Our commitment to serving residents and their families starts at the top. With hands-on experience paired with genuine compassion, our leaders nurture a thriving Ecumen Detroit Lakes campus that includes a growing number of team members who share a meaningful pursuit. Get to know the leaders behind our daily mission.
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Danielle is responsible for developing and guiding our community’s long-term goals and overseeing daily operations to ensure efficiency, quality of care, financial acumen, and strong relationships with residents and their families. Any given day, she is a problem solver, cheerleader, strategizer, and coach all rolled into one. Maybe that’s why she gets so much joy from seeing team members and residents bring each other so much joy. Originally from Butler, MN, Danielle worked in Assisted Living and completed internships in acute care and long-term care settings while earning her college degree. The relationships she formed during these formative years ultimately drew her to a career in the senior living industry. She initially joined Ecumen in 2010, serving in many roles before accepting her leadership position at Detroit Lakes in 2019.
Danielle’s favorite local thing to do is soaking up the sun and fun on area lakes and dining at the many great restaurants.
Away from work, Danielle is always busy with doing something with her family—sports, 4-H events, exploring the lakes, or tackling projects at home.
Clinical Director, Short-Term Transitional Care
As Clinical Director for Short-Term Transitional Care, Bridget is responsible for overseeing the nursing team, resident care and ensuring nursing services meet standards of care and follow state and federal regulations. In her role, she has a front-row view of the strong relationships that grow between residents and team members, and how supportive the team members are of each other. Originally from Hawley, MN, Bridget was pursuing her nursing degree when friends of hers who were working at Ecumen Detroit Lakes spoke highly of the culture and shift flexibility. She joined our team in 1999 and hasn’t looked back since.
Bridget’s favorite local thing to do is relieve stress and get her day moving in a positive way at 180 Balance Yoga Fitness.
Away from work, Bridget is usually watching one of her two younger sons compete in football, basketball or baseball.
Clinical Director, Housing
As Clinical Director for Housing, Patricia is responsible for hiring and training new team members on how to assist residents and collaborate with the care team to ensure best practices. In her role, she especially enjoys bringing joy to residents and often fields calls from family members seeking updates about their loved ones. Originally from Garner, IA, Patricia joined our team in 2024, encouraged by the values she shares with Ecumen and a commitment to her faith.
Patricia’s favorite local thing to do is visit Shady Hollow Flea Market for the shopping, music and local food.
Away from work, Patricia enjoys many activities, including photography, thrift shopping, going to the movies, traveling, and quality time with family and friends.
People Services Director
As our People Services Director, Jennifer is responsible for creating and nurturing a work environment where team members feel respected, supported and motivated so they can bring their best selves to work each and every day. In her role, she enjoys building meaningful connections with team members, residents and their families, and seeing the positive impact team members have on resident quality of life. Originally from Breckenridge, MN, Jennifer first joined Ecumen from 2003 to 2014 in Detroit Lakes, and then rejoined us in 2019 to continue the important work of supporting our senior population.
Jennifer’s favorite thing about the area is that there’s something to do year-round, specifically festivals in the park, troll hunting and amazing artwork throughout all of Becker County.
Away from work, Jennifer prefers to use the warmer months for bass fishing and the colder months for cooking all weekend or hunkering down to binge-watch a favorite show.
Rehabilitation & Therapy Director
As our Rehabilitation & Therapy Director, Monica is responsible for overseeing a team of Physical, Occupational and Speech therapists who provide in-patient and out-patient services. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, she is certified in lymphatic drainage techniques, aquatic therapy and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Big (LSVT BIG), a specialized exercise-based therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease. Monica also collaborates with the Life Enrichment team to ensure we are meeting the needs of our residents with fulfilling events and activities. In her role, she often collaborates with the Life Enrichment team and is always grateful to be a part of supporting someone’s ability to make amazing functional improvements with exercise. Originally from Mahnomen, MN, Monica in high school worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in short-term transitional care and developed a fondness for the older adults who inspired her with their significant progress from physical therapy. She worked with Ecumen as a third-party therapy provider in 2015. In 2019, when rehabilitation and therapy moved inhouse at Ecumen Detroit Lakes, she joined our team.
Monica’s favorite local place is her family’s favorite hangout, Hub 41, where she says the food is great, her kids are able to play cornhole and then enjoy ice cream all while sitting by the lake.
Away from work, Monica enjoys working out and listening to audiobooks. But with three littles who have growing interests in extracurricular activities, she is most likely staying active by being with her family.
Senior Living Consultant
As our Senior Living Consultant, Charlie is responsible for assisting individuals and families in navigating their introduction to senior housing and services. Whether providing tours of our campus to prospective residents or welcoming new residents to our community, he enjoys connecting with individuals on a personal level, learning about their unique stories and supporting them as they begin a new chapter. Originally from Bagley, MN, Charlie joined Ecumen in 2019 because he wanted to work in health care and make a meaningful difference in the community. What particularly resonated with him about Ecumen was the opportunity to be part of a respected organization with a complementary mission and a long-standing history of service in Detroit Lakes.
Charlie’s favorite local thing to do is see the Detroit Lakes athletic teams compete. For him, DL is a special community. GO LAKERS! #Sailsup
Away from work, Charlie is most likely treating his family to a sporting event in town.
