98 LSS Employees Receive 2022 Spirit Award
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota recognized 98 honorees with the prestigious 2022 Spirit Award at a special online celebration.
The award honors employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment and dedication to the vision and mission of the statewide organization. Honorees are nominated by their supervisors.
“The Cabinet and I look forward to Spirit Awards all year,” said Patrick Thueson, president of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. “Our 2022 Spirit Award recipients are 98 individuals who bring energy, passion and commitment to their work. It’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate the spirit of joy and excellence that our recipients bring to all they do.”
Congratulations to the 2022 Spirit Award honorees:
Fathia Abdillahi, Payroll Specialist, Apple Valley
Mohamed Ali, Case Manager, Waite Park
Willie Allen, Correctional Counselor, Eden Prairie
Teresa Anderson, Sr. Administrative Coordinator, Eveleth
Jetta Ayehonou, Positive Support Specialist Intermittent, Coon Rapids
Troy Badolato, Direct Support Professional, East Grand Forks
RaeLynn Barott, Case Manager, Mankato
Sophia Barr, Administrative Assistant, Woodbury
Nicole Berg, Mental Health Practitioner, Underwood
Ryan Boosinger, Relationship Manager, Roseville
Holly Brannick, Lead Case Manager, Lake City
Tachianna Charpenter, Family Advocate and Program Coordinator, Minneapolis
Lidia Chavez, House Coordinator, St. Paul
Debra Cook, Direct Support Professional Intermittent, Red Wing
Gloria Mae Cooper, Direct Support Professional, Brooklyn Park
Shaina Davie, Office Coordinator, Minneapolis
Kenzie Dechambeau, Case Manager, Dodge Center
Kelly Delaske, Senior Cook, Waterville
Khaliya Dorry, Program Coordinator, Inver Grove Heights
Emily Durkee, Direct Support Professional, Bemidji
Jessica Espinoza, Direct Support Professional, Grand Forks
David Farber, Cook, Heron Lake
Edwin Geh, Positive Support Specialist, Ramsey
Jeru Gobeze, Advocacy Manager, St. Paul
Tanya Grundysen, Direct Support Professional, East Grand Forks
Corinne Hacht, Major Gifts Officer, Robbinsdale
Ashleigh Hakala, Positive Support Specialist, Hibbing
Kira Hallof, Regional Coordinator, Erskine
Cat Hammond, Adolescent Health Specialist, Minneapolis
Erica Hanson, Mental Health Practitioner, Moorhead
Brian Heiple, Sr. Applications Analyst, Coon Rapids
Heather Hemshrot, Administrative Assistant, Mankato
Nathaniel Hizza, Direct Support Professional, Roseville
Marci Hjelm, Program Coordinator, Glenwood
Ayewa Hlomadon, Direct Support Professional, St. Paul
Stephanie Hoffart, Guardian, Moorhead
Kenneth Holloman, Project Manager/Business Analyst, Circle Pines
Madelyne Horne, Direct Support Professional, Red Wing
Sarah Jannusch, Financial Counselor, Minneapolis
Tatia Jewell-Schwartz, Computer and Workshop Coordinator, New Hope
Jillian Johnson, Positive Support Specialist, Wells
Shauna Kasper, Guardian, Superior
Carly Kidd, Adoption Worker, Richfield
Erica Kline, Case Manager, Pine Island
Juliana Kosgei, Direct Support Professional, Brooklyn Park
Sara Larson, Food Service Manager, Brainerd
Jean Larson, Country Coordinator, Falcon Heights
Missi Larson, Positive Support Specialist, Blaine
Duane Larson, Quality Specialist, Motley
Johnny Garrido-Lavender, Employment Specialist, Minneapolis
Chuche Lee, Service Coordinator, Stillwater
Tammy Leinweber, Program Specialist, Superior
Juni Lessard, Positive Support Specialist, Bemidji
Michael Lipp, Direct Support Professional, Fargo
Jenny Long, Site Coordinator, Bemidji
Morgan Louwagie, Case Manager, St. Paul
Kendall Mager, Program Coordinator, Minneapolis
Levi Mayer, Financial Reporter, Fergus Falls
Mary Mofor, Direct Support Professional, Coon Rapids
Joudee Moua, Instructional Designer, Kaukauna
Penny Murphy, Positive Support Specialist, Austin
Leila Oliver, Site Coordinator, Eagle Bend
Ahmed Omar, Employment Counselor, St. Cloud
Ninnette Omondi, Positive Support Specialist, St. Paul
Dawn Oren, Positive Support Specialist Intermittent, Bethel
Luke (Leo) Oshozekhai, Correctional Counselor, Brooklyn Park
Beverly Pfeiffer, Sr. Youth Worker, St. Paul
Jessica Pinnella, Guardian, Deer Creek
Sam Rex, Adoption Worker, Minneapolis
Alexis Rian, Crisis Nursery Facilitator, Monticello
Gloria Romo, Executive Assistant, West St. Paul
Rebecca Rooker, Guardian, Elk River
Heather Ross, Care Coordinator, Eagle Lake
Bridget Ross-Ryan, Guardian, Minneapolis
Kristy Roy-Reid, AVP Administrative, St. Paul
Katy Samuelson, Care Coordinator, Minneapolis
Nayla Schoener, Positive Support Specialist, Mounds View
Melanie Shamp, Senior Cook, Windom
Pat Sheely, Positive Support Specialist, Adams
Paul Silgen, Finance Manager, Eagan
Sara Smith, Direct Support Professional, Red Wing
Mary Smith, Regional Coordinator, Crosslake
Quentin Stille, Guardian, Minneapolis
Ruth Talford, Program Manager, Oakdale
Khong Thao, IT Support Analyst, St. Paul
Eli Thorson, Direct Support Professional, Eagle Bend
Brooke Toms, Guardian, Detroit Lakes
Betsy Trondson, Post Adoption Social Worker, Apple Valley
Mara Wehye, Positive Support Specialist, Elk River
Diane Wiersgalla, Direct Support Professional Intermittent, Warren
Jonathan Williams, Positive Support Specialist, Nashwauk
Laura Witty, Quality Assurance & Training Coordinator, St. Peter
Kelsey Woodward, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Guide, Blaine
Betsy Wriedt, Grant Writer, Minneapolis
Kou Xiong, Service Coordinator, Maplewood
Olivia Yang, Senior Human Resource Specialist, Vadnais Heights
Lydia Yeamah, Positive Support Specialist, Coon Rapids
Abdi Yusuf, Immigration Specialist, Blaine
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 supports one in 65 Minnesotans through services that inspire hope, change lives and build community. Statewide, the organization seeks to foster safe and supportive homes for children, restore health and wellness in families, empower people with Identified needs 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 of Minnesota, visit lssmn.org.