Across the communities Bravera serves, our team members are making a difference far beyond our doors. During National Volunteer Week, we’re highlighting individuals who live out our commitment to community through volunteerism — supporting neighbors, empowering futures and helping create stronger, more connected places to live and work.
For Lindsay Luther, dispute resolution specialist in digital banking in Killdeer, volunteerism is about being present when it matters most. While volunteering at the Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Minot, Luther witnessed the strength and resilience of the individuals she served. She also saw firsthand how a community can come together to provide strength, compassion and hope during very uncertain times. “It was not just about the service or support,” Luther said, “it was about connection, trust and reminding people that they are not alone.” This experience reinforced her belief that community means showing up with compassion and empathy, values she brings back to her role at Bravera every day through intentional service and teamwork.
Diego Reyes, branch manager at Bravera’s Bismarck South location, has seen how small efforts can create real change. By encouraging staff participation in the United Way campaign, Reyes helped increase contributions that support vital local programs. “Small actions add up,” Reyes said. “When we come together even within our own neighborhoods, we can make a meaningful difference.” His experience reflects a core Bravera value: collaboration. By rallying teams around a shared purpose, Reyes continues to model leadership rooted in service and community connection.
For Morgan Bernstein, loan assistant in Kerkhoven, her motivation to volunteer comes from knowing she is able to provide help to people in need. As a member of the Kerkhoven Volunteer Ambulance, Bernstein gives emergency care to individuals during their most vulnerable moments. “Being there for others in their most vulnerable and unexpected moments has shown me the difference compassion, calmness and quick action can make,” Bernstein said. She also emphasized that being available during the workday for these calls is crucial for her community and shares her gratitude for Bravera’s support in her volunteer role.
In Great Falls, Erin Townsend, regional business banking lead, volunteers at local high schools — investing in the future of her community by supporting students and individuals as they prepare for real-world opportunities. “Even small moments of encouragement can have a lasting ripple effect, strengthening not just individuals but the community as a whole,” Townsend said. She added that volunteering is a reminder that Bravera’s work goes beyond company walls and supports individual futures while contributing to the strength of the communities people call home.
Jodi Haddick, mortgage banking officer in Billings Heights, emphasized that volunteering does not have to make a large impact to make a difference. “Sometimes just showing up and lending a hand is all that it takes to make the world just a little bit better,” Haddick said. “Even if only for one person, for one day." Inspired by her upbringing in a small community and motivated to set an example for her children, Haddick views community as something that must be actively nurtured. That mindset shapes how she serves her clients, with care, encouragement and a commitment to helping them achieve their goals.
Jill Parks, a relationship banker in Minot, has supported her community by serving as a host family for players on the Minot Honeybee softball team. Since 2024, she and her family have welcomed three players into their home, including athletes from California, Minnesota and Italy. “Community is extended family, and what better way to show your community your commitment than by sharing your home with them,” Parks said. The experience reinforced her belief that strong relationships — not just location — define community and shape how she connects with others in her role at Bravera.
The stories highlight how volunteerism supports and strengthens communities through individual efforts rooted in service and connection. Across the communities it serves, Bravera continues to encourage involvement that helps meet local needs and foster long-term community well-being.