Tailwind Group is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Tailwind Group Scholarship Program, which was launched earlier this year to support and empower employees pursuing higher education. Designed to recognize exceptional team members who embody our organizational values, the program offers financial assistance to help ease the burden of educational costs.

“At Tailwind Group, we’re committed to fighting for the highest possible good of our team members,” said Lane Gravley, Chief People Officer. “This program is a meaningful way to invest in the future of our people while celebrating their hard work!”

In partnership with the Mankato Area Foundation, Tailwind Group conducted a thorough review process to identify individuals who excel in their roles and demonstrate leadership, innovation, and community impact. We are excited to announce this year’s inaugural recipients:

First Class Scholarship

The First-Class Scholarship is our premier scholarship, awarded annually to one employee who goes above and beyond for their community and peers while embodying our core values every day. We are excited to announce that the $5,000 scholarship recipient is Yeeshai Valdivia.

Yeeshai is a Security Officer at The Quarters Iowa City and attends the University of Iowa, where he studies Industrial Engineering. His goal is to work in automotive manufacturing and eventually become a Plant Manager.

When asked about Yeeshai and the impact he has made on the property, Katie Lippincott, Property Manager, said, “Yeeshai goes above and beyond his duties by volunteering to help with trash pickup, providing extra ‘manpower’ during evictions or turnovers, and always does it with a positive attitude. His balance of full-time school, military duties, and a full-time job impresses me as his manager, and I’m proud of his development and commitment this last year!”

Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship is awarded annually to two employees who demonstrate excellence in their work and consistently bring new ideas. We are excited to announce that the following employees are recipients of these $2,500 scholarships:

• Naqib Ahmed is a corporate Graphic Design Specialist. He is pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at the University of the Cumberlands.

• Emily Lorius is a Marketing Assistant at LivRed/The Quarters Lincoln and is pursuing a Master of Architecture and a Master of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Innovator Scholarship 

The Innovator Scholarship is awarded yearly to five employees who refuse to be outhustled and consistently bring their best to their job. We are excited to announce that the following employees are recipients of these $1,000 scholarships:

• Olivia Cahoon is a Community Assistant at The Quarters Manhattan. She is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology with a minor in Gerontology at Kansas State University.

• Brooke Gappa serves as a Community Assistant at The Quarters Vermillion. She is pursuing a Marketing and Business Management degree at the University of South Dakota.

• Colby Miller is a Maintenance Technician at College Town Mankato. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Professional Flight with a minor in Geography at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

• Neely Nordstrom serves as a Community Assistant at The Quarters Ames. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy, Human Development, and Family Studies.

• Brianna Pfeifer is a Community Assistant at Altitude Wichita. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Wichita State University.

The Senior Leadership Team congratulates all the scholarship recipients and is honored to support their growth and academic endeavors.