through various performance management avenues. Over the years, she's developed curriculum to improve teamwork and communication, and is thrilled to be using those skills to continue to develop people to their fullest potential. Sharon is the Worship Director for Murrysville Alliance Church, leading a team of over 20 musicians to lead worship weekly.
In 2018, after years of teaching private piano lessons in her home, she incorporated her teaching business. A year later, she partnered with long-time friend to open a brick and mortar studio called 12th Octave, a creative art and music studio located in Greensburg, PA. In 2022, her business partner and friend lost his battle with cancer. Her perspective on his death, 43 years after her father's, was different than when she lost her father because of the hope that she has found in Jesus. She is fueled by passion to share that hope with others.
"I am a musician, an engineer, a mentor; my desire is to leave things better than I found them; I am a sister, daughter, wife, mother, aunt, friend. Suicide breaks my heart; cancer breaks my heart; human trafficking breaks my heart; seeing people make bad life decisions breaks my heart. I am thankful for the One True and Living God who saved me from myself and, through His Son Jesus Christ, has saved me from my sins. I am confidently persistent, boldly creative and passionately determined that I may inspire others to live a life that ultimately matters." --Sharon
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ASHLEY BUSS~ Treasurer
my name is Ashley Buss, and I am honored to join The Dragonfly Project as a new board member. I was drawn to the organization because I believe in the power of small, compassionate gestures to bring hope during life's most difficult moments.
My "why" is anchored in the loss of my brother Brian, an experience that shaped my understanding of grief and strengthened my desire to help others feel seen and supported. Living with the grief of a close loved one has inspired me to live with purpose and give back in meaningful ways.
I live in Appleton, Wisconsin, where I enjoy getting out in nature, seeing wildlife, walking my dogs, cooking, gardening, reading, traveling and thrifting.
I am greatful for the opportunity to serve and to help carry forward a The Dragonfly Project's mission of offering comfort and connection when it's needed most.
JOY AUKRIENNE ~ Member at Large
Joy is an attorney and a data risk and privacy business advisor. She helps her clients manage risks while implementing sustainable data protection strategies. She is the oldest of six and a mother of a budding teenage son. She enjoys traveling and trying out new cuisine and experiences with friends and family.
PAM OLSON ~ Member at Large
I grew up on a farm in west central Minnesota. Both of my parents encouraged me to be involved in my community and showed me how important it was to keep busy in retirement. I recently retired after working for the State of Minnesota for over 40 years, so it was time to get more involved.
I started volunteering for the Dragonfly Project in 2019 after my sister showed me a card that was received after a family member passed away. The card led me to the Dragonfly Project website to order cards of my own. The comments received after giving family and friends a Dragonfly card plus my own experience with loss encouraged me to review the available volunteer opportunities. I signed up to be an Adopt a State volunteer for the State of Delaware. I feel that I help support the mission of the Dragonfly Project by the work that I do. The more that I heard about the Dragonfly Project, the more I became interested in taking on a bigger role and when given the opportunity, I gladly applied for a position on the Board of Directors.
I also keep active by walking, wood carving, bowling and spending time with family and friends.
PETE BONDE ~ Member at Large
Pete grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota. He went to Dana College where he met his wife Julie. Together they raised four sons in the Twin Cities. He retired from 37 years at Thrivent in 2019. In 2000, their third son died from brain cancer at the age of 11. The card they received with The Dragonfly Story changed their grief journey and their response was the catalyst for The Dragonfly Project origins.
Pete was on the original board of directors that started in 2005. In 2016 he became the Executive Director. In 2024 he resigned from that position and became a board member again. His main focus at The Dragonfly Project is managing the computers and the software which includes volunteer support. He also manages the inventory and does some financial management.
Pete remarked, “I enjoy spreading a message of hope to those who are grieving and seeing how our mission impacts people’s lives. I want to see the organization stay around for many more years. I would also like to see The Dragonfly Project help our culture to understand that grieving is not a class or process that you work to completion. It is not something that you get over, but it is a lifelong journey. And it is encouraging to see how the simple act of giving someone a card with The Dragonfly Story and a keychain helps them in their journey of grief.”
