Champlin, MN, October 23, 2026 – Vista Prairie Communities (VPC) has elected Barbara Klick, RN, MBA, and Bruce C. Bonnicksen, MBA, CSPG, to its Board of Directors. VPC is a nonprofit provider of senior living communities in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. 

Klick and Bonnicksen bring complementary experience that will support VPC’s mission, continued growth and commitment to Aspire – Life on Purpose™. 

“Barbara and Bruce each bring deep health care experience and a clear commitment to serving others,” said Jim Bettendorf, president and CEO of Vista Prairie Communities. “Barbara’s leadership in senior care quality and operations and Bruce’s expertise in philanthropy, relationship-building and nonprofit service will strengthen our Board. Just as important, both understand that older adults deserve dignity, connection and opportunities to continue living with purpose.”

Klick is executive vice president of quality for Health Dimensions Group, where she helps guide quality care and resident experience across managed senior care communities in multiple states. She previously served as chief executive officer of Sholom Community Alliance, a continuing care organization serving more than 1,000 residents daily across two campuses. A registered nurse with an MBA, Klick has held leadership roles across senior care, health systems, physician networks and academic health care. She also is a former chair of the LeadingAge Minnesota Board and previously served on the Association of Jewish Aging Services Board. 

“I am honored to join the Vista Prairie Communities Board and support its meaningful mission of serving older adults in ways that promote health, well-being, caring and respect,” Klick said. “I look forward to helping advance compassionate care and support for older adults and their families.”

Bonnicksen is senior principal gifts officer in Mayo Clinic’s Department of Development. Since joining Mayo Clinic in 2007, he has served in several development leadership roles, connecting benefactors with health care priorities, mentoring development professionals and advancing nonprofit missions. His earlier career includes leadership in planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, hospital development and capital campaigns for community-based organizations. Bonnicksen also has served on professional and community boards and committees and holds a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving designation.  

“I am honored to join the Vista Prairie Communities Board and put my health care and nonprofit experience to work for older adults and their families,” Bonnicksen said. “I look forward to helping VPC strengthen compassionate support, advocate for older adults and create meaningful ways for families to have a voice.” 

About Vista Prairie  

Vista Prairie Communities (VPC) currently owns and operates 11 senior living communities that provide compassionate care and joy-filled environments for older adults in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Services include independent living, assisted living, memory care, and care suites. VPC ranks No. 100 on the 2026 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 list of the nation’s largest nonprofit multisite senior living organizations. Founded in 1997, VPC provides innovative and relevant services through collaborative partnerships that make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and their loved ones. For more information, visit www.vistaprairie.org.  

  

 

 

Barbara Klick, RN, MBA 

Executive Vice President of Quality, Health Dimensions Group 

Barbara Klick is a health care executive and registered nurse whose career has centered on improving quality, strengthening organizations and enhancing the lives of older adults. Health care became a calling early in her life, beginning with volunteer service as a hospital candy striper while she was a teenager. 

Klick currently serves as executive vice president of quality for Health Dimensions Group, where she is responsible for quality care and resident experience across 49 managed communities in more than eight states, including skilled nursing, memory care and assisted living settings. Her work includes using data to identify improvement opportunities, strengthening clinical processes, mentoring health care leaders and partnering with operational and financial leaders. 

From 2016 to 2024, Klick served as chief executive officer of Sholom Community Alliance, a continuing care organization spanning independent living, affordable housing, skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, home care and hospice. She led an organization with approximately $60 million in annual revenue, 900 employees and service to more than 1,000 residents each day. 

Earlier in her career, Klick held senior leadership roles with Fairview Physician Associates Network, University of Minnesota Physicians, the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center and Hennepin Faculty Associates. She began her clinical career in emergency, critical care and trauma services and helped develop Minnesota’s first medical helicopter program at North Memorial Medical Center. 

Klick earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Metropolitan State University and an associate degree in nursing from Inver Hills Community College. She brings to the VPC Board an integrated perspective on clinical quality, operations, governance, organizational culture and the experiences of older adults and their families. 

Selected experience and service 

• Former Board chair and Executive Committee member, LeadingAge Minnesota 

• Former Board director, Association of Jewish Aging Services and CareChoice 

• Former advisory service to the University of Minnesota Health Management 

• Named to Minnesota 500: The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Minnesota, 2018–2023 

 

Bruce C. Bonnicksen, MBA, CSPG 

Senior Principal Gifts Officer, Mayo Clinic Department of Development 

Bruce C. Bonnicksen is a health care philanthropy and nonprofit development leader with extensive experience helping individuals and families translate their values into support for health care and community priorities. He joined Mayo Clinic in 2007 and has served in several roles within its Department of Development, including director of development for Mayo Clinic Health System, principal gifts officer and associate chair. 

As senior principal gifts officer, Bonnicksen works with individuals and families across generations and partners with institutional leaders to advance Mayo Clinic’s highest priorities. He also mentors colleagues and brings experience building integrated development programs, setting performance measures and leading teams in a complex health care environment. 

Before joining Mayo Clinic, Bonnicksen served as senior director of planned giving for St. Louis Children’s Hospital, with additional responsibility for corporate and foundation relations. He previously led capital campaigns for nonprofit organizations throughout the Upper Midwest and worked in development for a community hospital system in San Antonio. 

Much of Bonnicksen’s work is with adults age 60 and older and their families. That experience, together with his personal and community connections, has reinforced his commitment to human dignity, compassionate support for older adults and a stronger voice for families navigating aging-related needs. 

Bonnicksen earned an MBA from Augsburg College and a bachelor’s degree in music from Northwestern University. He is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving through the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies at California State University, Long Beach. A longtime musician, he remains active in brass and vocal ensembles in the Rochester area. 

Selected experience and service 

• Past board and committee service with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and Minnesota Planned Giving Council 

• Former Board member, Brighter Tomorrows and Ronald McDonald House Charities Midwest Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa 

• Former Board member and ongoing Development Committee service, Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota 

• Co-founder, Health Systems Philanthropy Leadership Group 

• Author and conference speaker on fundraising and planned giving