Mission and Leadership

I have been involved with Hope Harbor since 2009 as teacher, financial secretary, board member, and now as Executive Director.  I have bachelor's degrees in Business Administration with an emphasis on accounting and management and Business Education.  My primary responsibility is to provide leadership for the ministry, ensure fiscal responsibility by being good stewards of resources, and continually striving to be a ministry of excellence. I have been married to Wade since 1990 and we have three married adult children and one granddaughter.  I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, reading, going for walks, beating Wade at backgammon, and spending time at our cabin in Alexandria MN.  I love sharing the Hope Harbor story with anyone who will listen.  I also enjoy speaking to groups about how God has worked in my own life and how He has always been faithful to provide for every need.

My Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 

I was born and raised in small town Minnesota where cattle far outnumbered people.   My grandmother taught me the importance of a love for Jesus from an early age.  I didn't fully understand it but I held onto it dearly.  I moved to Marshall in 2002 to attend SMSU, studying Sociology, Justice Administration and Criminal Justice.   After college, I had the education to do what I thought I should, the experience to show me I didn’t know what I wanted, and plenty of baggage that needed checking.  Wise counsel recommended that I pray Proverbs 3:5-6 over my life - and direct my paths He did!  I found healing I didn’t know I needed in a place I never expected to find it: my job at Hope Harbor.  My husband and I married in 2011 and welcomed our daughter in 2016.  She gives me a whole new perspective on life and faith!  God is so good all the time.  I have been with Hope Harbor since 2007, and my job as Director of Operations is to ensure continuity over all locations and to assist everyone who cares for this ministry as they need me to. I get to laugh a lot, pray a lot, be creative a lot and usually I answer the phone too.  

My Favorite Scripture: Revelation 12:11 

I was raised in the nearby small community of Minneota, MN. I left my hometown in 2004 to attend college and received my bachelor’s degree in Business Management. I was on to bigger and better things and if you’d asked me then I’d tell you I was never moving back home. I was raised in a Christian family, but my faith was truly tested and grown in 2015 when my husband and I made the decision for him to leave his family business and move back to Minneota. Not long after, I learned the true meaning of “trusting in the Lord” when I forfeited my plan for my life and finally trusted the Lords direction. In 2018 we decided it was time for me to resign from my 11 year career so I could be fully present in raising our children. My husband, Joe, and I live on a small acreage outside of Minneota with our three beautiful children, a dog, and a cat! I enjoy making memories with my family and friends. On the weekends you can usually find our family doing some kind of house project! I believe the Lord answered my prayers when the Finance Secretary position was presented to me in March of 2019. I am blessed to be a part of this amazing ministry! 

My Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

I was born and raised in small town Minnesota where cattle far outnumbered people.   My grandmother taught me the importance of a love for Jesus from an early age.  I didn't fully understand it but I held onto it dearly.  I moved to Marshall in 2002 to attend SMSU, studying Sociology, Justice Administration and Criminal Justice.   After college, I had the education to do what I thought I should, the experience to show me I didn’t know what I wanted, and plenty of baggage that needed checking.  Wise counsel recommended that I pray Proverbs 3:5-6 over my life - and direct my paths He did!  I found healing I didn’t know I needed in a place I never expected to find it: my job at Hope Harbor.   I have been with Hope Harbor since 2007 as Direct Care Staff, Lead Staff, Program Coordinator, Program Director, Director of Operations and now simultaneously as Interim Site Director.  In this role, I support staff in Marshall as they minister to our girls and families each day.  

My Favorite Scripture: Revelation 12:11 

I was born and raised in Marshall, Minnesota and heard about Hope Harbor back as a freshman in high school.  The ministry had been in the back of my mind throughout college until my senior year. I attended SMSU in Marshall and received a degree in Social Work.  I also obtained my social work licensure in 2019.   During my senior year at SMSU, I chose to intern at Hope Harbor and that is where my journey began with this ministry. I fell in love with this place and the work all the staff gets to do.  We love on the girls and help them find their purpose and identity in Christ. I started here as a Direct Care Staff in May 2018 then moved into the role of Program Coordinator in May 2019.  Fun facts about me: I played tennis for SMSU all four years, I have a cat named Chloe (follow @meowmeowChloe on Insta), and I love calligraphy and you will see some of my writing when visiting Hope Harbor. 

My Favorite Scripture: Luke 19:3

I grew up in Morris, MN and attended the U of M Twin Cities. Go Gophers! I graduated with a BS in Agricultural Education and a teaching license. I taught 7-12 agriculture for three years, which brought me to the Marshall area. I started at Hope Harbor in September 2017 as Direct Care Staff. I have always known God, but working here and finding my church community has helped my faith to grow. When the teaching position opened here in Marshall I wasn’t too sure about it until I found myself saying “yes!” I truly believe that He lead me here. In the Teacher role, I manage the girls’ individual education  progress and the classroom to help them with their school work.  In the small classroom setting we have here, I get to connect with the girls more and spend more one on one time with them as they learn.

My Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

I grew up in small town central MN with a great family and community. I knew who Jesus was and was involved in my church, but didn’t make Him my Savior until college. By then the community where I grew up was a bit shaken, so I found comfort in knowing my God would never be shaken or leave me. After I graduated with a BS in Community Psychology from St. Cloud State, got engaged, made the move to Marshall and began working at Hope Harbor. I felt instantly at home in Marshall between my coworkers, my church, and my husband, Loic. God showed up in His perfect timing by continual provision and showing me His plans are far better than my own. As the Biblical Counselor I love the opportunity to serve Him and this ministry in a new way. Some things I love: doing laundry (weird I know), listening to audiobooks, long walks, and traveling. 

My Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:34

I've lived in Winona since 1967 and love the nurturing, wholesome community here.  I have been married for 31 wonderful years to my husband, Rich.  We have 5 boys and 3 lovely daughter-in-laws.  My family is important to me!  My growing up years were tumultuous and I made some unwise decisions as a teenager.  Looking back, I know the hand of God was upon me to save me and save me he did!  The work of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of my mother shaped who I am today.  I taught in public schools for 10 years, directed church groups of many types as well as been involved in community activities.  I'm so excited to be able to continue the work of Hope Harbor in our community!  I have been with Hope Harbor since 2017 and my job is to direct Hope Harbor in Winona.  

My Favorite Scripture: Galatians 6:9 

I was born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and raised just outside of Winona, with a few years in New Jersey.  The eldest of seven daughters, I was homeschooled until I left home for college. I attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, worked as a nanny, and graduated with a degree in Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation in spring of 2016.  I had the opportunity to live in the Philippines for six months working with an anti-sex trafficking organization in the slums of Metro Manila. This experience changed my life and really solidified my desire to serve young women and girls who are hurting. I have been with Hope Harbor since 2016, serving in various ways and all shifts.  As Program Coordinator for the Winona home, I get to see and experience many different sides of both the girls here and the ministry as a whole! 

My Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:37-39

In college I found the acceptance and significance I was searching for when Christ drew me to Himself. God filled me with His joy as He healed me from looking for acceptance in the wrong places. I've always had a passion for people of different cultures and was ready to tell the world about Him! As God has a sense of humor, He called me right back to my college town of Marshall, where I hesitantly began as House Staff at Hope Harbor. Five years later I followed Him to Winona to serve with this amazing ministry's new house. I stepped into the role of counselor this year knowing God had been preparing me for this. I love to see Him work in these precious girls and their families, as I get to challenge them, pray with them, and disciple them. He brings healing to the deepest places, gives them a sense of significance, and guides them to live in a way that honors Him and blesses them. This job is the best! 

My Favorite Scripture:  Psalm 40:1-10 

I was born and raised in New Berlin, WI and Jesus was at the center for my family. I accepted Jesus when I made a choice to confirm my faith in front of my church and family when I was 18 years. I have a strong relationship with God. I graduated from UW Oshkosh with BS in Human Services. I have been serving young girls and teens since I was 10 starting when babysitting turning that into nannying for the summers. Then in college, I became a Big Sister part of the Big Sister Big Brother program where I mentor and have a strong relationship with my little sister, going on now for 8 years. I got in touch with Hope Harbor when looking for a job and I heard Jesus’s voice calling me to apply. As a teacher, I get to mentor and help them with young girls and teens with their schoolwork. 

My Favorite Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6