Editor’s Note: This post originally reflected three of our amazing staff – Ryan, Kyrsten, and Claire – but we have relocated Claire’s portion of this spotlight to its own post to highlight the shared efforts from our Community Based Teams (CBT) division. Please see that post to read more about Claire!

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At Rural Resources, the mission of Community Action is woven throughout every part of our work. From behind‑the‑scenes operations to hands‑on work with individuals, children, and families, it takes a wide range of roles working together to strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and support our community members at every stage of life.

In this Community Action Month Staff Highlight, we’re excited to recognize Ryan Berendsen, Chief Operations Officer, and Kyrsten Visser, Child Development Manager, for their reflection of this agency-wide commitment through the acquisition of their Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) credentials. Though their roles differ greatly, both demonstrate how Community Action values guide decision‑making, leadership, and service across all areas of Rural Resources.

Ryan, who has been with Rural Resources for nine years, has grown with the organization through a series of leadership roles—from Property Manager to Maintenance and Weatherization Program Manager, to Housing Division Director, and now serving as Chief Operations Officer. In his current role, Ryan focuses on ensuring the agency runs efficiently and effectively, overseeing approvals, troubleshooting across divisions and programs, and supporting staff through daily operational needs.

This behind-the-scenes work is part of what drove Ryan to reach for his CCAP certification. After attending a conference where he learned about how Rural Resources is connected to the Community Action Network and how we align ourselves with the Community Action Movement, Ryan was sold. He says this convention sparked something within him that pushed him to “learn more about [the movement]; how I fit in and learn ways that I can improve the way I do things.”

We’re so grateful Ryan took this call to action. His impact is felt throughout the organization through the ways he shows up for each of our departments, individual staff, and most importantly, how that reflects into the lives of those we serve. By helping ensure programs have what they need to operate effectively, he plays a key role in strengthening the services Rural Resources delivers every day. Ryan notes that with the acquisition of his CCAP credentials, he has gained a deeper understanding of the Community Action mission and implements the best practices to strengthen the influence he has on our agency and service to our communities, ultimately reshaping how he approaches his work.

Kyrsten brings that same sense of purpose to her work in Early Childhood Education, where she now serves as a Child Development Manager after starting as a Head Start teacher. Inspired by how naturally Head Start aligns with the Community Action mission, Kyrsten pursued her CCAP certification in 2024 to deepen her understanding of the larger movement behind her work.

Kyrsten notes that “working with children in the classroom each day is important work in and of itself, but it can sometimes be easy to forget that we are part of a much larger movement creating positive change. Head Start’s whole-family approach provides support not only for children, but for families as well. When families are supported, communities become stronger.”

And it’s no wonder Kyrsten can find herself distracted from the overall mission throughout the complexity of her work – her days are anything but typical! Beginning in the classroom supporting staff and children, and ending with planning, monitoring, and making sure programs are meeting the needs of families, her devotion to these children and their families is unwavering. With such a full workload, it’s often difficult to see the greater impact of what we do, but Kyrsten remains driven to seeing that mission of Community Action come to life.

Since earning her certification, Kyrsten says she has been inspired to step further into leadership, ensuring her team influences the lives of children and families with the same heart and dedication the CCAP program instilled in her. Kyrsten emphasized that one of the most meaningful aspects of her work with Community Action is the ability to reach rural communities, where access to essential services can often be limited.

Together, Ryan and Kyrsten demonstrate how Community Action comes to life at every level of an organization. Whether it’s strengthening operations behind the scenes or direct service to children and families, both contribute to a stronger, more connected community and embody the core values of the larger mission.

We are proud to recognize Ryan and Kyrsten for earning their Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) credentials and grateful for the dedication they bring to their work every day. Their leadership, compassion, and commitment to growth help move our mission forward—ensuring that individuals and families across our communities have access to the support, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.

Thank you, Ryan and Kyrsten!