Meet the Board of Directors!

The Board of Directors is the policy-making body of Care Providers of Minnesota, representing our entire membership. View the current Board of Directors below.

Chair
Amanda Johnson, VP of Operations, Lifespark Senior Living

I have worked in the long term care profession for over 30 years. I began as a nursing assistant during my college years. After completing college for my Bachelor's degree in Human Services, I returned to school to pursue my nursing degree. I continued to work as a nursing assistant during nursing school. I completed by LPN licensure in 1993 and my RN licensure in 1994. Over the course of my career as a Registered Nurse I have served as a staff nurse, Charge Nurse, Director of Nursing and Consultant. I oversaw the development and implementation of the SNF Prospective Payment System, was Director of a Medicare Certified Home Care Agency, and Assisted Living Home Care. In 2006 I become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and in 2007 began working at Tealwood Senior Living. At Tealwood Senior Living I have been involved in development and oversight of clinical and operational systems for both skilled nursing and assisted living communities.

Vice Chair
Jenny Gleason, Chief Operating Officer, Living Services Foundation

Ms. Gleason has been working in the long term care industry for 17 years holding roles focused on operations and development. She has been Chief Operating Officer of Living Services Foundation since 2008 and the Chief Executive Officer since 2022. She obtained her Nursing Home Administrator’s License through the State of Minnesota in October of 2007. Ms. Gleason holds an M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She served as a Valuation Fellow in the University of Minnesota’s Medical Industry Leadership Institute in 2013 and was the 2012 winner of the Carl Platou Leadership award for innovation in healthcare. She is currently a Board Member of Care Providers of Minnesota, serving as the Vice Chair of the Board and the Co‐chair of the Population Health Committee.

Treasurer
Brian Bernander, Administrator/Owner, St. Otto's Care Center

I have thirteen years of experience working in the aging services sector at St. Otto's Care Center, a 91 bed skilled nursing facility in Little Falls, MN. Eleven of those years acting as Administrator with 7 years of independent ownership of St. Otto's Care Center. I have been active in Care Providers of Minnesota since joining the sector by serving as a Region Forum Coordinator from 2014-2019 and representing the regions on the board during that time. I am a graduated fellow of the Leading for Life program in 2014 and recipient of the Member of Year in 2018. I have been appointed to the member at large board seat by the Care Providers of Minnesota board chair since 2020 to present. I am a participant on the legislative forum committee, active with advocacy, attend region meetings, board meetings in addition to the annual convention among other trainings offered by Care Providers, AHCA and others. I am a member of the Population Health Management committee with Care Providers of Minnesota. I also serve as the Minnesota representative for AHCA's Independent Owners Council. #7DDuring my time as administrator, St. Otto's Care Center achieved the Bronze and Silver Baldridge National Quality Award and are currently pursuing the Gold Award.

Secretary
Kari Swanson, Administrator/CEO, Cornerstone Nursing & Rehab Center, Inc.

As a nursing home administrator and member of CPM for over 25 years, CEO for a multi-facility corporation, and a licensed assisted living director, serving LTC, memory care, short term rehab, assisted living and SNF, I am deeply passionate about this industry and having a voice to advocate for LTC on all levels is important to me. I have been the Region Representative for the past 3 years serving on the CPM Board. I have and will continue to serve on numerous committees and am a recipient of the AHCA Bronze award.

Director at Large
Fartun Ahmed, LALD, Director of Resident Success, Stonecrest Living Inc.

I am currently a board member and have enjoyed my experience and time on the board. I currently serve as the ALD for Stonecrest Living, residential group homes in the west suburbs. We serve residents who have long term mental health and substance use disorders. My role at Stonecrest is very unique, prior to Stonecrest I was a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and worked in the SUD field. In addition to my work, I recently completed an RN program, I believe that chronic health is as important as mental health and substance use disorders. As a result, I am currently enrolled in an Nurse Practitioner program at Purdue University. All of this education and experience is relevant to my work as an ALD/RN and will help me assist our residents in meeting their care in a holistic way. For past experience on boards and commissions, I was elected to the Hopkins School Board in 2018 and served until 2022. I have enjoyed my community work as well as leadership and have enjoyed bringing a unique perspective and forging new relationships in these positions.

Director at Large
Latonya Davis, Regional VP Clinical Services, Superior Healthcare Management

My interest in serving on the Board of Directors was spurred by the CEO of the company I am currently working for. He shared that the organizations focus was on advancing diversity and he believed that I should apply to share my experiences as an african american woman and nurse in the healthcare arena. I'm also interested in expanding my knowledge on how healthcare legislation processes occur. My overall goal as the Director at Large is to be a resource for current and future members. The association will benefit from my participation as I will attempt to give valuable input into whatever is being discussed. One area of expertise that I believe I posess is seeking the root cause of an issue and developing a plan for the future. I am a registered nurse and licensed nursing home administrator, and have worked in long-term care as a nurse manager, consultant, DON, and most recently as the Regional VP Clinical Services at Suprior Healthcare.

Director at Large
Avi Katz, CEO, Superior Healthcare Management

Avi began his career in the Long-Term Care industry in 2001 as the Assistant Administrator of a small Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in the South Bronx. From 2001 through 2015, Avi was the Administrator of several Nursing & Rehabilitation facilities in the New York region and has a proven track record of excellence. In 2015, Avi founded Superior Healthcare Management, which owns and operates Skilled Nursing facilities in Minnesota. For the past 2 years, Avi was a Director at Large on the Care Providers of Minnesota Board of Directors.

Director at Large
Melissa McCorquodale, LALD, Senior Living Manager, Ridge View Estates

I have worked 7 years in assisted living as a LALD and 5 years in SNF setting working as dietary aide, office assistant, CNA. I currently hold a licenses for LALD, certification for QCP and CDP. I have also been involved in: American Health Care Association/NCAL – Senior Quality Examiner; American Health Care Association/NCAL & CDC Partnership – Trust Building Advisory Board; Care Providers of Minnesota Recognition Task Force Committee Member; Care Providers of MN Foundation Board Member; Care Providers of Minnesota Emerging Leaders Group Member; Age-Friendly Pipestone Committee Member; Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member (Vice-President Elect); Pipestone Area Dollars for Scholars Board Member; Pipestone County United Way Board Member; First Farmers & Merchants Bank Advisory Board Member; United Community Partnership Action Board Member; St. Paul Lutheran Church School Board President (Pre-K); Pipestone County Relay for Life Event Leadership Committee; Pipestone County Special Olympics Coach; and Pipestone County Food Shelf Volunteer.

Director at Large
Matt Pallansch, President/CEO, MN Signature Care

Matthew Pallansch is the President/CEO of MN Signature Care, and an owner of Assisted Living communities. With a primary focus in rural MN, MN Signature Care and their community’s champions keeping seniors in their community and providing quality care, close to home. He has several years of experience in long-term care, focused on assisted living services, and continues to lead successful assisted living communities in small-town MN. Matthew is currently serving his second term on the Care Providers Board of Directors as a Director at Large. He serves on the Assisted Living Committee, Legislative Policy Committee, the Provider-Driven Network Governance Committee, and the CARE-PAC Board of Trustees.

Director at Large
Rob Rodè, Attorney/Partner, Voigt, Rodè, Boxeth & Coffin, LLC

For more than 20 years I have worked with and represented elder and disability care providers along the full spectrum of post-acute care and long terms services and support including LTC, AL/HWS, home health, rehab, adult day, hospice and independent living and the licensed professionals in all settings. I work with my clients on issues like regulatory compliance, surveys/ appeals, complaint investigations/OHFC, CHOWs, behaviors, discharges/evictions/terminations of services, contracts, dispute resolution, litigation, employment, licensing, corporate compliance, ethics and AR. In my practice I have had the opportunity to forge many longstanding relationships with state and federal agency departments and personnel. I have also been an active member of Care Providers for many years serving on the Board of Directors, participating on various committees (e.g., Regulatory, Payment, etc.) and working with Care Providers on various operational, legislative and legal strategies and actions and frequently present at Care Providers’ annual convention and other events and webinars. I also served on the Board for Training To Serve which is an organization providing training and education to health and housing services providers and those working with older adults in Minnesota and other states about the unique needs of LGBTQ older adults and have since been on the advisory council of Rainbow Health for its similar training program. 

Director at Large
Kim Te Brugge, Vice President of Operations, The Goodman Group

Kim Te Brugge oversees the operations of the senior living and health care division which includes 33 communities consisting of skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care and independent living communities across eight states. She has held several roles in the company, including executive director in Phoenix, Ariz., and regional director of operations for Arizona, Montana, and Florida. With more than 20 years of experience in all areas of healthcare administration, Te Brugge is adept at enhancing health outcomes, ensuring regulatory compliance and financial management. Te Brugge holds a Master of Science in Gerontology with a specialization in Long-Term Care Administration from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. She has a Bachelor of Physical Education with an emphasis in physical education for older adults from the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada.

Director at Large
Paxton Wiffler, Chief Operating Officer, Monarch Healthcare Management

I have 30+ years of progressive executive leadership positions in a variety of specialty healthcare operations, including the Chief Operating Officer of a publicly held company. Am a results orientated leader, focusing on open communication with accountability, having experienced success in operating a network of post‐acute facilities generating over 900+ million dollars in annualized revenue; these networks have been located in large, diverse geographic areas focused on strategic initiatives delivering quality outcomes. Former committee and board member of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California; Current sitting member of Executive Committee and Board Member of Michigan Healthcare association.

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Appointments/Seats by Virtue

NCAL Minnesota State Leader appointment
Denise Juday Barnett, Vice President of Operations, SilverCrest Properties

I am an RN-C, LNHA, LHSE and LALD with 40 years of experience in senior care. I have been an active member in developing and managing several PIP projects and developed the first cardiac care program in a MN nursing home.  I was Director of Nursing of the Year for MNDONA and continue to remain current in nursing standards of care. I have extensive experience leading successful teams through regulatory changes and the implementation of the assisted living licensure. I have served on several committees and work groups including the Mn Dept. of Health Long Term Care Taskforce. I have testified at the Mn State Capitol on behalf of long-term care and have participated in the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing in Washington DC for the past two years. I serve as a judge for the University of Minnesota Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition for the health science students, have served as a mentor for the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Health Care Administration Program for 11 years and continue to informally mentor new leaders in senior care.

NCAL Board of Directors
Drew Hood, Administrator, Oak Terrace Assisted Living of North Mankato

Drew has been an administrator since 2011 and brings a wide variety of knowledge to the long-term care industry with an educational background in aging studies. Drew is proud to be a member of one of the last family-owned and operated long-term care communities in the area and enjoys collaborating with the Oak Terrace team to help improve the lives of residents. Drew is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and earned a Master of Science degree in aging studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Drew is a licensed nursing home administrator (LNHA) and a Licensed Assisted Living Director (LALD). He has taught as an adjunct professor on “Theories of Aging” and “Long-Term Care Administration” at Minnesota State University of Mankato, is certified Dementia Friends trainer and is active with Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s group. Drew has completed a 12-month fellowship program for long-term care leadership through Care Providers of MN and currently serves on the board of directors at the same organization.

Member at Large
Josh Legum, President, Monarch Healthcare Management

Using his previous healthcare administration experience, Josh streamlined operations for Monarch's portfolio. Additionally, he is a member of the Care Providers of Minnesota Payment Council, where he helps make recommendations to lobbyists for payment reform.

Legislative Forum Chair
Angie Andresen, VP–Communications & Public Affairs, Ecumen

Angie leads communications and advocacy efforts for Ecumen. With a passion for uncovering and telling the stories that showcase Ecumen’s innovative work, Angie is committed to ensuring that the voices of older adults are heard. Prior to joining Ecumen in 2020, she was Managing Director of Communications at Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group. She is a board member of Girls on the Run Minnesota and Roots for the Home Team. Angie graduated from the University of North Dakota with a B.A. in Communications.

Immediate Past Chair
Paula Rocheleau, CEO, Partners Senior Living Options

Paula Rocheleau is the CEO and co‐owner of Partners Senior Living Options LLC located in Royalton, MN. PSLO is a management company that currently owns and/or manages 18 assisted living facility, 3 skilled nursing homes, a home care and hospice agency and 9 corporate foster care group homes for disabled adults in the state of MN. Paula obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree with a minor in Gerontology from St. Cloud State University in 1994 and her Nursing Home Administrators license in 2002. She has worked in long term care for twenty‐five years in many capacities ranging from a Home Health Aide, Social Worker, administrator and management. Being from a rural community, providing quality long term care in out‐state areas is a passion that both PSLO and Paula strive toward daily.

Service Corporation Chair
Tim FunkMeyer, Owner/Operator, Paruan, Inc.

I have been in LTC for 28 years as a licenses NH administrator focusing on
waivered assisted living ownership. During the most recent 20 of the 28 years I have provided management, development and turnaround services in skilled nursing and assisted living settings. I have owned and operated a management consulting business in LTC and am currently expanding owning and operating older adult service communities; assisted living and memory care focused.

Regions Representative to the Board
Carolyn Hervin, Area Director of Operations, Accura Healthcare

I have worked with the aging population for over 17 years with experience in skilled nursing, assisted living, senior housing, and long term care pharmacy. I began my career in billing and business office roles and obtained my Nursing Home Administrator License in 2009 and Licensed Assisted Living Director in 2021. I have operated a variety of communities in both the for and non-profit sectors. I was a 2016 graduate fellow of the Care Providers Leading for Life Program and have been serving as a Region Representative since January 2022. I am currently the Area Director of Operations for Accura Healthcare for our Minnesota nursing home and assisted living communities.