Meet Kate Harahan and Bruce Schmaltz

Meet Kate Harahan, New Chair of OP Board of Directors, and Bruce Schmaltz, New OP VP of Finance

Kate is a dynamic leader driven by results and passionate about building meaningful relationships.

After overcoming a life-changing accident, she became a dedicated advocate for individuals living with disabilities and a strong champion for community service. Her commitment led her to serve on the American Red Cross Minnesota Region’s Humanitarian Services and Biomedical Board of Directors before transitioning into a full-time career with the organization. Now, as Senior Director of Philanthropy, Kate collaborates with national and global Fortune 100 companies to develop impactful partnership strategies.

Outside of work and volunteering, Kate cherishes time with her husband, Patrick, their five-year-old son, Baker, and her two teenage step kids, Ryder and Ziggy. Their home is also filled with love from their rescue tri-pawed dog, Lily, and cat, Lenny.

Bruce is a strategic finance executive known for delivering insightful business and financial guidance to executives and board members. By identifying and evaluating strategic alternatives, he drives key recommendations and supports change both within the organization and among global partners.

With expertise in simplifying complexity and aligning finance with technology, Bruce modernizes financial systems to meet future needs. His leadership in enterprise system upgrades and planning tools has enhanced budgeting, forecasting, and variance reporting, driving efficiency and clarity across operations.