Pride in the Tiger Foundation names Krista Bjella executive director

The Pride in the Tiger Foundation has named Krista Bjella its new executive director.

Bjella succeeds Janel Wartner, who held the position for the past three years. She begins her duties immediately.

Bjella was a school counselor within the Marshall School District from 2010-2020, and was a substitute teacher from 2009-10. Prior to that she was director of marketing for US Bank Office Equipment Vendor Services from 1998-2005. She also did marketing work for Grandview Financial.

She earned an education degree in K-12 Health and physical education from Southwest Minnesota State University, and a master’s in counseling from the University of North Dakota.

“Krista’s experience in both marketing and education will be an asset to the foundation. As a member of the Marshall community for nearly 30 years and a parent, she is aware of the needs in our school district and the impact of the Pride in the Tiger Foundation,” said Shay Vandendriessche, vice president of the Foundation.

“I am excited to start my work with the Foundation and look forward to continuing its mission,” said Bjella. “As someone who has worked at Marshall Public Schools, and as a parent, I’ve seen first-hand the good things the Foundation does. I think it is an exciting and rewarding opportunity.”