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.