I have always been inspired by the potential in others, and I have spent my career developing environments that empower people to create their own success. When we began the Werklund Foundation in 2006, our goal was to make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of our youth through initiatives that produced sustainable results.

In 2006, I attended a world-class leadership program that had a real impact on my life. When I told my daughter, Deanna, and son, Mark, about the program, they also chose to attend. When Deanna returned, she approached me with the idea of developing a youth leadership initiative, Empowering Minds™, and I agreed that it was a perfect fit for our family foundation.

Since its inception the Werklund Foundation has grown and evolved.  While focus has changed from the Empowering Minds program, we are still concentrating on youth, education and empowerment.  We have partnered with other existing charitable organizations that are changing the lives of youth for the better.

The goal of the Foundation is to continue to focus on the emotional, mental and physical well-being of our youth and to make a positive impact in our communities and therefore our future.

I have always enjoyed attending leadership programs and I have dedicated myself to the pursuit of understanding the principles of leadership. In truth, I just enjoy being the best I can be and understanding how to bring out the best in others.

It’s been my desire to make these skills available to everyone and in 2026 the Foundation supported the start-up of the Werklund Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence (WISEI) as a new national institute advancing research, education, and applied practice in social and emotional learning. WISEI works with educators, organizations, and communities to translate evidence-based SEL into real-world impact, in schools, workplaces, and systems that shape everyday life.

Lastly, I want to thank the Board of Directors, our committee members and the people who work everyday to fulfill our Foundation’s mandate. The Werklund Foundation team is a small, yet passionate group of people who produce powerful outcomes. We will remain committed to building a legacy within the community that will empower youth for years to come.

Sincerely,

Dave Werklund
President & Founder of The Werklund Foundation