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Board Members

President- Jennifer Lachermeier

Greetings everyone! 

I joined MAPA in 2015 and became a Treasurer from 2016-2021. I graduated December 2017 with an A.A.S. for Activity Director from Ridgewater College and then became NCCAP certified. I have worked for LMS since 2010, where I started in housekeeping. One day, in 2012, our campus administrator asked me if I would like to try activities, and I never looked back! I worked in the Long Term Care Unit for the first 4 years and for the rest I have been working closely with the Assisted Living and Memory Care units. Prior to LMS I worked with Adults with Developmental Disabilities since I was around 15 years old. I live in the very small town of Winsted, MN with my husband Philip, son Benjamin and fur babies, Otto, Max and Ruby. We also have a daughter Taylor, who happens to be the Preschool Teacher in the Koala Bear Childcare at LMS so I get to see her daily. I love spending my free time reading, playing card games and riding motorcycle with family and friends. I love learning everything I can about our "greatest generation" and am so thankful for MAPA and the education it provides. I look forward to meeting you!


Jennifer Lachermeier, ADC, MC, ALF, PC, CDCS

Summer Wood of Chanhassen

525 Lake Drive 

Chanhassen, MN 55317

Office: 952-294-5516

Email: jlachermeier@preshomes.org


President Board Member Job Description. (here)



Vice President- Nancy Schwartz

Hello Everyone!


My husband Kory and I live in Ramsey and are currently empty nesters to our 2 sons, Jake and Erik.  We have many family traditions and love to spend time together especially during holidays. Our Summer Adventure is motorcycling as a family, we call ourselves the "Schwartz Gang!" My golden retriever is Gus, he is an avid hunter and beloved family member. I am a huge MN Vikings fan and attend all the home games. I love camping, movies and time with family and friends. Oh, and I love to play bingo! I have worked in activities roles, serving seniors, since 1994. I am currently serving as Housing Director for PHS GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge.  I serve dually as our MAPA Vice President and as the region 6 (MAPA) representative for our bigger organization MNSWAP (MN Statewide Activity Professionals). Being on this board has been rewarding and a true pleasure.  I hope you will consider running for office in Fall of 2022!  Bonus- you get a free MNSWAP Fall Conference and Hotel Room annually.


Nancy Schwartz, CTRS, CDP

PHS GracePointe Crossing

1545 RiverHills Pkwy NW

Cambridge, MN 55008  

Office: 763-691-6192

Email: nschwartz@preshomes.org



Vice President Board Member Job Description. (here)




Treasurer - Amanda Cahill

I am so excited for the opportunity to become the Treasurer of MAPA. I am looking forward to working along other activity professionals to share ideas and best practices. I have been in the profession for over 15 years. I went to college for social work. After college, I had a job as a social worker and activities coordinator in a long-term care community. I realized my passion was more activities versus social work as I feel I made more of a difference in bringing purpose, laughter, and fun in their lives. I am currently an Active Living Director at Ebenezer Ridges Care for the last 4 year.

I have a 5-year-old daughter and husband. I am the Activities Director at home and enjoy finding fun adventures for us on the weekends. 

Amanda Cahill ADC
Ebenezer Ridge Care
13820 Community Drive
Burnsville, MN 55337
Office: 952-898-8409

Treasurer Board Member Job Description (here)



Secretary- Ellie Leohner

A bit about me: I have over 8 years of Activity Planning for Seniors under my belt. In 2016, I graduated from Metropolitan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and for a time was working on obtaining a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Following that was a period of serving persons with notable mental health needs.  However, it eventually became apparent that working in Activities was the true calling for me.  I love bringing joy and entertainment to our seniors.


Ellie Leohner

Broadwell Senior Living

3025 Harbor Lane

Plymouth, MN 55447

Office: 763-465-2961

lec@broadwellplymouth.com



Secretary Board Member Job Description. (here)




Education- Ann Schrempp

I am thrilled the be your Education Board member. Currently I am the Corporate Director of Life Long Learning and Intergen for Ebenezer. I have been working in the field of life enrichment and activities for over 12 years; supporting intergenerational connections at an intergen shared site community for over 7 years. I have a BFA from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities where I also studied Nursing. During my time as a CNA, I fell in love with working with older adults and that is where I discovered the incredible impacts of activities. As they say, the rest is history.



Ann Schrempp

Ebenezer

7505 Metro Blvd

Edina, MN 55439

Office: 952-891-6842

Ann.Schrempp@fairview.org



Education Board Member Job Description (here)

Hospitality- Cindy Vega

Hello everyone! 

I am excited to be part of this team and meet other members who share the same passion for the work we do. I am currently the LED for Iris Park Commons AL  at Episcopal Homes, and have been blessed to work here for six years. I started off as a front desk aide and helped out a lot from the beginning and just worked my way up to the Enrichment Director.
Previous to this field I was the Public Relations Chair for my student group at the U of M, and the Outreach Chair for our Midwest Umbrella Organization so you could say I love working with people. I also went to school at Anoka Tech for Medical Assisting and after six months of working in a clinic, I decided my heart was with my residents and returned to them at Iris Park.

At home I have two wild sons, Leo(3) and Noah(1), with my husband Juan. They keep us very busy but it really is a joy to have them in our lives. In the summer we like to get our family together for a cookout at the lake, in our winters  we enjoy going to Pho Hoa after Mass for a great bowl of soup. I like to think I'm the pinterest Mom and try to get my kids to craft but they hate crafts- so I'm glad my residents enjoy our pinterest projects.

I would love to exchange ideas and get connected with you, so please feel free to reach out.

Cindy Vega
Iris Park Commons
1850 University Ave W
St. Paul, MN. 55104
Office: 651-272-4962


Hospitality Board Member Job Description (here)

Membership- Karren McRae


Hi Everyone!


I always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, and that's what I went to college for. While in school, I became a stay at home mom. Going to the "gym" was part of my daily life. So, I became a Group Fitness instructor and soon found myself back in school working on a degree in Health and Exercise Science. I became a Fitness Coordinator and then a Director for the YMCA. While there, I was on the committee for Active Older Adults for the YMCA of the Twin Cities. I fell in love with older adults, they had the best stories about life! Two knee injuries sent me in a new career   

                                                                                        direction. 


I started as a Life Enrichment Coordinator for VOA- The Homestead at Maplewood. With zero experience, I was the only activity person for the building-covering both AL and MC. Many of the skills I learned while working on my Elementary Ed. Degree applied to working with seniors. Since then, I've opened two Senior Living buildings and at the end of 2015 I made a change to be a part of the Green House Model of Care at Episcopal Homes of Minnesota- The Gardens in Saint Paul. Long Term Care is very different than Senior Living! I miss my active seniors, but I love the 1:1 time that I have now! 


In my "free time", we keep a boat slipped in a marina in Red Wing, MN and we spend all summer out on the Mississippi River. In the winter, if I'm not hibernating behind my iPad or watching Netflix we are snowmobiling. I have been a member of MAPA since 2015 and have served on the board since 2019.


Karren McRae

Episcopal Homes of MN-The Gardens

1860 University Ave. W

Saint Paul, MN. 55104

Office: 651-272-4956

Email: kmcrae@episcopalhomes.org



Membership Board Member Job Description (here)


Communications Chair - Theresa Perkins

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone!   

I enjoy any chance I get to be creative.  After working in the floral industry for over 10 years I decided to become a laundry/CNA/Activity Assistant for Presbyterian Homes & Services of Arden Hills.  With 6 years of activity experience, I have an appreciation for a baking group as it stimulates all 5 senses!  The smiles of my residents when they get to eat what they've made is priceless.  As a current Life Enrichment Coordinator in Gables LTC, I worked hard to replace the oven lost during a recent reconstruction.  In 2019, I graduated with and Activity Director AAS Degree from Ridgewater College.  I also work for Interlude Restorative Suites as the Activity Director. I look forward to sharing my communication with you about MAPA!

Theresa Perkins
Johanna Shores 
3220 Lake Johanna Blvd
Arden Hills, MN  55113
Office: 651-631-6047


Communications Board Member Job Description (here)