Board
Board of Directors
The Minneapolis Senior Workers Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of Officers and Committee Chairs elected by the membership. The Board plans programs, works towards increasing the ability of the organization to meet its mission, and assists members in becoming full participants.
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors at a future time, please contact a member of the board. You will then be considered when there is a vacancy on the Board if you have been a MASWA member for a minimum of one year.
To enhance your MASWA membership, you are encouraged to become more involved by serving on a committee. To do so, please contact the Board Committee Chair who represents the committee of your interest.
Thank you for your interest.
President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of this Corporation. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the membership. He or she shall be responsible for the general supervision, direction and management of the affairs of this Corporation. He or she may execute on behalf of the Corporation all contracts, deeds, conveyances and other instruments in writing that my be required or authorized by the Board of Directors for the proper and necessary transaction of the business of this Corporation.
Georgene Connelly
Georgene's Biography:
Georgene is currently Senior Living Consultant at The Waters of Plymouth and sees each day as a new chance to help someone along the way. She began the Senior Living service journey through an exciting volunteering opportunity that lasted several years at Clare Bridge (now Brookdale), a Dementia and Alzheimer’s community. Becoming hooked was easy. You may have met her at a Fall Aging Conference, a Care Options GuideBook Social, MASWA Meeting or another similar event. Georgene believes that each day brings confirmation that this industry is the place to be, not only for what one can contribute but also for its unspoken rewards. Being a Board Member allows the opportunity to utilize skills and talents to serve others in yet another way. Originally from New York, where walking is the norm with a great ocean nearby, she claims that it is common to be caught walking the Minneapolis Lakes even though nothing beats a wave or two crashing upon a sandy beach with a gentle ocean mist in your face and sand underneath the feet! Georgene holds a BA in Psychology and a recent MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management where she serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. She also has completed Dale Carnegie training in Management and Leadership. In her spare time, she coaches executives in sales and sales leadership.
Secretary
The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. He or she shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of Secretary or imposed by these By-laws.
Libby Jensen
Libby Jensen recently joined the team of Certified Senior Advisors® at Choice Connections. She finds helping individuals and families navigate the often confusing and overwhelming world of senior housing rewarding. Her career spans over 40 years - twelve of those were spent as Marketing Director in an Eden Prairie senior community. Libby states “being part of an industry that not only recognizes the value of older adults but actively advocates for them has been a true blessing”.
Libby and her husband, Ned live in the southwest metro area. They have a son who lives in Stillwater, a daughter in Santa Fe and a lovable cat named Emmie. Travel, golf, gardening, cheering on the Twins and spending time with family and friends keeps them healthy and happy.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records for this Corporation including any entity and/or Committee of this Corporation and safeguarding the assets of this Corporation. The Treasurer shall be Treasurer for the Conference Committee, being responsible for maintaining accurate financial records of this Committee.
Paul Blom
Paul's Biography: Paul has been on the MASWA Board since 2003, and has served as President, Education Chair, Fall Aging Conference Co-Chair, and Public Policy Co-Chair. Paul currently serves as Treasurer. Paul and his husband, Bob, own and operate Right at Home, a non-medical home care agency based out of Bloomington. Outside of work and the MASWA Board, Paul is on the boards of the Parkinson’s Foundation, Avenue’s for Homeless Youth, and Training to Serve.
Members at Large
The Members at Large represent the general membership on the Board of Directors. The Members-at-Large form a committee that is responsible for planning the annual membership meeting.
Sue Stenberg
Sue's Biography: Sue has been working in the senior housing industry since 2014. She is currently the Director of Sales and Marketing at Walker Methodist Care Suites in Edina Sue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication and Marketing from St. Cloud State University. Her previous work experience was seven years in hotel sales and twelve years in corporate housing sales. Sue says her current position working with seniors is her "Best Job Ever"
Sue is the youngest of 8 kids (Catholic farm family) and has two sons. Outside of work, you can find Sue at her sons' sporting events (they play football, basketball and baseball), running or doing yoga.
Communications
The Communications Committee maintains up-to-date, accurate and effective print and electronic communications for use by members and the community.
Joel Kraft
Joel's Biography: Joel Kraft works with Coldwell Banker Realty and has the designation of Seniors’ Real Estate Specialist. He has previously managed a home care agency serving senior citizens and has extensive experience in marketing and contracting in the Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Industries.
Joel and his wife, Becky, have two children. The four of them live in Plymouth enjoy and being outdoors in the garden, traveling and spending time together at the family cabin.
Fall Aging Conference
The Conference Committee works with the Senior Workers Association of the Greater St. Paul Area to present the Annual Conference. The Committee determines the site, menu, theme, program, speakers, recruits sponsors and exhibitors, handles promotion and publicity, registrations and many other tasks associated with hosting the conference.
Georgene Connelly
Georgene's Biography:
Georgene is currently Senior Living Consultant at The Waters of Plymouth and sees each day as a new chance to help someone along the way. She began the Senior Living service journey through an exciting volunteering opportunity that lasted several years at Clare Bridge (now Brookdale), a Dementia and Alzheimer’s community. Becoming hooked was easy. You may have met her at a Fall Aging Conference, a Care Options GuideBook Social, MASWA Meeting or another similar event. Georgene believes that each day brings confirmation that this industry is the place to be, not only for what one can contribute but also for its unspoken rewards. Being a Board Member allows the opportunity to utilize skills and talents to serve others in yet another way. Originally from New York, where walking is the norm with a great ocean nearby, she claims that it is common to be caught walking the Minneapolis Lakes even though nothing beats a wave or two crashing upon a sandy beach with a gentle ocean mist in your face and sand underneath the feet! Georgene holds a BA in Psychology and a recent MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management where she serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. She also has completed Dale Carnegie training in Management and Leadership. In her spare time, she coaches executives in sales and sales leadership.
Education
The Education Committee facilitates and encourages continuing education in the field of aging for members of the organization. This committee administers scholarships for MASWA members.
Kathleen Carlson
Kathleen's Biography: Kathleen is a licensed social worker and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work through Saint Cloud State University. Kathleen has been practicing social work over ten years with older adults and adults living with mental illness in long term care settings. Kathleen currently works for VOA MN in the Center for Excellence in Supported Decision making where she is available to consult with families and professionals, providing in-depth phone based consultation and information with an emphasis on identifying suitable alternatives to guardianship where possible.
Kathleen's passion lies in advocating for adults to maintain autonomy with a focus on dignity, quality of life, and the safest yet least restrictive options for each individual.
Kathleen is a member of MAGiC (MN Association for Guardianship and Conservatorship) and serves on the MAGiC Journal Committee. Kathleen is a graduate of Honoring Choices Minnesota’s Respecting Choices course and is qualified as an Advance Care Planning Facilitator; she is also a Notary Public.
In her free time Kathleen enjoys being outdoors; hiking, fishing, and camping with her husband, toddler, and dog Fisk.
Membership
Public Policy
The Public Policy Committee enables membership to be informed of pertinent legislative and public policy issues in order to have an opportunity to respond accordingly
Jarrod Peterson
Jarrod's Biography: Jarrod Peterson is the owner of Touching Hearts at Home, Mid-Metro and Touching Hearts at Home of West Central MN. Touching Hearts provides non-medical home care throughout the metro area and outstate communities. Jarrod got his start in home care in 2008 working for the founder of Touching Hearts (who also happens to be his aunt) before becoming an owner himself.
In addition to keeping very busy with his two offices, Jarrod also serves on several boards and committees that focus on senior issues and small business concerns. Jarrod's favorite way to spend his time is with his two children at home in Shakopee.
Nominating
The Nominating Committee prepares a slate of officers and committee chairs to be presented at the Annual Meeting to be voted on the Corporation's members. They also recruit members to fill Board of Directors and Committee Chair vacancies as they occur.
MASWA Committees
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors at a future time, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee. You will then be considered when there is a vacancy on the Board if you have been a MASWA member for a minimum of one year.