Why we do this
Play to Your Strengths is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to help people thrive in life through understanding and applying their unique strengths.
We are guided by these principles:
Everyone has been entrusted with talents and strengths.
People find fulfillment and success in life when they apply their strengths.
Living your greatest story is in part connected to understanding your uniqueness.
The world needs people to use their strengths to bring about positive transformation.
Strengths development, and coaching are life-giving.
Most people are painfully aware of their weaknesses. It is fun and refreshing to have conversations about what we do well.
Our Core values:
Excellence
We strive to always deliver our best
We look for constant improvement
We believe our training events will be one of the best team training events you’ve ever experienced.
Mission-Driven
To value people first
To have sustaining impact
Creative
We develop unique experiences
We do important work in a fun environment
We are driven to try new things
Life-Giving
Creating moments
Revealing capabilities
Imagining new possibilities
Why Strengths For Students?
Most of us are painfully aware of our weaknesses. But we thrive when we focus on our strengths.
Strengths training helps student discover and understand their unique talents. It provides them with a language and framework to articulate their strengths, fostering self-awareness, and confidence and helping them recognize their areas of natural potential. It also provides them the opportunity to see the value they bring, and that they can make a positive difference in the world.
Strengths training contributes to young people’s resilience and well-being. By focusing on their strengths, they learn to navigate challenges and setbacks with a positive mindset, leveraging their innate talents to overcome obstacles.
Strengths training also helps young people build better relationships with peers, teachers, and family members. By understanding their own strengths and recognizing the strengths of others, they develop empathy, appreciation, and effective communication skills - ultimately leading to stronger connections and support networks.
The foundation of our Strengths Mentoring Clubs and Internships is leadership development. When young people see themselves as leaders who can make a positive difference, it creates a profound paradigm shift.
Why Strengths For schools?
A school with a focus on strengths has a powerful impact on both students and staff because there is an emphasis on discovering and nurturing the unique talents of everyone.
A strengths culture strengthens teacher-student relationships. The desire to know and understand the talents of a student builds a bridge for greater support and rapport. The process of discovering their strengths and learning about the strengths of others provides students the opportunity to build healthy relationships and experience life-giving community.
A strengths culture equips students with the skills and mindset needed for future success and well-being. By understanding and leveraging their strengths, students develop self-awareness, confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset.
A strengths focus also spills over to create a positive school climate and community where students and staff thrive. It promotes a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and mutual support. The positive climate extends beyond the classroom, influencing the entire school community and parents as well. If parents have opportunities to be trained in how to leverage strengths to create an environment for their kids to thrive, it can elevate the morale of the school even higher.
Meet our team
Steve Gahagen: Founder and Executive Director
Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach
Steve Gahagen established Play to Your Strengths out of a lifelong passion for developing leaders and creating environments that inspire people to reach their full potential.
Steve earned a doctorate in Strengths-Based Leadership from Bethel University in partnership with the Gallup organization. His training included an intense focus on the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment, the Seven Demands of Leadership, the Power of Partnership and employee engagement. He is gifted in creating leadership tools that help participants put principles into practice in a fun and engaging way. Steve recently completed a Master of Business Creation program at the University of Utah. He is an affiliated partner with the University of Louisville Center for Positive Leadership. Steve was a pastor and church planter for over 30 years.
Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes: Ideation, Strategic, Restorative, Responsibility, Belief
Melissa Durand: community outreach coordinator
Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach
Melissa Durand develops connections with individuals and groups in the community, and builds partnership opportunities. She enjoys seeing people grow in compassion for others by providing opportunities for them to share their unique talents. She is a skilled coach who encourages others to thrive in life as they discover and play to their strengths. Because of Melissa’s passion to see young people thrive, she has played a major role in establishing Strengths Mentoring Clubs with local schools.
Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Sociology and Early Childhood and Family Education from Winona State University.
Melissa’s strengths of Empathy and Developer allow her to see the needs and potential of people around her. She has used her strengths of Connectedness to bring people and organizations together to make a difference.
Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes: Empathy, Connectedness, Developer, Belief, Adaptability
Rachael Ingersol, MA: Programs consultant
Rachael has fifteen years of experience managing projects for non-profit organizations. She has a bachelor's degree in Music and International Studies from Southern Nazarene University, and a master's degree in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at University of Denver.
Rachael uses her strengths of Analytical and Responsibility to monitor and evaluate programs and ensure team objectives are completed. With Learner and Input, she enjoys finding resources to share with the team and learning new skills that she can put to use to further our mission.
Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes: Learner, Responsibility, Analytical, Harmony, Input
Asalia Alvarez: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND COACH
Asalia brings five years of dedicated experience in special education in Title I high schools, providing meaningful support for diverse needs. She holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature and a master's degree in Special Education.
Drawing on her strengths in Developer and Empathy, Asalia is deeply committed to building strong, genuine relationships and helping others realize their full potential. Through Consistency, Relator, and Belief, she focuses on creating structured, supportive environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their goals.
Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes: Developer, Empathy, Consistency, Relator, Belief
Board of Directors
David adams
CEO of
Robb Belschner
General Manager, Menzel Professional Coatings; Baseball and Basketball Coach in North Metro Minneapolis
joe siedl
RN at Norton Health Care Louisville
Steve gahagen
Director and Founder
John Jensen
CEO of
Tim Schweigert
Producing Branch Manager, PrimeLending
Advisors
timothy bailey
Retired Vice Chairman and Chief Credit Officer, NYSE $20B Multi-State Financial Institution
Curt Slater
Consulant, Till360; 2018 National Distinguished Principal of the Year for Minnesota
Tim cryer
Director of Lakes View Center
Micah gahagen
Captain, United States Army and Professor at West Point Military AcademY
gregg rosanne
Co-Founder of Graduation Alliance and Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah