The Founders
Meet Dan and Holly Fifield, founders of The Landing MN.
In 2017, what would become The Landing MN began as a shared dream between Dan and Holly Fifield, a husband-and-wife duo rooted in compassion and committed to serving others. At the time, both were working as nurses - Holly in oncology at Mayo Clinic and Dan in the Emergency Department - each carrying firsthand knowledge of the physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles people face.
The initial idea of The Landing MN emerged during a conversation Holly had with a close friend about the need for a healing retreat space, something peaceful and restorative for those in crisis. That same night, Dan had a vivid dream of a lakeside cabin called “The Landing,” a place of refuge for those in need.
The name stuck, and the vision began to take root.
But as life carried on, the dream sat quietly in the background—until the fall of 2018, when Dan met a young family of five in the Emergency Department who were experiencing homelessness. They had been living in a small car with their dog and cat. After the season’s first cold snap, one of the children arrived with frostbitten toes. Moved to help, Dan made a few calls to local agencies. But what followed was unexpected: a misinterpretation of his actions led to a suspension from work, launching a season of uncertainty, frustration, and prayer.
It was during that time that clarity came. In a quiet moment of reflection, Dan offered a simple but powerful prayer:
“God, whatever you want me to do…I’m in. Just please make it clear.”
Immediately, he felt a deep sense of peace and purpose. When Holly walked into the room and found Dan tearfully working at his laptop, he turned the screen to her and said, “I know what we’re supposed to do.” On the screen was the name that had lingered since his dream: The Landing.
Holly didn’t hesitate. “Okay,” she replied. After all, who could argue with a calling that clear?
Shortly after, the couple became increasingly aware of the scale of homelessness and need within their hometown of Rochester, Minnesota. They realized their dream wasn’t just about a retreat—it was about creating a real-world refuge for anyone experiencing homelessness, hardship, or personal crisis. Together, they began laying the foundation for what would become The Landing MN—a place for people to find stability, connection, and hope.
Since its founding, The Landing MN has grown into a thriving nonprofit, made possible by the incredible community that has rallied behind its mission. Dan and Holly continue to support the organization through their involvement on the board and with various committees. Though they’ve stepped back from day-to-day operations, their hearts and hands remain close to the work that continues to transform lives.
From a dream to a calling, from a quiet conversation to community-wide impact—The Landing MN is a testament to what happens when compassion meets action, and when people say “yes” to something bigger than themselves.