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MEET OUR DEDICATED TEAM

As the Director of Sales and Marketing, I help residents choose their new homes and understand the levels of service we provide. I take great pride in leading our monthly Peace Project and making sure everyone who comes into our community feels welcomed! It has been a true honor being on the Pillars team from day one, as I was able to be a part of our pre-leasing prior to our doors opening in May of 2020.

I grew up on a farm in Lamberton, MN, a small community in the southwestern corner of the state. While in high school, I worked as a nursing assistant, where I helped care for my grandmother and many other seniors living with dementia. I am a proud graduate of the U of M, where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in mortuary science. I worked as a licensed funeral director with a focus on grief and transition for six years before obtaining my MBA from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2015. It was then I made my transition back into senior living care and have been proud to work for Ebenezer as an Outreach and Sales Director since 2015. Every day I am reminded how lucky I am to do a job I truly love and make a difference in the lives of those we serve. I learned very early on, "We work in our resident's homes; they don't live in our workplace."

I love to travel around the country on road trips and explore the world with my 9-year-old golden retriever Chloe and partner Jake. I enjoy training for marathons, finding great restaurants here in the twin cities (Hola Arepa, being my number one!), and grounding myself with yoga.

As the Director of Health Services here at The Pillars of Prospect Park, my role is to oversee all clinical care aspects of our Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. I am proud to have developed a team of caregivers, from our resident assistants to our RN’s, that provide the highest level of professionalism and care to our residents. My role on site is to lead all aspects of training and oversight of nursing care.

One of the highest honors I carry is caring for our residents in a person-centered way. To me, healthcare is a partnership with the resident, their family, and our nursing team. We will work together from the first time we meet in an assessment through the end of life care. I have found great purpose in caring for seniors since becoming an RN. I have been a part of The Pillars family since I joined in 2019 as the Director of Healthcare for The Pillars of Mankato.

In my free time, I love being a parent with my husband to our three adult children Noah, Sophie, and Jack. Also, I enjoy exploring fun and new places for a meal out with friends and family.

As the Director of Programming and Partnerships, my role is to bring meaning to Ebenezer’s mission to heal, discover and educate older adults to live longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives. My hope is that through our programs, partnerships, and innovative services, we can inspire residents to discover new passions, reignite old ones and continue to grow as individuals.

I started with The Pillars of Prospect Park in April of 2020 and have been with Ebenezer since 2017. My passion has always been fitness and health. I am proud to be a personal trainer with certifications in a variety of disciplines, including Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and Pound Fitness. Our fitness program is rooted in a wellness-first approach, which is then tailored to the wide array of needs throughout the community. I am driven to form unique relationships with each resident and inspired by developing deep, community collaborations.

The biggest pillar of our active living is engagement and education for all residents and their care partners. This is highlighted through our unique relationship with the University of Minnesota, where we coordinate close to 20 partnerships! I look forward to more exciting collaborations to come at The Pillars of Prospect Park!

I live in the Gateway District in downtown Minneapolis with my husband Kent and son Elias. We thoroughly enjoy everything that comes with life in the city! From staying physically active on the endless trails and green spaces to remaining culturally engaged with music and the arts, we love to explore and share in the best parts of the city we call home!

As the Culinary Director, I lead a team of chefs that help create upscale dining experiences for our residents and cater special events and happy hours! Every day our culinary team works hard to develop creative menus that are tailored to our community's unique and sophisticated palate! It has been a pleasure serving residents healthy, tasteful, and fun meals here at The Pillars since we opened!

I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Go Blue!) and Cedar Falls, Iowa. I have been working in hospitality for 25 years, cooking in 6 restaurants and 2 hotels. In 2012 I graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. While in New York, I became the Executive Chef at a family-owned bistro which focused on modern, locally sourced cuisine. My wife, Barbara, and I moved to her home state of Minnesota in 2014. I have been a Chef/Culinary Director in senior living for the past 8 years, including 3 years with Ebenezer.

I like to work on home improvement projects around the house and act like I know what I'm doing! Most importantly, I love being a new dad and spending time with the family - watching our kids, Lilli, Jae, and Mia make each other laugh!

As the Director of Environmental Services and Physical Plant for The Pillars of Prospect Park, I lead a team of dedicated building caretakers. I have worked as a Director of Environmental Services in senior living/skilled buildings in the Minneapolis area for nearly 30 years. I have spent the last 25 years at Augustana Health Care Center where I led a 10-floor remodel and renovation project for that campus. As well as several years of leading deficiency free surveys under the Minnesota Department of Health, OSHA, and Life Safety Code inspections. I served on the capital budget committee where I assisted with various large physical plant upgrades.

My supervisors and peers recognize me as providing high-quality service and standards in all the buildings I’ve supervised. I’m a leader by nature and I often roll up my sleeves right alongside my team, making sure our community stays in the best condition that any of our residents will be proud to call their home.

I live in Maplewood with my wife and 5 kids – all of whom keep me busy! I love spending time outside with my family, traveling, and finding fun places to eat out.

As the Sales Coordinator, I assist the Direct or Outreach and Sales by responding to prospect inquiries, providing community tours, and coordinating resident move-ins. I am also involved in assigning Resident Ambassadors to new residents to help welcome them into the Pillars community – quickly helping residents find their way around our community and meeting new neighbors who will soon become friends!

I was raised in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and later moved to Moorhead, MN, where I attended college at Moorhead State University. I received a degree in Social Work and started my career as an Outreach Worker at the Fargo Senior Commission. I knew early on that I wanted a career working with older adults, and it has been my passion since graduating from college. After moving to the Twin Cities, I got my first job in senior living where I spent 19 years as Marketing Director for a senior living community in St. Paul and worked another 7 years in an admissions role for a memory care community also in St. Paul. In March of 2020, I transitioned to The Pillars of Prospect Park and have loved working in this community where I can share with others why I love this community!

Our family has a home in Roseville, and I am looking forward to being an empty nester as I send my youngest of two children off to college in the fall! I love to spend time outdoors running, camping, and hiking. When indoors, I’m always absorbed in a book!

My name is Ellie and I am the Dimensions Manager at The Pillars of Prospect Park! You can find me up on second and third floor, in the Dimensions Neighborhood, overseeing the day-to-day functions. One of my major roles is creating effective communication between staff, residents, and families. I have previously worked in the same position at another Ebenezer community. Prior to that role, I have worked as an Activity Director and CNA. I have years of experience in this industry and enjoy the opportunity to continue to work with both seniors and children.

I am committed to supporting the community and enhancing the intergenerational programming. (Go Pack Go), but my family now resides in St. Paul. I have two children who attend The Pillars Child Care and you can find my husband running around there as well. On the weekends I volunteer at our local church in the nursery. In my free time I enjoy traveling, golfing, reading, and running.

As the Director of Active Living, my role is to support the physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual engagement of all our residents. Through collaborative, diverse, and active programming, I hope to build community that inspires connection, meaning, and growth. My goal is to create more opportunities for our communities living in and around the Pillars to come together.

I started with The Pillars of Prospect Park in July of 2021 as an Activity Assistant in our Dimensions community. As my introduction to working in Senior Living, it has been a great joy of mine to really get to know our Dimensions residents and their families. I am passionate about spending time with each resident and finding activities that bring out creativity, joy, and a sense of purpose. I especially enjoy creating opportunities for intergenerational programming and relationship building with our on-site childcare.

I live in South Minneapolis with my wife, Allison. We are involved in our local communities, especially with the Sisters of St Joseph, through which we were introduced. We enjoy making and listening to music together, singing, reading, refinishing furniture, and going for walks around the lakes.

As the Business Office Manager at the Pillars of Prospect Park, my role is to oversee our accounts payable and receivable, oversee the front desk reception team, and process resident statements and long-term care insurance claims. I also oversee all new employees as they go through the new hire onboarding process.

I really enjoy working at Prospect Park because I am surrounded by some of the most wonderful and talented coworkers and residents with innovative personalities. Since joining the team in 2021, everyone I have met here has a unique and fascinating story. I really enjoy meeting new people in our community whether it has been the residents, families, or visitors.

I was born, raised, and currently reside in Richfield and have always had a deep love for all things Minnesota! Before joining the Pillars of Prospect Park Team, I was in property management with Carew Properties for seven years. During my time at Carew, I gained valuable business and administration skills that have assisted me in becoming a well-rounded manager. My very first job many years ago as a high school student was in a senior living home; which planted a seed and a passion for senior care. I knew that I would find my way back to senior living one day, and I’m excited that day came and it was here at The Pillars of Prospect Park! Family is so important to me, and in my spare time, I love to spend time with my husband and our 10 nieces and nephews exploring all my favorite places in Minnesota!

As The Pillars of Prospect Park chaplain, Rev. Craig F. Simenson brings a broad and inclusive approach to spiritual care to our community. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Craig’s spiritual journey spans a wide range of traditions. He has been part of Quaker and Mennonite communities, studied Buddhism, led mindfulness programs in prisons, and traveled twice to the Holy Land to engage with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim peacemakers.

Craig lives in the Powderhorn neighborhood of South Minneapolis with his wife, the Rev. Hannah Campbell Gustafson (United Church of Christ). They met while both were in graduate school in Hyde Park on the south side of Chicago. Before chaplaincy, Craig earned degrees from Harvard Divinity School and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He and his wife are raising two daughters, Leona (6) and Ruth (3), along with their standard poodle, Óscar, who continue to teach Craig valuable lessons in parenting and humanity.

In addition to his role at Pillars of Prospect Park, Craig serves other Ebenezer senior living communities in Bloomington, Chanhassen, Eagan, and Red Wing. He looks forward to meeting you and supporting you wherever you are on your own unique spiritual journey.

As the Director of Childcare at The Pillars of Prospect Park, my role is to oversee the daily needs of our children. My passion for children stems from their very first day at the center, until they graduate preschool and are ready for Kindergarten. Our amazing set of teachers are here to guide them in all aspects of their lives. From engaging them in play, providing them with a safe, nurturing, environment and creating meaningful relationships with our team and Grandfriends.

The children of today are our future of tomorrow. By building them up in a positive manner, and showing them that they can be whatever they aspire to be is my ultimate goal. One of my proudest moments occurred recently when one of my first childcare students invited me to his high school graduation this year. I ran into him about two years ago, and asked if he remembered me. He couldn’t’ tell me my name but he knew who I was. It was at that time; I knew I was doing it right. I hope that I will get to be at your child’s graduation one day knowing that I made that same impact.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé Joey and our dog Ranger. I love crafting and DIY projects, traveling, going to concerts, spending time at cabins, and I am an avid state fairgoer/lover. Give me all the cheese on a stick and ask me where you can find the best lemonade!