The Family

 
 
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Kristen Hamel

Kristen Hamel graduated from the University of Minnesota with an Associate of Arts degree in 1986. She is most proud of her family and currently serves as the president of the Hamel Family Foundation. Kristen enjoys spending time with her family and many animals. Being able to create a better life for others while watching her family grow is the highlight of her involvement with the foundation.

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James Hamel

'“Jim” Hamel graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in Finance and has since helped build a multi-generational investment management organization, Artisan Partners, starting in 1997. When he is out of the office, Jim enjoys being outdoors, hunting and ranching. He is proud to have raised three young adults with his wife Kristen. The Hamel Family Foundation allows Jim to observe the impact of their charitable donations and he is honored to have a hand in improving the lives of individuals and families that make up the local communities.

 
 
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Nickolas Hamel

“Nick” Hamel graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 2017. He then began his Industrial Engineering career at Muth Mirror Systems until 2020 when he began working for Milwaukee Tool. The thing Nick enjoys most about being involved with the Hamel Family Foundation is being able to see the joy on the faces of families they support. When Nick isn’t working with his family’s foundation, he enjoys running, archery and bow hunting.

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Emily Hamel

Emily Hamel graduated from Iowa State University, alongside her husband Nick, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. She is proud to have started her entrepreneurial journey as a college student with her professional organizing business. She furthered her education as a Hormone Health Coach and is currently President/CEO of Armonia LLC, a women’s health business. Nick and Emily recently welcomed their third child and have relished in growing the Hamel family. Emily loves seeing how the foundation can make a difference in the lives of others and has been inspired by her children to become an avid supporter of children and new mothers.

 
 
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Katherine Hamel

Kat Hamel earned a Bachelors of Business Administration in Investment and Banking as well as a certificate in Chinese Professional Communication from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. She is a Senior Associate Advisor at Focus Partners - Wealth and is a Certified Financial Planner™️. As an animal enthusiast, Kat has owned over 20 pets in her life and now shares two dogs and a bearded dragon with her husband Jake. Kat finds joy in meeting new people through the Hamel Family Foundation and feels inspired by their stories and hard work.

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Jacob Hamel

Jake Hamel graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and now works at Amazon. He and his wife, Kat, currently reside in Seattle, Washington and enjoys traveling with his family and cooking. Jake enjoys seeing how the foundation’s contributions foster the creative ways that the community gives back.

 
 
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Sydney Hamel

The youngest of the Hamel Family, Sydney graduated with a degree in Environmental Analysis, concentrating in Economics, from Scripps College in May 2025. She looks forward to encouraging environmental and economic stewardship through her work at Steward, a financing partner for regenerative agriculture farms and food producers. Outside of work, she can often be found supporting a local cafe with a book in hand. Through the Foundation, Sydney is passionate about supporting locally-grounded organizations dedicated to building community and long-term change.