LifeSource Announces Interim CEO, Peter Farstad

Long-time Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will assume the role on March 5

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – LifeSource, the organ procurement organization (OPO) for the Upper Midwest, announced today that Peter Farstad, CAO of the organization for over 21 years, will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) during its formal CEO search process. Current CEO and Founder, Susan Gunderson, announced her March 2022 retirement earlier last year.

“Peter’s leadership has been critical to the success of LifeSource over the past 21 years. He has earned great respect from team members, partners and the organ procurement industry,” said Gunderson. “In 2022, LifeSource will experience the selection of only the second CEO in the organization’s 33-year history. I am grateful that Peter will serve as Interim CEO while we work to identify the right person to lead this lifesaving organization into the future.”

Farstad has devoted his entire career to building strong communities through the professional management of nonprofit organizations and, since 2009, has taught classes at Hamline University as an adjunct professor for the Master of Non-Profit Management Program. He was recognized with the 2019 Outstanding Faculty Award from Hamline University School of Business.

Farstad has also served on the boards of United Network for Organ Sharing, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, Minnesota AIDS Project, Center for Nonprofit Management at the University of St. Thomas and the Walker Methodist Foundation.

“It’s an honor to lead this organization during its next CEO search,” said Farstad. “My responsibility as Interim CEO is to serve as a steward of this role in service to our mission and in preparation for the next leader of LifeSource.”

About LifeSource

LifeSource is the non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation in the Upper Midwest, serving more than seven million people in communities across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. LifeSource promotes donation in our communities through the Donate Life brand. We are relentlessly pursuing a day when no one dies waiting for a life-saving transplant. Learn more at Life-source.org.