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 Lakeshore community 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 our Executive Director, Blaine is responsible for overseeing campus operations while developing and implementing strategic plans for supporting the individuals and families we serve as well as the team members who take pride in our mission. In his role, Blaine hears firsthand when a resident has ideas for improving our Lakeshore community, and he never tires from stories of our team and community meeting an individual’s expectations. He regularly helps team members navigate through a variety of challenges, and he feels fortunate to have discovered a career in senior housing and services. Originally from Willow River, MN, Blaine joined Ecumen Lakeshore in 2010 as an intern. He knew then the organization’s values were closely aligned with his own, and he can say the same thing is true today.
Blaine isn’t sure about a “favorite” local place or thing to do. For him, Duluth and the surrounding area has many hidden gems and places to explore. And when friends come to the area to visit, he loves telling them about everything the area has to offer.
Away from work, Blaine can be found at one of Duluth’s ice rinks coaching youth hockey. In the summertime, he enjoys time with his family at their favorite lake getaway.
Assistant Executive Director
As the Assistant Executive Director, Bethany is responsible for overseeing the Assisted Living, Memory Care and Independent Living communities, and supporting the campus billing office, beauty shop, receptionist, and Life Enrichment services. She brings 20 years of nursing experience to her leadership role—caring for others is a part of who she is—and she’s honored to support and guide residents during transitions throughout their journey. Bethany also enjoys being a resource for team members as they pursue their own interests and career goals. Originally from Eveleth, MN, Bethany has fond childhood memories of visiting senior living communities with her mom and sister to sing for the residents. Once in nursing school (2004), she joined Ecumen Lakeshore as a CNA in our Assisted Living community, and following school continued here full-time until 2019. Ecumen was a place that gave her an opportunity to grow and continue serving people, so she returned in 2020 as a leader and mentor to our team members.
Bethany’s favorite local places to visit are the break wall in Two Harbors and Brighton Beach on the north end of the Duluth shoreline.
Away from work, Bethany can be found cherishing time with her family along the North Shore of Lake Superior, walking the shoreline to collect rocks, agates and glowing Yooperlites.
Director of Nursing
As our Director of Nursing, Melissa’s primary responsibility is supporting the clinical team to ensure every caregiver has the knowledge, skills and resources for providing exceptional care to our residents and patients. She is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding clinical operations. In her role, she gets the most joy from seeing the pride her clinical team and the therapy teams experience from collaborating to help individuals in our care regain strength and independence. Originally from Proctor, MN, Melissa joined Ecumen Lakeshore in 2020 knowing our organization truly values outcomes for our residents, patients and team member growth.
Melissa’s favorite local amenity is Lake Superior. For her, having the world’s largest freshwater lake right outside Lakeshore’s back door is incredibly humbling, peaceful and healing.
Away from work, Melissa is 100% focused on entertaining and wrangling her three boys while transporting them to and from school, sports commitments and nonstop adventures.
Director of Rehabilitation
As our Director of Rehabilitation, Sharon is responsible for leading our Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement systems and processes. In her role, she is often engaged with patients in our Short-Term Transitional Care community to facilitate the release of medical records critical to our team’s ability to deliver exceptional care, and to answer questions about inpatient and outpatient therapy services. Working closely with her therapy team and patients brings her the most joy in her day-to-day work. Originally from California, Sharon joined Ecumen Lakeshore in 2020 based on our strong reputation for rehabilitation within the region.
Sharon’s favorite local activity is attending a Duluth FC soccer game.
Away from work, Sharon can be found on a local soccer field coaching the next generation of local talent.
Culinary Director
As our Culinary Director, Wade is responsible for the development and delivery of delicious and nutritious meal options for the residents, guests and team members on our campus. Although he enjoys meeting and serving a variety of people every day, it’s the opportunity to mentor and feed the careers of team members that fills his plate. Born and raised in Duluth, MN, Wade joined Ecumen Lakeshore in 2023, encouraged by the good experiences shared with him by past and present team members he has met in his hometown.
Wade’s favorite aspect of Lake Superior is its ability to offer a different sight each day, which makes it an amazing body of water to have next to our community.
Away from work, Wade can be found outside enjoying what nature has to offer.
Environmental Director
As our Environmental Director, Jake is responsible for ensuring that our buildings and grounds are safe, clean and well-maintained for our residents and team members campus wide. In his role, he enjoys working with and supporting his team in their daily work to provide a maintenance-free lifestyle for our community. Originally from Duluth, MN, Jake joined the Ecumen Lakeshore team in 2022 having identified with our organization’s values.
Jake’s favorite aspect of his hometown is the natural surroundings available to explore and take in no matter what direction you travel.
Away from work, Jake is often working on projects at home, playing with his little puppy dog, or enjoying a meal and beverage at a local eatery.
People Services Director
As People Services Director at Lakeshore, Lisa is responsible for supporting our team members so they can honor each other and serve our residents and patients to the best of their abilities. Her responsibilities also include ensuring our team members have the ongoing training they need to provide quality care and services for a variety of disciplines required to make our campus successful. In her role, she most enjoys getting to know every team member, resident and their families across our campus. Originally from Coon Rapids, MN, Lisa moved to Duluth in 2020 and joined our Ecumen Lakeshore team after living in Madison, WI, for 25 years. At Lakeshore, she saw an opportunity to make an immediate impact by supporting our team members as they faced a global pandemic while also caring for a population of senior residents.
Lisa’s favorite local thing to do is take the Lakewalk—which she can access near her home or from the Lakeshore campus—to nearby Brighton Beach and skip stones in the summer and hear interesting sounds made by piles of ice shards in the winter.
Away from work, Lisa and her husband enjoy taking day trips further up the shore, catching a college hockey game (Go Bulldogs), supporting women’s sports, and working in the flower garden with her cat’s supervision.
Life Enrichment Director
As Life Enrichment Director at Lakeshore, Toni is responsible for organizing the events and activities for our four campus communities to address as many group and individual needs as possible. In her role, she’s accustomed to engaging one-on-one with residents and working on multiple projects at once. She acknowledges that our community has a great location with beautiful views, but to her the bonus of working or living here is the beauty and kindness of the people. Toni joined our Ecumen Lakeshore team in 2024, following 23 years at Sunnyside Health Care Center in Cloquet, MN. She credits her decision of choosing Lakeshore to feeling at home in our community.
Toni’s favorite local thing is Lake Superior and the multiple ways to take in its incredible view.
Away from work, Toni can be found with her family, exercising, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.
Senior Living Consultant
As our Senior Living Consultant, Jana is responsible for assisting individuals and their families as they search for a home and community that supports their needs. In her role, she enjoys being a part of a community that is full of amazing people, including team members, residents and volunteers, and she is often seen giving prospective residents a tour of our campus. Originally from Duluth, MN, Jana first became a member of our community as a volunteer with activities and events. In 2012, she joined our team as Activities Director, and her role has evolved over the years into her current position where she finds great joy in helping residents settle into their new home in our Lakeshore community.
Jana’s favorite local thing is the beautiful shore of Lake Superior. She loves looking for beach glass with her son and walking her dog on the Lakewalk. Together, they all agree a stop at the Portland Malt Shoppe is a must.
Away from work, Jana loves to be outside in the fresh air, where you’re most likely to see her walking her dog or biking.
Clinical Director
As our Clinical Director, Julie is responsible for supporting the care team in our Assisted Living community to make sure they have the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources needed to provide quality, personalized care for our residents. In her role, she’s proud to be a mentor for young team members who are entering the workforce and learning the responsibilities of serving our residents with care, honor and respect. She also really enjoys engaging with residents, getting to know them as individuals, and hearing fascinating stories about their life experiences. Originally from Two Harbors, MN, Julie joined our Lakeshore team in 2021, attracted by our organization’s core values of Honor, Serve, Innovate, Empower.
Julie’s favorite local anything has always been Lake Superior. Having grown up on its shore has always been an honor for her, so she enjoys being on or near the lake taking in all of its wonder and beauty.
Away from work, Julie can be found enjoying time with her daughter and granddaughter.
