LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Community Engagement and Partnerships
Alexis Oberdorfer was named LSS' first Vice President of Community Engagement and Partnerships in August 2021. In this role, Alexis will lead LSS in partnering with other organizations and community leaders to advance new innovations, partnerships that build healthier, more sustainable communities and to improve the lives of the persons we serve.
Alexis joined Children's Home Society of Minnesota (Children's Home) in 2008 where she held various positions, most recently as President and Associate Vice President of Adoption for LSS. She spearheaded and operationalized the partnership and subsequent affiliation between Lutheran Social Services and Children's Home that began in 2012.
Alexis holds a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota, Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare and has worked in both the private non-profit sector and across the public child welfare continuum for more than 25 years, including the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. She is a recognized subject-matter expert who has testified at the MN legislature and has led innovative public/private sector partnerships to further family preservation.
Alexis has received awards from the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) and was a Child Welfare scholar for the Center of Advance Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) at the University of Minnesota. She serves on the Advisory Board of the National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster/Adoptive Parents. Previously, Alexis served on the boards for the National Council on Adoption (NCFA) and the Joint Council of International Children's Services (JCICS) and the Advisory Board of the Permanency & Adoption Competency Certificate, at the University of Minnesota, CASCW.
As an adopted person herself, Alexis brings credible lived experience to her work being raised in a multi-racial, multi-cultural family. She and her husband have three children, two of whom were adopted as siblings.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Bishop
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Bishop
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Bishop
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Behavioral Health Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Advisory Board
- Member of the Cherish All Children Advisory Board
Gay was inspired to become involved in the work against sex trafficking by a performance of Body and Sold by the Chain Reaction Theatre in 2017. She realized how vulnerable our children are to predatory exploitation. She draws on her experience as Development Officer with The Food Group to support and grow the ministry of Cherish All Children. Gay is a member of Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she is also the part-time Children's Education Director.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Certified Fundraising Executive
- in 2016 As Senior Director of Development
- Vice President, Development and President, LSS Foundation
Named Vice President of Development in October, 2019, Jesse Stremcha provides overall leadership in philanthropy to engage individual donors, congregations and faith communities, and volunteers in the life-changing work of the organization. He also serves as president of the Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Foundation.
Jesse joined Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota in 2016 as senior director of development to lead regional fundraising, annual giving, events and donor relations. Previously, he served as director of development operations for Children's Hospitals of Minnesota. Earlier in his career, Jesse served in management roles in fundraising and alumni relations at Carleton College in Northfield and Concordia University in St. Paul.
Jesse is a certified fundraising executive (CFRE) with a bachelor's degree in political science from St. John's University in Collegeville and a master's degree in organizational management from Concordia University in St. Paul. He currently serves on the Horizon Fund Steering Committee and Advisory Board for American Public Media Group's Glen Nelson Center. He is a past president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for St. John's University and has served on the GiveMN.org cabinet to share expertise on digital strategy.
In 2018, Jesse received Lutheran Social Service's Breakthrough and Velocity Award for innovation. He is a frequent speaker at conferences in Minnesota and nationally. Jesse is a voracious consumer of podcasts and audio books, loves St. Paul, works at being a good husband and dad, has a passion for food and drink, and tries to stay fit biking and running (not necessarily in that order). He and his family live in St. Paul.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cherish All Children Advisory Board
Jill embodies the phrase "Cherish All Children" in both her personal and professional life. Jill holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin Stout and enjoys substitute teaching at Glenwood city schools. Her passion for empowering youth, community development, and sharing her faith has shaped her involvement at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Glenwood City, Wisconsin, where she leads JAM (Jesus and Music), confirmation classes, serves on church council and plays in the handbell choir. Her love of running helps support the annual Cherish All Children 5K Run/Walk as she coordinates Glenwood City's own local 5K event to support Cherish All Children. Jill enjoys traveling with her rocky mountain horses, snowmobiling, golfing and 4-wheeling with her husband of 48 years and 8 grandbabies!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Vice President, Finance
Joe Khawaja was named Vice President of Finance in February 2022. He is responsible for Finance, Accounting, Information Technology and Property Management.
Before joining Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Joe served as the Chief Financial Officer for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Earlier in his career, he held financial leadership roles with Federal Reserve Bank, Cargill Inc., and Aramark Corporation.
Joe currently serves as a Board Director on the Affinity Plus Credit Union Board of Directors and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. He also provides leadership on Ascend, an Asian executive network promoting Asian Pan-American talent across the United States.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from City University in New York, a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Capella University based in Minneapolis, and executive certificates in Leadership from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
A resident of Maple Grove, he is a frequent speaker at Finance summits and was named a 2020 CFO of the Year by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Cherish All Children
Joy McElroy became Executive Director of Cherish All Children in October 2017, transitioning the organization into Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Prior to that, Joy was a Cherish All Children educator, engaging churches in the Saint Paul Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to prevent child sexual exploitation. She has over 25 years of leadership experience in business, education and church organizations. Her life's work has focused on serving and raising up individuals, including a 10 year teaching position at the Promise Program for women seeking self-sufficiency, and creating, implementing, and leading an ELCA program "Youth Leadership in the City."
Joy holds a master's degree in Human Resources from the University of Minnesota, with a focus on training and development. She lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with her family, attending Christ Lutheran on Capitol Hill where they are active in many youth and community activities.
Job Titles:
- Judge
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cherish All Children Advisory Board
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Kay Kinkel is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) providing individual and family therapy to adults and children as a contracted therapist with LSS of MN. Kay graduated with a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. She has experience providing mental health support to individuals struggling with serious persistent mental illness (SPMI) and trauma as well as anxiety, depression and relationship issues. She also has a Master of Arts degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and more than 25 years of parish and synodical ministry in the ELCA. Outside of her professional work, Kay enjoys time with friends and family, involvement in her local congregation, St. John's Lutheran Church in Shakopee, and baking and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Cherish All Children Advisory Board
Kerry supported Cherish All Children's accounting functions for many years and supported this transition into LSS. He serves as Chief Accounting Officer for Citizens Alliance Bank. Kerry's work with Cherish All Children serves to shed a light on the critical issue of child sexual exploitation, which is necessary for all children's safety, and that of his nine precious grandchildren. Kerry attends Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cherish All Children Advisory Board
- Pastor
Pastor Liz Eide currently serves Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood, Minnesota as a redevelopment pastor. She started in youth ministry working in partnership with Young Life and an ELCA congregation in Owatonna, Minnesota. She received an MDiv from Luther Seminary in 2001, was ordained in 2002 and has served as a solo pastor and on large multi staff teams in Germany, Rhode Island and Minnesota. Pastor Liz loves to create space for people to encounter God's Word in new and challenging ways and counts it as sacred ground to be invited to step into someone's story and wonder together about God's activity there. She gratefully shares life's adventures with her husband and their 15-year-old twins.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Administrative and Accounting Offices
You can view our local service availability for Diner's Clubs, LSS Bistro Community Dining Centers and LSS Meals on Wheels and find contact information for your area by searching by ZIP code below.
In addition to our local sites, we also offer frozen shipped meals statewide through LSS Meals to Go.
To make arrangements for Diner's Clubs, LSS Bistro Community Dining and/or LSS Meals on Wheels, call the phone number returned in the search listing.
To be eligible to receive meals at a reduced rate the participant, participant's partner or participant's caregiver must be over 60 years of age.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor / She / Her
Job Titles:
- LSS' Senior Vice President of Services
- Senior Vice President, Services
Maureen Warren became LSS' Senior Vice President of Services in June 2022, providing leadership to all LSS and Children's Home services. Previously, she served in two other roles: Vice President of Family Services and Vice President of Special Projects.
Before joining Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Maureen served as CEO and President for Children's Home Society and led them through a transformational period that culminated in the current partnership with LSS. Effective July 1, 2012, Lutheran Social Service assumed management of operations at Children's Home Society and united their two adoption services, combining a rich tradition, passion and common mission to find loving families for children who need them. On July 1, 2015, Maureen again began serving as the President of Children's Home Society.
Maureen's nonprofit leadership experience also includes serving as Director of Supportive Housing and Employment Services for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation and as the Chief Administrative Officer of William Mitchell College of Law. Earlier in her career, Maureen held senior leadership positions in affordable housing and community development with Fannie Mae in Chicago and the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C. She also practiced law for three years and served as a policy aide to the Mayor and Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the City of Saint Paul.
Maureen earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Minnesota Law School and her bachelor of arts degree at the College of Saint Catherine in Saint Paul. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Twin Cities Family Housing Fund and has served on numerous nonprofit boards focused on creating healthy, sustainable communities and opportunities for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.
She lives in Saint Paul with her son, Samuel, who was born in Vinh Long, Vietnam. Maureen adopted Samuel in January 2002 with the support of Children's Home Society.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Human Resources
- Lutheran Social Service As a Human Resources Manager
Miata Getaweh began her role as Vice President of Human Resources in October 2022.
She provides leadership in a variety of areas, including staffing and employment, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training and development. She also works with leaders across the organization to develop and implement strategies that drive operational excellence and organization effectiveness.
Getaweh joined Lutheran Social Service as a Human Resources manager in 2019 and was promoted to Associate Vice President of Human Resources Management in early 2022. Previously, she served as the director of Human Resources at Accessibility, an organization based in Minneapolis that provides work opportunities for people with disabilities. Early in her career, she was a Human Resources generalist before becoming the Human Resources manager for Care on Wheels Homecare in Brooklyn Center.
Getaweh is one of the founders and lead organizers of the African Immigrant Professional Development Conference that brings together African immigrants and employers to create networking and employment opportunities. In addition, she serves in a leadership role on the Pan African Employee Resource Group within Lutheran Social Service.
Getaweh earned her Doctor of Business Administration degree and her Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Bethel University in Roseville.
She and her family live in Coon Rapids.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cherish All Children Advisory Board
- Pastor
Pastor Nathan is lead pastor at Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania, Ohio. His more than 30 years of ordained ministry has led him to serve communities in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio. He has served with Cherish All Children for three years and has a passion for the battle against trafficking, especially the exploitation of vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. He is one of our regular writers of our weekly Wednesday Prayer initiative to 900 subscribers.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cherish All Children Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
- President
Patrick Thueson was appointed to President of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota in March, 2020.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice
Paul Slack was named LSS' first Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice in December 2021. In this role, Paul will be building on the organization's work to identify and implement ways to improve current practices and promote LSS' values and commitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice.
He will also be collaborating internally on recruitment and development strategies to ensure equity and opportunity, foster relationships with diverse external organizations, partners and vendors and monitor reporting systems to benchmark progress.
Before joining Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Paul served in pastoral ministries for more than 30 years in several regions of the U.S., most notably as founder and pastor of New Creation Church in Minneapolis. He has also served as president of the board of directors for ISAIAH, a multi-racial, state-wide, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities fighting for racial and economic justice in Minnesota. More recently, he was selected to serve on the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (CECLC). This council advises the Commissioner of Human Services on reducing disparities and inequities that affect cultural and ethnic communities throughout Minnesota.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Point Loma Nazarene College in San Diego, California and a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Massachusetts. Residents of Minneapolis, Slack and his wife, Dedra, have two adult sons who are both teachers.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Areas of expertise: Depression and anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADD/ADHD), play-centered therapy, parent/child relationships and parenting, and family relationships. Sharon is a Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the LSS Foundation Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors