HOW CAN WE DO BETTER?
LEADERSHIP TEAM
LEADING WITH OUR HEARTS AND MINDS.
Our leadership team draws on a range of backgrounds to ensure a higher standard of care and a more meaningful experience for our residents and team members. At the foundation of their guidance is the knowledge and experience attributed to our legacy of 160 years serving and honoring individuals and their families.
It’s not uncommon to hear our leaders ask a team member or resident, “What makes your day great?” And listening with all their heart.
Executive Team
Shelley Kendrick
President & CEO
Biography
Shelley Kendrick became Ecumen President and CEO in 2019, after serving as our Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations since 2015. Shelley has extensive leadership and operations experience in senior housing and services. She joined Ecumen in 2012 and has led the management of the organization’s housing and care center communities, including strategic development, quality of care, operations, community relations, financial performance and innovation. Shelley has also led the ongoing expansion of Ecumen Hospice, which has grown to four regional offices, serving ten times the number of people daily than it did in 2015. Shelley holds a Masters in Nonprofit Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in English Language and Literature from Eastern Michigan University.
Melanie (Mel) Sullivan
Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer
Biography
Mel leads our people functions, including culture, organization development, overarching people strategies and company-wide people policies and practices. Her goal is to celebrate and develop the strengths of each team member, building a network of associates that share a passionate commitment to Ecumen’s mission of purpose. Mel has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry with expertise in strategy, innovation, organization development and operations strategy, and has been Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Twin Cities Orthopedics and St. Croix Orthopaedics. She teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas, in the areas of Health Management and Master of Business Administration — Healthcare. Mel, who joined Ecumen in 2019, holds a Doctor of Organizational Development degree from the University of St. Thomas, and also has a Masters of Business Administration, a B.A. in Business Administration and Human Resources, and is a Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE).
Doug Harrison
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Biography
Doug Harrison is an award-winning CEO, CFO and COO specializing in health care and nonprofit companies. He brings to Ecumen more than 35 years of finance and operations experience in senior living (including skilled nursing, assisted living, hospice and home care) and a vision to change the world by serving others.
A strategic thought leader, Doug has transformed business operations and improved financial sustainability at the organizations he’s served. In addition to health care and senior living, Doug’s experience includes companies such as Citigroup, Bank of America and Sprint, as well as the company he co-founded, Trinity Real Estate Solutions.
He graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and International Business and an MBA in Finance.
Jim McAlpine
Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs & Corporate General Counsel
Biography
Jim joins Ecumen with 18 years experience as an attorney, shareholder and member of the board of directors at Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A., where he specialized in legal counsel for health care, skilled nursing and assisted living providers, as well as general insurance defense and civil litigation. Jim has served as Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Long Term Care Committee Chair, and is a Health Law Committee Member. He is a graduate of Minnesota State, Mankato, and William Mitchell College of Law.
Tami Haley
Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
Biography
Tami leads our clinical, operations, sales, and strategic development teams. She has been with Ecumen since 2012, serving in various roles, including Vice President of Clinical Excellence & Care Transformation. hroughout her tenure, Tami has been instrumental in driving clinical excellence and operational efficiency, ensuring the highest standards of care and service. Tami holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Leadership and Management. She is a Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse, and Licensed Assisted Living Director.
Tina Palmer
Senior Vice President, Chief Mission Advancement Officer, Philanthropy
Biography
Tina leads our Mission Advancement team to raise critical funding for our Ecumen communities, home care, and hospice programs through individual giving, corporate and foundation donations, government grants, and special events.
Tina has more than 25 years of fundraising experience. She joined Ecumen in 2024 and is skilled in fundraising, communications, and marketing for nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Ecumen, she provided leadership to the University of Minnesota Foundation and the Fairview Foundation as a Senior Gift Officer for M Health Fairview, Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis as Vice President of Development, Avivo as Vice President of External Affairs, Volunteers of America National Services as National Development Director, and in various roles at Scholarship America.
She has a B.A. in Mass Communications from Minnesota State University, Mankato and an M.A. from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Philanthropy and Development.
Angie Andresen
Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Advocacy
Biography
Angie leads communications, marketing and advocacy efforts for Ecumen. With a passion for uncovering and telling the stories that showcase Ecumen’s innovative work, Angie is committed to ensuring that the voices of older adults are heard. Prior to joining Ecumen in 2020, she was Managing Director of Communications at Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group. She serves on the Long-Term Care Imperative, Care Providers Minnesota (CPM) Board of Directors and is Chair of the CPM Legislative Policy Committee. She also is Chair of the Minnesota Home Care Association Advocacy Committee. Angie graduated from the University of North Dakota with a B.A. in Communications.
Amy Olson
Vice President, Customer Experience & Wellbeing
Biography
Amy joined Ecumen in 2017 to lead the dining program and coordinate strategy. Since that time, she has grown the team and added the Procurement Department. Amy now leads these teams as well as Therapy Services, Life Enrichment and Social Services.
With Customer Experience as one of Ecumen’s key strategic priorities, Amy and her team lead the development and implementation of strategies to improve customer satisfaction, engagement and loyalty, while also ensuring the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of those Ecumen serves.
Amy began her career as a Registered Dietitian, graduating from North Dakota State University, Fargo. With more than 24 years of experience in dining, clinical nutrition and management, Amy brings a collaborative, people-centered approach to her work.
Board of Trustees
John Petraborg
Chair
Biography
John brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Mr. Petraborg is recently retired from Hewlett Packard (HP). At HP, he was the Client Industry Executive responsible for the development of health and human services solutions for HP’s State and Local government customers. Through his leadership of business transformation engagements with many government agencies in the US and abroad, he has focused on the use of innovation, application of best practice, and deployment of technology to restructure government health and human services.
In addition to many roles in government, Mr. Petraborg served as Commissioner (Acting) of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the state’s largest agency. Mr. Petraborg pioneered innovative policies for health care, welfare reform, children’s services, and child support. He led the successful business re-design and system development for several Minnesota programs.
Mr. Petraborg received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, the Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Children’s Champion Award from Children’s Defense Fund. He served as national President of the Quality Control Directors Association. He recently served as Chairman of the Human Services IT Advisory Group of Tech America, the leading technology trade association in the US.
Marcia M. Kull
Vice Chair
Biography
Marcia Kull offers experience and expertise to businesses seeking guidance with sales, strategy, and business planning. A tested and successful executive, Marcia has guided founders and CEOs from start-ups to century-old companies in executive sales, operations, and legal roles. She served most recently as Chief Transition Officer for Seven Marine, a Wisconsin-based outboard engine manufacturer, guiding integration efforts following Volvo Penta’s 2017 acquisition. Marcia served as President of Torqeedo, Inc., a world leader in marine electric propulsion, responsible for global revenue development and marketing. Previously, she was Vice President-Marine Sales for Volvo Penta, leading sales teams and distribution strategies for leisure and commercial marine segments throughout the North America.
A former product liability defense attorney, Marcia’s skill in understanding how people purchase and use products provides a special expertise in bringing new technology to the market. Throughout her career she led the introduction of several innovative award-winning products from rapid market acceptance to multi-million-dollar revenue streams. She worked proactively with state and federal regulators to understand the advantages of these new products and revise outdated regulations. Marcia led strategic efforts to prepare OEMs, distributors, and dealers to accept and advocate for new technologies, ultimately ensuring their long-term success.
Marcia’s active role in marine industry trade and governmental activities includes serving on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) from 2013-2017. She was Chairperson of the NMMA’s Engine Manufacturers Board of Directors, the first woman to chair that committee, following a four-year stint as its Vice Chair. She chaired the NMMA Boating Industry Risk Management Council for six years. In 2007, she was appointed to the National Boating Safety Advisory Council by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and served two terms as a manufacturer representative. In 2006, Marcia was awarded the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year by Boating Industry magazine and was honored in 2016 by the Manufacturing Institute with the STEP Ahead Award as one of the Top 100 Women in Manufacturing.
Marcia shares her passion for mentoring and training young workers and emerging leaders through her “Leadership at Any Level” seminar and workshop series. Recent clients include the Manufacturing Institute, Boating Industry magazine, and Reverb, Inc., (a subsidiary of Etsy). She has been featured as a speaker and writer on marketing and selling to women.
Marcia is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Iowa, where she participated as letter-winning member of the varsity track and field team, and of the University of Iowa College of Law. She is an active adventurer, a recent summiteer of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and names surfing, backpacking, and bicycling among her favorite activities.
Dr. Susan J. Crockett
Treasurer & Secretary
Biography
Susan is an Adjunct Professor in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. Until January 2013, she was VP & Sr Technology Officer for Health and Nutrition at General Mills where she led the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. Until 1999, she was Dean and Professor in the College of Human Development at Syracuse University.
Crockett has degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics, is a Registered Dietitian & Fellow of the American Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. With support of a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship, she completed a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the U of MN.
Crockett has published research about nutrition education in schools, effectiveness of nutrition interventions on the eating behavior of children & seniors. She received an award from the Secretary of Health & Human Services for Innovation in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Her research has been funded by the Retirement Research Foundation & the National Institutes of Health. She has taught a wide variety of nutrition courses including clinical nutrition & nutritional biochemistry.
Crockett chaired the Board of Directors of the International Food Information Council (IFIC), was active in the International Life Sciences Institute & is an advisor to the National Academy of Sciences about nutrition for seniors. Crockett helps lead a project to provide support & affordable housing for ex-offenders. She is an Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, past secretary to the VocalEssence board & past president of the Board of the United Theological Seminary.
Jen Augustson
Biography
Jen Augustson is Vice President of HealthPartners Institute. She supports Institute administrative functions, health professional education programs and services, research compliance and integrity, and the Institute’s Centers for Research and Education. She helped lead the integration of research and education across HealthPartners and Park Nicollet between 2014 and 2017. Prior to joining HealthPartners in 2009, she worked in state government and nonprofit organizations, and holds a master’s in public affairs from the University of Minnesota.
Sue Bergstrom
Biography
For over 20 years, Sue Bergstrom has been Owner and President of hr connection, a firm that serves the HR community by offering facilitated roundtables of HR leaders as well as providing HR Search and Consulting services to clients of all sizes and all types of industries. Prior to acquiring hr connection, Sue served in HR leadership positions at 3M, the Evangelical Free Church of America global headquarters, and Phillips Plastics. She has developed a passion for quality senior living services through her work with several organizations in the field, and she served on the Board of Directors for Walker Methodist for several years prior to their merger with Knute Nelson. Outside of work, Sue loves spending time with her children and grandchildren as well as her Goldendoodle and Sheepadoodle, Charlie and Joy. She is also an avid bicyclist and loves traveling and exploring new places!.
Jan M. Conlin
Biography
Jan M. Conlin is a founding partner of Ciresi Conlin LLP. She has a long record of leading high-stakes intellectual property and business-critical commercial litigation. In addition to being named one of the Top 100 trial lawyers in the county (Benchmark Litigation) she has also been named a Top 10 Minnesota SuperLawyer.
Jan is a graduate of St. Thomas University and the University of Minnesota Law School. She has served numerous Boards, including The Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota Orchestra Association, and Catholic Charities. She was also the past Chair of the Board for the St. Thomas School of Law.
J. Michael Dady
Biography
Michael is the founder of Dady & Gardner, P.A., a 10 lawyer boutique firm that limits its nationwide practice to helping franchisees, dealers, and distributors solve their business-threatening issues with their franchisors and suppliers. He and his colleagues have successfully resolved business-threatening disputes for their clients in over 350 different systems. According to Chambers USA, which annually surveys lawyers nationally, by specialty, Dady & Gardner has been deemed to be the best franchisee law firm in America.
Michael is a graduate of St. John’s University and the University of Minnesota Law School. He has served as the Chair of the Board of both the St. John’s University Board of Regents and of the Board of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Michael Dady particularly enjoys his ongoing role as the “head cowboy” on his working cattle ranch in northeastern South Dakota- much to the delight of his wife, Kim, their children, and their four grandchildren, and other family members and friends.
Mary W. Frey
Biography
Mary grew up in the Twin Cities. She has been a long time professional and active community volunteer, serving on many Boards in both Minnesota and Florida. Mary is a Director of the Frey Foundation of Minnesota and the co-founder of Giving WoMN, a collective grant making organization in MN.
Mary graduated from the College of St. Benedict, and the University of St Thomas, where she earned a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). In the 1980s, she was an RN in the fields of Oncology and Hospice.
Her post-doctoral continues to focus on psychotherapy, life coaching and client advocacy.
Mary lives with her husband, Jim, and has two grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys walking, traveling, reading, golf and pickleball.
Miata Getaweh
Biography
Dr. S. Miata Getaweh currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), where she oversees key HR functions, including staffing and employment, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and training and development. In this role, she collaborates with organizational leaders to implement strategies that drive operational excellence and organizational effectiveness.
Dr. Getaweh joined LSS in 2019 as a Human Resources Manager and was later promoted to Associate Vice President of Human Resources Management in 2022 before assuming her current leadership role. Before her time at LSS, she served as the Director of Human Resources at AccessAbility, a Minneapolis-based organization providing work opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Her earlier experience includes serving as a Human Resources Generalist and HR Manager for Care on Wheels Homecare in Brooklyn Center.
Beyond her professional roles, Dr. Getaweh is a dedicated advocate for leadership development and community empowerment. She is a founder and lead organizer of the African Immigrant Professional Development Conference, which fosters networking and employment opportunities for African immigrants. Additionally, Dr. Getaweh serves on the Board of Directors for The Inner Hero, a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals and communities through personal and professional development programs.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Bethel University and a Master of Human Resources, as well as a Doctor of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and contributions, she was honored with the "4 Under 40 Achievement Award" by Bethel University in 2023. Dr. Getaweh is also a 2023 recipient of the Twin Cities Business Top Notable Leader in Recruitment and Talent award.
Dr. Getaweh lives in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, with her family.
Brent Iserman
Biography
Brent Iserman is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the banking industry. He currently serves as the Senior Region President and Executive Vice President at Bremer Bank where he has responsibility of leading Market Leaders in more than 30 of Bremer's 70+ markets across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Prior to his current role, Brent held various leadership positions at Bremer Bank, including Chief Executive Officer and Region President, Executive Vice President and Regional Manager, and Senior Vice President and Senior Lender. His responsibilities have spanned across strategic planning, talent identification and recruitment, financial budgeting, credit quality, revenue growth, and business development. Brent's dedication to community involvement is evident through his current and past board memberships with organizations such as the Alexandria Technical and Community College, Calvary Lutheran Church Alexandria, Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), Greater MN Partnership, and the YMCA. He holds a BA in Financial Management and Marketing, with a minor in Economics, from the University of North Dakota. Brent and his wife, Molly and daughter, Maya reside in Alexandria MN.
Joy Plamann
Biography
Joy Plamann, DNP, MBA, RN, BC, is an Executive Vice President for CentraCare and serves the organization in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and President of St. Cloud Hospital.
Dr. Plamann started her career with CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital in 1995 as a staff nurse on the Medical and Oncology Units. She has served in various nursing leadership roles in her tenure at CentraCare including Vice President Acute Care/St. Cloud Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Section Director, Hospital Medicine, Department Director, Educator and Charge Nurse.
Dr. Plamann received a BSN from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a HealthCare MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Health System and Executive Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh. She is active on various boards and volunteers in her local community.
Ingrid Rasmussen
Biography
Rev. Ingrid C. A. Rasmussen was ordained in 2013 and serves as Lead Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis. She is committed to the work of justice and believes the church is called to be active in the public square.
Ingrid is a graduate of Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD) and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, GA). She is a leader with a number of place-based organizations—namely, Longfellow Seward Healthy Seniors, Longfellow Rising, and Trinity Apartments Advisory Board—and is active in the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has written for The Christian Century, Duke University’s Faith and Leadership, Journal of Lutheran Ethics, and other publications.
Ingrid lives in Minneapolis with her husband Paul and together they run to keep up with their two sweet and lively children.
Jim Schowalter
Biography
Jim Schowalter has worked at the intersection of budgets, policy, and organizational performance for over 30 years and is currently an independent consultant.
Jim has been a leader in public and non-profit teams. Jim most recently served as Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget for Governor Tim Walz (2020-23), returning to a role that he performed for Governor Dayton (2011-15). In this capacity, he’s led pandemic response and funding, restored the state’s AAA credit rating, and negotiated budgets ranging from a $6.2 billion deficit in 2011 and to the historic $17.4 billion surplus just last year.
He’s also served as CEO for the MN Council of Health Plans (2015-19) and Sr. Vice President at HealthPartners (2019-20). Jim aims to be a trusted partner who develops insights and understanding so that tough policy problems can be addressed.
Jim, his spouse, two college age children, and two large cats all live in Eagan.
Peter Schuna
Biography
Peter Schuna is the CEO of Pathways Health Services, and is an experienced long term care professional with 21 years of leadership and management experience. Peter has a comprehensive knowledge of skilled nursing, assisted living and independent housing both in management and front-line impact, and is a self-directed professional with problem solving, communication, and management skills. Successful in Strategic planning project management, IT infrastructure implementation, and organizing projects to improve the quality of patient care and customer Service.
Peter has a BS in Biology from the University of MN and is active on many Boards and volunteering in the community.
Nils Snyder
Biography
An established industry leader, Nils is among the most successful and widely recognized commercial real estate industry veterans in the Twin Cities. Along with his business partners at Kenwood Commercial, Nils works to provide his clients with the best financial and employee solutions, utilizing more than 40 years of collective experience. The Kenwood approach is to understand and know each client’s wants, needs and unique circumstances before tailoring a specific plan for them, using a methodical yet nimble approach, all while building trust and confidence.
Utilizing excellent analytic and technical skills, coupled with accurate and insightful market research and trend guidance, the Kenwood team focuses on both the short- and long-term goals of their clients. By providing the highest quality of service, the Kenwood partners help clients navigate the commercial real estate process with proven results. Kenwood believes in taking each step consistently and correctly.
A graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, Nils has earned professional awards and recognition for his expertise, most recently an Award for Outstanding Service from St. Olaf.
Nils has completed over $1 Billion in real estate transactions, and his success can be attributed to his superior market knowledge and his ability to build lasting relationships. He has earned a strong reputation and the respect of owners, clients, and the brokerage community.
John Truckenbrod
Biography
John grew up in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, along with his parents and four siblings. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a business and accounting degree, he practiced as a CPA in public accounting with both McGladrey and then as a senior audit manager with Deloitte for many years, specializing in accounting and auditing.
Upon getting married, he followed his entrepreneurial instinct and changed careers. He became a wealth advisor and started his own company, First Advisors, Inc., in downtown Minneapolis. His wife Jane, also a CPA with public accounting experience, joined First Advisors as a wealth advisor a few years later, and today they continue to work together. First Advisors primarily serves small business owners and 401K retirement plans. When working with his clients, he strives for verifiable outcomes in an uncertain world. John has served on the boards of both Lutheran and Methodist community churches, and served in many capacities including managing their endowment fund investments. John’s belief is that while finance and investing is not science, it may be an artful science, which can be used to improve both organizations and people’s lives.
John and Jane live in Plymouth, Minnesota. They have two daughters, Clare and Grace, who also live in the Twin Cities metro area.
John’s recreational activities include boating, golfing, and enjoying walking and hiking through forest trails with Jane.