Lutheran Social
Service of Minnesota Names New Executives and Officers
Lutheran Social Service of
Minnesota announces several executive changes.
Jodi Harpstead has
been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for
the St. Paul-based organization. In this position, she will lead efforts
in Services, Human Resources, Information Technology and Finance for
Minnesota’s largest, statewide social service organization. With over
2,300 employees, Lutheran Social Service offers a broad array of community
services for people of all ages throughout Minnesota, including housing
and crisis shelters, mental health counseling, adoption, financial
counseling, senior nutrition, foster care and services for persons with
disabilities. Harpstead joined Lutheran Social Service in 2004 as Vice
President and Chief Advancement Officer, and led efforts in marketing,
fund development, public relations, volunteer services and public policy.
Jeri Schoonover and
Bill Vanderwall, Vice Presidents for Lutheran Social Service, have
been named officers of the organization.
Blaine Thrasher has
also been named Senior Development Officer and will focus on fundraising,
grants and volunteer services for Lutheran Social Service. Thrasher brings
a 25-year record of accomplishment in development and communications at
several long-established service organizations in Minnesota.
Lutheran Social Service of
Minnesota traces its history to 1865 when a Lutheran pastor and his
congregation opened an orphanage for children near Red Wing. Today,
Minnesota’s largest statewide social service organization seeks to help
the state’s most vulnerable citizens to live and work in community with
safety, dignity and hope by providing safe and supportive homes for
children, counseling to restore health and wellness in families, community
living for people with disabilities, and options that help seniors develop
independence. The mission of the organization is to express the love of
Christ for all people through acts of service. For comprehensive
information about Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, please visit
www.lssmn.org
