Meet Mark Lasswell

Mark Lasswell (he/his) is the 2022 Board President at Clare Housing.  As a self-proclaimed “recovering CPA,” he brings a strong financial lens to his work with Clare, as well as a fantastic sense of humor.

Can you talk about what interested you in serving on Clare Housing’s board of directors?

I’ve been involved with Clare Housing since 2013, when a friend of mine told me that this non-profit (which I had never heard of) needed help on their Finance Committee. I then took a job in Omaha in January 2014, so I had to end my involvement with Clare. One of my first calls I made when I returned to Minnesota in August 2018 was to Clare’s Executive Director. I was able to rejoin the Finance Committee, and I jumped at the opportunity to join the board in 2020. I’m passionate about Clare’s work to provide housing for people living with HIV; being on the board and being part of the leadership group helping Clare deliver on its mission is very fulfilling.

What about your professional background helps inform your work on the board?

I am a former Accounting Major, CPA (I still call myself a recovering CPA), and auditor, so I know a bit about finance and how to read a balance sheet and income statement. I’m also with a financial services firm, and that background has been helpful in selecting a money manager for Clare’s investments. Finally, most of my career has been in compliance roles, so I also have a strong appreciation for controls, regulatory compliance, and policies and procedures.

What lasting lesson have you learned from working with Clare?

I’ve learned that housing is a basic human right. I now believe a person isn’t able to make real, meaningful improvements in their life without a consistent roof over their head and a bed to sleep in. I’ve heard more than one Clare leader drive home the point that “Housing is Health Care.”

Is there a big difference between being a board member and being an officer? Why?

For starters, as an officer, I have more meetings. But seriously, I don’t think there is a big difference. Maybe a bit more engagement, since as an officer and a member of Clare’s executive committee (which also consists of Clare’s Executive Director, board VP, board secretary, and board treasurer), we sometimes drive strategy priorities and agenda topics for the board meetings.

What does “success” mean to you in terms of your work on the board?

A couple of things. First, elimination of the resident waiting list for Clare housing units. And a continued high viral suppression rate for Clare residents, which to me is a very meaningful measure of the impact solid, consistent housing has on Clare residents being able to take care of themselves.

What do you hope to accomplish/are you most proud of accomplishing in your term with the board?

It probably sounds trite, but it is the same as what I mentioned earlier: I love Clare’s mission and the work it does to provide housing for people living with HIV, and I’m incredibly proud to be associated with it.