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 campus that includes a growing number of team members who share a meaningful pursuit. Get to know the leaders behind our daily mission.
Senior Living Consultant
As Senior Living Consultant, Jen is responsible for partnering with individuals and families to offer personalized guidance on housing and care needs during one of life’s biggest transitions. She brings over 30 years of experience and takes pride in providing compassionate advice, reassurance and direction by listening deeply and empowering the people we serve to make decisions with informed confidence. Asked what she likes most about her role, Jen is quick to mention the new individuals and families she meets and how incredibly rewarding it is to help them find a community that truly fits their needs. Originally from Stillwater, MN, Jen joined Ecumen in 2018, as she continues the meaningful work that attracted her to senior living years ago.
Jen’s favorite local place is at home nearby, where from her front yard facing Beaver Lake she is recharged and inspired by the sunsets.
Away from work, if she’s not outdoors tending to projects on her property in Stillwater, MN, then she’s at home with her four-legged friends, Chevy and Chara, hosting friends for game day to cheer on her favorite Minnesota teams: Vikings, Wild, and Gophers.
Life Enrichment Manager
As our Life Enrichment Manager, Jen is responsible for fielding daily requests and coordinating the activities and travel required for empowering our residents to be active and engaged. To her role she brings a life philosophy: “People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.” Whether helping a resident’s family member reserve an event space or checking in on a loved one on their behalf, she’s not satisfied until everyone she’s supporting for the day is happy. And she does it all with genuine joy and a big smile. Originally from Stillwater, MN, Jen joined Ecumen Lakeview Commons in 2002, because the campus is beautiful inside and out. She knew our community would be a good place to build a career doing something she loves to do: listen and learn from our senior population.
Jen’s favorite local thing to do is watch a game in her living room surrounded by friends, family, and maroon and gold accents on the walls to support her Minnesota Gophers. When a Gopher game isn’t on, the local pro teams are just the ticket.
Away from work, Jen likes to take long walks with her wife on the weekends, and is known to bring our community dog in training along for extra time outdoors. Jen also likes biking, swimming, and sitting in her hot tub with a cup of coffee in the morning.
Clinical Quality Coordinator
As a Clinical Quality Coordinator, Itoro is responsible for an ongoing assessment of our resident population’s clinical needs and schedules our team members accordingly to ensure a quality care experience. In his role, he often speaks to resident family members as they inquire about making adjustments to their loved one’s care services. Through these conversations, and by engaging with residents, Itoro sees how his and our team’s contributions positively impact not just our residents but their family and friends. Seeing their smiles brings him great joy. Originally from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, Itoro joined Ecumen in 2022, after reading positive reviews by employees, residents and families. He says he feels at home here from day one, turning his passion for supporting seniors into smiles on their faces.
Itoro’s favorite local things to do are taking in a sporting event, going bowling, and going out to the movies. He also loves the outdoors and the many changing seasons of Minnesota.
Away from work, Itoro is most likely to be enjoying the company of family and friends.
Assistant Clinical Director
As our Assistant Clinical Director, Dakota is responsible for engaging with prospective residents to guide them in finding a place to call home where they can age in place with the care services they need. She also ensures that our current residents continue to have the appropriate services as their needs and goals change. In her role, Dakota enjoys creating a personalized care plan for each new resident that empowers them to be as independent as possible. She also likes working closely with our Resident Assistant team members, mentoring them at their roles in providing exceptional care to our residents. Originally from Lakeville, MN, Dakota joined Ecumen in 2016, having known for many years that she wanted to work in a senior living community. Thanks to her Dad, who encouraged her to bring an elderly neighbor’s newspaper up the driveway, Dakota developed a love for engaging with an older generation.
Dakota’s favorite local place is the 5-8 Tavern & Grill at Minnehaha and McKnight.
Away from work, Dakota is most likely to be reading a thriller novel or travelling to antique stores in search of rare treasure.
