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
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)
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
Secretary Board Member Job Description. (here)
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
Education Board Member Job Description (here)
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)
Thank you for the warm welcome everyone!