The Team

Elder Network Team

Kathy Scheid

Executive Director

Kathy oversees Elder Network operations and programs. She works with companies, agencies, and community members to build support for Elder Network’s mission. Kathy has more than 20 years of experience with the American Cancer Society in Rochester as patient navigation program manager. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Michigan State University and completed her nutrition internship at Mayo Clinic. She previously served as nutrition services manager at Olmsted Medical Center.

“Throughout my career, a major focus and passion has been helping people live their best lives or improve their quality of life, especially those 55 and better,” said Scheid. “I am excited and honored to be able to pursue this life’s work with such a wonderful organization as Elder Network. Early in my career my work was community focused in Olmsted County and southeast Minnesota and I am thrilled to be returning to my roots and to serve in my community.”

Holly Brown

Caregiver Respite & Companion
Program Director

Holly coordinates companions and volunteers, evaluates services, and matches companions and volunteers with clients. She is a Master Trainer for Powerful Tools for Caregivers.
She trains new facilitators and also facilitates workshops herself. Holly also provides Caregiver Coaching. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and has been at Elder Network over 10 years.

Melissa Stone

Olmsted County
Program Coordinator

Melissa coordinates the Friendly Visiting, Chronic Conditions Support Group, and Memory Café programs, overseeing the volunteers for these programs and coordinating services for clients since joining Elder Network in the summer of 2021. She has several years of experience working in long term care, providing care and art therapy to those with dementia, and teaching psychology and neuroscience courses to undergraduate students. She has a BS in Psychology from Truman State University and a Masters of Gerontology degree from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She also has conducted cognitive neuroscience research at Saint Louis University to better understand learning and memory strategies throughout the lifespan. She hopes to bring these skills to Elder Network in order to improve the lives of elders in the community.

Brian Swancutt

Outreach

Brian is responsible for conducting outreach about Elder Network to those who may be needing services in Dodge County. This is not the first time Brian has worked at Elder Network; they previously worked at Elder Network through the AmeriCorps Emergency Response Initiative in Minnesota during the summer of 2021.

Brian is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where they received a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work. They have extensive experience working in the non-profit industry, with a focus on organizations that serve marginalized and historically underserved communities.

“Elder Network’s mission is something that has and continues to draw me in. As the number of older adults continues to increase, especially in rural and lower density population areas, organizations like Elder Network will be needed more than ever to fill in the gaps that traditional elder-care stakeholders will be unable to meet. Working to be part of that is something I greatly look forward to!”

Kate Jirik

Senior Advocate – Olmsted County

Kate spends her time providing information, referral and assistance to seniors and their caregivers. Kate helps seniors 60 years and better and their caregivers through Medicare health insurance counseling, assistance completing forms and applications, connection to home services in the area and navigation of systems for long term care services and supports. She connects callers to caregiver supports, memory cafes, and other evidenced based classes that can help caregivers make their way through this sometimes challenging season of life. She is excited for this opportunity to circle back around in her career and come back to where it began. Kate started her human services career in 1993 as an intern and then program coordinator at Elder Network. She holds a BS in Mental Health and Human Services from Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH) and a Masters in Social Gerontology from the University of Central Missouri. She most recently has been working as the Development and Training Program Assistant at The Reading Center here in Rochester.

“I have had a lifelong passion for working with and relating to the older adults that I have crossed paths with in my life. I feel very honored to have the privilege to work in a place where I can play a small part in improving the daily lives of some of our community’s most vulnerable and precious members.”

Becca Herbstritt

Development Manager

Becca started at Elder Network, working with the Companion program, in 2017. Becca has been working within the nonprofit industry for almost 10 years and holds a BA in Human Services from Waynesburg University and a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. Becca oversees the writing of grants for the Elder Network, helps with program development, and works in other areas of fundraising and development at the agency.

Kyle Johnson

Technology Assistance Program Manager

Kyle coordinates the Technology Assistance Program for clients, overseeing the staff and volunteers who provide support to clients. He started working at Elder Network in the winter of 2021. He is responsible for the intake of new clients into the TAP program. He has created a curriculum for the volunteers that will teach clients the basic use of technology with iPads.

“I have always loved exploring new technology and how to adapt it for different lifestyles.”

Bonnie Sandberg

Program Manager – Wabasha County

Bonnie is a Lake City native with 29 years experience in the health care industry. Bonnie is based out of the Wabasha office and oversees five programs in Wabasha County: Friendly Visiting, Companion Care Services, Respite Care, Education & Support Groups. Bonnie supports volunteers, clients, and families living in Wabasha County.

Bonnie shares: “The need for Elder Network programs is growing in our communities. Many seniors are socially isolated and may need a hand around the house. Elder Network is here to help. We provide social visiting and companion services to help with shopping, cooking and light housework. Whether seniors are at home alone, with a caregiver, or in a senior living facility, Elder Network is here to provide support to help seniors maintain their health and independence.”

Photo of Danelle the Winona Program Manager

Danelle Lawson

Meet Danelle Lawson – our new Winona Program Manager. She lives in the Winona area with her husband and 4 children. They have a house full with 2 cats that rule the home, a dog that causes chaos whenever she can, a turtle named Oscar and a water frog named Gerald.

She has a BS in Addiction Studies and an AAS in Cosmetology. This summer, she will be returning to school to obtain her certificate in Nursing Home Administration. She owned her own salon for a few years and then moved into the mental health field where she worked in residential housing for 9 years. She spent the last year as an Executive Director of a home health agency.

Danelle shares, “Every path I’ve taken has led me to helping people and with my new position at Elder Network. I can continue that work. I am looking forward to learning this new job and all the people I’ll get to work with!”

Donna Proeschel

Technology Assistance Manager Assistant

Donna is assisting with the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) in Olmstead, Winona and Wabasha counties. She has more than 30 years of experience teaching, creating and implementing innovative community programs in Australia and the U.S.

Born in western Minnesota, Donna received a B.S. in Family Life and Child Development Education from the University of Minnesota and completed post graduate work at Macquarie University. For the past ten years, she and her husband were resident directors at a senior living community in Madison, Wisconsin. In March 2021, they moved to Rochester to be closer to their family. Donna was the primary caregiver for a parent with Alzheimer’s and volunteers at her grandson’s Montessori preschool.

“I am excited for the opportunity to engage and enrich the daily life of the 60 plus population through technology and building their confidence in using the computer in safe, helpful and entertaining ways.”

Elder Network Executive Board

President – Mary Pat Jewison – Community Member
Vice President – TBD
Treasurer – Tyler Broberg – Entrepreneur
Secretary – Tiffany Olson – Mayo Clinic
Past President – Erin O’Brien – Destination Medical Center

Board for Olmsted County

Board Member Rachael Hanson – Charter House, Mayo Clinic
Board Member Therese White – Think Bank
Board Member Adedayo Dosumu – Mayo Clinic
Board Member Michael Rogers – Mayo Clinic
Board Member Tammy Harnack – Aging and Care Coordination
Board Member Abby LeVasseur – Mayo Clinic
Board Member Laurie Mangen – Keller Williams Realty
Honorary Board Member Mary Doucette – RN, CNP
Honorary Board Member Tricia Schilling – MSW, LICSW

Advisory Board for Wabasha County

Sharon Haack, Community Member
Mary O’Brien, Community Member
Dave Jacobs, Community Member
Judy Lortscher, Community Member

Advisory Board for Winona County

Thomas Krause, Attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc.
Maggie Modjeski, Sugar Loaf Senior Living/Bluff View Estates
Kay Peterson, Winona Volunteer Services

Companion Care Team

The Companion Care Team is responsible for providing non-medical care to support seniors to live in their own homes safely. Their responsibilities are tailored to the individual client, but can include helping make meals, taking walks, assisting with shopping, some support in cleaning and organizing the home. Each companion receives ongoing training, completes a national background check and assists the caregivers and care receivers to create an optimal life balance.

Contact Elder Network for services the following counties.

Olmsted County
1130 ½ 7th St NW Ste #205,
Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-285-5272
Fax: 507-285-0884

Wabasha County
PO Box 52
Lake City, MN 55041
Phone: 651-565-3237

Winona County
902 E 2nd St,
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-452-0580

PROGRAMS

INFORMATION

SUPPORT

CONNECT

Call 507-285-5272
Email: info@elder-network.org