• Skip to navigation
  • Skip to content
Close search
  • Log In
  • Store
  • Contact
  • Job Board
Menu
LeadingAge Minnesota
  • About
    • About Us
    • About LeadingAge Minnesota
    • Our Team
    • Our Board
    • Committees
    • District Meetings
    • Directories
    • About Our Partners
    • LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation
    • LeadingAge Minnesota Solutions
    • Value First
    • LeadingAge
    • Argentum
    • Caring Careers Start Here
  • Join
    • For Provider Members
    • For Business Partners and Sponsors
  • Resources
    • Find Resources
    • Resource Library
    • Member Directory
    • Business Partner Directory
    • Group Purchasing Discounts
    • Expert Support
    • Learn More
    • Workforce
    • Assisted Living Licensure
    • Quality, Excellence, and Safety
    • Board Resources
    • Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board
    • Deregulation
  • Education & Events
    • Learn
    • CEUs
    • On-Demand Learning
    • Licensed Assisted Living Director Training
    • Executive Leadership Masterclass
    • Nurse Leadership Program
    • Leadership Academy
    • Billing Basics and More
    • Quality Specialist Certificate Program
    • Operations Certificate Program
    • Attend
    • Calendar of Events
    • Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum
    • 2026 Institute & Expo
    • Assisted Living Conference
    • Technology Conference
    • Event FAQs
  • News
    • Read Advantage
    • Press Room
  • Get Involved
    • Advocate
    • Policy Priorities
    • Take Action!
    • Political Action Committee
    • Connect
    • Huddle
    • Coaching Room
    • Committees
    • District Meetings
    • Professional Networks
Open search
Home › News › Kathy Olson, Executive Director at Millstream Commons, Recognized for Leadership & Community Service

Kathy Olson, Executive Director at Millstream Commons, Recognized for Leadership & Community Service

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Jodi Boyne

Kathy Olson, Executive Director at Millstream Commons in Northfield, was recently honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Kal Michels Outstanding Leadership Award. 

The award recognizes a leader in older adult services who has provided excellent leadership to their staff and organization, enhances the quality of life for the residents in the community, and provides exceptional community service. 

“Kathy Olson is a dedicated, innovative leader who works tirelessly to create a better future for professional caregivers, older adults and the community as a whole,” said Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota. “She leads by example and approaches her work from a person-first perspective. Kathy’s genuine interest in the people around her and her ability to impact their lives in a personal, powerful way is evident for all who meet her.”  

Photo Caption: Kathy Olson accepted the Kal Michels Outstanding Leadership Award at the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute. Pictured (l to r) Nancy Stratman, Board Chair, LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors; Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota; Kathy Olson; and Sara Sterling, LeadingAge Minnesota Awards & Recognition Committee Chair.

Kathy has served as the Executive Director of Millstream Commons since 2005, after working as the Co-Director of Staff Development at Three Links Care Center for five years. Over the years, she has been very active in shaping the field of aging services by serving in a variety of leadership roles on LeadingAge Minnesota committees focused on housing, assisted living/housing with services and home care. Kathy was also instrumental in creating and serving as a coach with Leadership Academy, a unique leadership development program designed to cultivate high potential, transformational leaders in the field of aging services. 

In addition to her work in the aging services field, Kathy is an active community leader in Northfield. She is the current president of Women in Northfield Giving Support (WINGS), which educates and expands the number of women in philanthropy, builds and strengthens community through pooled investments, and improve the lives of women and youth in the Northfield area through focused giving. Olson also coordinates Northfield’s Career Exploration Day and has been integral in the work of the local Alzheimer’s Association. 

“Kathy Olson is a leader, devoted to her staff as a mentor and guide, faithful to her residents as a provider who models care and respect, and dedicated to the community as a volunteer who is civic-minded and inspired by our profession to be a front-runner in thought, word and deed” said Mark Anderson, CEO, Three Links.

For more information, watch Kathy Olson – 2019 Kal Michaels Leadership Award.

Categories: Member News

News related to: kathy olson, millstream commons, three links, stars among us

Next Barbara Rode, President & CEO, Saint Therese Receives Top Leadership Award

Previous Faye Baylor Recognized for Volunteer Service with Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Fergus Falls

Comments

No one has commented on this article yet. Please post a comment below.

Add a comment

Members must sign in to comment

You must be a member to comment on this article. If you are already a member, please log in. Not a member? Learn how to join »

Log In

News Categories

  • Featured News
  • State News
  • Federal News
  • Notable News
  • Member News
  • LeadingAge Minnesota Education Solutions
  • Other Meetings and Events
  • All news »

News Related to

assisted living, workforce, covid-19, education, nursing home, ceus, adult day, advocacy, quality, mdh

Connect

  • Connect with other members »
  • Membership directory »
  • Want to talk? Contact us »
  • Find a job/Post a job »
LeadingAge Minnesota
  • Become a Member
  • Become a Sponsor
  • Privacy Policy
  • Press Room

3001 Broadway Street NE, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55413

(651) 645-4545 / (800) 462-5368

©2025 LeadingAge Minnesota