Seven honorees receive LSS Leadership Excellence Award
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) is proud to recognize seven honorees statewide who received the 2024 President’s Leadership Excellence Award. The award recognizes exceptional employees who demonstrate outstanding leadership, inspire colleagues, drive innovation, and build community.
“At LSS, we are continually listening and innovating to deliver high quality service that empowers people to achieve full and abundant lives,” said Patrick Thueson, president of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. “Our honorees bring a wealth of leadership and experience to our teams across the organization and are thoughtful leaders who are highly regarded by their colleagues. I am delighted to recognize our honorees with the 2024 Leadership Excellence Award.”
Jasmine Black is the director of Quality in Disability Residential Services for Lutheran Social Service. She was recognized for her leadership role in creating an improved, high-level training for direct support professionals across Minnesota and for working tirelessly to ensure delivery of high care standards for people with disabilities. With her leadership, Lutheran Social Service, again this year, received the Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership.
Stephanie Coleman is the director of Social Work in Domestic Adoption for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and Children’s Home Society of Minnesota, affiliated partners in adoption services. She was recognized for bringing exceptional talent, care and sensitivity to her work, most recently bringing together two service lines successfully to ensure continued high-quality service for children and families. Noted for leading with compassion and possibility, she was also highlighted for her ability to use data insights to develop new and effective ways to serve.
Nathan Danielson is the senior director of Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship Services. Through this work, Lutheran Social Service strives to deliver a person-centered approach to care and decision-making for individuals with various health needs. Danielson was recognized for outstanding leadership in exploring ways to improve service delivery and gain efficiencies with new technology that have saved time and cost.
Melissa Grimmer is the senior director of Caregiver and Companion Services for Lutheran Social Service. She was recognized for providing outstanding leadership and passion for addressing community needs and developing supportive and caring teams. In 2024, she started Friendly Helper, a new service that has resulted in more than 400 referrals in its first six months of operation. She has also expanded the AmeriCorps service, engaging volunteers to strengthen communities across Minnesota and into North Dakota.
Sam Hassan is the director of Refugee Services for Lutheran Social Service in St. Cloud. Refugee Services works with civic groups, congregations, property owners and employers to ensure that individuals resettled get off to a good start in the community. She was recognized for her steadfast work supporting the successful resettlement of new arrivals and her leadership in seeking new ways for individuals and families to develop self-reliance as quickly as possible. With her leadership, a new Rapid Employment service grew from 27 to 80 participants and is beginning its second year.
Andy Morcomb is the director of Business Growth & Optimization for Lutheran Social Service, working with teams across the organization to innovate new ways to deliver services that improve outcomes and serve more Minnesotans, most recently stepping in to provide interim leadership for an LSS service line. He was recognized for developing trusted relationships in the community, identifying effective new service strategies and launching new initiatives that enhance operations.
Heidi Reisdorf is the senior director of Community Residential Services for Lutheran Social Service. She was recognized as an exceptional leader who focuses on person-centered care that empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve their hopes and dreams. She was also noted for her dedication to finding the best and most effective support for others with disabilities, including new technologies to improve their lives. An outstanding coach and mentor, she also received praise for her steadfast commitment to building supportive, dedicated and caring teams.
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 63 Minnesotans through services that inspire hope, change lives, and build community. Some services, such as Adoption, 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.