Hats off to the 2023 Spirit Award honorees at LSS

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota recognized 85 honorees from across the organization with the prestigious 2023 Spirit Award at a luncheon celebration in St. Cloud, Minn. on August 15. The award honors employees, nominated by their supervisors, who demonstrate outstanding commitment and dedication to the vision and mission of the organization. Honorees include:

Christine Adams, Basswood - Disability Services
Teresa Anderson, Senior Administrative Coordinator - Youth Services
Ingrid Aune, Development Officer - Development
Carol Baune, Designated Coordinator - Host Homes
Lindsay Bechel, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Jody Bloemke, Program Coordinator - Companion Services
Peter Bolarinde, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Rachel Breiholz, Program Specialist -  Adoption Services
Angel Bruns, Energy Assistance Specialist - Financial Counseling Services
Cassy Burr, Housing Counselor - Financial Counseling Services
Katie Christ, Administrative Specialist - Financial Counseling Services
Gloria-Mae Cooper, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Derek Davis, Administrative Specialist - LSS Meals
Veronica De la Rosa de Amarante, Immigration Specialist - Refugee Services
Emily Delanoit, Adoption Worker - Adoption Services
Jon Doughty, Designated Coordinator - Host Homes
Jenna Dunnum, Employment Specialist - Disability Services
Jessica Ebb, Benefits Admin - Human Resources
Dekha Elmi, Employment Counselor - Employment Services
Linda Engen, Site Coordinator - LSS Meals
Jessica Espinoza, Direct Support Professional Lead - Disability Services
Mary Flaherty, Positive Support Specialist - Disability Services
Grace Fogland, Development Officer - Development
Katie Gaslin, Positive Support Specialist - Disability Services
Edwin Geh, Positive Support Specialist - Disability Services
Shelby Geldon, Deaf Hard Hearing Guide - Minnesota Hands & Voices
Carolyn Gotteberg, Site Coordinator - LSS Meals
Joshua Hameister, Lead Case Manager - Rochester Youth Services
Jan Hangsleben, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Mirja Hasan, Service Coordinator - PICS
Annamarie Hebdon, Office Coordinator - PICS
Harley Hilliard, Positive Support Specialist - Disability Services
Jordan Hove, Senior Service Coordinator - PICS
Tori Ibinger, Senior Service Coordinator - PICS
Abbi Iticha, Senior Accountant – Accounting
Fred Jefferson, Positive Support Specialist - Disability Services
Tammi Johnson, High Fidelity Wrap Facilitator - Youth & Family Services
Taylor Johnson, Positive Support Specialist - Disability Services
Sarah Johnson-Williams, Program Accountant - Youth Services
Shannon Kahnk, Senior Workers’ Comp Leave Administrator - Human Resources
Jenni Knight, Property Coordinator - Property
Mei Lin Kroll, Certified Financial Counselor - Financial Counseling Services
Sandra (Sandi) Kroulik, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Christina Kuhlman, Lead Case Manager - Housing Services
Erin Lanska Grant, Guardian/Conservator - Guardianship Options
Nancee Magistad, Risk Management Manager - Risk Management
Ray McCoy, Certified Financial Counselor - Financial Counseling Services
Ian McGhghy, Positive Support Specialist - Disability Services
Sonja Mickelson, Program Coordinator - Older Adult Services
Cassandra Miller, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Makayla Milling, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Pascal Mlagani, Resettlement Case Manager - Refugee Services
Amanda Morris, Housing Case Manager - Housing Services
Beth Neitzel, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Jenna Nitschke-Franklin, Talent Acquisition Recruitment Partner - Human Resources
Caleb Notch, Positive Support Specialist Lead Float  - Disability Services
Shawna Ochs, Care Coordinator - Care Coordination
Hannah Palbicki, Quality Specialist - Disability Services
Donna Paquin, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Deborah Pearson, Direct Support Professional Lead - Disability Services
Laura Perkerwicz, Senior Cook - LSS Meals
Rose Peterson, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Brianna Portner, Care Coordinator - Disability Services
Amy Radermacher, HRIS Administrator - Human Resources
Cheryl Reynolds, Statewide Program Coordinator - Youth Services
Jamie Robideaux, Administrative Specialist - Property
Danielle Sackett, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Kaylie Schuch, Case Manager - Youth Services
Morgan Senn, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Heidee Smith, Care Coordinator - Disability Services
Maggie Stewart, House Coordinator - Disability Services
Kiara Swenson, Direct Support Professional - Disability Services
Kim Thompson, VP Administrative Assistant - Human Resources
Kelly Tronstad, Family Support Coach - Adoption
Cornelius Tue, Positive Support Specialist Intermittent - Disability Services
Anne Umhoefer, Compensation Specialist - Human Resources
Jeanne Vande Hoef, Senior Cook - LSS Meals
Tina Voss, Program Coordinator - Companion Services
Terri Welch, Accounting Specialist – PICS
Alex Welty, Human Resource Specialist - PICS
Maggie Wescott, Accounting Specialist - Central Services
Diane Wiersgalla, Positive Support Specialist Intermittent - Disability Services
James Xiong, Program Coordinator - Employment Services
Kengther Yang, Service Coordinator - PICS
Halima Yussuf, Home Visitor - Parents as Teachers

“The Cabinet and I look forward to Spirit Awards all year,” said Patrick Thueson, president of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. “Our 2023 Spirit Award recipients are 85 individuals who bring energy, passion and commitment to their work. It’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate the deep dedication, caring presence and cheerful spirit they share in their service to others.”

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota began in 1865 when a Lutheran pastor and his congregation opened an orphanage for children near Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota. Today, with 2,500 employees and 10,000 volunteers, Lutheran Social Service helps one in 65 Minnesotans through services that inspire hope, change lives, and build community. Some services, such as Adoption, Camp Noah and Disaster Services, Financial Counseling, Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship Options, Pooled Trust and Senior Companions support residents in other states as well. Through its mission, the organization seeks to foster safe and supportive homes for children, restore health and wellness in families, empower people with disabilities to live the lives they imagine, and promote health, independence and quality of life for older adults. For comprehensive information about the work of Lutheran Social Service, visit lssmn.org.