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 Education Coordinator
Melissa coordinates Chronic Conditions Support Group and Memory Café in Olmsted County, overseeing the volunteers for these programs and coordinating services for clients since joining Elder Network in the summer of 2021. She also serves as a Facilitator of the Powerful Tools for Caregiver workshop. 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. Melissa brings her considerable talents to Elder Network to improve the lives of elders in the community.
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.”
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.”
Danelle Lawson
Winona Program Manager
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!”
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.”
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.”
Dawn Holmes
Administrative Assistant
Dawn was born and raised in California and moved to Rochester, MN in 1994 when her husband completed his military service. Rochester is where her husband, Jonathan grew up. They have two children, Caylin who is 25 and Colin is 18. Dawn worked for Mayo Clinic for 24 years and spent most of her time in the Ear, Nose and Throat department working in the appointment office. She worked mostly with Audiology and Hearing aid patients coordinating their visit to Mayo Clinic. Dawn also did some data entry and administrative duties as well during her time in ENT.
Dawn supports the staff at Elder Network as their new Administrative Assistant and is very happy to be here.
“I am excited to start this new chapter of my career at Elder Network. I am looking forward to getting to know our clients and all of our great staff. I have felt so welcomed here and am looking forward to a long career at Elder Network.”
Elder Network Executive Board
Board for Olmsted County
Advisory Board for Wabasha County
Advisory Board for Winona County
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
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