How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I can help you order products from our LeadingAge Minnesota virtual store. I also provide graphic design and website support as part of our communications team.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

For more than 18 years, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with members at our education events and our annual Insitute & Expo. I love connecting a name I’ve spoken to for years with a face. That truly makes my day!

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I love spending time with family and friends at our cabin. Games, singing, cooking, puzzles and crosswords keep me entertained when I’m not working.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I can connect you with resources and opportunities to strengthen your recruitment and retention efforts. I also manage programs that can help grow your workforce, including our OnTrack nursing assistant training program and our jobs board, AgingServicesJobs.org. 

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I am passionate about supporting the caregivers who dedicate their lives to caring for others. My background in aging services and human resources helps me understand our workforce at a detailed level. I enjoy developing partnerships to overcome challenges and find new solutions.

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I’m not sure what I like more—planning my next travel destination, the traveling itself, or returning home to cook my food favorites found around the world.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I help develop leaders through our Leadership Academy and Executive Leadership Masterclass programs and provide resources to our member organizations’ governing boards of directors.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I enjoy spending time with our members in their communities. For over 20 years, I have led our annual Stars Among Us program, which recognizes extraordinary people who live and work in our member communities.

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’m a Vikings fan and a proud graduate of the University of Illinois – Go Illini! My most proud roles include wife, mom, grandma, and dog parent.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I lead LeadingAge Minnesota’s communications strategy, connecting members with the information, resources, and insights they need to strengthen their organizations and serve older adults across Minnesota.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

Ever since seeing my grandparents receive care in a senior living community, I have been inspired by the selfless work our members do every day. It’s an honor to work alongside talented colleagues to support members as they help seniors across Minnesota live with dignity and purpose.

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I’m a husband and father – blessed with a wonderful wife and four children. Outside of work, I love to ride my bike, spend time outdoors, and watch the Minnesota Timberwolves.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I can help you update your membership data and get log-in credentials for our website.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I enjoy supporting member committees and internal staff, as well as assisting at education events.

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Florida – or anywhere with a beach – is my favorite vacation spot. When not traveling, I enjoy attending sports events, walking, and playing softball.

How I Help LeadingAge Minnesota Members

I lead our advocacy efforts, working to ensure that seniors and our caregivers are a top priority for state and federal lawmakers.

What I Enjoy About LeadingAge Minnesota

The strong culture of advocacy in our LeadingAge Minnesota membership makes me proud. I have seen the power of grassroots advocacy on policymakers through my previous roles as legislative staff and government relations.

More About Me

An avid runner, I serve on the board of Twin Cities in Motion nonprofit. I live with my husband and many fur kids.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I support our members by raising money and investing in innovative work to improve our workforce and the delivery of care.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I’m passionate about serving vulnerable people and have a deep admiration and respect for all the caregivers out there – both paid and unpaid.

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Our two young children have made my husband and I experts in the art of always carrying snacks. They seem to appear every time I open a backpack, purse, or pocket. We enjoy being outdoors as a family, traveling and visiting my brother on his herbal tea farm in Wisconsin.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

As Chief Transformation & Health Technology Officer, I work with members to navigate change, embrace innovation, and identify opportunities to strengthen their organizations. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in healthcare technology and aging services, I focus on helping providers leverage technology, data, and strategic partnerships to address challenges, improve operations, and better serve older adults. Equally important, my role is to look beyond today’s challenges, anticipate where the industry is headed, and work with members and industry partners to develop innovative solutions, new services, and business opportunities that create lasting value for both our members and the association.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I began my career in senior care here in Minnesota, so it’s especially meaningful to now work alongside many of the industry’s most respected leaders, both within our member organizations and at LeadingAge Minnesota. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with providers, technology companies, and industry innovators who have helped shape senior care. What excites me most about LeadingAge Minnesota is the opportunity to bring those perspectives together, challenge conventional thinking, and collaborate with leaders who aren’t simply responding to change but are helping define what’s next. I believe our association has a unique opportunity to lead the way, pioneer new approaches, and create a path that others across the industry can follow.

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Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Many of my closest friendships have developed through my years in the senior care industry, and we often spend time together traveling, fishing, sharing stories, and laughing.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I answer member questions about payment in care centers and waiver programs. I also run our data collection efforts, including information about the current environment in aging services.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

During the legislative session, I’m involved in policy development and provide data to our advocacy team to help legislators better understand their responsibility to support aging services.

More about me

As an enduring Bears and Cubs fan, I patiently wait for them to be great again. I am known for collecting baseball hats, old furniture, and an assortment of miniature statues such as Paul Bunyan’s shoes.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I lead the team that creates education programs and webinars for members. I’m also the main contact for business partners, vendors, exhibits, and sponsorships.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

Through my work at the Association, I have the flexibility and opportunity to create memorable event experiences and help our member communities reach their continuing education goals.

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Staying active is a priority for me. I’m an avid golfer and boxer. Watching my son play baseball and playing with my dog keeps me busy away from work.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

As Director of Membership, I help people and organizations become members and stay members! Through this work, I promote the amazing value of membership and highlight our skilled team.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

One of my favorite things is to connect people with the resources they need. I get to do that everyday in this job! Plus, I get to learn about our members and the incredible things they do every day in communities across Minnesota to offer care, support, and connection for our elders.

More about me

I grew up in South Dakota but moved to Minnesota for college and liked it so much here, I stayed. The home calendar stays busy with sporting events as my daughter is on the basketball, soccer, and golf teams for her school. In my free time, I love exploring new places and cultures through travel, finding inspiration in art museums, and enjoying live concerts with my husband (and sometimes the teenager graces us with her presence, too).

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I ensure the Association’s technology is working effectively so that it can be an aid to our staff in delivering quality services for our members.

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I enjoy staying up to date on technology trends, video games, hobby electronics, woodworking, and camping.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

Our members watch their dollars closely, and so many spend in the same ways. Solutions leverages the buying power of the membership to negotiate better rates, enhance the customer service experience, and lower the membership dues. I work daily to ensure that Solutions is the place providers go to grow, and businesses go to scale.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

LeadingAge Minnesota has incredible members all working toward enhancing the experience of aging.  The drive and mission is inspiring, and it continually makes me want to do better.

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I’m an aviation nerd – a real Stick-and-Rudder Man with aspirations to become a hangar rat.  Ask me how my training is going!

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

My focus is on partnering with members to identify and implement innovative, practical solutions that improve quality and safety for those we serve, while strengthening systems and creating efficiencies that allow staff to spend more time with residents and find greater joy in their work.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I love the opportunity to combine my experience in healthcare quality and safety with my background in systems design and human factors to make a meaningful difference. I especially enjoy collaborating with members, learning from their experiences, and turning ideas into solutions that make a real impact.

More about me

Outside of work, I enjoy walking, biking, exploring unique restaurants, and spending time at my cabin.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

As an Online Learning Specialist, I design, develop, and support educational programs that help aging services professionals grow their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills, and stay informed about industry best practices. My goal is to create engaging learning experiences that help our members succeed in serving older adults.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

One of the things I enjoy most is working alongside a small, highly competent team that is committed to excellence and genuinely cares about our members’ success. Everyone brings unique expertise to the table, making it a great place to learn, collaborate, and contribute.

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Outside of work, I enjoy staying active in the volleyball community playing competitively and refereeing. I’m also a big music fan and love attending local concerts and traveling to see live shows. When I’m not on the court or at a concert, you’ll often find me in my flower garden, thinking up my next art project or trying out a new brewery or restaurant.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I provide clinical and operational support to members by answering questions and providing information and education. I’m committed to bringing best practices to long-term care settings.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

With my background as a nurse and long-term care administrator, I appreciate a challenge. I hold credentials in nursing (DNP, MSN, RN, and PHN) and in senior care operations (MHA, LNHA, and LALD).

More about me

Reading books is one of my favorite activities. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, two sons, three cats, two dogs, and a turtle.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

As President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota, I have the opportunity to hear from our members about the issues that are most important to them. I am eager to help find solutions to the challenges we face today so we can continue to enhance the experience of aging for Minnesota’s older adults.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

My first 15 years at the Association were spent leading our advocacy efforts. Connecting with members and understanding your missions of service to older adults helped me prepare for service to the Association as the CEO.

More about me

I have a J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and am a proud alum of Concordia College in Moorhead. Go Cobbers!

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I help LeadingAge Minnesota members navigate changing regulations and the day-to-day challenges of providing assisted living and adult day services. I translate complex guidance into practical resources and education, connect members with peers and subject-matter expertise, and bring their concerns forward through advocacy.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I love being part of such an exceptional team! My colleagues are leaders in their fields and deeply committed to helping members provide the highest-quality care for Minnesota’s older adults. Their expertise, dedication, and collaboration continually raise the bar and make a meaningful difference for the organizations and people we serve.

More about me

I thoroughly enjoy yoga, pickleball, time with one of our five pets, and making mosaic trays. My very favorite thing to do is having my adult kids home for “forced family fun/game night.”

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I can help members sign up for group purchasing through our association. My goal is to maximize savings for each member.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

Using a cost analysis study, my focus is to help members save money on purchasing without sacrificing quality.

More about me

Laughter is a constant soundtrack in my life. I keep busy with three kids and their sporting events.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

As COO, I help connect members to the staff, resources, or solutions they need and utilize member feedback to develop new services to enhance the member experience.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

For more than 20 years, I have been inspired by our members and motivated to make a meaningful contribution to addressing the challenges in our field.

More about me

I’m a huge sports fan and hope that Minnesota brings home a national championship soon. I love live music, winning at Backgammon, and unwinding in my garden.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I have specialized knowledge about state and federal regulatory and legislative compliance affecting assisted living licensure, background studies, home and community-based services, and care centers. I provide legal and technical support to the association, including assistance with contracts, legal questions, and litigation-related work, and I can research and respond to member questions on almost any topic.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I really enjoy the ability to make complex information less so for those that need to understand and apply it.

More about me

I am married to a wonderful woman (and nurse!), have two daughters, and several cats. I enjoy hobby woodworking, cooking delicious foods from simple ingredients, and watching competitive cooking shows.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I support members both directly and indirectly through my executive support to Kari Thurlow, members of the senior team, and other staff by ensuring good communication and executive office workflow.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I appreciate being part of an association that strives to have a positive impact on our community’s elders, working side-by-side daily with a great group of humans, and utilizing my professional skills for good.

More about me

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, meditating, listening in to podcasts, getting lost in a good book, drawing (check out my website), exercising, walks, making crepes, and going on road trips. My three sons are grown but still at home, so life is never dull.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I provide member support for event registration, webinars, and education programs.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

Meeting members and learning new things daily are key to my role on our education team.

More about me

Painting and going on walks with my dog are favorite activities, in addition to spending time with my family.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I can answer questions about our current education offerings. Members can also contact me about topics and presenters they would like to see offered in the future.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I am committed to supporting life-long learning.  Our team is dedicated to providing professional development and training opportunities to help you continue delivering high-quality care.

More about me

I love all of Minnesota’s seasons and try to get out and enjoy them. Spring through fall, you can often find me at the soccer pitch cheering on one of my three children!

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I help our senior housing property management teams navigate any issues or challenges they have in their important role. From Fair Housing, landlord/tenant laws, leases, and situational awareness, no topic is off limits. I am also proud to represent these issues with our lawmakers so we can have common sense rules to comply with.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I enjoy our small but mighty team. We have experts on every aspect of senior services and are all willing to share our knowledge with you and with each other.

More about me

Riding my bike, travel, walking, and swimming are my favorite pastimes. If I can do any of those activities with friends that is my idea of heaven.

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

I help LeadingAge Minnesota members by sharing their stories, connecting them with helpful information and resources, and creating communications that highlight the important work they do.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I love that I get to be creative while working for a meaningful mission. I enjoy learning about the aging services field, networking with members, and working with an amazing team.

More about me

Outside of work, I love being outdoors, traveling, baking sourdough, and trying new creative projects. I’m always up for a new adventure!

How I help LeadingAge Minnesota members

As Workforce Programs Coordinator, I help support the operations of OnTrack, CaringCareersStartHere.com, and AgingServicesJobs.org to help job seekers of all backgrounds build careers caring for older adults. I also help execute workforce initiatives to recruit and retain aging services workers across Minnesota.

What I enjoy about LeadingAge Minnesota

I enjoy the impact of the work being done at LeadingAge Minnesota and how it is affecting and transforming older adult care providers, their workforce, their residents, and families. When one group is supported, another benefits.

More about me

Before my time with LeadingAge Minnesota, I worked in public policy advocating for housing and older adults. Outside of work, you can find me at home! My favorite activities are listening to and reveling in music, playing video games, and, when the weather is nice, strolling in nature at sunset.